Draft London Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Update Greater London Authority July 2018 Greater London Authority Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Quality information Prepared by Checked by Approved by Isla Hoffmann Heap James Riley Max Wade Senior Ecologist Technical Director Technical Director Revision History Revision Revision date Details Authorized Name Position 0 23/08/17 Draft for initial JR James Riley Associate client check 1 01/09/17 Draft for initial JR James Riley Associate Natural England comments 2 31/10/17 Updated to JR James Riley Associate account for Draft for public consultation November 2017 version 3 17/07/18 Updated to take JR James Riley Technical account of Director Natural England comments, the Sweetman ruling of the ECJ and Early Suggested Changes to the London Plan Prepared for: Greater London Authority AECOM Greater London Authority Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Prepared for: Greater London Authority Prepared by: AECOM Environment and Infrastructure Ltd Midpoint Alencon Link Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 7PP UK T: +44(0)1256 310200 aecom.com © 2018 AECOM Environment and Infrastructure Ltd. All Rights Reserved. This document has been prepared by AECOM Environment and Infrastructure Ltd (“AECOM”) for sole use of our client (the “Client”) in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and the terms of reference agreed between AECOM and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM. Prepared for: Greater London Authority AECOM Greater London Authority Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Background to the Project .................................................................................................. 7 1.2 Legislation ........................................................................................................................... 7 1.3 Scope of the Project ........................................................................................................... 8 2. Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 10 2.2 HRA Task 1 - Likely Significant Effects (LSE) ................................................................... 11 2.3 Appropriate Assessment ................................................................................................... 12 2.4 Principal Other Plans and Projects That May Act ‘In Combination’ .................................. 12 2.4.1 Authorities within the Greater London Authority boundary ............................................... 12 2.4.2 Authorities neighbouring to the Greater London Authority boundary or otherwise relevant14 2.4.3 National Infrastructure Planning projects for consideration .............................................. 15 3. Introduction to Impact Pathways ................................................................................................. 16 3.1 Urbanisation and Recreational Activities .......................................................................... 16 3.1.1 Recreational pressure ...................................................................................................... 16 3.1.1.1 Mechanical/abrasive damage and nutrient enrichment .............................................. 16 3.1.1.2 Disturbance ................................................................................................................. 17 3.1.2 Urbanisation ...................................................................................................................... 19 3.2 Atmospheric pollution ....................................................................................................... 20 3.2.1 The London Environment Strategy and The Mayor’s Transport Strategy ........................ 22 3.2.2 Implications of the Ashdown Forest SAC Judicial Review ............................................... 23 3.3 Water abstraction .............................................................................................................. 23 3.4 Water quality ..................................................................................................................... 24 4. Likely Significant Effects ............................................................................................................. 25 5. Appropriate Assessment: Richmond Park SAC .......................................................................... 26 5.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 26 5.2 Reasons for Designation .................................................................................................. 26 5.3 Current Pressures............................................................................................................. 26 5.4 Conservation Objectives ................................................................................................... 26 5.5 Appropriate Assessment ................................................................................................... 26 6. Appropriate Assessment: Wimbledon Common SAC ................................................................. 28 6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 28 6.2 Reasons for Designation .................................................................................................. 28 6.3 Current Pressures............................................................................................................. 28 6.4 Conservation Objectives ................................................................................................... 28 6.5 Recreational activity and urbanisation .............................................................................. 28 6.6 Air quality .......................................................................................................................... 30 6.7 Other plans and projects .................................................................................................. 31 6.7.1 The London Environment Strategy and Mayor’s Transport Strategy ............................... 32 7. Appropriate Assessment: Epping Forest SAC ............................................................................ 33 7.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 33 7.2 Reasons for Designation .................................................................................................. 33 7.3 Current Pressures............................................................................................................. 33 7.4 Conservation Objectives ................................................................................................... 33 7.5 Recreational activity and urbanisation .............................................................................. 33 7.5.1 Recommendations for the London Plan ........................................................................... 35 7.6 Air quality .......................................................................................................................... 35 7.6.1 Recommendations for the draft London Plan ................................................................... 38 7.7 Other plans and projects .................................................................................................. 39 7.7.1 The Mayor’s Transport Strategy ....................................................................................... 39 Prepared for: Greater London Authority AECOM Greater London Authority Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening 8. Appropriate Assessment: Lee Valley SPA and Ramsar site ....................................................... 40 8.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 40 8.2 Reasons for Designation .................................................................................................. 40 8.3 Current Pressures............................................................................................................. 40 8.4 Conservation Objectives ................................................................................................... 40 8.5 Recreational activity ......................................................................................................... 41 8.5.1 Recommendation for the draft London Plan ..................................................................... 41 8.6 Air quality .......................................................................................................................... 41 8.7 Water resources ............................................................................................................... 42 8.8