Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan
Screening Report
May 2018
Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Development Plan
SEA Screening Document
LC-354 Document Control Box
Client Taunton Deane Borough Council
Report Title SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan
Status Final
Filename LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
Date May 2018
Author JE
Reviewed NJD
Approved NJD
Photo: The Church of St Michael by Robert Cutts
About this report & notes for readers
Lepus Consulting Ltd (Lepus) has prepared this report for the use Consulting accepts no responsibility to the client and third parties of Taunton Deane Borough Council. There are a number of of any matters outside the scope of this report. Third parties to limitations that should be borne in mind when considering the whom this report or any part thereof is made known rely upon results and conclusions of this report. No party should alter or the report at their own risk. change this report whatsoever without written permission from Lepus. Client comments can be sent to Lepus using the following © Lepus Consulting Ltd address.
The conclusions below are based on the best available 1 Bath Street, information, including information that is publicly available. No Cheltenham attempt to verify these secondary data sources has been made and they have assumed to be accurate as published. Gloucestershire GL50 1YE This report was prepared from January to February – May 2018 Telephone: 01242 525222 and is subject to and limited by the information available during E-mail: [email protected] this time. www.lepusconsulting.com
This report has been prepared with reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the contract with the client. Lepus
SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
Contents
1 Introduction ...... 1 1.1 This report ...... 1 1.2 Strategic Environmental Assessment ...... 1 1.3 The Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan ...... 1 1.4 Local context ...... 4 1.5 TBDC Core Strategy ...... 7
2 The Screening Process ...... 11 2.1 Strategic Environmental Assessment screening ...... 11 2.2 The screening process ...... 11 2.3 Relevance to the SEA Directive ...... 13 2.4 Determination of significant effects ...... 15 2.5 Biodiversity, flora and fauna ...... 15 2.6 Population and human health ...... 16 2.7 Soil, water and air ...... 16 2.8 Climatic Factors ...... 18 2.9 Material assets ...... 18 2.10 Cultural heritage (Inc. architectural and archaeological) ...... 19 2.11 Landscape ...... 19 2.12 SEA Screening outcome ...... 20
3 Next steps ...... 21 3.1 Consultation ...... 21 3.2 Conclusion ...... 21
Appendix A: Consultation Responses ...... 22
Appendix B: Policies Proposed in the Creech St Michael NDP ...... 23
Appendix C: Addendum to the screening report ...... 24
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council i SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
Acronyms
AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty EIA Environmental Impact Assessment LCA Landscape Character Area NDP Neighbourhood Development Plan NPPF National Planning Policy Framework ODPM Office of the Deputy Prime Minister PP Policy or Programme SA Sustainability Appraisal SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest SuDS Sustainable Drainage System
Figures and Tables
Figure 1.1 Neighbourhood Plan Boundary Figure 1.2 Creech St Michael Parish and its context Figure 1.3 Creech St Michael – Special Protection Areas Figure 1.4 Creech St Michael – SSSIs and IRZs Figure 1.5 AONBs in relation to the Parish of Creech St Michael Figure 1.6 Agricultural Land Classification in Creech St Michael Figure 1.7 Fluvial flooding risk in Creech St Michael Figure 1.8 Heritage assets in Creech St Michael Figure 2.1 Application of the SEA Directive to plans and programmes Table 2.1 Establishing whether there is a need for SEA Table 2.2 Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan and the SEA Directive
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council ii SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
1 Introduction
1.1 This report
1.1.1 This screening report has been prepared to determine whether the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan (NDP) should be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in accordance with the European Directive 2001/42/EC (SEA Directive) and associated Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (SEA Regulations).
1.2 Strategic Environmental Assessment
1.2.1 The basis for Strategic Environmental Assessment legislation is European Directive 2001/42/EC. This was transposed into English law by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (SEA Regulations). Detailed guidance of these regulations can be found in the Government publication ‘A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive’ (ODPM, 2005) and Paragraph 009 of the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) ‘Neighbourhood Planning’ section.
1.2.2 Under the requirements of the European Union Directive 2001/42/EC and Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (2004), certain types of plans that set the framework for the consent of future development projects must be subject to an environmental assessment.
1.3 The Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan
1.3.1 The creation of neighbourhood development plans started with the Government’s Localism Act 2011. The Act set out a series of measures to shift power away from central government and towards local people. One of the Localism Act’s key components is the Neighbourhood Development Plan; a new tier in planning policy which enables local people to shape the development of the community in which they live.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 1 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
1.3.2 The Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan Area (see Figure 1.1) was designated by Taunton Deane Borough Council. The Neighbourhood Plan and its policies will guide future development in the Parish for the period 2017 – 2028, constituting a material consideration that influences and determines the process of planning applications. These policies have been informed by the preparation of:
• Taunton Deane Borough Council’s evidence base; • Housing needs survey, September 2017; • Ecology survey, Autumn 2017; and • SEA Screening report.
1.3.3 Creech St Michael aspires to be a safe and friendly environment, whilst remaining rural, peaceful and green in 20 years’ time. In order to help achieve this, the Neighbourhood Plan has the following objectives:
• To deliver housing growth that is tailored to the needs of the Parish as a whole; • To ensure sensitive and sustainable development which protects, enhances and enriches the landscape of the Parish; • To sustain and improve local facilities for existing and new residents in the Parish; • To strengthen and support new and existing business activity; • To improve and enhance transport facilities and digital connectivity; • To improve and enhance leisure and cycle routes, including leisure trails and associated facilities; • To prioritise local village and settlement distinctiveness in every element of change and growth; and • To protect our green spaces and landscapes, waterways and the natural environment generally To involve all Parishioners in the monitoring and delivery of the vision.
1.3.4 The NDP proposes a total of 14 policies (see Appendix B) under the following themes:
• Road safety and transport; • Housing and design; • Business and employment; • Facilities and services; • Open and green spaces; and • Environment.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 2 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
1.3.5 Each of these policies have been screened in this report to determine their environmental impacts.
Consultation
1.3.6 The NDP is subject to public consultation, which provides an opportunity for the public and local organisations to comment on the NDP. After consultation, responses are taken into account and used to prepare a ‘submission draft’ of the NDP.
1.3.7 The submission version of the NDP is then subject to inspection by the Independent Examiner. If the Independent Examiner approves the NDP it will be subject to a local referendum. If 50% or more of people voting in the referendum support the NDP, then the NDP will be adopted, will gain statutory status and will become integral to the Taunton Deane Borough Council Core Strategy.
Figure 1.1: Neighbourhood Plan Boundary, which is contiguous with Creech St Michael Parish boundary, in red (OS Data)
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 3 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
1.4 Local context
1.4.1 The Parish of Creech St Michael sits just east of the town of Taunton in Somerset. The Parish shares borders with West Monkton Parish in the west, North Curry Parish in the east, Ruishton as well as Thornfalcon in the south, Durston in the north east and Thurloxton as well as North Petherton in the north. Creech St Michael is a Parish of the Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) administrative area and the Neighbourhood Plan will therefore need to be in accordance with the TDBC Core Strategy.
1.4.2 The M5 runs through the Parish with the village of St Michael lying just to the east of Junction 25 (see Figure 1.2). Settlements in the Parish include the village of Creech St Michael as well as the hamlets of Charlton, Creech Heathfield, Ham, Adsborough, Coombe, Langaller and Walford. Outside of the settlements the region is primarily grazed farmland and the Parish is considered to comprise an important component of the Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes National Character Area. The Parish is also an important ecological network connecting Quantock Hills AONB in the north west with Blackdown Hills AONB in the south east.
1.4.3 The 2011 Census recorded a population of 2,416 in the Parish, with 1,769 of these residents living in the village of Creech St Michael. TBDC’s Core Strategy allocated a development of 4,500 new homes, 22.5ha of employment land, 3 new schools and associated infrastructure in Monkton Heathfield. Approximately 45% of this development will be in the Parish of Creech St Michael. In addition to this, 139 dwellings have been allocated within Creech St Michael across three sites, each adopted through the Small Sites and Development Management Policies DPD. The cumulative impact of these developments will be likely to impact on the Parish and its services.
1.4.4 25.4% of the Parish population is aged 65 years or older, significantly higher than the national average of 16.4%. 56.3% of people in the Parish are of working age (16 – 64), lower than the national average of 64.7%. Unemployment in the Parish is just 1.8%, which is less than half the national average.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 4 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
1.4.5 Key local landmarks include the 13th century Parish Church of St Michael, the Village Hall, the Baptist Church and the local Mill which now houses small industrial units. The village supports a range of services, including a shop, post office, two pubs, surveyors, hairdressers, veterinary practice, day care nursery, undertaker, local garages, florist, slaughter house, sign writers, eco-wood shop and granite and timber suppliers. The village also has a primary school and two pre-schools.
1.4.6 Throughout the UK are a range of habitats and species protected under varying international, national and local designations. Within the Parish, there are no Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), National Nature Reserves (NNRs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or stands of Ancient Woodland (woodland that has existed continuously since the year 1600 or before). Adjacent to the south eastern border of the Parish is the Somerset Levels Moors Special Protection Area (SPA), which is also the Currey and Hay Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (see Figure 1.3 and Figure 1.4). Natural England have developed SSSI Impact Risk Zones (IRZs) which identify development within certain distances of each SSSI which could potentially adversely impact the SSSI. The Parish of Creech St Michael falls within IRZs of several SSSIs (see Figure 1.4). The River Tone and Bridgwater Canal are designated Local Wildlife Sites which provide important habitat and foraging networks for protected species of bats, otters (Lutra lutra) and water voles (Arvicola amphibius).
1.4.7 The Parish is located outside the Green Belt and is not within or adjacent to an AONB. 2.2km north west of the parish is the Quantock Hills AONB and 7.2km south west is the Blackdown Hills AONB (see Figure 1.5). Soils in the Parish vary in their agricultural value, from Grade 2 in the Agricultural Land Classification to Urban (see Figure 1.6).
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 5 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
Figure 1.2: Creech St Michael Parish and its context, showing urban areas and nearby transport links
Figure 1.3: Creech St Michael – Special Protection Areas
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 6 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
1.4.8 Running through the Parish and main village is the River Tone as well as the Chard Canal and its associated tow path. An area in the southern half of the Parish is located in Flood Zones 2 and 3 (see Figure 1.7). The Environment Agency zones land according to the level of risk it faces from flooding:
• Flood Zone 1: Land has < 1/1000 annual probability of flooding; • Flood Zone 2: Land has between a one in 100 and one in 1,000 annual probability of flooding; • Flood Zone 3a: Land has a greater annual probability of flooding than one in 100; and • Flood Zone 3b: Land where water inevitably must go in times of flooding (and therefore the most likely land to flood).
1.4.9 There are 34 Listed Buildings in the Parish, mostly clustered around the main village, including the Grade I Listed Church of St Michael (see Figure 1.8). There are no Scheduled Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens or Country Parks within the Parish.
1.5 TBDC Core Strategy
1.5.1 The NDP is a land-use plan, prepared for town and country planning purposes. It sets out a vision and objectives for the Parish, as well as 14 policies, in order to provide a framework for future development consents within the Creech St Michael Parish. Once adopted, the NDP will form part of the framework for planning in Taunton Deane Borough, along with the Core Strategy and other development plan documents and supplementary planning documents.
1.5.2 The NDP will be used to guide development and to help determine future planning applications. This important legal position means that it has to have regard to national planning policy and to be in “general conformity” with the strategic planning policies set out in the Taunton Deane Core Strategy 2011 – 2028, which was successfully adopted in 20121.
1 TBDC Core Strategy 2011 – 2028
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 7 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
Figure 1.4: Creech St Michael – SSSIs and IRZs
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 8 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
Figure 1.5: AONBs in relation to the Parish of Creech St Michael
Figure 1.6: Agricultural Land Classification in Creech St Michael
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 9 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
Figure 1.7: Fluvial flooding risk in Creech St Michael
Figure 1.8: Heritage assets in Creech St Michael
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 10 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx 2 The Screening Process
2.1 Strategic Environmental Assessment screening
2.1.1 The process for determining whether or not an SEA is required is called screening. In order to screen, it is necessary to determine if a Plan (in this case a Neighbourhood Plan) will have significant environmental effects using the criteria set out in Annex II of the SEA Directive and Schedule I of the SEA Regulations. A determination cannot be made until the three statutory consultation bodies have been consulted: The Environment Agency, Natural England and Historic England.
2.1.2 Within 28 days of its determination the Plan makers must publish a statement that sets out their decision. If they determine that an SEA is not required, the statement must include the reasons for this.
2.2 The screening process
2.2.1 The Localism Act requires NDPs to be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the adopted development plan for the local area. In the case of Creech St Michael, the NDP must be in general conformity with the Taunton Deane Core Strategy 2011 - 2028.
2.2.2 Paragraph 009 of the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) ‘Neighbourhood Planning’ section states:
‘Where a neighbourhood plan is brought forward before an up-to-date Local Plan is in place the qualifying body and the local planning authority should discuss and aim to agree the relationship between policies in: • The emerging neighbourhood plan • The emerging Local Plan • The adopted development plan
with appropriate regard to national policy and guidance’.
2.2.3 This suggests that the emerging NDP and Core Strategy should be complementary.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 11 Background and Context SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx 2.17 Under Article 3(8), the Directive does not apply to: 2.2.4 presents a diagram prepared by the ODPM (2005). This shows • plansFigure and programmes 2.1 the sole purpose of which is to serve national defence or civil emergencythe application of the SEA process to plans and programmes. The • financialsequential or budget approach plans and programmes in the flow diagram will be used to screen the • plansCreech and programmes St Michael supported NDP. by the EU Structural Funds and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund for the programming periods from 2000 to 2006 or 2007 (under Council Regulations (EC) Nos 1260/1999 and 1257/1999), on which 2.2.5 programmeTable 2.1 spending uses the continues questions until thepresented end of 2008. in Figure 2.1 to establish whether
2.18 Figure 2 showsan SEA the of Directive’s the Creech field Stof applicationMichael Neighbourhood in the form of a diagram. Plan is necessary.
Figure 2 – Application of the SEA Directive to plans and programmes This diagram is intended as a guide to the criteria for application of the Directive to plans and programmes (PPs). It has no legal status.
1. Is the PP subject to preparation and/or adoption by a national, regional or local authority OR prepared by an No to both criteria authority for adoption through a legislative procedure by Parliament or Government? (Art. 2(a))
Yes to either criterion
2. Is the PP required by legislative, regulatory or No administrative provisions? (Art. 2(a))
Yes
3. Is the PP prepared for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, No to 4. Will the PP, in view of its industry, transport, waste management, water management, either likely effect on sites, telecommunications, tourism, town and country planning or criterion require an assessment land use, AND does it set a framework for future under Article 6 or 7 of development consent of projects in Annexes I and II to the the Habitats Directive? EIA Directive? (Art. 3.2(a)) (Art. 3.2(b))
Yes No Yes to both criteria 6. Does the PP set the 5. Does the PP determine the use of small areas at local level, framework for future OR is it a minor modification of a PP subject to Art. 3.2? Yes to development consent of No (Art. 3.3) either projects (not just projects criterion in Annexes to the EIA No to both criteria Directive)? (Art. 3.4) Yes 7. Is the PP’s sole purpose to serve national defence or civil 8. Is it likely to have a emergency, OR is it a financial or budget PP, OR is it Yes No significant effect on the co-financed by structural funds or EAGGF programmes environment? (Art. 3.5)* 2000 to 2006/7? (Art. 3.8, 3.9)
No to all criteria Yes to any criterion
DIRECTIVE DOES NOT DIRECTIVE REQUIRES SEA REQUIRE SEA
*The Directive requires Member States to determine whether plans or programmes in this category are likely to have significant environmental effects. These determinations may be made on a case by case basis and/or by specifying types of plan or programme.
13 Figure 2.1: Application of the SEA Directive to plans and programmes2
2ODPM (2005) A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 12 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
Table 2.1: Establishing whether there is a need for SEA
Stage YN Reason
1. Is the PP (plan or programme) subject The plan constitutes an NDP, which will be to preparation and/or adoption by a subject to independent examination and brought national, regional or local authority OR into legal force if it receives 50% or more prepared by an authority for adoption Y affirmative votes at referendum. The NDP would through a legislative procedure by Parliament or Government? (Art. 2(a)) form part of the statutory development plan for Taunton Deane.
2. Is the PP required by legislative, Communities and neighbourhoods have a right regulatory or administrative provisions? to produce an NDP, however it is not required by (Art. 2(a)) legislative, regulatory or administrative bodies. N However, if the NDP is adopted it would become part of the statutory development plan (Local Plan) and should therefore continue to be screened under the SEA Directive.
3. Is the PP prepared for agriculture, The NDP is a land-use plan and sets the forestry, fisheries, energy, industry, framework for future development consents transport, waste management, water within the Creech St Michael area. management, telecommunications, However, the NDP does not set a framework for tourism, town and country planning or N consent of projects in Annex 1 of the EIA land use, AND does it set a framework for Directive. future development consent of projects in Annexes I and II to the EIA Directive? (Art 3.2(a))
4. Will the PP, in view of its likely effect The Creech St Michael NDP is not considered to on sites, require an assessment for future have a likely significant effect on any European N development under Article 6 or 7 of the sites. Habitats Directive? (Art. 3.2 (b))
5. Does the PP set the framework for The NDP identifies a range of development future consent of projects (not just guidelines for Creech St Michael parish. Y projects in Annexes to the EIA Directive)? (Art 3.4)
6. Is it likely to have a significant effect See Section 2.5 – 2.12. N on the environment? (Art. 3.5)
2.3 Relevance to the SEA Directive
2.3.1 Question 8 within the ODPM guidance (see Figure 2.1) refers to whether the NDP would have a significant effect on the environment. The criteria from Annex II of the SEA Directive and Schedule 1 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (SEA Regulations, 2004) can be used to consider the relevance of the plan to the SEA Directive (see Table 2.2). Section 2.5 – Section 2.12 considers likely environmental effects of the plan.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 13 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
Table 2.2: Creech St Michael NDP and the SEA Directive
Criteria (from Annex II of SEA Directive and Response Schedule I of Regulations)
The characteristics of plans and programmes
(a) the degree to which the plan or programme The NDP is prepared for town and country sets a framework for projects and other planning and will form a part of the activities, either with regard to the location, development management framework for nature, size and operating conditions or by Creech St Michael Parish. allocating resources
(b) the degree to which the plan or programme The NDP must be in general conformity with influences other plans and programmes the planning policies set out in the Taunton including those in a hierarchy Deane Core Strategy (2011-2028), the National Planning Policy and European Directives.
(c) the relevance of the plan or programme for The NDP contains policies which are designed the integration of environmental considerations to help protect recreational facilities, local in particular with a view to promoting green spaces and important green wedges. sustainable development
(d) environmental problems relevant to the plan Key issues include: or programme 1. Potential impacts on the natural environment; and 2. Potential impacts on the setting of historic assets.
(e) the relevance of the plan or programme for The NDP is a land-use plan and sets the the implementation of Community legislation framework for future development consents on the environment (for example, plans and within the Creech St Michael NDP area. programmes linked to waste management or It includes policies which planning applications water protection) within the NDP area will need to adhere to.
Characteristics of the effects and of the area likely to be affected
(a) the probability, duration, frequency and The NDP is not expected to result in any reversibility of the effects significant environmental effects.
(b) the cumulative nature of the effects The NDP is not anticipated to have any significant cumulative effects and is not expected to contribute to cumulative impacts in combination with the Taunton Deane Core Strategy.
(c) the transboundary nature of the effects The NDP is not expected to give rise to any significant transboundary environmental effects.
(d) the risks to human health or the There are no anticipated adverse effects on, or environment (for example, due to accidents) risks for, human health as a result of the NDP.
(e) the magnitude and spatial extent of the The NDP is unlikely to result in any significant or effects (geographical area and size of the adverse environmental effects. Some policies population likely to be affected) will be likely to help preserve and enhance environmental features within the Parish.
(f) the value and vulnerability of the area likely (iii) The NDP is not expected to adversely affect to be affected due to: the special natural characteristics or cultural (i) special natural characteristics or cultural heritage of the Parish. The NDP would not be heritage expected to lead to the exceedance of environmental standards or to promote
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 14 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
(ii) exceeded environmental quality intensive land use. standards or limit values (iii) intensive land-use
(g) the effects on areas or landscapes which The NDP is unlikely to result in any adverse have a recognised national, Community or impacts on protected landscapes. international protection status
2.4 Determination of significant effects
2.4.1 The Creech St Michael NDP sets out various policies which future development in the Parish would need to accord with. A summary of baseline conditions is provided in Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, and an assessment of the potential effects of the NDP against each of the topics set out in Annex I (f) of the SEA Directive is presented below.
2.4.2 No policy in the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan proposes development. Each policy is designed to help ensure that any development which occurs in the Parish, such as the portion of the
2.5 Biodiversity, flora and fauna
2.5.1 SSSI Impact Risk Zones (IRZs) allow for a rapid initial assessment of the potential risks posed by development proposals. They define zones around each SSSI site which reflect the particular sensitivities of the features for which it is notified and indicate the types of development which could potentially have adverse impacts.
2.5.2 The Parish falls within the IRZs of Thurlbear Wood and Quarrylands SSSI, Hestercombe House SSSI, Curry and Hay Moors SSSI and West Sedgemoor SSSI (see Figure 1.4). The NDP does not propose any development that could result in an adverse impact on any of these SSSIs.
2.5.3 Overall, the NDP is anticipated to help preserve and enhance biodiversity, flora and fauna in the Parish. This is because of policies including CSM 10 – Protection of Community Assets, which will resist any development which will result in the loss of, or partial loss of, important community assets. This includes several local fields and copses.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 15 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
2.5.4 Other policies in the NDP anticipated to help protect and enhance biodiversity, flora and fauna in the Parish include:
• CSM 12 – Existing Local Green Space; • CSM 13 – New Local Green Space; • CSM 14 – Green Wedge; and • CSM 8 – Sports, leisure and recreational facilities.
2.5.5 Overall, the NDP is anticipated to help protect and enhance biodiversity, flora and fauna in the local area. An adverse and/or significant impact caused by the NDP is not expected.
2.6 Population and human health
2.6.1 The NDP is anticipated to help ensure that the local community and services in the Parish facilitate healthy and active lifestyles for local residents:
• CSM 1 – Cycle and footpath network; this policy will be likely to help encourage walking and cycling rates in the Parish. It would also be likely to reduce congestion, thereby making the Parish a safer place for pedestrians as well as reducing road transport associated
emissions, such as PM2.5, which are harmful to human health; • CSM 2 – Traffic management plan; this policy would also be likely to reduce congestion, thereby making the Parish a safer place for pedestrians as well as reducing road transport associated emissions,
such as PM2.5, which are harmful to human health; • CSM 8 – Sports, leisure and recreational facilities; this policy would be likely to help protect key recreational facilities in the Parish, thereby facilitating active lifestyles of local residents; and • CSM – 9; New recreational, sporting and community facilities; this policy could help to lead to new facilities being delivered in the local area, thereby further facilitating active lifestyles of local residents.
2.6.2 The NDP is not anticipated to result in adverse or significant impacts on the local population or the health and wellbeing of residents.
2.7 Soil, water and air
2.7.1 It is considered to be highly unlikely that the NDP would result in a significantly adverse impact on local soil, water and/or air resources.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 16 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
2.7.2 The NDP does not allocate new development in the Parish area. The NDP sets out policies with which new development should accord. The following policies would be anticipated to help ensure that adverse impacts of future development in the Parish on local soils are minimised:
• CSM 8 – Sports, leisure and recreational facilities; this policy would be likely to help protect key recreational facilities in the Parish, including the recreational park, the school playing field, aqueduct and former canal and the canal towpath; • CSM 10 – Protection of community assets; this policy will help to protect several fields and copses of trees throughout the Parish from development. Soils in these protected areas will naturally benefit from this; • CSM 12 – Existing Local Green Space; This policy will help to protect green spaces are valuable fields for recreation, leisure and local landscape character purposes; and • CSM 14 – Green Wedge; this policy will help to protect green space land between Creech St Michael and Monkton Heathfield.
2.7.3 Policies CSM 1 Cycle and footpath network and CSM 2 Traffic management plan will be likely to reduce road transport in the Parish. Road transport associated emissions, which are a primary cause of air pollution and poor air quality in urban areas, will be likely to reduce as a result of this.
2.7.4 The River Drone and some associated tributaries run through the Parish. A fairly large portion of the Parish is therefore located in the EA’s Flood Zones 2 and 3.
2.7.5 The NDP would not be expected to adversely impact on the risk of flooding in the Parish or the quality of waterways in the Parish. Development in the Parish should be in accordance with Policy CP8 Environment of the TDBC Core Strategy, whereby new development should be directed away from the floodplain.
2.7.6 It is considered to be likely that the soil, water and air of the Parish will benefit as a result of the NDP.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 17 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
2.8 Climatic Factors
2.8.1 The NDP is motivated by the need for a sustainable future and a low carbon economy, as well as the mitigation of the worst effects of climate change. Development in the Parish will need to be in accordance with Policy CP 1 Climate Change of the TDBC Core Strategy, wherein development proposals should result in a sustainable environment and will be required to demonstrate that the issue of climate change has been addressed.
2.8.2 Policy CSM1 cycle and footpath network, as well as policy CSM 2 Traffic management plan, will be expected to help reduce road transport and congestion in the parish and thereby reduce road transport associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Additionally, Policy CSM4 Quality of design will help to ensure future development in the Parish utilises sustainable construction methods and minimises the use of non- renewable resources. This would be likely to help reduce construction works related GHG emissions in the Parish.
2.8.3 Overall it is considered to be likely that the NDP will help to reduce the local area’s contribution towards the causes of climate change. An adverse or significant impact on climatic factors as a result of the NDP is not expected.
2.9 Material assets
2.9.1 The material assets topic considers social, physical and environmental infrastructure. This sub-section should be read alongside ‘Population and human health’, which details some health and social infrastructure implications of the NDP; ‘Climatic factors’, which considers transport infrastructure in terms of sustainable transport; ‘Soil, water and air’, which considers water infrastructure and agricultural land classification; and the ‘Biodiversity, flora and fauna’ sub-section, which considers environmental infrastructure.
2.9.2 Policy CSM 3 housing to meet local needs will be expected to help ensure that future residential development in the Parish of eleven dwellings or more will provide housing which meets the local needs, as identified during the September 2017 Creech St Michael Housing Needs Survey.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 18 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
2.9.3 Policy CSM 6 Community cohesion will be anticipated to help ensure that future major residential development in the Parish will positively integrate with the existing community in the Parish. This relates to the economic, environmental, social and cultural impact of development, including walking and cycling links as well as social and community facilities.
2.10 Cultural heritage (Inc. architectural and archaeological)
2.10.1 There is an abundance of Grade II and Grade II* Listed Buildings within the Parish of Creech St Michael, including the Grade I Listed Church of St Michael (see Figure 1.8). Most Listed Buildings are located in and around the village of Creech St Michael.
2.10.2 The NDP seeks to preserve the heritage of the Parish. Future development in the Parish will need to be in accordance with Policy CP 8 Environment of the TDBC Core Strategy, wherein development should conserve and enhance the historic environment.
2.10.3 A key facet of Policy CSM 4 Quality of design is to ensure future development respects the historic environment. This would in part be achieved by a high quality design which is not discordant with the local rural character, one or two-storey buildings and mixture of brick, stone and render.
2.10.4 The Creech St Michael NDP is anticipated to help protect and enhance local heritage assets. It does not allocate any development and it is therefore not expected to result in any adverse or significant impacts.
2.11 Landscape
2.11.1 Creech St Michael is not within the Green Belt. It is approximately 2.2km south of the Quantock Hills AONB and 7km north of the Blackdown Hills AONB.
2.11.2 The NDP does not allocate any sites for development. It is therefore not expected to significantly or adversely impact on the local landscape or any AONB.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 19 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx
2.11.3 The following policies would be expected to help protect and enhance the local landscape:
• Policy CSM 1 – Cycle and footpath network; this policy will help to protect and enhance the local PRoW network, which form an important feature of the local landscape; • Policy CSM 4 – Quality of design; this policy will be likely to help ensure future development in the Parish is not discordant with the existing setting. Adverse impacts of future development on the landscape will therefore be more unlikely; • Policy CSM 10 – Protection of Community Assets; this policy will be likely to help preserve important landscape features, including local fields and copses; • Policy CSM 12 – Existing Local Green Space; this policy will help to protect green spaces in the Parish, which are important local landscape features; and • Policy CSM 14 – Green Wedge; this policy will prevent development of some land between Creech St Michael and Monkton Heathfield. As such, the policy will be anticipated to help preserve the distinctive features of these urban areas, reducing the risk of coalescence and preserving and important feature of the local landscape.
2.12 SEA Screening outcome
2.12.1 This screening report has explored the potential effects of the proposed Creech St Michael NDP with a view to determining whether an environmental assessment is required under the SEA Directive.
2.12.2 In accordance with topics cited in Annex 1(f) of the SEA directive, significant effects on the environment are considered unlikely to occur as a result of the NDP.
2.12.3 It is recommended that the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan should not be screened into the SEA process.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 20 SEA Screening of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan May 2018 LC354 Creech St Michael NDP SEA Screen_3_040518JE.docx 3 Next steps
3.1 Consultation
3.1.1 This report was subject to consultation with the statutory consultees: Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England. The responses from the statutory consultees are presented in Appendix A. All consultees agreed that significant environmental effects, as a result of the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan, are unlikely to occur.
3.2 Conclusion
3.2.1 Following consultation, it is concluded that the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan does not need to be screened in for SEA.
Lepus Consulting for Taunton Deane Borough Council 21
Appendix A: Consultation Responses
Mr J Evans Our ref: WX/2006/000298/SE- Senior Environment Consultant 06/SC1-L01 Lepus Consulting Ltd Your ref: 1 Bath Street Cheltenham Date: 22 February 2018 GL50 1YE
Dear Mr Evans
CREECH ST MICHAEL NDP – STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) SREENING REPORT
Thank you for referring the above SEA, which was received on 6 February 2018.
The Environment Agency can agree to the screening outcome of the SEA that there is unlikely to be any significant environmental effects arising from the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan.
Our comments on the Creech St Michael Neighbourhood Plan remain as set out under separate correspondence repeated below:
Within this plan are areas of Flood Zone 3 and 2 which are at high and medium probability of flooding. Flood Zone 3 has an indicative annual probability of flooding in 1 in 100 years or less from river sources (i.e. it has a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year). Flood Zone 2 has an indicative annual probability of flooding between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 years from river sources (i.e. between 1% and 0.1% chance in any given year).
We would recommend that new development does not occur within these areas and is steered to low flood risk areas. We would expect this to be encouraged through the planning process and Sequential Test as stated in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Flood Risk Assessment’s would be required for any new development that is sited within the floodplain. The FRA would be required to demonstrate the proposal is not at risk from flooding, and that there is no increase in risk for any third parties. This would be for the lifetime of development and include an allowance for climate change.
Sustainable drainage systems/techniques (SuDs) should be used for any development to reduce runoff, improve water quality, and benefit biodiversity and aesthetics.
Environment Agency Rivers House, East Quay, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4YS. Customer services line: 03708 506 506 www.gov.uk/environment-agency Cont/d..
Please note that under the terms of the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Land Drainage Byelaws, prior written consent is required for any proposed works or structures in, under, over or within 8 metres of the top of the bank of a watercourse.
River corridors should be valued for wildlife and amenity reasons
Finally, there are historic landfill sites within the Neighbourhood Plan. For any development on or within 250 metres of a landfill site, the developer will need to take account of their proximity in relation to the possibility of landfill gas, which once again may result in development being considered inappropriate.
Please quote the Agency's reference on any future correspondence regarding this matter.
Yours faithfully
Richard Bull Sustainable Places - Planning Advisor
Direct dial 02030 250287 Direct fax 01278 452985 Direct e-mail [email protected]
End 2
Appendix B: Policies Proposed in the Creech St Michael NDP
Ref. Policy Name
CSM 1 Cycle and footpath network
CSM 2 Traffic management plan
CSM 3 Housing to meet local needs
CSM 4 Quality of design
CSM 5 Start-up Units
CSM 6 Community Cohesion
CSM 7 Creech St Michael Village Centre
CSM 8 Sports, leisure and recreational facilities
CSM 9 New recreation, sporting and community facilities
CSM 10 Protection of Community Assets
CSM 12 Existing Local Green Space
CSM 13 New Local Green Space
CSM 14 Green Wedge
Appendix C: Addendum to the screening report
This SEA Screening Report concluded that no SEA is required for the Creech St Michael NDP. All statutory bodies agreed with this conclusion in March 2018. Since then, the NDP has undergone some alterations to a limited number of policies.
Each policy alteration is a minor change which will not result in adverse environmental effects. Overall, it is considered that these changes will help to ensure that the NDP protects and enhances the local built and natural environment. As the policy changes are minor, and as they are clearly positive changes for the environment, it is considered that the conclusion of this screening report (i.e. that the NDP does not require full SEA) remains valid and another round of consultation with the statutory bodies is not required.
Minor policy changes to the NDP (as of May 2018):
1. Policy CSM5 – the third bullet point of “The proposal will create an equivalent number of permanent full time employment jobs to those being lost within the Parish” has been removed; 2. Policy CSM7 – the title of this policy has changed from ‘Creech St Michael Village Centre’ to ‘Public Realm Improvement Plan’. The policy was amended to emphasise that the NDP group will support the delivery of new recreation, sporting or community facilities; 3. Policy CSM8 and Policy CSM9 – these policies have been combined into one policy, with the number of facilities listed as being protected by this policy expanded further; 4. Policy CSM12 and Policy CSM10 – these policies have been combined into one policy.
Habitat Regulations Assessments
Sustainability Appraisals
Strategic Environmental Assessments
Landscape Character Assessments
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments
Green Belt Reviews
Expert Witness
Ecological Impact Assessments
Habitat Ecology Surveys
© Lepus Consulting Ltd
1 Bath Street Cheltenham GL50 1YE
T: 01242 525222
www.lepusconsulting.com
CHELTENHAM
Lepus Consulting t: 01242 525222 1 Bath Street w: www.lepusconsulting.com Cheltenham e: [email protected] Gloucestershire GL50 1YE