The document discusses policy implications for local authorities from emerging national policies. It outlines East Sussex County Council's responsibilities, which include economic development, transport, waste management and biodiversity protection. New policies promote sustainable development, local nature partnerships, and improving health and ecological networks. The county council aims to balance economic and environmental goals, as seen through projects like the Cuckmere Pathfinder and Bexhill to Hastings Link Road.
Safe Shores and Resilient Transit CorridorsRebecca French
Learn how Connecticut won the National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC)! Using science, design, and stakeholder partnerships, the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) in partnership with the Yale Urban Ecology and Design Lab, State Agencies Fostering Resilience, and a multitude of private and non-profit partners, assessed the vulnerability of New Haven and Fairfield Counties and proposed a resilience concept to address those vulnerabilities.
This presentation was given at the 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in San Francisco, presented by Dr. Rebecca French, Project Director for the CIRCA NDRC Team.
Neighborhood Sustainability Indicators Pilot ProjectNLandUSA
Strengthening sustainability in urban communities
Exchanging transatlantic best practices
Andrea Limauro, Ward 3 Neighborhood Planner, OP
March 10, 2010
Royal Netherlands Embassy
Safe Shores and Resilient Transit CorridorsRebecca French
Learn how Connecticut won the National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC)! Using science, design, and stakeholder partnerships, the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) in partnership with the Yale Urban Ecology and Design Lab, State Agencies Fostering Resilience, and a multitude of private and non-profit partners, assessed the vulnerability of New Haven and Fairfield Counties and proposed a resilience concept to address those vulnerabilities.
This presentation was given at the 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in San Francisco, presented by Dr. Rebecca French, Project Director for the CIRCA NDRC Team.
Neighborhood Sustainability Indicators Pilot ProjectNLandUSA
Strengthening sustainability in urban communities
Exchanging transatlantic best practices
Andrea Limauro, Ward 3 Neighborhood Planner, OP
March 10, 2010
Royal Netherlands Embassy
Proposal for Kashwakamak Lake Sustainability Plan - July 2011Scott_A_Bennett
This presentation was to the Kashwakamak Lake Association at the Annual General Meeting on July 9, 2011. The proposal was accepted to being the first stage of the lake sustainability plan.
Request all to join in the initiative of thought leadership platform and in my endeavour of sincere efforts of contributing towards science and society.
Approved Kashwakamak Lake Sustainability Plan - July 2016Scott_A_Bennett
The Kashwakamak Lake Sustainability Plan was approved at the Kashwakamak Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 9, 2016. This plan is a living document that will be reviewed every five years. It will be implemented by volunteers in the lake community over the coming years.
Kashwakamak Lake is located in the North Frontenac Township, in Central Ontario, Canada.
How can we create infrastructure that sustains a healthy planet? We explore in our latest SlideShare in honor of Earth Day.
Tell us what you think. Tweet us @AECOM using #EarthDay2015.
2012 06 Bristol Channel Strategic Coastal Group – Shoreline and Flood Risk Ma...SevernEstuary
John Buttivant - Environment Agency
Bristol Channel Strategic Coastal Group, Shoreline and Flood Risk Management
John has a BSc in Geography from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He is a chartered Water and Environmental Manager and a Chartered Environmentalist. Since joining the Environment Agency in 2001 John has had a key role in Coastal Management at all levels from individual flood defence schemes to strategic management planning and regional coastal monitoring. Currently, he is a Senior Coastal Advisor working for the Environment Agency’s Wessex Area, where he maintains a Strategic Overview of coastal activities and works closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to manage the risks of flooding and coastal erosion.
The Coastal Groups play a key role in the integrated management of coastal flood and erosion risks. They are responsible for production of the Shoreline Management Plans and have key roles in the sharing of best practice and overview of coastal issues.
Local Authorities and the Environment Agency are working hard to address the demands of society for effective coastal defences as well as meeting legal obligations to mitigate habitat losses. The challenges posed to the coastal authorities by increasing sea levels adds to the pressure at a time when direct government funding is decreasing. The Coastal Groups have a vital role to play in assisting the coastal operating authorities as they seek external partners and partnership funding to deliver improvements to defences whilst acting as a focus for innovative solutions that meet the demands of society.
Proposal for Kashwakamak Lake Sustainability Plan - July 2011Scott_A_Bennett
This presentation was to the Kashwakamak Lake Association at the Annual General Meeting on July 9, 2011. The proposal was accepted to being the first stage of the lake sustainability plan.
Request all to join in the initiative of thought leadership platform and in my endeavour of sincere efforts of contributing towards science and society.
Approved Kashwakamak Lake Sustainability Plan - July 2016Scott_A_Bennett
The Kashwakamak Lake Sustainability Plan was approved at the Kashwakamak Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 9, 2016. This plan is a living document that will be reviewed every five years. It will be implemented by volunteers in the lake community over the coming years.
Kashwakamak Lake is located in the North Frontenac Township, in Central Ontario, Canada.
How can we create infrastructure that sustains a healthy planet? We explore in our latest SlideShare in honor of Earth Day.
Tell us what you think. Tweet us @AECOM using #EarthDay2015.
2012 06 Bristol Channel Strategic Coastal Group – Shoreline and Flood Risk Ma...SevernEstuary
John Buttivant - Environment Agency
Bristol Channel Strategic Coastal Group, Shoreline and Flood Risk Management
John has a BSc in Geography from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He is a chartered Water and Environmental Manager and a Chartered Environmentalist. Since joining the Environment Agency in 2001 John has had a key role in Coastal Management at all levels from individual flood defence schemes to strategic management planning and regional coastal monitoring. Currently, he is a Senior Coastal Advisor working for the Environment Agency’s Wessex Area, where he maintains a Strategic Overview of coastal activities and works closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to manage the risks of flooding and coastal erosion.
The Coastal Groups play a key role in the integrated management of coastal flood and erosion risks. They are responsible for production of the Shoreline Management Plans and have key roles in the sharing of best practice and overview of coastal issues.
Local Authorities and the Environment Agency are working hard to address the demands of society for effective coastal defences as well as meeting legal obligations to mitigate habitat losses. The challenges posed to the coastal authorities by increasing sea levels adds to the pressure at a time when direct government funding is decreasing. The Coastal Groups have a vital role to play in assisting the coastal operating authorities as they seek external partners and partnership funding to deliver improvements to defences whilst acting as a focus for innovative solutions that meet the demands of society.
Preserving and restoring parkland, protecting critical watersheds, maintaining native wildlife and plant species, and providing high quality recreational activities are important for the future of the parks. The purpose of a Sustainability Plan is to ensure that Ottawa County will be able to maintain its current practices and develop a strategy for future opportunities with an ever-growing population and increasing park use.
The plan identifies goals Ottawa County Parks aspires to accomplish within five years, at which time the plan will be reviewed. The goals are organized into Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability. Objectives and actions will be included to specify the exact steps that must be taken in order to reach the indicated goals. The plan will be available to the public to review later this year.
Adapting Cities - Implementing research in practiceKit England
Presentation given to the ARCC assembly on 11th June by Kit England, Nick Grayson and Kate Cochrane, on behalf of Core Cities, Newcastle City Council, Birmingham City Council and Bristol City Council
Presentation by Jay Talbot (Community Council of Devon) to the third sector event on the UK Climate Projections tools.
Defra's Innovation Centre
Reading
28 July 2009
Presentation on the UK Climate Projections by Jay Talbot, CEO of the Community Council of Devon.
This was delivered at the UK Climate Projections third sector event on the 28 July 2009 at Defra's Innovation Centre in Reading.
Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Development Planning, GuatemalaPilar Roman
The project, implemented by the General Planning Directorate (SEGEPLAN) and lead by the Poverty and Environment Initiative (UNDP and UN Environment), looks to integrate the environmental dimension in land planning policies at the national, subnational and local levels; it aims to generate and articulate public policies which contribute to the reduction of poverty through sustainable management of natural resources. To this end, the project led the elaboration of a study on ecosytems and natural capital valuation in the Chiquimulilla channel.
Ecological Regionalism: Sustainable Urban Environments within a Regional Fram...William Aultman
This project explores the creation of a sustainability framework that assesses environmental, social, and economic conditions within the region centered on the Greenville - Spartanburg - Anderson metropolitan area of South Carolina and identifies critical locations for design or policy decisions that directly respond to sustainability needs.
Craig Benjamin gave this presentation to our community group - Sustainable Queen Anne (Seattle). Craig is a Master in Public Administration and has a Certificate of Environmental Management, both from the Evans School of Public Affairs, Univ. of Wash. Craig holds a B.A. in Public Policy from Washington & Lee Univ. Craig serves on the city of Seattle’s Neighborhood Plan Advisory Committee and Bicycle Advisory Board. He is employed by Cascade Land Conservancy in Seattle (2009).
Similar to The Nature of Change: Carl Valentine (20)
Encryption in Microsoft 365 - ExpertsLive Netherlands 2024Albert Hoitingh
In this session I delve into the encryption technology used in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Purview. Including the concepts of Customer Key and Double Key Encryption.
Why You Should Replace Windows 11 with Nitrux Linux 3.5.0 for enhanced perfor...SOFTTECHHUB
The choice of an operating system plays a pivotal role in shaping our computing experience. For decades, Microsoft's Windows has dominated the market, offering a familiar and widely adopted platform for personal and professional use. However, as technological advancements continue to push the boundaries of innovation, alternative operating systems have emerged, challenging the status quo and offering users a fresh perspective on computing.
One such alternative that has garnered significant attention and acclaim is Nitrux Linux 3.5.0, a sleek, powerful, and user-friendly Linux distribution that promises to redefine the way we interact with our devices. With its focus on performance, security, and customization, Nitrux Linux presents a compelling case for those seeking to break free from the constraints of proprietary software and embrace the freedom and flexibility of open-source computing.
Sudheer Mechineni, Head of Application Frameworks, Standard Chartered Bank
Discover how Standard Chartered Bank harnessed the power of Neo4j to transform complex data access challenges into a dynamic, scalable graph database solution. This keynote will cover their journey from initial adoption to deploying a fully automated, enterprise-grade causal cluster, highlighting key strategies for modelling organisational changes and ensuring robust disaster recovery. Learn how these innovations have not only enhanced Standard Chartered Bank’s data infrastructure but also positioned them as pioneers in the banking sector’s adoption of graph technology.
Dr. Sean Tan, Head of Data Science, Changi Airport Group
Discover how Changi Airport Group (CAG) leverages graph technologies and generative AI to revolutionize their search capabilities. This session delves into the unique search needs of CAG’s diverse passengers and customers, showcasing how graph data structures enhance the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated search results, mitigating the risk of “hallucinations” and improving the overall customer journey.
In his public lecture, Christian Timmerer provides insights into the fascinating history of video streaming, starting from its humble beginnings before YouTube to the groundbreaking technologies that now dominate platforms like Netflix and ORF ON. Timmerer also presents provocative contributions of his own that have significantly influenced the industry. He concludes by looking at future challenges and invites the audience to join in a discussion.
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 4DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 4. In this session, we will cover Test Manager overview along with SAP heatmap.
The UiPath Test Manager overview with SAP heatmap webinar offers a concise yet comprehensive exploration of the role of a Test Manager within SAP environments, coupled with the utilization of heatmaps for effective testing strategies.
Participants will gain insights into the responsibilities, challenges, and best practices associated with test management in SAP projects. Additionally, the webinar delves into the significance of heatmaps as a visual aid for identifying testing priorities, areas of risk, and resource allocation within SAP landscapes. Through this session, attendees can expect to enhance their understanding of test management principles while learning practical approaches to optimize testing processes in SAP environments using heatmap visualization techniques
What will you get from this session?
1. Insights into SAP testing best practices
2. Heatmap utilization for testing
3. Optimization of testing processes
4. Demo
Topics covered:
Execution from the test manager
Orchestrator execution result
Defect reporting
SAP heatmap example with demo
Speaker:
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
PHP Frameworks: I want to break free (IPC Berlin 2024)Ralf Eggert
In this presentation, we examine the challenges and limitations of relying too heavily on PHP frameworks in web development. We discuss the history of PHP and its frameworks to understand how this dependence has evolved. The focus will be on providing concrete tips and strategies to reduce reliance on these frameworks, based on real-world examples and practical considerations. The goal is to equip developers with the skills and knowledge to create more flexible and future-proof web applications. We'll explore the importance of maintaining autonomy in a rapidly changing tech landscape and how to make informed decisions in PHP development.
This talk is aimed at encouraging a more independent approach to using PHP frameworks, moving towards a more flexible and future-proof approach to PHP development.
Generative AI Deep Dive: Advancing from Proof of Concept to ProductionAggregage
Join Maher Hanafi, VP of Engineering at Betterworks, in this new session where he'll share a practical framework to transform Gen AI prototypes into impactful products! He'll delve into the complexities of data collection and management, model selection and optimization, and ensuring security, scalability, and responsible use.
Epistemic Interaction - tuning interfaces to provide information for AI supportAlan Dix
Paper presented at SYNERGY workshop at AVI 2024, Genoa, Italy. 3rd June 2024
https://alandix.com/academic/papers/synergy2024-epistemic/
As machine learning integrates deeper into human-computer interactions, the concept of epistemic interaction emerges, aiming to refine these interactions to enhance system adaptability. This approach encourages minor, intentional adjustments in user behaviour to enrich the data available for system learning. This paper introduces epistemic interaction within the context of human-system communication, illustrating how deliberate interaction design can improve system understanding and adaptation. Through concrete examples, we demonstrate the potential of epistemic interaction to significantly advance human-computer interaction by leveraging intuitive human communication strategies to inform system design and functionality, offering a novel pathway for enriching user-system engagements.
DevOps and Testing slides at DASA ConnectKari Kakkonen
My and Rik Marselis slides at 30.5.2024 DASA Connect conference. We discuss about what is testing, then what is agile testing and finally what is Testing in DevOps. Finally we had lovely workshop with the participants trying to find out different ways to think about quality and testing in different parts of the DevOps infinity loop.
Pushing the limits of ePRTC: 100ns holdover for 100 daysAdtran
At WSTS 2024, Alon Stern explored the topic of parametric holdover and explained how recent research findings can be implemented in real-world PNT networks to achieve 100 nanoseconds of accuracy for up to 100 days.
Pushing the limits of ePRTC: 100ns holdover for 100 days
The Nature of Change: Carl Valentine
1. Policy Implications for Local Authorities Carl Valentine Head of Service – Environment East Sussex County Council Nature of Change conference - 15 September 2011
Good afternoon, I am Carl Valentine and I am Head of Service for the Environment Division within the Economy, Transport and Environment Department of ESCC. I would like to make it clear from the outset that I am not an environmental specialist, I am a Chartered Civil Engineer and have many years experience of maintaining and developing new highways infrastructure, working in conjunction with environmental specialists. Within ESCC i am responsible for managing the Environment Service which includes waste, environmental advice, emergency planning, gypsies and travellers and the AONB High Weald Unit. I am here today to give you the broader view of the CC rather than the specialised view of one of my environmental advisors. The policies we are discussing today, in particular those arising from the Lawton review and the National Ecosystem Assessment, will have wide ranging implications for Local Authorities, however, I shall concentrate on those related to planning, particularly in the context of sustainable development and I shall explore the issues for ESCC in providing new infrastructure for it’s residents.
The breadth of work covered by my department alone illustrates the wide range of roles and responsibilities the CC has. At the broadest level we act as land owners, land managers, developers and as the local Planning Authority.
We have a responsibility to provide vital new infrastructure for the community – which can be a challenge from an environmental aspect Schools Waste facilities such as the ERF at Newhaven Transport Infrastructure which will facilitate economic development. As planning authority we need to consider the need and appropriateness for other infrastructure such as Housing Hospitals New business development
In meeting government policy, we also have to be mindful of various legal requirements that we are beholden too. Biodiversity is a core component of sustainable development, underpinning economic development and prosperity, and has an important role to play in developing locally distinctive and sustainable communities. We can’t do our job of developing new infrastructure without the resources that nature provides us with. We are also responsible for managing large parts of the environment that brings in a substantial part of the local tourist pound (e.g. The Cuckmere Estuary), and we have to ensure that the waste products of some of our economic activities don’t pollute our environment. So we have a wide ranging role in ensuring the natural environment can function in a productive and sustainable way. In 2006, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act placed a duty on all Public Authorities to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity in exercising their functions. The duty aims to raise the profile of biodiversity, to clarify existing commitments and to make biodiversity an integral part of policy and decision making. We therefore need to ensure that we address this duty throughout all our various functions, and development control is clearly an area where we need to consider appropriate mitigation as well as providing an obvious opportunity to address the issue of enhancement.
If we are to meet our biodiversity duty, as well as the multitude of other duties placed upon local government, the principles of sustainable development should be embedded in all plans and policies. As a LPA, ESCC therefore has three key roles to meet through the planning system; an economic role, a social role and an environmental role. Finding the balance is not always simple, especially around the grey areas of protection and enhancement of the natural environment, and judgements have to be made based on technical expertise and experience and best available information. However, as long as development is planned and undertaken responsibly, there doesn’t necessarily need to be a contradiction between increased levels of development and protecting and enhancing the environment. The landscape in which we work and live is constantly evolving, the challenge is to manage change well, to provide the most effective economic, social and environmental outcomes.
Within this context, I’m now going to highlight some of the policies which will have the greatest implications for LAs within the planning process and to give some examples of how we are already working towards sustainable development. One of the commitments within the Natural Environment White Paper is the creation of Local Nature Partnerships, which in time will help to deliver Nature Improvement Areas. Later, I will touch briefly on how we already work in partnership both with other organisations and with the community, and also how we are intending to strengthen this work. Again, much has already been done across the County to identify Biodiversity Opportunity Areas, which provide a sound basis for us to consider as part of wider Nature Improvement Areas, and to embed within the strategic planning framework of LDFs and the WMDF. In terms of powers to protect and improve the environment, in addition to various statutory instruments relating to the protection of species and habitats, and more broadly the biodiversity duty mentioned earlier, the White Paper gives us new powers and duties to improve the health of local people. There’s clear evidence that links a quality environment to improved health outcomes for those suffering from poor health, for instance, through providing opportunities for people to be active in green open spaces that are easily accessible from where they live.
I would also like to highlight some of the core principles within the draft National Planning Policy Framework, because whilst the Natural Environment White Paper makes some high level commitments, the Framework incorporates those commitments into a more practical format. Again, the Framework is anchored around sustainable development. Core principles include the development of a positive long-term vision for an area which takes account of environmental quality or potential quality and that seeks to protect and enhance environmental and heritage assets. As it is proposed that the default answer to development proposals will be “yes”, it is vital for us to make sure that the policies within our development plans are robust, up-to-date and based on the best available evidence. The draft Framework seeks to identify priority areas for economic regeneration, infrastructure provision and environmental enhancement, encouraging solutions which support reductions in emissions and congestion and facilitate economic growth. There are proposed policies for the restoration and aftercare of land previously used for minerals and/or waste, and these in turn can provide opportunities to improve people’s access to the countryside with the knock-on health benefits. In terms of development management, Local Authorities are identified as having a key role to play in encouraging all parties, to take maximum advantage of the pre-application stage. Such discussion enables better coordination between public and private resources and results in improved outcomes for the community. A key consideration for us is that ¾ of the County has some form of statutory environmental designation, notably the SDNP and the High Weald AONB, as well as international, national and locally designated sites.
For the rest of my presentation, I am now going to run through some practical examples of how we are seeking to address these various duties and policies. The examples I have chosen cover partnership working and community engagement, projects to improve access to the environment in areas of deprivation, and the difficult balance that sometimes exists between development and environmental protection and enhancement.
The community engagement work recently completed for the Cuckmere Estuary, funded through the Defra pathfinder project, is a classic example of ESCC having multi-functional roles and needing to remain objective. We are one of the main landowners within the Estuary, owning the land and properties on the east side. As the Highways Authority, we have responsibilities to maintain the road and the bridge, and to maintain the various public rights of way that run through the area. In addition, we have a role to play in recording, protecting and enhancing the high quality landscape, heritage and natural environment of the area. The decision by the Environment Agency to withdraw from maintenance of flood protection within the estuary, whilst based on sound economic and environmental principles, led to considerable local outcry, unsurprising given that in a recent survey carried out by the National Park Authority, the Seven Sisters Country Park came out as the most loved site within the whole National Park.
With an aim to reach consensus amongst the community about the best option for long term management of the estuary in the light of the predicted impacts of climate change, the Council undertook a comprehensive community engagement exercise. Led by a project board made up of key partners, including representatives from the Cuckmere Community Forum, the project commissioned a range of research on subjects including landscape, the historic environment and economic impacts, all of which helped provide a sound evidence base to inform a decision on the best options for future management. The community decided that what it wanted, above all else, was to ensure the long term survival of the iconic meanders. To achieve this a compromise has been reached, between maintaining the flood defences in the short term and reactivating the meanders, which are gradually silting up due to lack of flow through them, in the longer term. There is still some tension in how we broker balance, but given the polarised views that existed at the beginning of the project, the fact that consensus was reached should be seen as a considerable achievement. The long term outcome that will be taken forward with the help of a “Friends of” Cuckmere group can be seen as the Big Society in action. In addition, the White Paper provides the Sussex Biodiversity Partnership the opportunity to apply to become a Local Nature Partnership. Through the LNP, we would seek to act as a centre point for information and resources, including sharing best practice, articulating issues and establishing the principles of the range of benefits and services that a healthy natural environment provides. This will allow more coordinated working at a strategic level, sharing benefits and reducing costs, and strengthening links with Local Enterprise Partnerships.
The Draft National Planning Policy Framework states that planning policies should identify areas that are deficient in open space. In East Sussex, the area of greatest deficiency is between Bexhill and Hastings. Hence the Pebsham Countryside Park, shown here in green, is an important part of our approach to green infrastructure. The area currently includes a waste water treatment works, a landfill site which is due to close in the next few years and will be subject to appropriate restoration, a household waste site and a waste transfer station.
There is also considerable existing wildlife interest there including Combe Valley SSSI, Filsham Reedbeds Local Nature Reserve and the Bulverhythe Shingle Beach SNCI. The countryside park project aims to improve access throughout and around the area, improving and linking existing routes, creating new routes that are accessible to all including resting places and viewpoints, and enhancing biodiversity, improving connectivity for wildlife.
The creation of the park will lead to measurable improvements in an area of deprivation, both for the local economy increasing local income through related employment and associated tourism, and for the community With the associated health benefits of improved access to the countryside. As part of the national Connect 2 project, a cyclepath is currently being constructed along the coast, and we will make sure this links well with routes around the countrypark.
The cycle route itself is a good example of needing to balance development with the needs of the natural environment: the route is considered a priority given its health benefits and the high level of support it has received locally, but it will impact on an important locally designated sites that supports unusual coastal habitats and protected species. Through careful planning and detailed pre-application discussions, we have been able to mitigate the potential impacts of the scheme, and the design is likely to enhance the wildlife of the area in many ways, for example for providing protection for reptile hibernation habitat.
The Bexhill Hastings Link Road scheme is to construct a 5.6km long single carriageway road between the A259 in Bexhill and the B2092 Queensway in Hastings, linking the outskirts of Bexhill and Hastings. The Primary objectives of the scheme are : Economic regeneration of Hastings and Bexhill – the levels of deprivation in Hastings continue to be the worst in the South East and multiple deprivation in Sidley (Bexhill) has increased since 2007. There is a need to open up land for commercial and housing development Improve accessibility to and within Bexhill and Hastings, thereby reducing congestion on the A259. The scheme will also help promote social inclusion and improve air quality on the A259 at Glyne Gap Describe plan –ANOB – SNCI – SSSI - Proposed Development Areas In his brief for the scheme, the then Secretary of State for Transport stressed that ESCC should develop a preferred route in liaison with the Statutory Environmental Bodies (SEBs) to minimise the environmental impact of the road. It is recognised that whilst the road will result in the loss of some high quality landscape and biodiversity, careful design and planning has resulted in a mitigation package which should minimise environmental impacts, and allow for some enhancements, helping us address various duties and policies including the NERC Act.
This slide shows the environmental design of a rural section of the Link Road. The sensitivity of the area through which the road passes has been recognised from the outset and considerable attention has been given to mitigating potentially significant adverse environmental effects during the design stage. For example the alignment of the road has avoided direct impacts upon the SSSI’s. It also avoids as much ancient woodland and hedgerows as possible. In addition considerable planting, earthworks and fencing have been incorporated to blend the scheme into the surrounding landform and screen the road both visually and in respect of noise. Sufficient space has been included within the scheme design to accommodate the Greenway, which allows for a cycle, pedestrian and equestrian route between Bexhill and Hastings that is free from direct traffic influence.
However, the scheme will still impact on important habitats that are not necessarily designated but that are contiguous with the wider landscape, including the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are also likely to be impacts on a number of protected species including badgers, dormice, bats and great crested newts. This is a good example of where professional judgements have had to be applied to find the best outcome for all in managing change. There is little guidance available on habitat compensation ratios given the range of habitats being impacted and the intended outcome of the mitigation – for example some areas are designed to protect and enhance foraging habitat for bats, some to enhance terrestrial habitat for newts and some woodland planting has been agreed to mitigate for impacts on ancient woodland and dormice. As a result, a compensatory land package has been agreed whereby land will be replaced on an approximate 2:1 ratio. Whilst this has resulted in a considerable increase in the cost of the scheme, it is fundamental to meeting our biodiversity duties and towards sustainable development.
So whilst it is safe to say that the various policies that are currently being developed in the light of the Lawton Review and the National Ecosystem Assessment will have significant and far-reaching implications for Local Authorities, I hope I have shown that we are already making progress in addressing those implications. We have shown our commitment to partnership working through work around the Cuckmere Estuary, and hope to be able to continue and strengthen this work through a Local Nature Partnership. We have a reasonably robust, although by no means comprehensive evidence base on the ecology of East Sussex, and we hope to continue to enhance this through the Local Nature Partnership. The UK’s protected landscapes are rightly celebrated for their beautiful scenery but landscapes are dynamic systems driven by natural and human processes, some of which we can modify or harness for our own objectives. Natural change and change due to human activity in a landscape is therefore integral to its character. As a local authority, in our various roles as land owner, developer and Planning Authority, our challenge is to strike a balance between the needs of the community for new infrastructure whilst conserving / enhancing the environment that we depend on to provide essential services, such as clean air and drinking water through to iconic landscapes which support our tourism industry.