Hoo Development Framework

Principle 1. The Trust supports landscape-led approaches and in particular welcomes any opportunity for landscape-scale conservation work. More information on this can be found on our website: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/landscape-scale-conservation/ Principle 3. Incorporating existing and providing new green infrastructure, including trees and hedgerows, should be part of any sustainable development. More information on this can be found in our publication 'Residential developments and trees' https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2019/01/residential-developments-and-trees/.

Neither agree nor disagree

No answer given

no comment

Ancient woodland: The Woodland Trust will oppose any proposals that threaten loss or harm to ancient woodland and veteran trees. We look to Medway Council to uphold the NPPF protection for ancient woodlands and for SSSIs. Development on land within or outside a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and which is likely to have an adverse effect on it (either individually or in combination with other developments), should not normally be permitted. Where ancient woodland or veteran trees are lost or damaged there will always be net loss of biodiversity and it is impossible to secure net gain. It is important that any construction is located and designed to avoid damaging ancient woodland, that it includes adequate buffers for designated sites and protects connectivity between wildlife habitats. Further information is available in the Trust’s Planners’ Manual for ancient woodland (2019) https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2019/06/planners-manual-for-ancient-woodland/ Green infrastructure: We welcome proposals for a green bridge over the Peninsula Way. We are keen to see better connectivity between existing areas of woodland, including Chattenden Wood and Lodge Hill SSSI, the woodlands to the south including Cockham Wood, and the coastal SSSIs. We welcome the integration of tree planting into new neighbourhoods and along walking and cycling routes, to provide shelter and shade and to maximise the potential of these new green corridors for habitat connectivity. Trees and hedgerows can deliver wider social and environmental benefits such as: barriers to noise; mitigation for water and air pollution; flood alleviation; enhanced landscapes; carbon sequestration; and assist in climate change adaptation and resilience by stabilising the soil.