Representation on Main Changes 71-72: Changes to Policy ENV3: Landscape Character and Design Introduction 1. This representation is submitted on behalf of Canon Woods and Orchard Action Group (CWOAG) in response to Main Changes 71 to 72, which propose amendments to draft Policy ENV3 "Landscape Character and Design" and its supporting text. 2. We previously submitted representations on behalf of CWOAG in response to draft Policy ENV3 in the Local Plan Regulation 19 Consultation (June 2016). We

I am asking for a landscape Protection Policy similar to Aldington's to be adopted borough wide. My concerns are: protecting green spaces, rural landscapes, wildlife areas and the unique characteristics of rural villages. I'd like to see protected green belts between settlements and or around the Ashford urban area to prevent urban sprawl, and I'd like all the local plan policies to reflect the same philosophy that's covered in the landscape protection policy that is being proposed by the Saxo

The second sentence should have the word 'often' deleted so it reads "In planning policy terms they have an equivalent status to National Parks".

Policies MC71 Landscape Character Assessments and MC72 ENV3a - Landscape Character and Design (Page 232) Heritage Landscape Character and Design: Please see comments under Development in the Wider Countryside which also apply here. Designed landscapes form an important element in the landscape and contribute significantly to attractiveness. Over the last few years Kent County Council and the Kent Gardens Trust have worked with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Sevenoaks District Council, Medway

The Kent Downs AONB Unit supports the proposed inclusion of text relating to the setting of the AONBs. In planning terms, AONBs have equivalent status to National Parks, as conferred in paragraph 115 of the NPPF, therefore the word 'often' having equivalent status in the second sentence of this section should be deleted.

Policy ENV3 - Landscape Character and Design (MC71) Page 232 - As a member of the Kent Downs AONB Steering Group, we welcome the requirement to consider the setting of the AONB.

as per my comments on MC4 I think a Landscape protection policy such as the one produced for saxon shore needs to be adopted for those rural areas that are of high value but are currently undesignated. The policy needs to go further , it does feature some of the criteria that were suggested for inclusion in the draft Landscape Protection Policy. However, the opportunity to provide for assessment of the cumulative impacts and effects does not seem to be included and there needs to be a mechanism

Natural England welcomes the additional section on the 'setting of AONB'. Views to and from the scarp slope are part of the special qualities of the Kent Downs AONB and as such, we recommend that the last sentence '…while recognising that landscape considerations carry less weight than within these designations' is amended to fully reflect the special qualities of the Kent Downs.