High quality environment for people and nature

One of Cheltenham's great strengths, and why I really enjoy living here, is that it has some amazing public spaces and natural features. We need to retain those. It's possible to do that while also providing dense housing developments. Any new housing developments should also be adding green space on the scale of Hatherley or Pittville Park, this is key to preserving the quality of life for people in Gloucestershire.

Don't over regulate house builders during a housing crisis.

Improve the biodiversity of the built environment by requiring all new building to include nesting provision for cavity nesting species of birds. BS 42021: 2022 provides full detail and should be referenced in the Local Plan (https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/integral-nest-boxes-selection-and-installation-for-new-developments-specification-1?version=standard). BS42021 has been endorsed by the NHBC in NF89 Biodiversity in new housing developments https://www.nhbc.co.uk/binaries/content/assets/nhbc/foundation/biodiversity-in-new-housing-developments.pdf page 42. “Fitting at a ratio of 1 nest brick per house across the development will ensure sufficient nest sites for colonial species. 3-5 can be located in one house, so helping locate them in suitable locations for access to foraging habitat. The British Standard BS42021 sets out details on nest box installation for the above species into domestic and commercial properties.” Universal bricks, based on the design of a swift brick, are used by 4 red listed species (swift, house sparrow, starling and house martin), as well as much-loved blue tits and great tits and overwintering birds and insects. They are an invaluable boost to biodiversity in a built environment.