Natural England welcomes the fact that the Council has identified strategic wildlife corridors. Our view is that this is important in meeting the requirements of the NPPF paragraph 170(d) for ecological networks.

However we would like to work with the Council to improve the policy in the following ways:
- The corridors are rather narrow, particularly in the 'East of the City', limiting their value for people and wildlife.
- links should be made to the National Park's bat protocol - there is significant opportunity for enhancement of habitat for foraging bats.
- We suggest amending clause 3 to include development further from the corridor, eg link could be made with the concept of net gain for biodiversity, whereby development could compensate for biodiversity loss by contributing to enhancement work within the corridor.
- Link should also be made to the Green Infrastructure policy as there is opportunity to create habitat for people and wildlife.
- We suggest amending clause 1 to make it clear that development within and in close proximity to the corridors will be avoided in the first instance.