Object

Representation ID: 3130

Received: 22/03/2021

Respondent: Mr Paul Barrett

On Cottingley Moor, in the winter I have observed flocks of redwing and fieldfare (both Red list Birds of Conservation Concern). During a recent observation on the very fields in question, I saw a kestrels and buzzards - indicator species that proves there will be small mammals (and other food chain species) in the area. On the same visit, a charm of goldfinches was foraging in the hedgerows. There are a few large oak trees in the fields.
Notwithstanding the destruction of Green Belt land, Paragraph 175 of the National Planning Policy Framework states:
a) if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided, adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused;
c) development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists.