Policy HW1 focusses on the provision of outdoor playing space and I consider text that supports this policy should draw attention to the potential noise from this type of development that might impact on residential amenity. The Options Plan might identify how these impacts might vary with respect to the types of sporting uses, times of use, intensity of use and days of use. This would appear helpful when providing development 'clarity' as advocated in the third bullet point of section 13.3. The

In support for Policy HW2 section 13.13 it might also highlight the aural benefits of Green Infrastructure as the presence of some features such as trees and water features can help to enhance tranquillity by providing noise masking to reduce the significance of other unwanted urban noise. A link to 'Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment' https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan may also be helpful. Section 13.6 expresses an intention to promote co

Making better use of existing resources contributes to sustainable development objectives by reducing the need for additional facilities and the potential loss of scarce resources such as open space. The practice of making school sports facilities available to wider community use is already well established and has been government policy for many years, but there are further opportunities to extend this principle within the education sector through programmes such as Academies and to other priva

POLICY HW2 –GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Paragraph 13.15 and HW2 highlights the benefits of trees. At present there is an issue with highways over the provision for street trees. These will be increasingly important for shade and urban cooling in the coming decades, so this policy could be strengthened by making explicit a requirement for street trees of appropriate species to be incorporated in major developments.

The sentence beginning with "the former will require an initial landscape maintenance plan to ….." seems out of place as there is no "former" to refer to It is important that Policy leaves genuine choice to developers regarding the provisions for management of open space, given the Councils decision to establish a "for profit" company that intends to provide this service.

I agree with POLICY HW1 – PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE, OUTDOOR PLAYING SPACE, SPORTS, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

POLICY HW2 –GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Considerations about adequate buffers between watercourses and new development, and ensuring adequate treatment and consideration of locations of discharge of water, is valuable in protecting the environment in the future. This is particularly important in regards to the delivery of environmental net gains through development. We therefore support the principles of this policy.

We strongly support the requirement at HW2iig for an overarching network to increase the district's tree cover. We recommend that an explicit target is set, although acknowledge this may follow further assessment in the Green Infrastructure Strategy. We suggest a minor wording change from 'tree cover' to 'tree canopy cover', which is a more specific measurement which better reflects the extent and thus carbon storage, biodiversity value and wellbeing benefit of a tree.

We strongly support the requirement at HW2iig for an overarching network to increase the district's tree cover. We recommend that an explicit target is set, although acknowledge this may follow further assessment in the Green Infrastructure Strategy. We suggest a minor wording change from 'tree cover' to 'tree canopy cover', which is a more specific measurement which better reflects the extent and thus carbon storage, biodiversity value and wellbeing benefit of a tree. We recommend strengthenin

We note at 13:17 that a Green Infrastructure Strategy will identify clear priorities. We would welcome the opportunity to explore how the Woodland Trust might support in the development and delivery of such a strategy, including the identification of strategic priorities for trees and woodlands within the wider natural environment. We would strongly advocate a county-wide approach to green infrastructure to maximise its benefits at the landscape scale.