Trees and shrubbery alongside the River Stort

Harlow Habitat Nominated for Nature Recovery

Garden Town partners, Harlow Council, have identified six locations that could benefit nature and the wider environment in the future.

The six areas feature as part of the draft Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy from Essex County Council which is currently open for consultation and aims to create, invest and improve local habitat across the region.

Click here to view and comment on the draft Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Harlow Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Garden Town and Planning, Alastair Gunn, said: “Harlow is blessed with abundant green spaces, from our town park to our green fingers and wedges.

“If protected, these can allow nature to thrive within our town and that’s why I believe it is important Harlow is included in Essex’s nature recovery strategy.”

Harlow Council’s six locations for nomination are:

· Harlow Woods (Special Site for Scientific Interest).

· Parndon Lock Meadow and Parndon Moat Marsh

· River Stort ‘gap’ – located north of Harlow between the A414/Fifth Avenue bridge and the Mead Park industrial estate at Templefields.

· Jean McAlpine and Canons Brook Country Park

· Church End Pond and Netteswell Pond Conservation Area

· Latton Common and Harlow Common

Cllr Gunn added: “Harlow Council has worked to secure the nomination of six important local sites from across the district as part of the draft strategy Essex County Council is consulting on.

“If included, this will protect their status as areas for nature and wildlife and may help secure investment to improve them further in future.

“I would encourage Harlow residents to respond to Essex’s consultation to let them know we want to see Harlow’s natural assets protected.”

Part of Harlow & Gilston’s status as a Garden Town from Government means that development  must enhance the natural environment, provide a comprehensive green infrastructure network and net biodiversity gains plus the use of zero-carbon and energy-positive technology to ensure climate resilience.

All four of HGGT’s new community developments will meet the requirement set out in the Environment Act which states that there must be a minimum requirement of 10% biodiversity net gain for local flora and fauna.

The draft Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy consultation closes on October 25.

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