Kirdford Neighbourhood Development Plan - South Downs National ...

Kirdford NDP
• Are supported by a sequential, risk based approach to the location of development to
avoid possible flood risk to people and property; as well as setting out measures to
manage any residual future risk.
• Incorporate proportionate and appropriate pollution control measures to prevent
adverse impacts on the water environment.
• Are in line with Environment Agency practice note GP3 “Groundwater Protection:
Principles and Practice”; include SUDS as the first method of surface water disposal.
Connection to the surface water sewer should only be used as a last option; and
Where either SUDS is not feasible/appropriate or if the development is of a size and nature that
will likely exacerbate existing drainage issues elsewhere within the Plan Area, an appropriate
payment towards off-site drainage and water run-off management will be required.
Reasoned Justification
The maintenance of verges, ditches and culverts are integral to the general upkeep, durability
and wellbeing of the Parish roads and country lanes, as well as preventing water pooling on
road surfaces and general flooding. Previous Government policies and current national
economic constraints have resulted in a lack of maintenance being provided in this regard. As a
consequence, regular flooding is occurring, including flooding of roads that results in dangerous
and/or limited vehicle access to/from or within the Parish. It is important that an annual
maintenance programme that includes the cutting of verges and clearance of ditches and
culverts is maintained, to ensure safe and consistent access to the village all year round.
Whilst the LPA normally dealt with such requirements by way of Planning Conditions set out in
the planning permission after consultation with the Environment Agency, such process has not
reduced the recurrent harmful impact upon the highway infrastructure essential to sustainable
growth. The community therefore considers it reasonable that any development increases the
natural permutation of rainwater into the soil and reduces the load on the ditch network.
Furthermore, that an appropriate financial contribution to cover the cost of maintenance of the
Parish area rainwater dispersal system is justified. Or alternatively that the development
proposals provide for the requisite volume of rainwater harvesting and recycling within the site
area.
Policy EM.2 – Nature Conservation Sites
Intention
The Parish Council and community have embraced the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s West Weald
Landscape Project, with a number of residents actively planting trees and hedges on their land.
The local wildlife and landscape, accessible by footpaths, is considered to be a valuable
resource and key to underpinning the development of tourism in the area. 1/3 rd of the Parish
area lies recognised as a gateway and buffer zone to the adjacent the South Downs National
Park within which. Committed to a number of projects to improve the local habitat and
landscape, the community considers nature conservation a positive contribution to managing
sustainable development growth in its Plan Area.
Policy EM.2 – Nature Conservation Sites
Development within the Plan Area will be refused unless it can be demonstrated that any
proposal will conserve and enhance designated or potential special protection areas,
designated or candidate areas for conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and
nature reserves.
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