The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy protects agricultural land and soils. The best and most versatile farmland, Grades 1, 2 and 3a, must be protected from permanent loss wherever possible, with development steered to lower grade land (Grades 3b, 4 and 5) instead. Building on the best land is only acceptable where no suitable lower-grade alternative exists and the benefits clearly outweigh the land's long-term value for food production, climate resilience and ecosystem services. Soils must be managed sustainably, including saving and reusing topsoil during construction.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
What the plan says
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
explored by the relevant Local Authority. Adoption by the Parish or Town Council
or the Local Authority will be the preferred and expected outcome, together with
a 30-year commuted maintenance sum.
f. Include measures for establishment, ongoing management, monitoring,
adaptive management, and the control of invasive species, with measurable
performance indicators and scheduled review periods.
g. Set out arrangements for litter and waste management, public
access, safety and measures to deter vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
h. Include measures to control lighting to protect dark skies and rural character.
i. Demonstrate how the management regime will maintain openness, rural
character and landscape quality and prevent incremental erosion of these
qualities over time.
Policy Justification
7.1.22 Long-term landscape management is critical to securing lasting environmental
benefits particularly where biodiversity net gain habitat creation structural planting or
landscape restoration is proposed. A minimum 30-year management period aligns with
national biodiversity legislation and ensures that enhancements are
sustained monitored and adaptively managed over time.
Policy BN.6
Agricultural Land and Soils
Development must protect, manage, and make efficient use of agricultural land and
soils.
A. Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land
Development proposals must:
1. Protect the best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land (Grades 1, 2, and
3a), avoiding permanent loss wherever possible.
2. Prioritise lower-grade agricultural land (Grades 3b, 4, and 5) for development,
particularly for non-food crops, renewable energy, or multifunctional land
uses, where feasible.
Development should only be considered on BMV land where:
3. There is no suitable alternative on lower-grade land; and
4. The benefits of the development clearly outweigh the long-term value of the
land for food production, climate resilience, and ecosystem services.
B. Land and Soils
Development proposals should manage soils sustainably, including:
1. Retention, protection, and reuse of topsoil during construction;
2. Avoidance of soil compaction, erosion, contamination, or degradation; and