Consultation document
Scoping document for the Wyre Forest Green Infrastructure SPD
Last updated 31 January 2025
Consultation now closed
Introduction
The Wyre Forest District’s Green Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides more detailed advice on the Green Infrastructure related policies contained in the Wyre Forest Local Plan. It has been prepared in partnership with colleagues in the Planning team.
The SPD will focus on matters of green infrastructure and how they should be positively addressed through the development planning process in the district. It is aimed at local authority planning officers, applicants, developers, relevant organisations, and the wider community.
We are inviting your comments on this Scoping Report to help us identify the key issues that need to be addressed through the Green Infrastructure SPD for Wyre Forest District.
Policy Context
National and Local Policy
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2 sets out how Government Planning Policy should be applied. The NPPF requires each council to have robust and comprehensive policies across a broad range of areas to support the delivery of high-quality sustainable and inclusive development. Section 4 of the NPPF, sets out the Government’s planning policies, including a specific requirement to deliver a sufficient supply of homes. The NPPF is supported by National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) which further outlines the importance of green infrastructure.
Wyre Forest District adopted their Local Plan in April 2022. The Local Plan is essential in order to successfully plan for development and to enable the Council to make good decisions on planning applications. The proposed SPD will provide detailed guidance on policy SP.22 Landscape Character, SP.23 Protecting and Enhancing Biodiversity, policy SP.28 Green Infrastructure, policy DM.7 Open Space, policies SP.20 and DM.24 Quality Design and Local Distinctiveness and policy DM.26 Landscaping and Boundary Treatment from the Wyre Forest Local Plan. There are also general policies applicable across the whole Local Plan which the SPD can help support due to its overarching nature. The SPD will also support any forthcoming Neighbourhood Plans in the District.
What is a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)?
SPDs build upon and provide more detailed guidance about policies in the Local Plan. Legally, they do not form part of the Local Plan itself and they are not subject to independent examination but they can be accorded significant weight as a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications, providing a tool in the interpretation and application of policy.
Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment
National planning policy indicates that a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) are not required for an SPD unless it is considered that there are likely to be significant environmental effects or exceptional circumstances.
This SPD builds upon policies in the adopted Local Plan for Wyre Forest, all of which have been subject to SA and SEA and detailed scrutiny at the Examination. If you believe an SEA is required, please set out what the exceptional circumstances are requiring one to be undertaken as part of your response.
Table one: topics to be covered by the Green Infrastructure SPD
The table below sets out what is proposed for each section and how it will be addressed.
|
Topic |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Types of Green Infrastructure to be considered |
Sets out the different types of Green and Blue Infrastructure that should be considered as part of new development, including woodlands, hedgerows, trees, waterways, sports, recreation, open space, natural environment, flood plains, drainage areas, urban green spaces, heritage landscapes and habitats of importance for their Biodiversity. It also provides details on how green infrastructure should also contribute and where possible enhance to landscape character. |
|
Green Infrastructure Network assets and functions |
Identifies the existing green infrastructure networks and provides details on how existing assets and functions should be enhanced and protected. |
|
Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Net Gain |
It is proposed that this section will provide detail on opportunities that new Green Infrastructure will provide for Biodiversity Net Gain. It is intended to complement the emerging Biodiversity Net Gain SPD. |
|
Green Infrastructure Design Process |
Provides detail on seeking pre application advice. It will also provide information on considerations during the design process such as considering the characteristics of existing green infrastructure and the landscape character types as defined by county, optimising opportunities to enhance or create green infrastructure and ensure it integrates effectively into new developments and the impact that proposed green infrastructure GI will have on the wider green infrastructure GI network. |
|
Providing recreational alternatives to existing green infrastructure |
Providing good quality recreational alternatives for the community to use to reduce pressure on high vale Nature conservation sites, SSSI’s and NNR. |
|
Long term management of Green Infrastructure |
Gives further detail to policy SP.28 and DM.7 about the long term management and maintenance of green infrastructure in perpetuity and how this will be secured and monitored through the development management process. |
|
Examples of good Green Infrastructure |
This section will detail what good Green Infrastructure looks like, how it should be incorporated in new development, hard and soft landscaping, biodiversity and drainage considerations and retrofitting of green infrastructure into existing development. |
|
Case Studies |
Provides examples of good practice regarding Green Infrastructure in the district. |
Table two: timetable for production
|
Process |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Scoping Report Consultation |
January to February 2025 |
|
Preparation of The SPD and Evidence |
February to April 2025 |
|
Cabinet |
8 April 2025 |
|
Consultation (6 weeks Statutory) |
9 April to 6 May 2025 |
|
Preparation of Final SPD |
May to June 2025 |
|
Adoption |
June 2025 |