To ensure the best use of land development proposals should give priority to:
a. previously developed land and buildings provided that they are not of high environmental value;
b. despoiled, degraded, derelict and
contaminated land provided that it is not of high environmental value; c. the subdivision of properties, the reuse or conversion of existing vacant properties and building density that will ensure an efficient use of land; and
d. the safeguarding of Grade 1, 2 and 3a agricultural land for food production and where reasonable alternatives for development can be identified, the safeguarding of grade 3b agricultural land.
e. the safeguarding of land to make space for water at times of flood.
2.88 Cornwall’s natural and
historic environment is at the
heart of our culture and past, it must be at the heart of our future
distinctiveness. It is the quality and character of the environment as a whole which is a key contributor to the economy and quality of life. It can be a competitive advantage for Cornwall in terms of attracting and retaining investment.
2.89 While other parts of the UK may be more readily accessible, it is the quality of life that is a key
attractor to, and retainer of, investment in Cornwall. The historic, built and natural
environments and landscapes, coast and seascape of Cornwall, is a key strength and the rich environments and heritage will be managed to act as a catalyst for the realisation of this strategy and not a barrier to it. This means the careful stewardship of our environmental assets so that growth is complimentary and does not erode the very qualities that make Cornwall so attractive in the first place.
an approach to achieve this so that the aims to attract investment and caring for our environments are mutually compatible. Without carefully managed growth many of the opportunities to safeguard and strengthen our environmental assets will be lost.
2.91 The quality of Cornwall’s
environment is reflected in the many statutory responsibilities and duties to safeguard the environment through legislation.
2.92 These include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty which covers 26% of Cornwall including Bodmin Moor, the Camel Estuary and the Tamar Valley,-17 Special Areas of Conservation, 2 Special Protection Area,144 Sites of Special
Scientific Interest, Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Special
Protection Areas, Protected Species, Conservation Areas and international agreements such as listed or
proposed RAMSAR sites or the World Heritage Site2which has been
designated in recognition of
Cornwall’s Mining Heritage and the European Landscape Convention3.
2.93 We will undertake surveys to provide the basis for monitoring the future impact of planned
development, on international sites for nature conservation. This will be used to inform the measures that are necessary to avoid adverse impact of additional use on these sites. Any proposals with potential direct impacts will be assessed under the Habitats Regulations.
2.94 There are also about 400 Cornwall Wildlife Sites of significant value covering approximately 10% of Cornwall’s land area, all of which contribute to environmental quality and sense of place.
2.95 However, all landscapes
matter15, not just those with national
designations which is why attention to distinctiveness and character of the whole of Cornwall is so
important. This is reflected by the Council’s Landscape Character
Assessment. A range of evidence will inform decisions about the impact on landscape including our well
documented Areas of Great
Landscape Value and through the saved policies for these from
previous Local and Structure Plans. We will undertake reassessment of the descriptions and extent of each Area of Great Landscape Value to inform and produce strong revised statements of these local
designations of landscape value. 2.96 Considerable guidance and evidence is set out in the Landscape Character Assessment, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Site management plans and the Historic Environment record in particular. All of these provide important information and should be used alongside this document in making planning decisions.
2.97 The plan seeks to meet the development needs of Cornwall. The coast, particularly the undeveloped parts, will seldom be the most appropriate location. Given both the physical and policy constraints in most parts of the undeveloped coast, it should not be expected to accommodate new development that could be located inland or in existing developed areas.
2.98 Planning applications which have the potential to impact on biodiversity will need to be
accompanied by ecological surveys which incorporate a biodiversity impact assessment, describing the
biodiversity interest of the site, and the nature and extent of any impact of the proposed development. They should outline any mitigation
measures and the steps to be taken to retain, incorporate, protect, enhance and where appropriate manage the biodiversity interest, as part of the proposals. Proposals near or affecting a SAC also require a Habitats Regulations Assessment. Figure 4: Environmental designations map – no change to pre-submission document