Comment

Representation ID: 99428

Received: 19/12/2022

Respondent: Natural England

We note that for MIN08, MIN13 and MIN 51 it is currently stated that: “The site is proposed to be restored at a lower level and the majority returned to arable agricultural. Due to the expected depth of extraction, it is recognised that restoration to arable is likely to require the use of imported inert material to provide a suitable profile. Lagoons to be retained as ponds with planting to create wet woodland habitat. Hedgerow interspersed with oaks is to be planted along the northern boundary alongside Rawhall Lane. A proportion of the site will be restored to woodland and associated grassland habitat”
These allocations are stated as being of Grade 3 agricultural land quality and so it is unclear as to whether or not this is BMV land (i.e. sub-grade 3a). If not, then it could be beneficial in terms of nature recovery in this area to explore whether the restoration of these sites could further complement/expand on the nature recovery ambitions of the nearby Wendling Beck Environment Project [https://www.wendlingbeck.org/] to deliver more habitat creation in this area which is bigger, better and joined up in line with the Lawton principles [Making Space for Nature: (nationalarchives.gov.uk) [https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20130402170324mp_/http:/archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/biodiversity/documents/201009space-for-nature.pdf].