FLOOD RISK We support that Paragraph 14.18 states that a new Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) is 'currently being prepared'. We believe that the Level 1 SFRA has been completed, therefore, we would seek clarification whether this updated document had been considered in this Local Plan? This is especially important if promoting growth in identified in flood risk areas and the requiremtn for yoru Authority to undertake the Sequential Test. We note that under Policy EQ1, the local plan reco

Policy EQ1- Addressing Climate Change in South Somerset Policy EQ1 (Addressing Climate Change in South Somerset) in the emerging Plan states: "The Council will support proposals for new development where they have demonstrated how climate change mitigation and adaptation will be delivered, through inclusion of the following measures (as appropriate): …(b) Development of renewable and low carbon energy generation will be encouraged and permitted, providing there are no significant adverse impact

WATER RESOURCES AND QUALITY We would promote that the local plan has strong environmental policy especially as the impacts of climate change on the water environment are uncertain. POLICY EQ1 –Addressing Climate Change in South Somerset A commitment to a certain level of water resource efficiency in new build developments should be considered. As this commitment to efficient use of water across development of this scale could result in substantial water savings, leaving more water for the env

We agree with the HRA's assertion that the essential water level conditions of the SPA could be unbalanced by additional development as projected in the plan. It is noted that generic policy EQ1 refers to the use of SUDS but this in no means provides the required strong protection of the balanced water levels in the SPA. We also note the recommendations of the HRA to strengthen generic biodiversity policy EQ5 and to add some text regarding the quality of SUDS. However, we consider that the plan

What would we like to see? The Local Plan Review includes a range of policies covering housing (mix, type, affordable), employment, tourism, retail, transport and accessibility, health and wellbeing, environmental quality (climate change, renewable & low carbon energy, sustainable construction, flood risk, biodiversity, design, historic environment, landscape, woodlands & forest, pollution control). In most areas, we think the policies could be stronger: Climate Change / Carbon emissions * •

5.23 Policy EQ1 needs to be re-considered in the context of the NPPG Chapter 14 Climate Change (February 2019) and PPG Climate Change (March 2019), for example bullet point 1 is not clear. Different sectors may have different options for mitigation. The PPG states that: "Every area will have different challenges and opportunities for reducing carbon emissions from new development such as homes, businesses, energy, transport and agricultural related development." Paragraph: 007 Reference ID: 6-0

This section of the policy is a repeat of matters dealt with through Building Regulations and as it sets no targets it is of limited use to developers seeking to understand how this policy might be interpreted other than in accordance with these National standards Whilst the aims of these sections are laudable, this is no clarity on what criteria will be used to judge whether the policy is complied with. This will leave the policy open to unnecessary argument and create tension between

FLOODING Within the Coker Ward there is concern regarding flooding of the River Od (West Coker Stream) which flows through West Coker, Holywell, East Coker, Barwick and Stoford, where it is a tributary which meets the River Yeo. Due to the escarpments of the Coker Ridge and the land along the Southern boundary sloping southwards, flooding occurs annually within the village areas and occasionally on the A37 , Church Lane, Barwick and Newton Road. These flooding problems along the River need to b

Introduction 1.1 This document was agreed by Bruton Town Council at its meeting of 27 August 2019. 1.2 The document makes some comments on the Preferred Options Consultation document in general, and then addresses those policies that are specific to Bruton. 2 General comments 2.1 The Local Plan must be completely re-drafted to place the District's response to the Climate Emergency at its heart. 2.2 The District declared a Climate Emergency on 21 May 2019 and our Town Council did so on

The issue of improving energy efficiency of new houses was formerly addressed well by the Code for Sustainable Homes. This has been lost and nothing has replaced it. A new local design guide is needed and one element of it should be to ensures houses are built in such a way that they are oriented in a way that can make maximum use of solar gain not only now, but so that they can take advantage of future developments in household energy management. Building materials themselves have a climate im