H A M P S H I R E CITIES OF PORTSMOUTH & SOUTHAMPTON AND NEW FOREST & SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARKS Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan Assessment Under the Habitats Regulations HABITATS REGULATIONS ASSESSMENT RECORD July 2013 Final Habitats Regulations Assessment Record Appendices (FINAL) Sept 2013 Appendices A References 2 B Screening Report (Version 4) 3 B.1 Introduction 4 B.1.1 The purpose of this report 4 B.1.2 The structure of the report 9 B.2 Screening for significant effects 10 B.2.1 Introduction 10 B.2.2 Screening matrices 14 B.3 Findings and next steps 76 B.3.1 Results of the Latest Screening 76 B.3.2 Conclusion 85 B.3.3 Consultation and next steps 86 B.4 Screening report consultation responses (version 3) 88 B.5 Alternative options 132 B.6 Scope & method for Appropriate Assessment 141 C Summary of earlier concerns raised by nature conservation consultees 148 D Detailed analysis for the Appropriate Assessment stage 183 D.1 Flooding 185 D.2 Assessment of waste sites and areas 188 D.3 Squabb Wood 223 D.4 Selborne Brickworks 248 D.5 Roeshot 254 D.6 Purple Haze 285 D.7 Michelmersh Brickworks 315 D.8 Bleak Hill Extension Phase 3 320 D.9 Hamble Airfield 342 D.10 Forest Lodge Home Farm 360 D.11 Bramshill Quarry Extension 392 D.12 Wharves 401 E Detailed information on avoidence and mitigation measures 415 F Screening Report (Version 5) 423 F.1 Introduction 423 F.2 Proposed modifications - general and contents 424 F.3 Proposed modifications - Vision and spatial strategy 425 F.4 Proposed modifications - Protecting Hampshire's environment 427 F.5 Proposed modifications - Maintaining Hampshire's communities 429 F.6 Proposed modifications - Supporting Hampshire's economy 432 F.7 Proposed modifications - Plan review and long term safeguarding 443 F.8 Proposed modifications - Implementation monitoring and glossary 444 F.9 Proposed modifications - Appendices A,B,C, D and E 445 G Screening Report (Version 6) 448 G.1 Introduction 448 G.2 Proposed modifications 449 2 Habitats Regulations Assessment Record Appendices (FINAL) Sept 2013 Appendix A References Cross, A.V., Brecknock Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission (2004 & 2005) Science for Conservation Management:European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus - Breeding Success and Foraging Behaviour in Upland Coniferous Forests in Mid-Wales Murison, G. The impact of human disturbance on the breeding success of nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus on heathlands in south Dorset, EnglandEnglish Nature Research Reports No. 483.(2002) MURISON, G., BULLOCK, J.M., UNDERHILL-DAY, J., LANGSTON, R., BROWN, A.F., & SUTHERLAND, W.J., Habitat type determines the effects of disturbance on the breeding productivity of the Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (2007) http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/114416.Aspx - Environment Agency discussion on Incinerator Bottom Ash Jonathan Cox Associates (2010) Mottisfont Bats SAC: Protocol for Planning Officers – A report to Natural England Hampshire Joint Authorities. Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan – Assessment under the Habitat Regulations - Screening Report including scoping report, Version 2 (June 2011) Taylor (University of East Anglia) (2002) Predation risk in woodlark Lullula arborea habitat: the influence of recreational disturbance, predator abundance, nest site characteristics and temporal factors Liley, D. & Clarke, R.T. The impact of urban development and human disturbance on the numbers of nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus on heathlands in Dorset, England.' Biological Conservation 114: 219 – 230 (2003) UNESCO Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar (Iran),UN Treaty Series No. 14583) (1971) Sharp J, Lowen J., & Liley D. Changing Patterns of Visitor Numbers within the New Forest National Park, with particular reference to the New Forest SPA (2008) Open University and Enviros A Review of Air Quality Trends and Planning Considerations (2010) Therivel, R,. & Levett, R. Principles for good practice Appropriate Assessment of plans http://www.levett-therivel.co.uk/AAguidelines.htm (2009) Hampshire County Council. Habitat Regulations Assessment of proposals for extraction of sand and gravel at Eversley Quarry, Hampshire County Council Stage One - Screening http://www3.hants.gov.uk/mineralsandwaste/application-details.htm?id=14473 November 2010 Footprint Ecology (2008) Changing Patterns of Visitor Patterns within the New Forest National Park, with particular reference to the New Forest SPA. Habitats Regulations Assessment Record Appendices (FINAL) Sept 2013 3 Appendix B Screening Report (Version 4) 4 Habitats Regulations Assessment Record Appendices (FINAL) Sept 2013 B.1 Introduction B.1.1 The purpose of this report 1 This document reports on a 'screening' process undertaken to assess the potential effects of the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan on European sites. The draft plan is currently awaiting approval by County Council for publication; consultation on its soundness; and subsequent submission to the Secretary of State in accordance with Regulations 27-30 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 following public consultations undertaken earlier in 2011(1). 2 The first Screening Report (March 2011) and the second Screening Report (June 2011) was made available to Natural England and other nature conservation consultees. This is the fourth and final Screening Report (February 2012) and is to inform ongoing engagement with the nature conservation consultees and inform the plan preparation process. 3 The main objectives of this fourth report are as follows: 1. To describe how the planning authorities have screened the policies to satisfy the procedural requirements of the Habitats Regulations; 2. To document the screening findings relevant to the plan area to inform future assessment; 3. To suggest the scope and method for undertaking an Appropriate Assessment of selected policies; 4. To explain how the appropriate nature conservation bodies will be consulted. 4 This report describes part of the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) screening stage undertaken for the emerging Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan, in particular the screening conclusions. This report should be read in conjunction with the Plan, as well as the HRA methodology and baseline report, which has been prepared in support of the assessment process, and satisfies the other information required for the HRA screening stage(2). 1 Have Your Say on Planning for Hampshire's Minerals & Waste (February-March 2011) and Have Your Say on Additional Mineral Issues (June-July 2011). 2 Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan: Assessment under the Habitats Regulations (Methodology) Report. The latest report is available from Hampshire County Council (County Planning section). Habitats Regulations Assessment Record Appendices (FINAL) Sept 2013 5 The requirement for 'screening' 5 The Habitats Regulations(3) contain a number of requirements that planning authorities (i.e. competent authorities) must comply with. Regulation 102 applies to land use plans and states: "(1) Where a land use plan— (a) is likely to have a significant effect on a European site or a European offshore marine site (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects), and (b) is not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site, the plan-making authority for that plan must, before the plan is given effect, make an appropriate assessment of the implications for the site in view of that site’s conservation objectives". 6 The procedure for satisfying this requirement is known as a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) and includes three main stages as summarised below. The screening stage (stage 1) requires sufficient information to decide if a significant effect is likely. If necessary, the Appropriate Assessment stage (stage 2) will then go into more detail to test whether those effects could result in an adverse effect on a European site. The HRA is an iterative process undertaken alongside the preparation of a plan. The HRA methodology and baseline report mentioned above explains how stages 1 and 2 will be addressed during the preparation of the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan. 7 As shown in the following table, authorities are required to prepare a screening report to demonstrate compliance with stage 1. The screening stage has now been through four iterations, alongside the iterative process of preparing the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan. This fourth report, along with the first and second screening reports, HRA methodology and baseline report, satisfy the requirements of Stage 1. Table B.1 Stages of full Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for spatial (land-use) plans Assessment Stage Tasks Outcome Stage 1: Screening for Description of the draft plan. Where effects are unlikely, prepare a a likely significant Identification of potential effects on European ‘finding of no significant effect report’. effect sites An initial evaluation of a plan’s effects on European sites Where effects judged likely, or lack of information to prove otherwise, prepare screening report and proceed to Stage 2. Stage 2: ‘Appropriate Gather information (plan and European sites) Report evaluating the impacts and considering Assessment’ (AA) Impact prediction whether changes to the plan are needed to Evaluation of impacts in view of conservation ensure that it will not have an adverse effect on objectives European site(s). Where necessary define how adverse effects will be avoided through, firstly, avoidance, and Make