Grapevine Article - August
- Trevor Graham
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
Interest is growing for the community project to create a public greenspace on land off Rushall Road. Redenhall with Harleston Town Council voted unanimously to add their support, and the Norfolk Ponds Project confirmed their backing.
There are many steps involved in the process and there have been some challenges along the way. One is a change of use planning application. Despite retaining a field as, a field, we are required to submit a full planning application at the cost of £588. This is the same process as for someone wishing to build housing on the site.
We aim to manage the field for the benefit of nature and plant trees which will increase biodiversity. However, we must include a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) baseline assessment, monitoring plan, and management plan for the next 30 years. Strangely we could apply to build up to nine self-build homes which would destroy habitat without the BNG hurdles. It may seem rather odd to most people, but they are the rules.
Our metrics show a habitat gain of 17.8%, and a hedgerow and tree gain of 25.4% which exceeds the 10% requirement. This is with minimum intervention and before we include restoration of the nearby ponds. As the land belongs to SNC it must be discussed by the Development Management Committee (Planning). We will let you know the date, and maybe you could pop along to support the application.
Hurdles are challenges providing opportunities. We will continue undaunted.
If you are interested in helping out, or would simply like more information please email us at: greenspace@naturerecoveryinharleston.org.uk
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This article was first published in The Grapevine August edition.
