Lidsing Garden Community SPD

Comment

Representation ID: 1479

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: Natural England

Key Principles/Guidance Pg 83
‘(a) Development must be delivered at
densities that reduce towards the M2
motorway’
(d) Lower densities are required at the south
of the development near to the KDNL, to
respect the landscape character’
We strongly support the inclusion of these two placemaking
principles, however we highlight that they are not reflected in
Figure 25 (Placemaking & Design Framework). We recommend
that Figure 25 is revisited to reflect these principles.

Key Principles/Guidance Pg 83
‘(c) Appropriately designed higher density
development can feature along the new
spine road where they will create a buffer
between the road and the rest of the site’
We recommend that the following additional wording is added to
this principle:
‘(c) Appropriately designed higher density development can
feature along the new spine road where they will create a buffer
between the road and the rest of the site where shown as being
suitable in an LVIA’

Key Principles/Guidance Pg 83
‘(f) indicative housing types shall be provided
to illustrate the densities envisaged and
further detail provided in the subsequent
design code’
We recommend that indicative housing types are provided as
part of the SPD to demonstrate to applicants the acceptable
building types for each density.

Key Principles/Guidance Pg 83
'Heights’
We ask that an additional principle is added here requiring lower
building heights on land immediately north of the M2 to ensure a
sensitive transition to/from the KDNL.
We strongly support the inclusion of principle ‘k’ requiring ridge
heights in the employment zone to not exceed 9m in line with
LPRSP4(B).

Section 6.7 provides guidance on placemaking, density and character in accordance with policy LPRSP4(b) which also takes into accoiunt the sites wider context, including its relationship with the Kent Downs National Landscape which requires to be treated wiith an appropriate density of 20-25dpa.
Further detailed elements relating to design of homes can be established through planning applications and the design code.

Comment

Representation ID: 1480

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: Natural England

Key Principles/Guidance Pg 87
(l) and (o)
Natural England strongly supports the requirement for new
landscape planting along the edge of LCZ 3 and LCZ 4 but
recommend that further detail is provided on the minimum size of
these and form of planting.

Key Principles/Guidance Pg 87
(m) and (p)
It is unclear what is meant by ‘continuous diverse building
frontages’ here. While we recognise the need to reduce noise
impacts from the M2, we are concerned that a continuous
frontage will hamper the creation of a positive outfacing edge (as
required by LPRSP4(B) 3(e)).

Comment noted.
The SPD includes principles relating to both noise attenuation and requirements for landscaping and planting as a buffer against the M2.
Officers agree that an additional principle should be added to more clearly relate to criterion (H)(V), (VI) and (VII) of Policy LPRSP4(B) and that the policy should clearly cross refer.
Officers agree that criterion 'M' is not appropriate and should be removed, as the additional principle provides clearer guidance.

Comment

Representation ID: 1481

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: Natural England

Key Principles/Guidance Pg 95
Biodiversity (j) – (p)
Natural England strongly supports the principles outlined in this
section.

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 1482

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: Natural England

Key Principles/Guidance Pg 105
Natural England provided extensive comments on this section in
May 2025 in relation to:
• Lighting
• Structural planting
• Design ideas for buildings
• Biodiversity opportunities
It appears that your authority has now removed the principles
that our comments were based upon (k-n) which, in our opinion,
weakens this section.
We strongly advise that principles relating to lighting
requirements, planting requirements, building design and
biodiversity opportunities are added back into this section, given
the employment areas location in relation to KDNL.

Comment noted.
The additional guidelines largely relating to mitigating impacts on the KDNL are included in the version which was intended to be subject to consultation, with those guidelines now subject to a short additional consultation.