Natural Environment
The natural environment and its preservation and enhancement
form a key component of the emerging Local Plan. This page
introduces the key issues/themes that will be addressed within the
plan(s) and the evidence base documents that have been used to
inform our decision-making.
Landscape (NE2)
The Council recognise that the
quality of Allerdale's landscape is an
important asset and consequently, its management and protection is
a high priority within the Local Plan. In addition to the
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and to help us
understand the different types of landscape within the Borough
and the aims and objectives for their protection, the
planning policy team has used the
Cumbria Landscape Character Guidance and Toolkit and the
Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Landscape
Character Assessments.
Biodiversity and geodiversity (NE3)
Allerdale contains a significant number of
biodiversity and geodiversity assets that are
of international, national and regional importance. These
assets will be safeguarded by the Local Plan, in
accordance with European and national legislation. In addition
to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and to help us
identify these assets and their conservation objectives, the
planning policy team used the
Cumbria Biodiversity Evidence Base and the
Local Geodiversity Action Plan for Cumbria.
Air, soil and water quality (NE4)
Local air, soil and water quality has important implications for
health and well-being of those who live, work and visit
the Borough. Therefore it is important that the Local
Plan includes policies to ensure that their condition is
not undermined in the future. In addition to the National
Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and to help us understand the
risks that new development poses to these resources and the way
in which these potential impacts should be mitigated, the
planning policy team used the
Air Quality Strategy for England, the
North West River Basin Management Plan and the
Soil Strategy for England.
Open space, sport and recreational facilities (NE5)
All residents of Allerdale have
the right to access quality open space for leisure and
recreational purposes. The policies contained within
the Local Plan will seek to ensure that there is equal
provision throughout the borough in terms of both amount and
quality of facilities. In addition to the National Planning Policy
Framework (NPPF) and to help us understand the current
situation, the planning policy team has used the finding and
recommendations of the Open
Space Audit that was undertaken by the Council to address
the issue of both oversupply and deficiency within individual
settlements, and also the quality of existing provision.
Countryside and coastal access (NE6)
Outdoor recreation has the potential to provide health benefits
and providing access to our countryside and coastline is one of the
primary means of obtaining these benefits. The Local
Plan will seek to safeguard and promote access to these areas
and uphold national legislation on Public Rights of Way. In
addition to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and
to determine local priorities for countryside and coastal
access, the planning policy team has used the
Cumbria Countryside Access Strategy, the
Cumbria Rights of Way Improvement Plan and the national
Improving Coastal Access Strategy.
Shoreline management (NE7)
The social well-being and economic prosperity of our coastal
communities is an important consideration for the Council. The
Local Plan will seek to provide a policy framework that
will enable them to adapt to the challenges of both climate
and coastal change in the future. In addition to the National
Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and to ascertain the future
objectives and defence strategies for the areas of coastline within
the borough, the planning policy team has used the
North West England Shoreline Management Plan.