8.9 Provision needs to be included to ensure that opportunities are taken to reinforce the rural character and local distinctiveness of small villages and rural areas by retaining, expanding and enhancing hedgerows, trees and woodlands; where possible gaps in existing or preexisting woodlands and hedgerows should be filled with suitable species, especially where these woodlands and hedgerows have historically existed but been removed in more recent times due to things such as intensive farming methods or urbanisation. This is particularly important where heritage tree and hedgerow features do, or have previously existed, such as at parish boundaries, estate boundaries, following the Enclosure Acts, or as belts of trees to protect against soil erosion.

8.10 This needs to include the provision for creating nature areas, nature corridors and, where possible, joining existing habitat areas to ensure that species can permiate, and that species 'islands' are reduced, thus increasing biodiversity.