SA Appendix a – Revised Scoping Report

Isle of Wight Council Sustainability Appraisal

(Core Strategy and Site Allocations Development Plan Documents)

December 2008

Appendix A

Revised Scoping Report

Isle of Wight Council Sustainability Appraisal of Core Strategy Development Plan Document

Iwight.com

Third Party Disclaimer Any disclosure of this report to a third party is subject to this disclaimer. The report was prepared by Entec at the instruction of, and for use by, our client named on the front of the report. It does not in any way constitute advice to any third party who is able to access it by any means. Entec excludes to the fullest extent lawfully permitted all liability whatsoever for any loss or damage howsoever arising from reliance on the contents of this report. We do not however exclude our liability (if any) for personal injury or death resulting from our negligence, for fraud or any other matter in relation to which we cannot legally exclude liability.

Document Revisions

No. Details Date

V1 Draft to Isle of Wight Council 4/12/08

V2 Final to Isle of Wight Council 12/12/08

Purpose of this Report

Entec was appointed in September 2007 to undertake a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) incorporating the requirements for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Island Plan Core Strategy and Site Allocations Development Planning Documents (DPDs). This report will form an important part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) for the Isle of Wight which provides the statutory planning framework to guide the Isle of Wight’s development into the future.

This Scoping Report documents the first main stage (Stage A) of the SA (incorporating SEA) process for the Island Plan Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD. It will assist the Isle of Wight Council in the development and appraisal of the DPDs, and enable the performance of the policies to be monitored against the existing baseline conditions.

This report will be consulted upon for a minimum period of five weeks with the statutory environmental consultees (Environment Agency, Natural England and English Heritage), and other relevant organisations. This allows consultees to consider the contents of this report, and to make any comments where necessary. Comments will be taken into account when carrying out the later stages of the SA process.

This report draws on the previous SA undertaken in relation to the original Island Plan Core Strategy which was withdrawn in May 2007. Much of the work previously undertaken in relation to baseline data and the review of plans and programmes remains relevant and is referred to and reproduced where appropriate. However the report also provides an update to take account of new information which has become available since the original SA was carried out. In addition this report also covers the Scoping stage of the SA process in relation to the Island Plan Site Allocations DPD.

Contents

1. Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Sustainable Development 1 1.3 Requirement for SA and SEA 2 1.4 Approach to the SA Incorporating SEA 2 1.5 Approach to Integrating Sustainability Appraisal and other Environmental Assessments 3 1.6 The Staged Process of SA 3 1.7 Structure of this Report 4 1.8 Consultation on the Scoping Report 5

2. Links to other Plans and Programmes 7

3. Key Sustainability Issues and Problems 9 3.1 Introduction 9 3.2 Additional Baseline Information 12 3.2.1 Landscape, Archaeology and Heritage 13 3.2.2 Biodiversity, fauna and flora 14 3.2.3 Energy and Climatic factors 16 3.2.4 Energy 18 3.2.5 Health 18 3.3 Settlement Profiles 18 3.3.1 Newport 21 3.3.2 Sandown and Shanklin – the Bay Area 22 3.3.3 Cowes and East Cowes 24 3.3.4 Ryde 25 3.3.5 Ventnor, Yarmouth, Freshwater and Totland 26 3.3.6 Ports 28 3.4 Limitations of the Information and Assumptions Made 29

4. Development of the SA Objectives 31 4.1 SA Objectives and Appraisal Criteria 31

5. The Draft SA Framework and Matrix 37

5.1 Assessing Sustainability Performance 37

6. Conclusions and Next Steps 41 6.1 Quality Assurance Checklist 41

Table 3.1 Key Sustainability Issues and Problems Identified 10 Table 3.2 Isle of Wight National Designations (2007) 14 Table 3.3 Isle of Wight Local Designations (2008) 14 Table 3.2 List of Ports Key Sustainability Issues 28 Table 3.3 Limitations of Information and Assumptions Made 30 Table 4.1 SA Objectives and Appraisal criteria 32 Table 5.1 Assessment Scores 38 Table 5.2 Draft SA Matrix 39 Table 6.1 Quality Assurance Checklist 41

Appendix A Relevant Policies, Plans, Programmes and Strategies Appendix B Key Baseline Data and Future Baseline Appendix C SA Framework Annex A HRA Baseline Report

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The original Island Plan Core Strategy Submission DPD was withdrawn on 18th May 2007 and the Council is in the process of preparing a revised Core Strategy DPD. The original Core Strategy was subject to a Sustainability Appraisal published in February 2006 which has been used to inform this report.

Entec was appointed in September 2007 to undertake the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Island Plan revised Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD) and also the Site Allocations DPD. These documents will form an important part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) for the Isle of Wight which provides the statutory planning framework to guide the island’s future development.

1.2 Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is one of the core principles of planning. As Planning Policy Statement 11 identifies:

Planning authorities should ensure that sustainable development is treated in an integrated way in their development plans. In particular, they should carefully consider the interrelationship between social inclusion, protecting and enhancing the environment, the prudent use of natural resources and economic development.

The Government sets out five principles for sustainable development in the UK Government’s Sustainable Development Strategy2. They are as follows:

 Living within Environmental Limits;

 Ensuring a Strong, Health and Just Society;

 Achieving a Sustainable Economy;

 Promoting Good Governance;

1 ODPM (2005) Planning Policy Statement 1 Delivering Sustainable Development

2 DEFRA (2005) Securing the Future – UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy

 Using Sound Science Responsibly.

The Island’s Local Development Framework should be based on these sustainability principles.

1.3 Requirement for SA and SEA

Strategic Environmental Assessment is required by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (the SEA regulations) which in turn is derived from the European Directive 2001/42/EC3 (known as the SEA Directive). The SEA Regulations require the assessment of plans and programmes which are likely to have significant environmental effects. Development Plan Documents are considered to have significant environmental effects, and therefore require SEA.

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 20044 requires SA for Development Plan Documents, Regional Spatial Strategies and Supplementary Planning Documents. This requires the assessment of the sustainability of the proposals and policies in the documents in question. The Island Plan Core Strategy DPD and Site Allocations DPD thus require SA.

1.4 Approach to the SA Incorporating SEA

Whilst the requirements to produce SA and SEA are distinct, as outlined above, UK Government guidance5 considers that it is possible to satisfy the two requirements through a single integrated approach. This approach is proposed for the Island Plan Core Strategy DPD and Site Allocations DPD. Throughout this document, where reference is made to SA, it denotes SA incorporating the requirements of the SEA Directive.

SAs are an effective way to ensure that sustainable development principles are taken into account during the plan making process. By assessing plan policies against a broad range of SA objectives, the appraisal process exposes strengths and weaknesses of the plan, which can help to develop recommendations for its improvement. As well as helping to enhance the plan, the appraisal process also provides a basis for discussion between stakeholders around a shared set of objectives.

3 European Parliament (2001) Directive 2001/42/ECof the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment

4 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

5 ODPM (2005) Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents

1.5 Approach to Integrating Sustainability Appraisal and other Environmental Assessments

There is a close relationship between the SA and other assessments being undertaken by the Council namely Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).

The Government’s Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk emphasises the links between the SFRA and the SA. The SFRA is currently being prepared by Entec for the Council and will be used to directly inform the SA process.

In addition Entec are undertaking a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for the Council. The draft government guidance Planning for the Protection of European Sites: Appropriate Assessment states that;

..AA should be undertaken in conjunction with the SA. It would be best practice to maximise the relevant evidence gathered in the SA and to use it to inform the AA and vice versa.

A baseline report and proposed methodology for the HRA has been produced which is forms Annex 1 to this report.

1.6 The Staged Process of SA

There are five main stages of SA, as identified in Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents ODPM (2005) (ODPM SA Guidance), which are set out below.

Figure 1.1 Incorporating SA with the Development Plan Process

1.7 Structure of this Report

The Scoping Report documents the first main stage (Stage A) of the SA process for the Island Plan Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPDs. It will assist the Isle of Wight Council in the development and appraisal of the DPDs and enable the performance of the policies to be monitored against the existing baseline conditions.

The remaining sectors of this report are as follows;

Section 2: Links with other Relevant Plans and Programmes – This section outlines the review of relevant international, national, regional and local documents to assist in identifying the key sustainability issues and developing the sustainability objectives.

Section 3: Key Sustainability Issues for the Isle of Wight – This section sets out relevant baseline information for the Isle of Wight as well as identifying and describing the key sustainability issues.

Section 4: Development of the SA Objectives – This section sets out the proposed SA objectives, appraisal questions and the relevant indicators.

Section 5: The SA Framework – This section sets out the proposed SA framework and describes how the framework will be used to assess policies.

Section 6: Conclusion – This section provides an explanation of the subsequent stages of SA. It also provides a quality assurance checklist.

1.8 Consultation on the Scoping Report

This report is being sent to a number of organisations for consultation, which will include the statutory environmental consultees under the SEA Regulations, which are: the Environment Agency, Natural England, and English Heritage.

Entec will consult with the Island Plan Environmental Steering Group; this group includes the statutory environmental consultees as well as Southern Water, RSPB the Isle of Wight AONB Unit and Coastal Management Group.

Key Roles of this group are;

 To approve environmental assessments accompanying Development Plan Documents of the Island Plan at key stages (including baseline information and methodology);

 To help steer and manage the processes associated with environmental assessments, ensuring key milestones and legal requirements are met;

 To provide early reviewing of draft documents and round table discussion leading to an overall agreement and policy standpoint;

 Sign off plans and accompanying assessments prior to submission;

 Provide the Council with a single key contact within each organisation.

Comments received will be considered and the scope and levels of information provided within this document amended, as appropriate.

Procedures for providing comments are provided in box 1.1

Box 1.1 Responding to Consultation on the Scoping Report

We would welcome your views on this Scoping Report. The consultation period will run for 5 weeks from 19th October to 23rd November 2007 We are particularly interested to know the following:

 1. Do you agree with the main sustainability issues identified? These are listed in Section 3. They outline the key problems and opportunities that the Isle of Wight faces and the issues which should be taken into account in the SA of the Island Plan Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPDs.

 2. Do you know of any baseline information which will help to inform the SA process? The key baseline information relating to each sustainability issue is presented in section 3 and in Appendix B. This information will be used to help inform the appraisal process.

 3. Do you agree that the SA objectives cover the breadth of sustainability issues appropriate for the Isle of Wight?

These objectives are presented alongside appraisal criteria in section 4. They will be used to appraise policies coming out of the review.

Please provide comments by 5pm on Friday 23rd November 2007

Comments should be sent to:

Post:

Tim Perkins Entec UK Ltd Pacific House Imperial Way Reading RG2 0TD

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0118 377 5667

2. Links to other Plans and Programmes

The purpose of reviewing plans and programmes as part of the SA is to ensure that the relationship with these other documents is fully explored and to ensure that the relevant environmental protection and sustainability objectives are taken on board throughout the SA and the plan-making process. Reviewing plans and programmes can also provide appropriate information on the baseline for the plan area and the key sustainability issues.

A review of plans and programmes were undertaken for the SA of the Isle of Wight’s withdrawn Core Strategy. This information remains relevant and the plans and programmes previously reviewed are set out in Appendix A. This is supplemented by a schedule of the relevant plans and programmes that have been published since February 2006 when the original SA was produced. This is also set out in Appendix A. These documents have also been reviewed and the key aims, objectives and indicators have, where relevant, been incorporated into the SA Framework. The source documents are referenced as appropriate within the SA Framework. The additional documents considered have included:

 The Energy White Paper 2007;

 Consultation Draft Annex PPS 1: Planning & Climate Change, 2006;

 PPS 3: Housing, 2006;

 PPS 10: Planning for Sustainable Waste Management, 2005;

 PPS 25: Development & Flood Risk, 2006;

 Waste Strategy 2007;

 Air Quality Strategy, July 2007;

 Corporate Plan 2006 – 2009, 2006, Isle of White Council.

The diagram below illustrates the main plans and programmes which are relevant to the Isle of Wight.

Figure 2.1 Main Relevant Plans and Programmes

European Directives UK Sustainable PPGs/PPSs Development

Nattonal strategies e.g. waste, air quality

South East Regional Plan Strategies

Isle of Wight LDF

Core Strategy

Sites Allocations Isle of Wight DPD Community

Other DPDs

Isle of Wight Local Isle of Wight Housing Transport Plan Strategy

Isle of Wight AONB Isle of Wight Catchment Management Plan Management Strategy

Isle of Wight Shoreline Other Isle of Wight Management Plan Council Strategies

3. Key Sustainability Issues and Problems

3.1 Introduction

An essential part of the SA process is the identification of current baseline conditions and their likely evolution. It is only with a knowledge of existing conditions, and a consideration of their significance, that the issues which a plan or programme should address (in this case the Island Plan Core Strategy DPD and Site Allocations DPD) can be identified and its subsequent success or otherwise be monitored.

The SEA Directive requires that the evolution of the baseline conditions of the plan area (that would take place without the plan or programme) are identified. This is useful in informing assessments of significance, particularly with regard to the effect that conditions may already be improving or worsening and the rate of such change.

Much of this baseline information was collected as part of the SA of the withdrawn Core Strategy and can be viewed in Appendix B. This includes information on the future predicted baseline. This report provides an update on the baseline information and includes any relevant baseline data. In addition it also provides baseline information in relation to inform the SA of the Site Allocations DPD. Table 3.1 summarises the sustainability issues and problems based on the original SA together with any additional information that has come to light since February 2006 when the withdrawn Core Strategy SA was produced.

Any additional relevant baseline data identified since the original SA report was published can also be viewed in Appendix B. This table also identifies topics where there is a lack of identified data.

Additional baseline information has been collected from a number of sources including the Isle of Wight Council, Audit Commission, Natural England and Department of Health Community Health Profile.

The following table summarises key sustainability issues and problems based on the original and updated review of baseline information.

Table 3.1 Key Sustainability Issues and Problems Identified

SA Topic Key Issues and Problems

Air Quality Traffic congestion is a significant and increasing problem in Newport

Modal split (private car use, public transport, cycling and walking)

The main source of air pollution on the Island is traffic. Additional sources include ferries, the fuel storage depot and power station

Currently no AQMAs on the Island but Environmental Health advises that air quality thresholds could be exceeded in future

Coasts Areas of instability on the Island particularly on parts of the coast

A number of high quality Beaches

Conflict between coastline protection and nature conservation as many habitats and species depend on natural coastal processes

Water Several Groundwater Protection Zones on the Island.

The Island has an overall water deficit, which is made up by importing water from the mainland.

Watercources, groundwater, bathing water and surface water vulnerable to pollution from development

A number of settlements are at risk of flooding from surface water drainage

Landscape, AONB designation across almost half the Island archaeology and heritage The Island has an above average number of nationally important heritage monuments and buildings and these contribute to landscape character and sense of place. The condition and management of all the islands heritage assets in the face of development, climate change and policy change is a key issues

Awareness and Access

Defined Heritage Coasts

Landscape and settlement character – localised impacts of development

Biodiversity, Within and around the Isle of Wight are a substantial number of international, national and fauna and flora locally designated nature conservation sites. The condition of these sites in the face of a number of threats is a key issue.

The Island contains a wealth of Protected species

Awareness and access

Soil, geology Parts of the Island are likely to be affected by contamination due to past activity and land use Mineral extraction on the Island

SA Topic Key Issues and Problems

Agriculture and Forestry – ensuring viability of these sectors and their important link to the rural economy and landscape and biodiversity.

A number of sites across the Island are important for geology.

Safeguarding suitable land on the coast for freight movements and storage

Waste Landfill space is limited and need to find new landfill by 2015

Some waste cannot be dealt with on the Island and has to be sent to the mainland

Climatic factors Predicted traffic growth will bring growth in emissions of greenhouse gases

Increased fluvial and tidal flooding

Limited amount of renewable energy generation

Vulnerability to flooding and the effects of a changing environment

Culture Facilities / sites to support major touring shows and opportunities for people of the Island to experience cultural diversity

Community and Island cultural identity and traditions are strong and need to be maintained

Population Population predictions show the Island’s population will age significantly faster than England and the South East Region as a whole

The Island is much less ethnically diverse than England and Wales as a whole

Crime and Perception of crime is not proportionate to actual crime data. safety Condition of Islands roads could be contributing factor in accidents in an increasing number of crash locations on the Island

Health Island generally has better health than England but is less healthy than South East region

Life expectancy of residents is improving faster than comparable with England

There is a high suicide rate on the Island

Increasing ageing population will lead to increasing demand on health and social care

Social inclusion There are a number of areas of deprivation on the Island

Homelessness on the Island is a key issue

Education and Location of education facilities training GSCE attainment levels are lower than national average

A quarter of businesses report skills shortages and recruitment difficulties

Access Access to transport (public transport, cycle tracks) including cross-Solent links is good

SA Topic Key Issues and Problems

Access to facilities and services, employment, education, health care, open space and opportunities for recreation could be improved

There is only half the amount of affordable housing compared with areas of similar population

Material assets Number and condition of dwellings, and public facilities (retail, recreation and community)

Condition of Islands road network is below standard and requires upgrading

Transport infrastructure (road, rail, ferry, pedestrian and cycle including quays, rights of way, ports and piers) needs improvement

Employment Employment limited to a small number of sectors

Low wages

Travel to work (commuting)

Many jobs are seasonal and part-time employment

Unemployment levels are higher than regional average

Investment in Island suffers from a general lack of investment Business Tourism accommodation and attractions

Business formation and survival

Supporting local businesses / produce

Economic Island has lowest GDP of any county in England performance Imports / exports

Support of land management

Economic activity and inactivity

Development of sustainable tourism sector

3.2 Additional Baseline Information

The subsequent sections provide a summary of additional baseline information which has been identified in relation to certain SA topics.

3.2.1 Landscape, Archaeology and Heritage

The Joint Character Area Assessment (JCA)6 for the Isle of Wight for the period 1999-2003 indicates that:

The changes in agriculture and uptake of Countryside Stewardship agreements are maintaining and possibly strengthening the characteristics of the farmed landscape. Woodland character has also been maintained. Although development pressure is notable outside the AONB, overall the important settlement characteristic of the area appears to have been preserved. Thus overall character has probably been maintained.

The main concerns appear to be around development where the JCA assessment states that:

there is evidence that development in the more rural parts is more concentrated in those areas outside the AONB, along the axes of the major route corridors. These impacts transform the character of the area locally.

The Isle of Wight has a rich and unique archaeological heritage and historic environment resource, much of which is protected by national legislation. This includes historic landscapes, parks and gardens, settlements, structures, sites, monuments, coastal sites and buried remains which make up the patterns of previous human land use which have shaped the Island as we see it today. Data on all Historic Environment assets are recorded on the Historic Environment record database maintained by the Isle of Wight Council.

The Island’s historic environment resource is incredibly varied, ranging from archaeological remains dating to 425,000 years ago to 19th and 20th Century military and industrial sites still surviving in today’s landscapes. Nationally important designations include the 119 Scheduled Monuments, including Bronze Age burial mounds, Roman Villas and 2nd World War Batteries, 1970 Listed Buildings which range from Medieval Manor Houses to 18th and 19th Century architecture, 29 Conservation Areas and 8 Registered Parks and Gardens. Almost half of the Island’s coastline has been designated of National Importance as the Tennyson and Hampstead Heritage Coasts. There are also 6 Protected Wreck sites within Isle of Wight waters. Table 3.1 provides a list of the Island’s National Designations.

6 The national Joint Character Areas (JCAs) provide a description of landscape character across England which were developed in the 1990s. These are used by Natural England to provide a context for monitoring landscape change through the Countryside Quality Counts (CQC) project . The latest assessment covers the period 1999-2003.

Table 3.2 Isle of Wight National Designations (2007)

National Designation Number

Scheduled Monuments 119

Listed Buildings 1970

Conservation Areas 29

Registered Parks and Gardens 8

Heritage Coast areas 2

Protected Wreck sites 6

Over 11,000 other sites and historic landscapes are recorded of Local Importance, as well as another 43 Areas of Archaeological Importance within the historic towns and villages. 70 Buildings and 29 Parks and Gardens of Local Importance are also designated on the Historic Environment Record. Table 3.2 provides a list of all local designations.

Table 3.3 Isle of Wight Local Designations (2008)

Local Designations Number

Archaeological sites 11,000 Locally Listed buildings 70 Parks and Gardens of historic interest 29

Areas of Archaeological Importance 43

The small scale of the Isle of Wight and its heritage assets means that it has less capacity to absorb the necessarily concentrated pressures of climate change, agricultural change and development than many mainland areas

3.2.2 Biodiversity, fauna and flora

Annex 1 of this report provides detailed baseline information in relation to the Habitat Regulations Assessment being undertaken for the LDF. This sets out information in relation to sites considered to of European importance for nature conservation and is summarised here. There are seven European Sites within the Isle of Wight:

 Solent & Isle of Wight Lagoons Special Area for Conservation (SAC);

 Briddlesford Copses SAC;

 South Wight Maritime SAC;

 Isle of Wight Downs SAC;

 Solent Maritime SAC;

 Solent & Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA); and

 Solent & Southampton Water Ramsar Site.

In addition to these sites, seven European Sites outside the District but within 10km of the boundary have also been considered. These are:

 The New Forest SAC (6km);

 New Forest SPA (6km);

 New Forest Ramsar Site (6km);

 Portsmouth Harbour SPA (6km);

 Chichester & Langstone Harbours SPA (9km);

 Portsmouth Harbour Ramsar Site (6km); and

 Chichester and Langstone Harbours Ramsar Site (9km).

Each of these sites has conservation objectives which are described in more detail in Annex A. Annex A also describes the vulnerabilities facing these sites. These are many and varied depending on the sites being considered however some key themes in terms of potential threats and vulnerability include.

 Increased recreational pressure;

 Risk from flooding;

 Existing and proposed coast protection works;

 Coastal squeeze of cliff habitats due to erosion, development or intensive agriculture in the hinterland;

 Sewage disposal;

 Accidental pollution from shipping activity;

 Development in the intertidal/subtidal zone;

 Commercial and recreational activities such as dredging and dredged spoil disposal, fishing and boating;

 Introduction of non-native species, e.g. from shipping activity;

 Marine aggregate extraction (off-site);

 Water abstraction associated with developments;

 Waste water treatment discharges causing increased nutrients;

 Risk of air pollution;

 Developments pressures including ports, marinas, jetties etc. Proposals often involve capital/ maintenance dredging to provide/ improve deep water access, and land-claim of coastal habitats;

 Increased development, particularly housing, may result in higher levels of disturbance being experienced.

3.2.3 Energy and Climatic factors

Flood Risk Mapping

The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) being undertaken for the Isle of Wight maps the 1 in 1000 year tidal and fluvial flood extents (Flood Zone 2) and the 1 in 100 year fluvial and 1 in 200 year tidal extents (Flood Zone 3) to be mapped. Figure 3.1 displays the two flood zones. The Flood Zone datasets are owned and managed by the Environment Agency and are currently the best indication of the areas at risk of present day flooding from both rivers and the sea.

The extents of Flood Zone 2 and 3 are very similar to each other in most parts of the Island, this is due to the topography of the floodplain. Narrow floodplains with steep sides often have flood outlines with similar extents for storm events of differing magnitudes. However, it is important to understand that that the flood water depths and velocities of flow will be greater for larger magnitude events.

The SFRA will provide an important part of the evidence base for the preparation of the Local Development Framework and in particular the Core Strategy. The SFRA will provide useful baseline information for the Sustainability Appraisal scoping and assessment stages.

Climate Change

Current and proposed development areas on the Island are typically located around the edge of the Island and thus are potentially vulnerable to coastal flooding and may well be sensitive to the impacts climate change will have on sea levels. To assess the impact of climate change on tidal flood risk, several additional data sets have been produced to model the extent of the 1 in 200 year extreme sea level (Flood Zone 3) and the 1 in 1000 year extreme sea level (Flood Zone 3) in the years 2026, 2070 and 2115. These years were modelled as the 2026 horizon represents the lifespan of the Island Plan, the 2070 and 2115 horizons represent the horizons that should be considered for the development of commercial developments and residential uses respectively. Figure 3.2 shows the extent of the tidal climate change modelling that was undertaken for the SFRA and it demonstrates which areas are likely to become inundated by the 1 in 1000 year extreme sea level in 100 years time. The purpose of this dataset is to highlight areas that might become at risk of flooding in the future and is intended to inform the council of potential sustainability issues.

The climate of the South East is already changing. Over the past century average temperature has risen by 0.5oC and summer rainfall has decreased. Around the region’s coastline the sea level is rising, threatening important coastal habitats and increasing the risks of coastal flooding.

Greater climate changes are predicted for the 21st century. It will be warmer all year round, winters will be much wetter and summers much drier. Weather extremes such as floods and swelteringly hot summers may occur more frequently than in the past century.

A report produced by WS Atkins in 1999 on the impacts of climate change in the South East has stated that by the 2080s sea level in the English Channel will stand 54 cm higher than present due to the thermal expansion of sea water, melting of ice caps and sinking of the land into the sea. Locally there will be even higher rises in sea level relative to land level, in areas of pronounced land subsidance.

Mitigation

Climate change mitigation may be defined as any attempt to reduce the rate as which greenhouse gasses are accumulating in the atmosphere. This can be done through reducing emissions and also carbon dioxide.

Adaptation

Adaptation to climate change can adopt a variety of forms, such as better education, training and awareness of climate change and more technical measures, such as better coastal protection. Currently, the direction of climate change remains uncertain, so focus is also placed on increasing adaptive capacity in relation to key sectors, such as agriculture and health.

3.2.4 Energy

Local estimates of CO2 emissions are 7.1 tonnes per capita compared with a national average of 10.57 tonnes (2003) (Audit Commission).

Average annual domestic consumption of electricity in kWh was 4724 in 2004 compared with 4798 in 2003. This was lower than the national average of 4759 kwh in 2004. Average annual domestic consumption of gas was 18116kWh in 2004 which is lower than the national average (Audit Commission).

3.2.5 Health

Baseline information regarding health is drawn from the Department of Health Profile for the Island7. Key baseline data is summarised in Appendix B, however some of the key issues are:

 Early death rates from smoking, heart disease and stroke are lower than the England averages, however smoking accounts for almost 300 deaths a year;

 Levels of physical activity and the estimated percentage of adults who eat healthily are above those for England. However, the estimated proportion of obese adults (almost 1 in 4) is above that for England;

 The rate of road injuries and deaths is higher than the England average;

 The rate of people claiming sickness benefit due to mental health problems is higher than England's rate and almost twice that of Hampshire;

 The rate of hip fracture in people aged 65 and over is lower than the England average.

The profile suggests that local priorities are suicide prevention, obesity and smoking in pregnancy.

3.3 Settlement Profiles

In order to inform the Sustainability Appraisal of options for development locations for the Core Strategy and also the Site Allocations DPDs the following sections sets out a summary of baseline information and sustainability issues and problems associated with those areas of the island which could be significantly affected by proposals within the DPDs. This section also provides an indication of the likely predicted future baseline where such information is available.

A summary of the key issues and problems for the settlements is provided below for by a more detailed profile of each of the key settlements. These profiles are based on information from a number of sources including:

 The Magic8 website (www.magic.gov.uk);

 Isle of Wight Second Local Transport Plan 2006-2011;

 Isle of Wight Economy Report 2005;

 Isle of Wight Retail Capacity Study 2006;

 Isle of Wight Tourism Development Plan.

8 MAGIC is a web-based interactive map bringing together information on key environmental schemes and designations in one place. MAGIC is a partnership project involving six government organisations including Natural England, English Heritage, the Environment Agency and although it has been designed to meet the needs of the partner organisations, the facility is available to anyone over the Internet.

Summary of key sustainability issues and problems the Isle of Wight’s main settlements

Newport Environmental and heritage assets within and around the town which require protection including Medina Estuary, Carisbrooke Castle and Parkhurst Forest Traffic congestion is a significant and increasing problem on routes in and out of Newport Principal retail and administrative centre on the island which has seen growth in retail development Has experienced recent growth in hi-tech industries Prominence as retail centre puts additional pressure on road network and demand for parking Includes some of the most deprived wards on the island (Pan and Newport Central) Sandown and Shanklin – the Bay Area Environmental and heritage assets including internationally designated conservation sites within and around the settlements must remain protected Traffic congestion is a problem in the summer months The area is heavily reliant on tourism and employment is seasonal Growth in construction and business service sectors Good rail links between other settlements in Bay Area and links with Ryde Includes some of the most deprived wards on the island (Sandown North Sandown

Cowes and East Cowes Environmental and heritage assets including internationally designated conservation sites within and around the settlements must remain protected Congestion through the towns caused by cars using ports Reputation as world yachting venue creates income and employment that spreads across the island New regeneration project due to create new jobs and homes as well as improve infrastructure and access to services Heavily dependant on hotel and retail industry Three of the wards fall within the 25% most deprived in England (Cowes Medina, East Cowes West and Cowes Central) Ryde Environmental and heritage assets including internationally designated conservation sites within and around the settlements must remain protected Traffic congestion as a result of commuters using the main port  Potential to provide a range of sustainable transport  Two ports provide good connections to the mainland  Topography of town may discourage shoppers from entering  Ryde contains the most deprived ward of the island (St Johns West)

3.3.1 Newport

Geographically located in the centre of the Island, Newport is the principal town and main administrative and shopping centre. Newport has a population of about 23,600 based on the 2001 Census. The transport network reflects Newport’s role, with roads radiating out from the town.

There are a number of environmental assets within an around Newport including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) at Parkhurst Forest, Shide Quarry and the Medina Estuary. The latter is also designated as a European nature conservation site as part of the Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site. Carisbrooke Castle to the south west is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, Conservation Area and locally important nature conservation site. Carisbrooke

Castle, parts of Carisbrooke village, Whitcombe and Burnt House Lane are all within the AONB designation area. There are two further Scheduled Ancient Monuments Carisbrooke and Newport Roman Villas. Parts of the town are subject to flooding.

The central area of Newport is a conservation area which defines several distinct characterful areas reflecting the stages of growth of the town from the earliest planned settlement of the 12th century. The settlement layout and road network in the historic centre still follow the medieval gridded street system. The commercial success of Newport and the provision of infrastructure for the capital town need to be balanced with the retention of a unique historic character, small traditional shops and a sense of place. The councils commitment to the management, enhancement and sustainable development of the towns historic assets will be detailed in the proposed Newport Conservation Area Management Plan

There has been a significant increase in traffic on the major routes into and out of Newport and traffic congestion is now a significant issue which leads to roads becoming less cycle and pedestrian friendly and hampers bus access and increases journey times. Congestion can in turn have negative effects on economic performance and on air quality. A peak times nearly 80% of vehicles using routes into Newport are single occupancy vehicles (Second Local Transport Plan 2006-2011).

Newport is the retail and administrative centre of the island and now has a number of multiple chain stores as well as the main Council offices, hospital, fire and police services. Based on the retail capacity study carried out in 2005 by Drivers Jonas, Newport remains the focus for retail growth on the island and was considered to be potential for further retail development. The prominence of Newport as the main centre puts additional pressure on the approach roads and increases demand for parking particularly at peak periods (Second Local Transport Plan 2006-2011).

Newport includes some of the most deprived wards on the island as measured on the basis of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation, Pan (within the top 10% most deprived nationally) and Newport Central (top 25% most deprived nationally).

3.3.2 Sandown and Shanklin – the Bay Area

Geographically located on the East coast, the Bay Area consists of the twin resorts of Sandown and Shanklin with the residential area of Lake situated in between. According to the 2001 Census the population of the Bay Area is 17,700.

Although Shanklin has a thatched settlement as its core, both Sandown and Shanklin are similar in that they retain valuable remnants of Victorian seaside towns with areas of large boarding houses occupying elevated positions and smaller properties for service trades on the outskirts. There is an emphasis on promenades, neach bathing, ballrooms etc and these are substituted by later facilities such as lido’s and large hotels. Following a period of some insensitive development and decline, much of this is in need of renewal and re-use which is sensitive to settlement character and which recognises

the value in the historic environment features. The old village of Shanklin, itself a Conservation Area, consists of numerous small listed properties occupied mostly by cafes and small souvenir shops. This area appears in reasonable condition despite the sensitivity of the heritage assets. Future development of this area would be very difficult to achieve without detriment to local character.

There are a number of environmental assets within and around the Bay Area including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), located on Bembridge Down to the north of Sandown. Alverstone Mead to the south of the Newport – Sandown cycleway and Sibden Hill and Batts Copse on the edge of Shanklin are designated Local Nature Reserves. The shoreline and waters around the Bay Area, know as the South Wight Maritime has been designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The Bay Area is encircled by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) within which there are several Scheduled Listed Monuments including the Brading Roman Villa.

The Bay Area is served by an 8 mile rail route linking Sandown, Lake and Shanklin with the fast ferry service at Ryde. During the summer months Shanklin and Sandown face an influx of traffic problems caused by large amounts of tourists visiting the areas. Bus services are interrupted by traffic delays often discouraging the use of public transport and bicycles (Second Local Transport Plan 2006-2011).

According to the Isle of Wight Economy Report9 in 2004, it was estimated that 7,600 people were employed in the Sandown Bay Area, equal to 5,900 on a full-time equivalent basis. The service sector dominates the Sandown Bay economy, as it does for the Isle of Wight as a whole. Four sectors are particularly large – retailing, hotels and catering, construction and health, which combined account for 54 per cent of total output and represent 62 per cent of all jobs. In recent years the Bay Area has seen fast growth in construction and business services. Much of the tourism offered in the area relates to the valued historic character of the Victorian seaside resorts. The associated public realm and local character is tired and would benefit from sensitive enhancement.

In terms of future trends the Isle of Wight Economy Report considers that in the short term, employment growth in the Sandown Bay Area will moderate from the recent highs. This is likely to continue in the long term, with total (FTE) employment expected to grow at rates below the Isle of Wight average. The service sector is expected to contribute most to employment gains in the Sandown Bay Area, although retailing and hotels and catering, which support over a third of all jobs in the local economy, are expected to see job losses over the coming decade.

In terms GVA10, an average 2.4 per cent a year growth is expected between 2005 and 2015, lagging the Isle of Wight as a whole. Business services, communications, health and education are expected

9 Isle of Wight Economy – Isle of Wight Council and Isle of Wight Economic Partnership (2005)

10 Gross Value Added: measures the contribution to the economy of each individual producer, industry or sector in the United Kingdom, ONS (2007)

to post the strongest rates of growth, while hotels and catering, other services and public administration are expected to grow below the whole economy average.

The Bay Area contains some of the most deprived wards on the Island with Sandown North, Sandown South and Shanklin South in 25% most deprived wards in England.

3.3.3 Cowes and East Cowes

Situated centrally on the northern most point of the Island, Cowes is the main port with a natural harbour at the mouth of the Medina River. Cowes is best known as one of the world’s premier yachting destinations attracting thousands of yachtsmen from all over the world each year. The town has a population of around 13,600 according to the 2001 Census. East Cowes is situated on the eastern side of the Medina River and is principally residential. The two towns are linked by a chain ferry which forms a vital part of the internal transport system. East Cowes has a population of around 7,000 residents (Census 2001).

Cowes has a number of environmental assets within the surrounding area,, including a local nature reserve at Dodnor Creek. Gunard to the west of Cowes is part of the AONB and also part of the Hamstead Heritage Coast The coastline and waters surrounding Cowes and East Cowes have been given Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) status. The settlement of East Cowes is surrounded by an AONB.

Cowes can be accessed form the mainland by regular high speed passenger ferries running from Southampton. A car ferry service also operates between East Cowes and Southampton. The chain ferry between Cowes and East Cowes forms a main part of the internal transport system and connects two of the Island’s principal roads, the A3020 and A3021. The council recognises that a fixed road link between the two towns is not likely in the foreseeable future, increasing the importance of the service. The ferry ports at Cowes and East Cowes are located in the town centres and as a result traffic congestion from cars accessing the ports creates delays in and around the centres and making roads more dangerous to both cyclists and pedestrians. However, the council has introduced a park and ride facility in Somerton.

Cowes relies heavily on tourism that is mainly generated from its global reputation as the ‘home of world yachting’. A study in 2000 estimated that £25.9 million was spent by visitors coming to Cowes due to the attraction of yachting. These same visitors also spent a further £8.1 million elsewhere on the island (Tourism Development Plan 2005). Tourists to Cowes also benefit from its historic buildings and strong maritime character in its built environment; narrow winding streets and tall seaward facing buildings climb up the coastal slope

East Cowes is surrounded by nationally important registered historic parks to the north at North Castle and to the east at Osborne House. Viewed from the sea, the columbine shed on the quayside is a

locally distinctive property, which together with the Hammerhead Crane at Cowes, combines to demark the port as the key gateway to the island and as a unique place

The East Cowes Project has recently begun which will provide a mixed use developments, town centre regeneration, 500 new homes and a range of new services and facilities. The development will also undertake improvements to the road infrastructure and services. The project is the flagship project of the Cowes Waterfront Initiative, a visionary plan to regenerate the town centre of East Cowes by improving employment prospects and creating a superb new waterfront for residents and visitors alike. The project presents a unique opportunity to improve East Cowes, secure new investment and provide an enhanced gateway to the Island. The Cowes Waterfront Initiative is a collaboration of English Partnerships, the Isle of Wight Council, the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership and SEEDA. The East Cowes Project is a major regeneration scheme being brought forward as part of this initiative.

The deprivation within the wards of Cowes and East Cowes varies, with Cowes Medina, East Cowes West and Cowes Central ranking as some of the most deprived wards on the Island (within 25% most deprived nationally). Cowes Castle West and Gurnard, are two of the Island’s least deprived wards (within 50% least deprived nationally).

3.3.4 Ryde

Geographically located in the North East, Ryde is one of the main gateways to the Island as it is just a short sea crossing from Portsmouth and Southsea. With a clean sandy beach and shallow waters Ryde is primarily a tourist destination. The topography is characterful and creates a sense of place and forms important views to and from the sea. Development over the years has expanded the urban area so that it now encompasses the surrounding settlements. The population of Ryde is approximately 21,000 according to the 2001 Census.

Ryde is surrounded by a number of environmental assets including Priory Woods a designated SSSI. The waters surrounding Ryde are part of the Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area and Ramsar site. To the west of Ryde is the AONB which includes the Quarr Abbey a Scheduled Monument.

The historic character of Ryde is important with 386 nationally important buildings in the town. A key area is Union Street, with its views downhill to the sea and esplanade and its finely designed buildings. Now a primary retail location, the Georgian/Victorian character of this general area is prominent and colourful and fits in welll with the nearby Pier, a listed structure which forms the gateway of the island for passengers travelling by catamaran. Development in recent times has seen the pedestrianisation further inland around the high street but the public realm scheme here would benefit from upgrading, and the local character re-enforcing.

Ryde is well served by a range of public transport services which include two passenger ferries, two rail stations, a bus station, cycle routes and car parking. The council has highlighted the need to promote these facilities in order to encourage more sustainable travel in the surrounding area. Ryde also suffers from traffic congestion caused by commuters using the ports (Second Local Transport Plan 2006-2011). The council has recently introduced a Park & Ride scheme at Ryde St Johns.

The town is built on the side of a steep hill with the main pedestrianised shopping area located at the top of the hill. As with many such towns the shopping development follows a linear shape along the high street. The topography of the town therefore creates a more difficult environment for encouraging walking and cycling.

Little information was identified in relation to the economy of Ryde.

According to the Indices of Deprivation, St Johns West is the most deprived ward on the Island (10% most deprived nationally). The remaining five wards fall within the Island’s 20 most deprived wards (25% most deprived nationally).

3.3.5 Ventnor, Yarmouth, Freshwater and Totland

Ventnor

Located 5km south of Shanklin, Ventnor is primarily a residential area made up of around 7,000 residents. The town is built on a series of step terraces beneath St. Boniface Down that lead down to the seafront. The conservation area designation recognises the strong sylvan and Victorian character in Ventnor, with its characterful tall villas, decorative terraces and greensand stone walls

The area is surrounded by a wide range of environmental assets including the Ventnor Downs which are listed as an SSSI. The coastal waters around Ventnor are part of the South Wight Maritime Special Area for Conservation (SAC). This area has been designated as the South Wight Maritime European Marine Site (SWMEMS).The Stenbury Downs to the North of Ventnor is a large AONB. The town falls within the Heritage Coast boundary and the coast and surrounding waters have been designated as SAC. The town is surrounded by the AONB with the downland to the north Luccombe to the east and the Undercliff to the west. The Tennyson Heritage Coast begins at Stephill Cove and extends westwards through St Lawrence and beyond

The Undercliff at Ventnor is recognised as having the most significant ground instability problem in the UK.

Ventnor has no train station but does provide a rail bus service taking residents to Shanklin where trains can be taken to the port of Ryde.

According to the Indices of Deprivation, Ventnor ranks as the fourth most deprived ward on the Island (within the top 25% most deprived nationally)

Yarmouth

The port of Yarmouth is located at the opening of the Yar Estuary to the north west of the Island and has a population of about 900 (Census 2001). The ferry service link to Lymington on the mainland is an important feature of the town and contributes to the tourist economy of West Wight. . Yarmouth was laid out in 12th century with narrow alleys and at a scale particularly suited to pedestrians

Yarmouth is within the AONB which follows the path of the Yar Estuary inland. The Estuary itself has a number of nature conservation designations including as an SSSI, a Special Protection Area, Special Area for Conservation and Ramsar site.

Yarmouth is one of the Island’s least deprived wards (falling into the 25-50% most deprived nationally).

Freshwater

The village of Freshwater is located on the west coast of the Island with a population of around 5,400. There are several shops, a range of sports facilities, and a hotel. There are a small number of manufacturing and service companies. The bay has a small beach used by both visitors and locals.

Freshwater contains a number of environmental assets including a local nature reserve at Afton Marshes. Headon Warren and West High Downs are designated SSSIs. Parts of Freshwater are within the AONB and Tennyson Heritage Coast, particularly the downland to the south and east, the Western Yar estuary and Freshwater Bay. The village’s coastline and waters are within a designated SAC.

The ward of Freshwater Norton and Freshwater Afton are some of the more deprived wards on the Island (within the 25% most deprived nationally).

Totland

Totland is also located along the most westerly part of the Island and has a population of around 2,700. The village has a several shops, hotels and caravan and camping facilities for visitors. To the west of Totland the famous Needles rock formations which are part of the South Wight Maritime Special Area of Conservation. The specific valued character of this area is rural enclosure, formed by Edwardian properties within large plots dominated by mature trees and landscaping. The roads have a rural feel and the area sits above the cliffs and coast

There are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest Units (SSSIs) located at Colwell Bay, south of Totland. The downs to the west and south of Totland village, Turf Walk, Headon Warren and part of

the Esplanade are within the AONB and much of the coastline west of Widdick Chine is within the Tennyson Heritage Coast. The village also falls within the heritage coast boundary.

Totland is one of the Island’s more deprived wards (within 25% most deprived nationally).

3.3.6 Ports

The following section provides an overview of the main baseline information and sustainability issues relating to the Island’s ports.

The Isle of Wight relies on cross Solent transport connections for the movement of all imported and exported goods and personal travel to sustain the social and economic well being of the Island. During 2006/7 an Island Ports Sustainability Study was undertaken for the Council’s Policy Commission for Business and Infrastructure to investigate port related sustainability issues. Relevant aspects of the Island Ports Sustainability Study have been summarised below.

The Island Ports Sustainability Study indicates that there were a total of 9.28 million passengers crossing the Solent in 2006. Over 277,000 commercial vehicles used the services in 2006. Predictions of a growth in ferry demand of up to 28% for passengers and 53% for vehicles between 2004 to 2020 have been made. There is a recognition that the services are at capacity for limited periods in the summer. The Isle of Wight is heavily reliant on ferry crossings for people, traffic and goods and therefore the security of the crossings is essential for the economic and social well-being of the island.

There are a number of commercial wharfs for receiving freight from the mainland. Wharfs in Cowes Harbour and the Medina Estuary are of strategic importance for the movement of bulk goods and cargo vital for the Islands economy being the major port of entry.

The following table summarises the multiple ports and ferry routes on the island.

Table 3.4 List of Ports Key Sustainability Issues

Ports Passengers Service Key Issues (millions) (2006)

Yarmouth (to 1.35 (9%) Vehicle ferry Capacity problems at peak times Lymington) Most of the vehicle leading to congestion. traffic is cars and Tourism in West Wight is recognised as coaches with little benefiting from the ferry crossing. freight traffic

Table 3.4 (continued) List of Ports Key Sustainability Issues

Ports Passengers Service Key Issues (millions) (2006)

East Cowes (to 1.85 (20%) Vehicle ferry Currently unable to increase the ferry Southampton) fleet as it would require a relocation of the terminal. Recognised need to modify highway network and routing of ferry traffic to reduce tailbacks. Safety issues regarding the width of the navigable channel to the ferry terminal Fishbourne (to 2.62 (28%) Vehicle ferry Traffic congestion during peak times Portsmouth) traffic arriving at terminal for embarkation tails back Concerns about environmental impacts at Wootton Creek

West Cowes (to 1.23 (13%) High speed Restricted vehicular access via Southampton) passenger service Fountain Yard Other Wharfs in the harbour are of strategic commercial/bulk importance for the movement of bulk carriers goods and cargo vital to the Island’s economy Ryde Pier (to 1.44 (16%) High speed Ryde Pier is a Grade II Listed structure. Portsmouth) passenger service Investment in infrastructure would be required to increase capacity of ferry service Ryde Esplanade (to 0.79 (9%) Hovercraft Consent to extend the landing pad to Southsea) accommodate new craft recently granted at Southsea New craft to be introduced to enhance service

3.4 Limitations of the Information and Assumptions Made

There is a substantial amount of baseline information available for the Isle of Wight and the aim in this report has been not to duplicate unnecessarily, but to ensure that sufficient information exists to inform the Sustainability Appraisal process. For this reason the information presents a summary of information on the various sustainability topics. Other information is presented in other plans and strategy documents on specific topics which have been prepared by the Council or other bodies.

There are relatively few data gaps in relation to the sustainability appraisal objectives, however limitations identified are set out in the table below

Table 3.5 Limitations of Information and Assumptions Made

Nature of Data Limitation Commentary Assumptions Made

Economic and social issues Limited information and data has been identified regarding economic and social issues in many of the Island’s smaller settlements.

Date of data collection Available data has been collected at 2001 Census data has been used different dates. Up to date data has as the basis for helping to identify been used wherever possible. Some of sustainability issues. the information is based on the 2001 Census and as such is somewhat dated and may not be representative of current circumstances. Data on Sustainable Design, No baseline information on this topic Construction and Maintenance available.

Prediction of future baseline There is limited information available on the predicted future baseline in the absence of the Plan being implemented. This is particularly the case in relation to the settlements.

4. Development of the SA Objectives

4.1 SA Objectives and Appraisal Criteria

The SA Framework was developed for the SA of the original withdrawn Core Strategy DPD. The Framework has been reviewed and updated where appropriate as a basis for assessing the Revised Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD.

The SA Objectives and appraisal criteria are components of a framework that will be used consistently to appraise the policies arising from the review.

The SA framework has been developed from consideration of the issues emerging from the baseline data review. The framework consists of those appraisal criteria deemed to be of particular importance and relevance to the Isle of Wight. Each of the appraisal criteria within this framework consists of sub- criteria, and indicators which can be used to guide collection of the monitoring information. This information would be presented on a yearly basis in the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR).

Table 4.1 SA Objectives and Appraisal criteria

Appraisal criteria Appraisal Sub-criteria

ENVIRONMENTAL

1. Air Quality: Reduce the amount of congestion on the Island’s roads To reduce air pollution and ensure air quality continues to improve Increase the proportion of people using public transport, cycling and walking (links with Biodiversity, Fauna and Flora and Health, Climate Reduce number of car trips Change Mitigation and Adaptation) To maintain or decrease current levels of air pollutants from ferry activity and other polluting activities Coasts: Reduce the risk to property and people from erosion and instability and avoid To reduce the risk to people and property from coastal erosion and damage to the coastline of loss of amenity as a result of human activity instability. Seel to promote protection, restoration and enhancement of coastal zone by (links with climatic factors, biodiversity, fauna and flora and soils, seeking to sustain natural systems and processes geology and land use, landscape, archaeology and heritage) Improve the quality and cleanliness of the beaches around the Isle of Wight and ensure that development does not negatively impact on the current levels of beach quality and cleanliness 3. Water: To maintain and improve the water quality of the Islands, Limit abstraction on the Isle of Wight to a sustainable level groundwater, rivers and coasts and to achieve sustainable water resources management Ensure the efficient and sustainable use of water and reduce the reliance on water imported to the Island (Links with soils, geology and land use, climate change mitigation and adpation) Protect the quality of water by controlling development likely to adversely affect groundwater, surface water, bathing water, and estuaries quality 4. Landscape, archaeology and heritage: Conserve and enhance the AONB in line with its designated status, purpose To protect and enhance the Islands natural and historic and the AONB Management Plan. environment and character, and to achieve sustainable Conserve and enhance the Tennyson and Hamstead Heritage Coasts in line development within a sensitive landscape with their status, purpose and AONB Management Plan. (links with soils, geology and land use and Biodiversity, Fauna and Flora, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Health and Protect tranquil areas on the island and avoid risk to them from light and Investment in business) noise pollution and increases in traffic The overall aim of the AONB Management Plan is to ensure Protect the landscape and settlement character of the Island and ensure that continuity and consistency of management over time, conserving any change in land use does not negatively impact on the existing character

Appraisal criteria Appraisal Sub-criteria and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape for the use and of the area. enjoyment of future generations. Positively enhance landscape and settlement character. Protect the fabric and setting of Designated and undesignated archaeological sites, monuments, structures and buildings recorded on the Isle of Wight Historic Environment Record; Historic Parks and gardens, maritime and coastal heritage, listed buildings and conservation areas.

Conserve and enhance Conservation Areas in line with adopted Management Plans Avoid net loss, damage to, or fragmentation of designated wildlife sites and the qualifying habitats and species (Marine, estuarine, terrestrial and freshwater)

Provide opportunities for people to come into contact with wildlife places whilst encouraging respect for and raising awareness of the sensitivity of these sites 5. Biodiversity, fauna and flora: Maintain and/or increase biodiversity and the variety of habitats on the island

To conserve and enhance the Islands biodiversity, fauna and flora Protect the function of designated geological sites on the Island as scientific (Links with Coasts, Air Quality, Water, and Soils, Landscape, and educational resources. Archaeology and Heritage, Geology and Land Use, and Access and Health) Ensure that regional quotas for mineral extraction are met whilst minimising the environmental and social impact of extraction 6. Soil, geology and land use: To support the viability of agriculture and forestry to ensure that they build To ensure appropriate land use in relation to soil and geology upon local and Island-specific markets and create local employment functionality and to improve efficiency in land use Encourage the remediation and re-use of contaminated and brownfield land (Links with Coasts, Water, Landscape, Biodiversity, Fauna and Flora, Landscape, Archaeology and Heritage, Access, Health and Protect areas which have value for their mineral resource, coastal position, Employment) employment land etc Minimise the future land-take for landfill on the Island

Minimise the production of waste then re-use or recover through recycling, composting or energy recovery

Appraisal criteria Appraisal Sub-criteria

7. Waste: Reducing the need to travel To reduce waste generation and disposal, and to achieve the Ensure the efficient use of energy on the Island sustainable management of waste (Links with Soils, Geology and Land Use, Landscape, Natural and Historic Environment and Air Quality) 8. Climate Change Mitigation Increase the use of renewable resources to generate electricity and use of To minimise future climate change through reducing emissions of CHP carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases New flood development should not be at risk from flooding’ (Links with Air Quality, Coasts, Soils ,Biodiversity, Landscape, Ensure development does not increase flood risk’ Natural and Historic Environmen , Health, Geology and Land Use and Water) 9. Climate Change Adaptation New development should not be at risk from flooding To reduce the risks to people and properties from the effects of To secure better opportunities for people on the Island to have access to a climate change range of cultural activities/facilities/events (Links with Air Quality, Coasts, Biodiversity, Landscape, Natural and Historic Environment, Soils, Health, Geology and Land Use and Water)

SOCIAL

10. Culture and local distinctiveness To achieve a balanced population structure on the Island. To maintain and protect the local culture, traditions and civic pride To balance the needs of permanent residents and visitors of Island towns and villages and increase engagement in cultural activity 11. Population: To reduce the fear of crime To develop and maintain a balanced and sustainable population To cut levels of crime and disorder, including anti-social behaviour structure on the Island (Links with Health, Waste, Air Quality)

12. Crime and safety: To cut levels and inequalities in incidence and mortality from cancer, coronary To reduce crime and the fear of crime and ensure safety in the heart disease, suicide and accidents public realm To keep an appropriate balance between services provided on the Island and the mainland

Appraisal criteria Appraisal Sub-criteria

To support Social Services and health services agencies to safeguard a range of residential and nursing home provision for Island residents

13. Health: Promote community involvement and access to information and to empower To improve the health and well being of the population and reduce local communities to become more involved in making local decisions inequalities in health To address the level and the distribution of wealth across the Island (Links with Air Quality, Crime and Safety, Social Inclusion, To ensure there is an equitable distribution of services and facilities for all Biodiversity, Landscape,and Access and Recreation) sectors of society

14. Social Inclusion: Ensure there is adequate provision of education facilities associated with new To reduce the level and distribution of poverty and social exclusion developments across the Island Improve education attainment levels in school leavers (Links with Access and Health) Improve skills and qualifications within the workforce 15. Education and training: To help in the provision of leaning opportunities that match skills supply to the To raise educational achievement levels across the Island and demand of the local economy and businesses develop opportunities for everyone to acquire the skills they need to To minimise the impact of severance by sea find and remain in work To ensure transport is accessible for all sectors of the community including (Links with Employment and access) those with mobility problems Improving access to services and facilities (e.g. retail, leisure, sporting, cultural, communication, open space etc) Improve access to jobs, higher level education, skills and training 16. Access: Improve access for permanent residents to affordable homes To improve accessibility to all services and facilities Improve access to smaller residential units for smaller households (links with Social Inclusion, Health, Material Assets, Education and Training, Health and Employment) Improve condition of dwellings on the Island To meet housing needs on the Island

ECONOMIC

17. Material assets Ensure that the existing utilities infrastructure is sufficient to support existing To ensure the provision of adequate infrastructure for transport, and new development utilities, housing and public facilities to meet the needs of residents To improve the physical quality of the Island’s transport infrastructure network

Appraisal criteria Appraisal Sub-criteria and visitors. through appropriate investment (Links with Coasts, Air Quality and Social Inclusion) Create opportunities to diversify the employment base Increase average wages to achieve a better paid workforce

18. Employment: Reduce distances people travel to work To ensure high and stable levels of employment so everyone can Improve opportunities for permanent and less seasonal employment on the benefit from the economic growth of the island island (Links with Education and Training and Access) Reduce unemployment

To create opportunities for and facilitate inward investment for a range of business size Improve quality of tourism accommodation and attractions 19. Investment in business: Provide opportunities for growth within small businesses and SMEs

To stimulate economic revival in priority regeneration areas Provide opportunities for development and enhancement of traditional and (Links with Material Assets and Economic Performance, Water ) local businesses and industry Increase per capita GVA/GDP Increase the number of products ‘exported’ from the Island (to mainland and other countries) Link local consumers to local markets to help provide a viable farming and forestry sector 20. Economic performance: Increase per capita GVA/GDP To sustain economic growth and competitiveness Improve the balance from net importer of goods etc to being more self- (Links with Employment, Investment in Business, Coasts, Soils, sufficient geology and Land Use, Air Quality, Water and Landscape, Archaeology and Heritage) Increase the proportion of the population who are economically active Encourage the development of a buoyant, sustainable tourism sector and to increase the diversity of the tourism market Promote the Island as a year round visitor destination Increase wealth creation on the Island

5. The Draft SA Framework and Matrix

5.1 Assessing Sustainability Performance

Table 5.1 illustrates a draft of the SA matrix developed to comprehensively meet the requirements of the SA Guidance (including the requirements of the SEA Directive). It contains the SA objectives and appraisal questions presented in Section 4. The matrix also includes the timescale of the effect and a commentary. These are briefly explained below:

 Timing of Effect – Will the effect manifest itself in the short, medium or the long term? In the context of the Island Plan Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPDs the short term can be interpreted as being within the first five years of the Plan, the medium term ten years, and the longer term meaning twenty years and beyond;

 Commentary – The commentary text within the matrix and summary text within the report will identify possible mitigation measures, in the form of amendments to policy or inclusion/removal of policy to increase the opportunity for sustainable development. Where a score is indicated as ‘uncertain’ the commentary should identify ways in which this uncertainty could be reduced, for example, through additional data collection or further consultation with experts;

 The commentary will identify secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects. Basic definitions of these effects are provided in the ODPM SA guidance as follows:

Secondary or indirect effects are effects that are not a direct result of the DPD, but occur away from the original effect or as a result of a complex pathway. Examples of secondary effects are a development that changes a water table and thus affects the ecology of a nearby wetland; and construction of one project that facilitates or attracts other development. Cumulative effects arise, for instance, where several developments each have insignificant effects but together have a significant effect; or where several individual effects of the DPD (e.g. noise, dust and visual) have a combined effect. Synergistic effects interact to produce a total effect greater than the sum of the individual effects. Significant synergistic effects often occur as habitats, resources or human communities get close to capacity. For example, a wildlife habitat can become progressively fragmented with limited effects on a particular species until the last fragmentation makes the areas too small to support the species at all.  Consideration will be given to the whether the effects are temporary or permanent. Temporary effects can occur for example during the construction of a development. Whilst

these are generally short lived, they may occur over several years with larger development schemes. The likelihood of the effects occurring will also be considered;

 Geographical effects will be noted where the effect is felt differentially within, for example different wards of the Island, or outside of the Island.

Each option or policy that comes forward from the Core Strategy DPD and Site Allocations DPD will be considered against each of the SA objectives. This will be undertaken by the appraisal team and will be informed by the baseline data and evidence gathered as part of the Scoping Report. It will also be informed by expert judgement from various technical specialists including key stakeholders and consultees.

There will be a number of scores awarded to each policy/option that is assessed. The scores will be chosen from the following;

Table 5.1 Assessment Scores

Score Description Symbol

Major Positive Impact The proposed policy contributes significantly to the ++ achievement of the objective

Minor Positive Impact The proposed policy contributes to the achievements of the + objective but not significantly

Neutral The proposed policy does not have any effect on the 0 achievements of the objective

Minor Negative Impact The proposed policy detracts from the achievement of the - objective but not significantly

Major Negative Impact The proposed policy detracts significantly from the - - achievement of the objective

No Relationship There is no clear relationship between the proposed policy ~ and the achievement of the objective or the relationship is negligible

Uncertain The proposed policy has an uncertain relationship to the ? objective or the relationship is dependant on the way in which the aspect is managed. In addition, insufficient information may be available to enable an assessment to be made

Table 5.2 Draft SA Matrix

Policy

SA Objectives Appraisal Questions Timescale Commentary/Explanation ((to include secondary, cumulative and synergistic Short Medium Long effects) Term Term Term

1. Air Quality: - Does it reduce the amount ++ ++ + Commentary To provide a transport of congestion on the Island’s roads? network which Temporary/Permanence: maximises access - Does it increase the whilst minimising proportion of people using detrimental impacts on public transport, cycling and Likelihood of effect: air quality walking? - Does it reduce number of Geographical effect: car trips? - Does it maintain or decrease current levels of air pollutants from ferry activity and other polluting activities?

2. Coasts: - Does it reduce the risk to 0 - - - Commentary To protect the Islands property and people from erosion and instability and coastline and minimise Temporary/Permanence: the risk to people and avoid damage to the property from coastal coastline or the loss of erosion and flooding amenity as a result of Likelihood of effect: human activity?

- Will it ensure development does not increase risk from Geographical effect: coastal flooding? - Does it improve the quality and cleanliness of the beaches around the Isle of Wight and ensure that development does not negatively impact on current levels of beach quality and cleanliness.

3. ………………… ? ? ? Etc……………. ……………………….etc.

6. Conclusions and Next Steps

This Scoping Report presents the findings of the initial tasks (Stage A) undertaken for the SA of the Isle of Wight Core Strategy DPD and Site Allocations DPD. It follows closely the advice and guidance provided by the UK Government and has been prepared to meet the relevant requirements outlined within the Quality Assurance Checklist within the ODPM (2005) SA Guidance (see section 6.1).

Following the five week consultation period, comments from consultees will be considered and the information in this report will be amended, as appropriate, in advance of its use during the next stages of the SA process.

The next stage of the SA process (Stage B) involves testing the DPD objectives against the SA Objectives considering and assessing options for the Core Strategy DPD, and then predicting and evaluating the effects of policies of the Core Strategy DPD and Site Allocations DPD as they emerge. This appraisal will seek to demonstrate the sustainability strengths and weaknesses of the policies reviewed and, based on this appraisal, will consider ways of mitigating adverse effects and maximising beneficial effects. The appraisal process will be reported within the SA Report which will be published for consultation at the same time as the Preferred Options Core Strategy DPD and Site Allocations DPD.

6.1 Quality Assurance Checklist

The ODPM SA Guidance contains a Quality Assurance checklist to help ensure that the requirements of the SEA Directive are met. Those relevant to this stage have been highlighted in Table 6.1 below.

Table 6.1 Quality Assurance Checklist

Quality Assurance Checklist

Objectives and Context

Sustainability issues, including international, national, Section 2 and Appendix B regional and local objectives are considered in developing objectives and targets

SA objectives are clearly set out and linked to Section 4 and Appendix C indicators and targets where appropriate

Links with other related plans, programmes and Section 2 and Appendix A policies are identified and explained

Table 6.2 (continued) Quality Assurance Checklist

Quality Assurance Checklist

Scoping

The environmental consultation bodies are consulted in This Scoping Report is to be consulted upon with the appropriate ways and at appropriate times on the statutory environmental consultees and any other content and scope of the SA Report relevant consultees for a period of five weeks minimum.

The appraisal focuses on significant issues Significant sustainability issues have been identified in this report in section 3. This will assist in focussing on the key issues during the appraisal process.

Technical, procedural and other difficulties These are made clear throughout the report where encountered are discussed; assumptions and appropriate. uncertainties are made explicit

Reasons are given for eliminating issues from further These are made clear throughout the Report where consideration appropriate.

Baseline Information

Relevant aspects of the current state of the Section 3 environment and their likely evolution without the plan are described

Characteristics of areas likely to be significantly Section 3 affected are described, including areas wider than the physical boundary of the plan area where it is likely to be affected by the plan where practicable.

Difficulties such as deficiencies in information or These are made clear throughout the Report where methods are explained appropriate.

Appendix A Relevant Policies, Plans, Programmes and Strategies

Table A1 Relevant Policies, Plans, Programmes and Strategies (derived from Appendix B of SA of withdrawn Core Strategy February 2006)

Table A2 Updated Relevant Policies, Plans, Programmes and Strategies September 2007

Policy/Programme/Plan/Strategy Objectives / requirements relevant to the DPDs and Action for SA the SA

INTERNATIONAL 1. The European Landscape The Convention's purpose is to promote landscape Ensure SA Framework includes Convention. 2000 protection, management and planning of European objectives promoting landscape landscapes and to organise European co-operation on protection landscape issues. NATIONAL 1. Energy White Paper, 2007 The White Paper sets out the Government’s long-term Ensure the SA Framework strategic vision to tackle climate change and ensure includes objective relating to secure and affordable energy supplies. tackling climate change and securing energy supply. 2. Consultation Draft Annex PPS 1: Sets out how spatial planning should contribute to Ensure the SA objectives Planning & Climate Change, 2006 reducing emissions and stabilising climate change and incorporate avoidance of take into account the unavoidable consequences. greenhouse gas emissions and managing the effects of climate change. 3. PPS 3: Housing, 2006 The key objectives of the policy are to: Ensure SA includes objectives to Provide everyone with the opportunity of a decent provide a highly quality mix of home; sustainable housing. Offer a greater choice that is affordable in both urban and rural areas; Promote sustainable development and encourage better use of previously developed land 4. PPS 10: Planning for Sustainable The overall objective of the policy is to provide Ensure the SA includes objectives Waste Management, 2005 sustainable development by protecting the environment for sustainable waste and human health by producing less waste and by management. using it as a resource wherever possible. 5. PPS 25: Development & Flood Seeks to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at Ensure SA incorporates Risk, 2006 all stages of the planning process to avoid appropriate objectives to minimise inappropriate development in areas of flooding, and to flood risk direct development away from areas at the highest risk.

6. Waste Strategy 2007 The strategy provides the Government’s vision for Ensure the SA reflects targets and managing waste and resources. The strategy provides measures set out in Waste targets and incentives for the reduction, re-use and Strategy recycling of waste and recovery of energy from waste.

7. Air Quality Strategy, July 2007, The Air Quality Strategy sets out air quality objectives The SA Framework should include Department for the Environment, and policy options to further improve air quality in the objectives to limit emissions and Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) UK from today into the long term. As well as direct improve air quality. benefits to public health, the options are intended to provide important benefits to quality of life and help to protect the environment. REGIONAL 8. The South East Plan, 2006, South The South East Plan is the Regional Spatial Strategy The SA Framework incorporates East Regional Assembly prepared under the new planning regime for the South sustainable development East Region. The Plans core objectives are to balance objectives continuing economic and housing growth with rising standards of environmental management and reduced levels of social exclusion and natural resource consumption. The Plan allocates 10,400 houses to be built on the island during the plan period. The Isle of White is a Special Policy Area with the South East Plan. The Special Policy Area Document highlights the islands unique range of environmental assets which may cause a range of specific economic and social issues which may act as constraints to detrimental developments. 9. Sustainability Appraisal Report on The Sustainability Appraisal predicts and assesses the The IRF objectives are the South East Plan, March 2006, economic, social and environmental effects which are incorporated within the SA South East England Regional likely to arise from the South East Plan. Framework Assembly The Integrated Regional Framework (IRF) set of objectives and indicators has been used as the basis for the SA Framework. The report sets out 25 key sustainability issues facing the region which cover biodiversity, waste generation, energy efficiency, climate change, accessibility to affordable homes, flooding, health and well-being, poverty and social exclusion, education, crime, efficient use of land, air pollution, resources and sustainable products, rivers and coasts, sustainable tourism,

employment and economic revival. LOCAL 10. Corporate Plan 2006 – 2009, Sets out the council’s long-term visions and corporate The SA Framework should reflect 2006, Isle of White Council priorities. The purpose of the plan is to match the the objectives of the Corporate organisation to the demands of the environment in Plan which it operates, in order to be able to deliver on the corporate objectives and add value to the quality of life for all of the Island’s community. It is concerned with making the Council effective and efficient. 11. Crime and Drugs Strategy 2005 – The Safer Communities Partnership sets out a three Ensure the SA Framework 2008, Safer Communities year strategy aiming to reduce disorder, crime and the includes objectives to improve Partnership fear of crime. safety 12. Race Equality Scheme, 2005 – Outlines the action the council will take in order to Ensure the SA includes improving 2008, reviewed 2006, Isle of White tackle racial discrimination and promote equality and access for all communities Council diversity across the island 13. Draft Sustainable Community The strategy provides a common set of aims and goals Ensure SA includes improving Strategy, 2006 – Island Strategic for all partners to work towards in order to achieve its quality of life. Partnership long term vision to become “a progressive Island built on economic success, high standards and aspirations and a better quality of life for all. Along with the long-term vision the strategy sets priorities to be met every three years to ensure the vision for 2020 is achieved. 14. Biodiversity Action Plan, 2000, Isle The BAP aims to translate national targets for species Ensure the SA includes improving of Wight Council and habitats into effective action at a local level. It biodiversity identifies biodiversity resources and priorities in the local area. It also identifies targets for species and habitats in the local area and ensures conservation and enhancement of local biodiversity and resources is highlighted.

Appendix B Key Baseline Data and Future Baseline

As a part of the review of baseline data, information on trends has been collected where possible. The baseline is constantly changing. The environment changes as a result of natural processes and impacts from a variety of sources. The economy fluctuates, as does the population, due to births and deaths and migration. Therefore, in order to identify and assess the actual effects of the Core Strategy, the likely changes to the baseline data need to be considered.

To this end, it was assumed that the baseline would continue to evolve in line with current trends, identified through the baseline review. This information regarding trends has allowed the evolution of the baseline to be extrapolated into the future. It is assumed that this future baseline would occur if the Core Strategy did not exist. The information on trends has provided a basis against which the effects of the Core Strategy could be assessed at stage B of this SA. It will also provide a basis for monitoring the actual effects of the plan during its implementation.

In summary, the future baseline is based on the following trends:

NO2 concentrations appear to be rising according to monitoring results (although the levels still fall within national guidelines). This could lead in the future to the declaration of an Air Quality Management Area;

Water quality at the Islands beaches is improving;

The population of the Island is growing and this will place a greater demand on water supplies and capacity of infrastructure including waste water treatment;

The relative sea level monitored in Portsmouth Harbour has increased steadily over the last 40 years (175mm). Sea levels are predicted to rise over the next 45 years;

Populations of a number of birds on the Island are rare, scarce and / or decreasing;

The Isle of Wight has an ageing population demographic structure. Life expectancy (males and females) is improving faster than or comparable with England. Infant mortality is improving faster than or comparable with England;

 Mortality from all causes (including circulatory diseases and cancers) is improving slower than England;

 The Island is becoming more ethnically diverse; and

 Education attainment levels in younger pupils appear to have risen in the last 5 years.

Traditional forms of manufacturing are in decline on the Island and some niche industries are thriving, including yacht building, sail making, and aerospace components.

The impact of climate and agricultural change are being addressed and funding mechanisms have enhanced, linked and created new habitats within the AONB for wildlife.

The appraisal of the Core Strategy has also been undertaken on the assumption that current environmental management practices and level of environmental protection to which different elements of the environment are subjected (e.g. nature conservation designated sites) will be applied in the future.

Table B1 Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data (derived from Appendix B of SA of withdrawn Core Strategy February 2006)

SA Topic Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data

Air Quality Congestion currently experienced within Newport at peak times Draft Housing allocations from the South East Plan will increase population which could result in traffic growth in some areas Currently no AQMA on the Island but Environmental Health Department advises that the air quality thresholds could be exceeded in the future if major development takes place on the Island increasing population and if ferry sizes and/or activity increases

Coasts Areas of instability on the Island particularly on parts of the coast Loss of habitats as a result of Coastal squeeze Parts of the coastline are defended to protect people and property but this can be in conflict with nature conservation because some habitats and species depend on natural coastal processes

Water The IOW has an overall water deficit, which is made up by importing water from Testwood on the mainland. Any potential increase in water must consider any potential impacts on the river Test Provision of additional water may impact on the groundwater levels and/or river flow. Several groundwater protection zones on the Island mainly in the southern half of Island. Water resources on the Island will need to respond to climate change and potentially lower aquifer recharge periods during drier winters. Watercourses, groundwater, bathing water and surface water vulnerable to pollution from development such as via surface water run-off from development adjacent to watercourses, the coast and estuaries such as residential development, port developments, roads etc A number of settlements are at risk of flooding from surface water drainage

Landscape, Conservation areas across the Island. archaeology and AONB across almost half of Island and Tennyson and Hamstead Heritage coasts on north and south coasts. heritage There are numerous archaeological sites, historic parks and gardens, conservation areas, listed buildings and other important heritage buildings etc across the Island

Biodiversity, The Island contains a wealth of designated sites for nature conservation. fauna and flora The Island contains a variety of BAP priority habitats.

Soil, geology Parts of the Island likely to be affected by land contamination due to past activity. There are a number of groundwater and land use protection zones on the Island. A number of sites across the Island are important for geology. The areas important for geology and geomorphology on the Island mainly occur on the coast and at quarries.

Table B1 (continued) Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data (derived from Appendix B of SA of withdrawn Core Strategy February 2006)

SA Topic Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data

Waste Landfill space limited and need to find new landfill by 2015 Some waste cannot be dealt with on the Island and has to be sent to the mainland for processing, recycling and disposal

Energy and Traffic is predicted to grow on the Island. Target is to limit growth to 3% per annum. Traffic growth will bring growth in Climatic factors emissions of greenhouse gases unless fuels change. All major settlements are located on the coast and are at risk of tidal flooding. Fluvial flooding affects some areas located near to rivers

Culture Community and Island cultural identity and traditions are strong and need to be maintained. Few opportunities for people on the Island to experience cultural diversity.

Population Population predictions show the Island’s population will age significantly faster than either England or the South East over the next 20 years. Outward migration is greatest in the 15 to 29 age group and lowest in the 60 to 64 age group. Highest in-migration is also in the 15 to 29 age group. The Island is much less ethnically diverse than England and Wales as a whole.

Crime and Perception of crime is not proportionate to actual crime data. More could be done to improve peoples’ sense of safety safety in the public realm. Condition of Island roads could be a contributing factor in accidents in an increasing number of crash locations on the Island.

Health The Isle of Wight generally has a better level of health than England but is less healthy that the South East region as a whole. Life expectancy (males and females and infant mortality is improving faster than comparable with England. Mortality from all causes, especially circulatory diseases and all cancers is improving slower than England. There is a high suicide rate on the Island. No renal or cancer care available on the Island - must be accessed on the mainland. Increasingly aging population will lead to increasing demand for health and social care.

Table B1 (continued) Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data (derived from Appendix B of SA of withdrawn Core Strategy February 2006)

SA Topic Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data

Social inclusion There are areas of deprivation on the Island. Unfit housing is the highest in Cowes and Ryde and predominantly in vacant and pre-war terraced housing. Single pensioner households account for 18% of all households on the Island. They are located mainly in the coastal wards and in the Newport area. Homelessness on the Island is a key social problem

Education and The percentage of pupils on the Island achieving 5 or more GCSEs graded A* to C is less than the England average training by approx. 10%. Although standard assessment tests (SAT) results have improved for younger pupils in the last 5 years. A significant proportion of the adult population on the Island lack basic numeracy and literacy skills and 1 in 8 people have no formal qualifications. 24% of businesses report skills shortages and recruitment difficulties. More is needed to be done to improve accessibility to education to those over 16.

Access The Island has a very good signed public rights of way network. People have to travel to the mainland for some medical services. Retail developments are increasingly being centralised in Newport. Retail demand cannot support as a large a choice as is available on the mainland. There is half the amount of affordable housing found in areas of similar population. Public transport is considered to be expensive on the Island.

Material assets Uncertainty over the quality of tourism accommodation on the Island and its effect on the tourism market. Ongoing sea defences and coastal protection work s required to protect the Island’s developed coastline and property. Condition of the Island’s road network is below standard and requires urgent upgrading.

Table B1 (continued) Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data (derived from Appendix B of SA of withdrawn Core Strategy February 2006)

SA Topic Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data

Employment Narrow but recently diversifying employment base limited to a small number of sectors. 60% of the workforce is employed in the Island’s top five sectors. Tourism is a significant employer on the Island. However, in the past the Island has suffered from a relatively short tourism season with high levels of seasonal low-paid employment. There is an over reliance on the public sector as a big employer. The wages on the Island are on average below regional figures. Investment in The Island suffers from a general lack of investment. business Trends up to the year 2002 show that the total number of businesses appears to be rising. Economic The Isle of Wight has the lowest GDP of any county in England. Performance

Table B2 Update to Sustainability Issues and baseline data September 2007 based on previously identified data gaps

SA Topic Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data

Air Quality No new data identified. Coasts No new data identified. Water No new data identified

Landscape, The Joint Character Assessment (JCA) refers to the Isle of Wight landscape as exhibiting at a small-scale, the key archaeology and land characteristics of many southern English landscape character areas: from intensively farmed arable coastal plain to use wooded dairy pasture; from steep Chalk downs to diverse estuarine seascapes and dramatic sea cliffs and stacks. In the period 1990-1998 the JCA was assessed as experiencing some or limited change consistent with character and between 1999-2003 the landscape character was considered overall to be maintained. (Natural England – Joint Character Assessment – Isle of Wight) The council has undertaken a number of studies and surveys regarding the Island’s archaeology. A wide range of data is now available, however, due to the nature and detail of the information it currently requires specialist archaeological knowledge to correctly interpret it. The Council is currently exploring ways of making this accessible and meaningful in order for it to be used by those without any specialist archaeological knowledge. Biodiversity, fauna and There are 40 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which make up a total of 11% of the islands land use. flora The Woodland Bat HAP covers a suite of old forest bat species, which are dependent upon woodland and wood- pasture habitat for their survival. It is mainly relevant to Bechstein’s Bat and Barbastelle Bat, which are particularly important and considered to be rare both in the UK and throughout their range On the Isle of Wight, there have been around 45 records of Bechstein’s bat (Biodiversity Action Plan for the Isle of Wight May 2005)

Soil, geology and land No new data identified use Waste About 55% of the islands waste is recycled, composted or recovered for heat and power (Audit Commission 2005/06) Data relating to the amount of commercial waste generated, collected, processed and disposed of on the Island and the mainland.

Table B2 Update to Sustainability Issues and baseline data September 2007 based on previously identified data gaps

SA Topic Sustainability Issues and Baseline Data

Energy and climatic Additional information on flood risk factors Local estimates of CO2 emissions are 7.1 tonnes per capita compared with a national average of 10.57 tonnes (2003) (Audit Commission). Average annual domestic consumption of electricity in kWh was 4724 in 2004 compared with 4798 in 2003. This was lower than the national average of 4759 kwh in 2004. Average annual domestic consumption of gas was 18116kWh in 2004 which is lower than the national average. No data on current levels of renewable energy use and production on the Island Culture No new data identified Population No new data identified

Crime and safety No data on perception of crime survey information

Health Taking into account the different sources of information it is estimated that that there are between 25,000 and 31,200 smokers on the Island. The estimated adult obesity on the island is 24% compared with 21% in England. Almost 70% of the population are not physically active enough to benefit their health. Life expectancy in both Males and Females has risen steadily since 1991. The Alcohol Related Mortality Rate of the island is 6%, significantly lower than the UK average of 11%. (Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust Annual Report, April 2006) Social inclusion No new data identified Education and training No new data identified Access No new data identified

Material Assets Data regarding the quality of tourism accommodation and attractions is currently uncertain. Isle of Wight Tourism states that there is likely to be accommodation stock on the Island which they do not hold information about.. Employment No new data identified Investment in business No data on Business support and R&D expenditure on the Island Economic performance No data on imports/exports

Appendix C SA Framework

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

ENVIRONMENTAL

1. Air Quality: Traffic congestion on Reduce the amount of congestion Number of Air Quality To restrict traffic growth to To reduce air quality the island on the island’s roads Management Zones on the 3% per annum. (LTP 2) pollution and ensure air Island (LTP2) Meet Air Quality targets quality continues to Vehicle delay speeds in for carbon monoxide. improve Newport (LTP2) Lead, nitrogen dioxide, (links with Biodiversity, Traffic counts at survey sites particles, sulphur dioxide, Fauna and Flora and (monitored for the LTP 2) particles, benzene and 1, Health, Climate Change (LTP2) 3, butadiene Mitigation and Adaptation Levels of NOx at specific To have Air Quality monitoring points on the management Areas on Island (LTP2) the Island (LTP2) Car occupancy surveys (69) (LTP2)

Modal split (private Increase the proportion of people Number of planning To achieve the national car use, public using public transport, cycling and applications approved with cycle target of tripling transport, cycling and walking provision for Employers cycling trips on 2000 base walking) Reduce number of car trips Travel Plan (LTP2) by 2005/6 and, maintaining at this level Method of travel to school (LTP2) until 2010/11 Bus passenger journeys By 2005/06, to increase (LTP2) cycling trips to 243,000 and maintain at this level Public transport user surveys (LTP2) (LTP2) By 2010/11, to achieve a Annual route mileage of 20% increase in train buses (LTP2) passenger journeys based Number of pedestrians using on 1999/20000 levels. cycle tracks (LTP2) [LTP 2] Number and total cycle track lengths on the Island (69( By 2020/11, to achieve a

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

(LTP2) 12.1% increase in bus passenger journeys based on 2003/04 levels. [LTP 2] By 2010 all schools in England should have active travel plans (EA) By 2009/10, to increase to 65% the percentage of people satisfied with local bus services [LTP2)

Sources of air To maintain or decrease current Traffic counts at survey sites pollution (main levels of air pollutants. (monitored for the LTP2) source of air pollution (LTP2) on the Island is traffic. Additional sources include ferries, the fuel storage depot and power station) 2. Coasts: Coastal Reduce the risk to property and Number of planning A reduction in the number To protect the Island’s geomorphology, people from erosion and instability applications approved on of planning applications coastline and minimise natural coastal and avoid damage to the coastline actively eroding and approved on actively the risk to people and processes erosion, of loss of amenity as a result of slumping land including eroding and slumping property from coastal stability and risk human activity areas identified as land (EN) erosion and flooding unsuitable for development for geomorphological (links with climatic reasons (EN) factors, biodiversity, fauna and flora and soils, UKCIP predictions of sea geology and land use, level rise (The National landscape, archaeology Trust) and heritage) Percentage area at risk from soil erosion (from AONB management plan if data available from the AONB office)

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

Beach quality and Improve the quality and cleanliness Number of beaches that Beach litter survey cleanliness of the beaches around the Isle of meet the most stringent undertaken annually by Wight and ensure that development water cleanliness standards Marine Conservation does not negatively impact on the each month Volunteers current levels of beach quality and Beach litter – total items per cleanliness metre on Island beaches (Solent Forum Indicator or provided by Marine Conservation Volunteers

3. Water: Groundwater and Limit abstraction on the Isle of Volumes groundwater and To maintain and improve surface water Wight to a sustainable level river water abstracted per the water quality of the abstraction annum (EA) Islands, groundwater Environment Agency rivers and coasts and to resource Availability Status achieve sustainable water on the Island – number of resources management ‘over abstracted’ and ‘over (Links with soils, geology licensed’ water resource and land use, climate management units on the change mitigation and Island (suggested source by adpation) AONB office. Info from Catchment Abstraction Management Plan) The proportion of groundwater in the area that is classified as good status under WFD

Water consumption Ensure the efficient and sustainable Volume of water to be Increase the percentage use of water and reduce the brought over from Testwood of development reliance on water imported to the (EA suggest water company incorporating water saving Island data). (EA) Per capita consumption by supply zone – water company records (EA) Percentage of development incorporating water saving

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

(EA )

Importing water Look for opportunities to develop a Amount of water imported to more sustainable pattern of water the island per annum supply and reduce the reliance on water imported to the island Water quality Protect the quality of water by Rivers of Good or Fair (groundwater, controlling development likely to chemical and biological water surface water, adversely affect groundwater, quality (reported 5 yearly by bathing water and surface water, bathing water and EA) (39) (LTP2) estuaries) estuaries. Compliance with EC Bathing Waters Directive (39) (LTP2) Compliance with the EC Shellfish Hygiene Directive (Solent Forum) Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network (if available in LPA area) (EA) – Groundwater Source Protection Zones The condition of wetlands across the Island with respect to water levels and water quality necessary to maintain the nature conservation interest. (EN) The number of planning applications granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency on either flood defence grounds or water quality (AMR) 4. Landscape, AONB designation Conserve and enhance the Isle of Departures from specific archaeology and Wight AONB in line with its status, AONB policies in the Island heritage: purpose and AONB Management plan, or the number of

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

To protect and enhance Plan referrals in relation to the Islands natural and statutory duty of regard. historic environment and (AONB office) character, and to achieve Fixed point photography of sustainable development key views within the AONB within a sensitive as an analysis of change landscape (from AONB management (links with soils, geology plan, if data available from and land use and the AONB office) (AONB Biodiversity, Fauna and office) Flora, Climate Change Number of masts Mitigation and telecommunication and Adaptation, Health and other) within the AONB (from Investment in business) AONB management plan, if data available from the AONB office) (AONB office)

Heritage Coast Conserve and enhance the Number of planning To limit the defended designation Tennyson and Hamstead Heritage applications approved coastline within the Coasts in line with their status, contrary to the objectives of Heritage Coast and AONB purpose and AONB Management heritage coasts Plan. Length of coastal defence within Heritage Coast and AONB (AONB office)

Tranquillity Protect tranquil areas on the island Change in volume of traffic at and avoid risk to them from light specific monitoring points in and noise pollution and increases in the AONB (from AONB traffic management plan, if data available from the AONB office) Percentage of AONB classified as ‘Dark’ under CPRE light pollution criteria. (from AONB management plan, if data available from the AONB office) (AONB office)

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

Landscape and Protect the landscape and Km2 subject to a significant settlement character settlement character of the Island change in land use which and ensure that any change in land effects the character of the use does not negatively impact on area the existing character of the area. Amount of derelict land Positively enhance landscape and brought back into use. settlement character Amount of applications received for redevelopment as opposed to new development.

Designated and Protect the fabric and setting of Number and condition of Ensure no net loss to undesignated Designated and undesignated Listed Buildings, designated and archaeological archaeological sites, monuments, Number and condition of undesignated heritage sites, monuments, structures and buildings recorded buildings on “buildings at sites recorded on the structures and on the Isle of Wight Historic risk” register (39). Historic Environment buildings recorded on Environment Record; Historic Parks Record and seek and gardens, maritime and coastal Number and condition of opportunities for the Isle of Wight Scheduled Monuments, Historic Environment heritage, listed buildings and enhancements. Record; Historic conservation areas. Number and condition of Parks and gardens, monuments on “Monuments maritime and coastal at Risk” Register. heritage, listed Number, condition and buildings and spatial area of Conservation conservation areas. Areas and Historic Parks and Gardens, Number and condition of archaeological sites, monuments, structures and buildings, maritime and coastal heritage sites recorded on the Isle of Wight Historic Environment Record;,

5. Biodiversity, fauna and Location and Avoid net loss, damage to , or Area and condition of sites of No net deterioration in flora: condition of and fragmentation of designated wildlife international, national, SSSI condition (Council To conserve and threats faced by sites and the qualifying habitats and regional and sub-regional Ecology Officer)

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available enhance the Islands designated sites for species (marine, estuarine, nature conservation biodiversity, fauna and wildlife value terrestrial and freshwater) significance (AMR) flora (international, Percentage of SSSI in (Links with Coasts, Air national and favourable condition (Council Quality, Water, and Soils, local) Conservation Officer) Landscape, Archaeology Protected species Effects of development and Heritage, Geology control on designated wildlife and Land Use, and sites ((% loss; % gain and % Access and Health) change) (Council Ecology Officer) Populations of wild birds (in particular, woodland and farmland birds) (Reported annually by BTO, Quality of Life Counts indicator - (Council Ecology Officer)

Awareness and Provide opportunities for people to Implementation of access come into contact with wildlife management plans on Isle of places whilst encouraging respect Wight Council land (Number for and raising awareness of the of sites with sensitivity of these sites management plans / Progress towards implanting targets) (Council Ecology Officer) Biodiversity Maintain and/or increase Progress with Biodiversity Ensure no net loss to biodiversity and the variety of Action Plans (Reported 3 habitats covered by habitats on the island yearly by DEFRA) (Council Biodiversity Action Plans EcologyOfficer) and seek opportunities for Extent of key habitats for environmental which BAPS have been enhancements (Defra established (39) High Level Targets for Flood and Coastal Number of new Erosion Risk developments which have Management) incorporated biodiversity assets (Hants and IOW Create at least 200 Wildlife Trust, and (Council hectares of new

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

Biodiversity Officer) Biodiversity habitat per Area of land under agri- annum as a result of flood environment schemes – management activities, of Reported annually by which at least 100 ha DEFRA (Council Biodiversity should be saltmarsh or Officer) mudflat. (Defra High Level Targets for Flood and Percentage Local Coastal Erosion Risk Biodiversity Action Plan Management) habitats in ‘favourable condition’ (from AONB Management Plan)

6. Soil, geology and land Geological Protect designated geological sites Extent and condition of use: designations on the island designated geological sites To ensure appropriate (including RIGGS) on the land use in relation to soil Island (LTP2) and geology functionality Mineral extraction on Ensure that regional quotas for Production of primary land and to improve efficiency the Island mineral extraction are met whilst won aggregates (AMR) in land use minimising the environmental and (Links with Coasts, social impact of extraction Water, Landscape, Biodiversity, Fauna and Agriculture and To support the viability of Extent of sustainably Flora, Landscape, forestry agriculture and forestry to ensure managed forest on the Island Archaeology and that they build upon local and Number of farms/land Heritage, Access, Health Island-specific markets and create holdings where grazing and Employment) local jobs, whilst ensuring the animals are an integral part environment is protected. of the business (EN) Recognise the importance of this Percentage of land subject to activity for protection, conservation agri-environment schemes and enhancement of landscape, (From AONB management archaeology, heritage, biodiversity, plan) soil and natural resources. Number of farm holdings by size and typed (From AONB management plan) Percentage of woodland subject to woodland grant scheme and/or in active

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

management (From AONB management plan.)

Contaminated and Encourage the remediation and re- Percentage of new and 80% of new homes to be brownfield land use of contaminated and brownfield converted dwellings built of built on previously land previously developed land developed land (Best (amended Best Value Value Performance Performance Indicator and Target) AMR) Decrease land affected by Hectares of land affected by contamination (EA) contamination (EA) The amount of derelict and vacant land in urban areas (ha) (AMR) Amount of employment land (by type) which is on previously developed land (AMR) The percentage of new dwellings completed on: i) less than 30 dwellings per ha ii) between 30 and 50 dwellings per ha iii) above 50 dwellings per ha (AMR) Decrease in hectares of land affected by contamination (IOW)

Safeguarding suitable Protect areas which have value for Area of land on the coast land on the coast for their mineral resource, coastal safeguarded for freight movements, position, employment land etc industry/transport (km2) storage, employment, Area of land safeguarded for staging and ports and mineral extraction (km2) for future mineral

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

extraction

7. Waste: To reduce waste Land take Minimise the future land-take for Amount of land take for generation and disposal, (predominantly for landfill on the Island landfill on the island (km2 or and to achieve the landfill) Ha) sustainable management of waste Waste management Minimise the production of waste Percentage of domestic To recycle/compost at (Links to Soil, Geology (hierarchy) then re-use or recover through waste that has been used to least 25%, 30% and 33% and Land Use and Air recycling, composting or energy recover heat, power, of household waste by Quality) recovery recycled, composted, and 2005, 2010 and 2015 sent to land fill. respectively ((Waste Amount of land allocation for Strategy 2000, Defra) recycling of / storage of Reduce waste growth to construction waste. 1%/yr by 2010 and The capacity of new waste 0.5%/yr by 2020 management facilities by (Regional Spatial type (AMR) Strategy, EA Strategic Waste Management Assessment) 8. Climate Change Reducing the need Reducing the need to travel Vehicle Km traveled per Mitigation for energy person per year To minimise future CO2 emissions per capita climate change through per annum reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other Energy Efficiency Ensure the efficient use of energy Energy use per capita greenhouse gases on the Island Average energy efficiency in (Links with Air Quality, new buildings Coasts, Soils % of new homes conforming ,Biodiversity, Landscape, to recognised codes for Natural and Historic sustainable buildings Environmen , Health, Geology and Land Use Renewable energy Increase the use of renewable Number of planning and Water) generation and CHP resources to generate electricity applications approved with capacity for energy

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

production from renewable sources as a proportion of the total Number of planning applications granted which include installed capacity for energy production from renewable sources (by type) Installed capacity for energy production from renewable sources

Improve waste and Methane (primary source land use practices to landfill) emissions per annum reduce emissions 9. Climate Change Vulnerability to Limit development at risk from Number of properties at risk Adaptation flooding and the flooding and the effects of climate from fluvial and coastal To reduce the risks to effects of a changing change flooding people and properties environment Rate of relative sea level rise from the effects of climate and number of stormy days change (Solent Forum) (Links with Air Quality, Coasts, Soils ,Biodiversity, Landscape, Natural and Historic Environmen , Health, Geology and Land Use and Water) SOCIAL

10. Culture: Facilities / sites to To secure better opportunities for Number of planning To maintain and protect support major touring people on the Island to have access applications approved that the local culture, shows and to a range of cultural include provision of / traditions and civic pride opportunities for activities/facilities/events contributions for art of Island towns and people of the Island installations or other cultural villages and increase to experience cultural facilities

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available engagement in cultural diversity activity

Community and Value and protect village, town and Number of villages/parishes Island cultural identity Island character, sense of place with Village Design and traditions and distinctiveness through good Statements of Parish Plans design (AONB Office suggestion) 11. Population: Migration and Island To achieve a balanced population Population structure To develop and maintain population structure structure on the Island a balanced and sustainable population Relationship To balance the needs of permanent Housing needs survey structure on the Island between resident residents and visitors population and (Links with Health, visitors Waste, Air Quality) 12. Crime and safety: Perception of crime To reduce the fear of crime Fear of crime surveys or To reduce crime and the crime audits fear of crime and ensure Safety in the public To cut levels of crime and disorder, Level of vehicle crimes and safety in the public realm realm including anti-social behaviour anti-social behaviour offences Number of road accidents per annum 13. Health: Health of population To cut levels and inequalities in Death rates from circulatory To improve the health incidence and mortality from disease, cancer, accidents and well being of the cancer, coronary heart disease, and suicide (39) population and reduce suicide and accidents Percentage of residents inequalities in health using sport and leisure (Links with Air Quality, facilities provided by the Crime and Safety, Social council (BVPI survey Q12) Inclusion, Biodiversity, Health care provision To keep an appropriate balance Number of approved Landscape,and Access between services provided on the planning applications for and Recreation) Island and the mainland residential and nursing home To support Social Services and developments

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

health services agencies to Number of bed spaces in safeguard a range of residential and residential and nursing nursing home provision for Island homes residents

14. Social Inclusion: Community Promote community involvement Number of initiatives and To reduce the level and involvement and access to information and to opportunities for the local distribution of poverty and empower local communities to community to be come social exclusion across become more involved in making actively engaged in cultural the Island local decisions activity (particularly for target groups e.g. young people or (Links with Access and by geographic area) (39) Health) Poverty and equality To address the level and the Percentage of population on distribution of wealth across the the Island who are claiming Island key benefits (39) To ensure there is an equitable Indices of multiple distribution of services and facilities deprivation – proportion of for all sectors of society wards within the top 20 nationally Percentage of the population living in low income households (ODPM) Provision of services for minority groups (39) Percentage of households in fuel poverty (39) Percentage of schools subject to special measures (BVPI 48) 15. Education and Location of Ensure there is adequate provision Number of planning training: educational facilities of education facilities associated applications with provision for To raise educational with new developments educational facilities per achievement levels annum

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available across the Island and Attainment levels Improve education attainment levels Percentage of pupils develop opportunities for in school levers achieving 5 or more GCSEs everyone to acquire the or equivalent grades A* to G skills they need to find Improve skills and qualifications within the workforce (including maths and and remain in work English) (BVPI 39) (Links with Employment The proportion of young and Access) people (aged 16-24) in full time education or employment (Labour Force Survey) (QoL 19) Percentage of population of working age qualified to NVQ Level 4 and above (adapted 39) (LFS) Skills and training To help in the provision of leaning Proportion of adults with poor (including lifelong opportunities that match skills literacy and numeracy skills learning and higher supply to the demand of the local Number of new vocational education economy and businesses training opportunities on the opportunities) island linked to local businesses

16. Access: Access to transport To minimise the impact of Percentage of crossing with By 2010 to achieve 100% To improve accessibility (public transport, severance by sea facilities for the mobility of pedestrian crossings to all services and cycle tracks) To ensure transport is accessible impaired (69) (LTP2) with facilities for disabled facilities including cross- for all sectors of the community Level of complaints about (LTP2) Solent links links with Social including those with mobility footway defects (69) (LTP2) By 2010, to achieve a Inclusion, Health, Material problems Number of low floor buses in 10.6% increase in ferry Assets, Education and operation (69) (LTP2) foot passenger journeys Training, Health and based on 2004 levels Number of passenger (LTP2) Employment) journeys on ferries, trains and buses (69) (LTP2) Number of cycles parked at interchanges and town centres in dedicated cycle racks

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

Access to facilities Improving access to services and Percentage of rural homes at To maintain the length of and services, facilities (e.g. retail, leisure, set distances from key opened and signed public employment, sporting, cultural, communication, services (39) rights of way (LTP2) education, health open space etc) Area of new public open care, open space and Improve access to jobs, higher level space provided within new opportunites for education, skills and training developments recreation The Percentage of eligible open space managed to green flag award standard (AMR) Green spaces within development envelopes (ha) lost / destroyed per annum (AMR) The percentage of new residential development within 30 minutes of public transport time of GP, hospital, primary and secondary school, employment and a major health centre (AMR) Length of signed public rights of way network (LTP2)

Access to housing Improve access for year round Housing completions (39) residents to affordable homes Affordable housing units Improve access to smaller completed per annum residential units for smaller Average property price households compared against average earnings (39) Number of residential planning applications in accordance with housing tenure need (AONB office)

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

ECONOMIC

17. Material assets Number and Improve conditions of dwellings on Housing conditions surveys To ensure the provision condition of the Island of adequate infrastructure dwellings, public To meet housing needs on the for transport, utilities, facilities (retail, Island housing and public recreation and facilities to meet the community) needs of residents and Utilities infrastructure Ensure that the existing utilities Contributions for visitors (including pipelines) infrastructure is sufficient to support infrastructure in approved (Links with Coasts, Air existing and new development planning applications Quality and Social Inclusion) Transport To improve the physical quality of Footway condition (AMR and By 2007/08 to reduce to infrastructure (road, the Island’s transport infrastructure LTP2) 60% the local authority

rail, ferry, pedestrian network through appropriate Percentage of principal road principal road network and cycle including investment network where structural where structural quays, ports and maintenance should be maintenance should be piers) considered (AMR and LTP2) considered and to maintain at this level until 2010/11

18. Employment: Sectors (diversity Create opportunities to diversify the Percentage change in To ensure high and public v private) employment base workplace-based stable levels of employment (39) employment so everyone Low wages Increase average wages to achieve Average wage on the Island can benefit from the a better paid workforce compared with the national economic growth of the average (male and female) Island

(Links with Material Travel to work Reduce distances people travel to Percentage of population Assets and Economic (commuting) work employed on the mainland Performance) Number of ferry passengers on the mainland (Solent Forum) Workplace travel plans – change in mode before plan and after plan (69 and from LTP2)

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

Seasonal and part- Improve opportunities for Proportion of people of time employment permanent and less seasonal working age in permanent full employment on the island time employment

Unemployment levels Reduce unemployment Proportion of people claiming unemployment benefits who have been out of work for more than a year 19. Investment in Inward investment To create opportunities for and Take up of business space business: facilitate inward investment for a on sites allocated for To stimulate economic range of business size employment use revival in priority The amount of land regeneration areas developed for employment (Links with Material by type (AMR) Assets and Economic Loss of employment land in i) Performance, Water ) development/regeneration areas and ii) Isle of Wight (AMR)

Tourism Improve quality of tourism Number of successful accommodation and accommodation and attractions planning applications for attractions quality tourist accommodation and attracts Number of visitors to good quality attractions per month (Solent Forum) The location and number of visitor attractions (AMR) Number of repeat visitors returning within 2 years

Business formation Provide opportunities for growth Percentage increase or and survival within small businesses and SMEs decrease in the total number of VAT registered businesses in the area (39)

Supporting local Provide opportunities for Percentages of businesses businesses / local development and enhancement of and industry classified as

Appraisal Criteria Issue from Baseline Appraisal Sub-criteria Indicator Targets where available

produce traditional and local businesses and local industry

20. Economic GVA and GDP Increase per capita GVA/GDP Average annual increase in performance: GVA per worker on the To sustain economic Island growth and Imports/exports* Improve the balance from net Value of exports per head competitiveness importer of goods etc to being more (Links with Employment, self-sufficient Investment in Business, Coasts, Soils, geology Economic activity and Increase the proportion of the Percentage of Island and Land Use, Air inactivity population who are economically population who are Quality, Water and active economically active (men Landscape, Archaeology and women) and Heritage) Development of Encourage the development of a Number of visitors per month sustainable tourism buoyant, sustainable tourism sector Visitor spend per capita per sector and to increase the diversity of the month tourism market Number of organizations Promote the Island as a year round signing up the principles of visitor destination Green Island Awards per annum Number of businesses subscribing to the ‘Gift to Nature’ scheme The location and number of new hotel bedrooms (AMR) Wealth creation on Increase wealth creation on the Average annual increase in the Island Island GVA per worker on the Island

Annex A HRA Baseline Report

December 2008

Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Island Plan Core Strategy and Site Allocations Plan

Proposed Methodology and Baseline Report

Iwight.com

Third-Party Disclaimer Any disclosure of this report to a third-party is subject to this disclaimer. The report was prepared by Entec at the instruction of, and for use by, our client named on the front of the report. It does not in any way constitute advice to any third-party who is able to access it by any means. Entec excludes to the fullest extent lawfully permitted all liability whatsoever for any loss or damage howsoever arising from reliance on the contents of this report. We do not however exclude our liability (if any) for personal injury or death resulting from our negligence, for fraud or any other matter in relation to which we cannot legally exclude liability.

Document Revisions

No. Details Date

1 Draft for Comment 27/09/07 2 Final Draft for Consultation 11/10/07

Contents

1. Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Legal Requirement 1 1.3 Local Development Frameworks 2 1.4 Purpose of this Report 3 1.5 Report Structure 3

2. Proposed Methodology 5 2.1 Overall Approach 5 2.2 Stage 1 Methodology 6 2.2.1 Baseline Information Gathering 6 2.2.2 Initial Policy Screening 7 2.2.3 Detailed Screening of ‘Potential Effect’ Objectives and Policies 8 2.2.4 Policy Iteration 8

3. Baseline Information 11 3.1 Identified European Sites of Interest 11 3.2 European Site Conservation Objectives and Vulnerabilities 11

Table 3.1 Baseline information on European Sites on the Isle of Wight 13 Table 3.2 Baseline information on European Sites within 10km of the Isle of Wight 19

Appendix A European Designation Sites

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Isle of Wight Local Core Strategy, Island Plan, LDF Submission Core Strategy, was submitted to the Secretary of State for examination in May 2006. After discussions with the inspector due to hear the Public Inquiry into the Core Strategy, Isle of Wight Council decided to withdraw it from submission in May 2007 to allow further evidence-gathering to take place.

In light of this, Isle of Wight Council decided to begin the Core Strategy again, in parallel with preparing a Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD). Together, the Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD will build and expand on the information that was gathered previously. To help achieve this, Entec was commissioned in 2007 to provide assistance in producing the following documents:

 Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA);

 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA); and

 Sustainability Appraisal (SA).

This report details the baseline information needed to undertake the HRA and should be used to inform the development of policies for the Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD.

1.2 Legal Requirement

In October 2005 (Case C-6/04), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) held that Articles 6(3) and 6(4) of Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (known as the ‘Habitats Directive’) apply to Land-use Plans (LUP) in England (under the definition of “plans or projects” within the Directive). Furthermore, as a result of the failure to make LUPs subject to Appropriate Assessment (AA) for European Sites, the ECJ concluded that Articles 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive had not been transposed completely into UK law.

In the UK, the Habitats Directive is implemented through The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No 2716) (as amended) (known as the ‘Habitats Regulations’), for which a new amendment came into force in August 2007 to implement the ECJ judgement (through the addition of Part IVa to the Regulations entitled “Appropriate Assessments for Land Use Plans in England and Wales”).

The requirements of Part IVa are that prior to a LUP being published, the plan-making authority must assess the potential effects of the LUP upon European Sites (i.e. an HRA must be carried out).

European Sites are sites of nature conservation value with statutory protection at the European Level. These sites include Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSAC), designated under the EC Habitats Directive 1992, Special Protection Areas (SPA) and potential Special Protection Areas (pSPA)1 classified under the EC Birds Directive 1979. Ramsar Sites listed under the Ramsar Convention 1976, although technically not European Sites have been included under this heading for the purposes of this report as the government has indicated that it requires Ramsar Sites to be treated as European Sites when carrying out AA.

To assist Isle of Wight Council in achieving this, Entec has produced this HRA Baseline Report setting out identified threats to European Sites in and near the Island.

1.3 Local Development Frameworks

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 resulted in a change to the way in which the planning system operates by establishing the LDF approach to replace the old system of Structure Plans, Local Plans and Supplementary Planning Guidance. The LDF approach comprises a series of documents that are prepared by the Local Planning Authority including:

 Local Development Scheme (LDS);

 Local Development Documents of which there are two types:

i. Development Plan Documents (DPDs), including Core Strategies and Site Allocations DPD

ii. Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)

 Statement of Community Involvement

 Annual Monitoring Reports

PPS12 sets out the requirement that a Core Strategy should:

“…set out the long term spatial vision for the authority’s area and the strategic policies required to deliver that vision…It should set out broad locations for delivering the housing and other strategic development needs such as employment, retail, leisure community, essential public services and transport development.”

1 Although not fully designated as ‘European Sites’, the government expects Ramsar Sites, cSACs and pSPAs to be treated as such when considering development proposals that may affect them, as stated in Planning Policy Statement 9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (2005)

Paragraph 2.16 of PPS12 sets out the requirements for policies relating to site specific allocations as follows:

“Policies relating to the delivery of the site specific allocations, such as critical access requirements or broad design principles which may be sought, must be set out in a development plan document. They may be in the site allocation(s) development plan document(s), in an area action plan or in a separate development plan document. They should not form part of the core strategy.”

1.4 Purpose of this Report

This report has been produced for the purpose of informing a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of the Isle of Wight Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD.

It is recommended that the report be issued by Isle of Wight Council to Natural England to ascertain that it is satisfied with the proposed methodology to carry out HRA Screening of the strategic objectives and policies that will be contained in the Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD. Natural England should also be asked whether it considers that the report identifies all of the European Sites designated for their nature conservation value that could be significantly affected by the policies and proposals in the Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD, and whether it identifies all relevant threats to the integrity of these sites.

In addition to seeking comments from Natural England it would be valuable to issue this report for comment as an Annexe to the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report to allow other individuals and organisations to comment on the baseline information and methodology.

1.5 Report Structure

This report follows the following structure:

 Section two sets out the methodologies used;

 Section three details the baseline information collected;

 Section four summarises the baseline information; and

 Section five provides conclusions.

2. Proposed Methodology

2.1 Overall Approach

The European Commission (EC) has developed guidance in relation to Articles 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive (Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, EC 2002). This recommends the adoption of a four stage approach to addressing the requirements of Articles 6(3) and (4) (referred to in this report as the HRA) as set out below.

Stage 1 – Screening: This stage identifies the likely impacts upon a European Site of a project or plan, either alone or in-combination with other projects or plans, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant.

Stage 2 – Appropriate assessment: Where there are likely significant impacts, this stage considers the impacts of the plan or project on the integrity of the relevant European Sites, either alone or in- combination with other projects or plans, with respect to the Sites’ structure and function and their conservation objectives. Where there are adverse impacts, it also includes an assessment of the potential mitigation for those impacts.

Stage 3 – Assessment of alternative solutions: Where adverse impacts are predicted, this stage examines alternative ways of achieving the objectives of the project or plan that avoid adverse impacts on the integrity of European Sites.

Stage 4 – Assessment where no alternative solutions exist and where adverse impacts remain: This stage identifies measures that can be implemented to compensate for remaining adverse impacts where it is deemed that the project or plan should proceed for imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI).

This section of the report sets out the proposed methodology for undertaking Stage 1 of the HRA.

2.2 Stage 1 Methodology

2.2.1 Baseline Information Gathering

An HRA2 was conducted to inform the withdrawn 2006 Core Strategy document. It contains much of the existing baseline information pertaining to the European Sites on the Island and was therefore used as a primary source of information.

Draft Natural England guidance3 on carrying out HRAs of Regional Spatial Strategies (paragraph 2.2.1) notes that potentially affected sites will normally be located within 10km of a regional/sub-regional boundary and, although the Isle of Wight is not a region or sub-region, it seems reasonable to assume that European Sites within 10km of its boundary could be affected by its Core Strategy. Information on European Sites within 10km of the Isle of Wight Council boundary was therefore also collected.

In addition to the HRA of the withdrawn Core Strategy baseline, information for each site was obtained from the following sources:

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) website (www.jncc.gov.uk)

Natura 2000 data forms (available on JNCC website);

Appropriate Assessment of the Draft South East Plan (Scott Wilson and Levett -Therivel, October 2006); advice from Natural England;

MAGIC Website (www.magic.gov.uk);

RamsarSites Information Service website (http://www.wetlands.org/RSDB/default.htm); consultation responses to the withdrawn Core Strategy and supporting documents; and

Web searches.

Information about the threats to and vulnerabilities of European Sites was ascertained using a combination of the above sources. The findings are set out in Table 3.1 and 3.2.

2 WSP 2006 The Island Plan – report of the Assessment of the Core Strategy under the Habitats Regulations, December 2006, Discussion Draft

3 David Tyldesley and Associates for English Nature (2006) Draft Guidance – The Assessment of Regional Spatial Strategies and Sub-regional strategies under the provisions of the Habitats Regulations

2.2.2 Initial Policy Screening

Each of the Strategic Objectives and Policies in the Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD will be screened using criteria listed in the draft Natural England guidance (paragraphs 2.2.12 - 2.2.18) to ascertain if they would be likely to have a significant effect on any European Site. These criteria are summarised below.

1) Non-development policies: These are policies that will not lead to development themselves as they relate to design or other qualitative criteria for development.

2) Unknown location development policies: These are policies that make provision for a specific type of development but the location of the development is yet to be selected following consideration of options in lower tier plans (e.g. in DPDs such as Area Action Plans). Unless there is evidence to indicate that the type/quantum of development provided for in the policy cannot be accommodated without potentially affecting a European Site, it can be concluded that this policy would have no effect, because making provision for a type/quantum of development at this strategic level will not itself have any effect on a European Site.

3) Over-arching development policies: These are policies that relate to development proposals but no development would occur through the policy itself because other more detailed policies within the DPD will implement the proposals. It is therefore more appropriate to assess these more detailed policies.

4) Urban development policies: These are policies promoting a concentration of development in urban areas as generally this policy approach will help to steer development away from European Sites and associated sensitive areas. There may, however, be exceptions to this ‘no effect’ policy criterion, such as where urban areas are close to estuarine SPAs, bat/newt SACs and some river SACs.

5) Protective policies: These are policies that specifically steer development away from European Sites and associated sensitive areas e.g. excluding development from certain areas.

6) Biodiversity policies: These are policies that specifically protect the natural environment.

7) Conservation & Enhancement policies: These are policies that specifically conserve or enhance the natural, built or historic environment where enhancement measures are not likely to result in adverse effects upon European Sites.

2.2.3 Detailed Screening of ‘Potential Effect’ Objectives and Policies

Following the screening of ‘no effect’ objectives and policies, those remaining will be subject to a second screening to identify those that are likely to have a significant effect on European Sites (e.g. policies that promote development in areas that include a European Site or where development could indirectly affect a European Site).

Objectives and policies will be reviewed to determine whether the objective or policy wording makes it clear that it does not permit development that could have a significant effect on the integrity of a European Site. If the objective or policy does make this clear, the policy will be screened-out of the requirement for AA. If the objective or policy does not make this clear, it will be necessary to modify it as set out in Section 2.2.4 with a view to ensuring that there is no likelihood of a significant effect and hence no requirement for an Appropriate Assessment (i.e. .Stage 2 of the process detailed in Section 2.1).

2.2.4 Policy Iteration

Those objectives and policies that cannot be screened-out as set out above will be examined in more detail to ascertain how they can be mitigated in relation to effects that it is considered could significantly affect the integrity of European Sites.

Emerging HRAs of DPDs for other LPAs have generally involved amendments being made to policies such that European Sites are explicitly protected in the relevant policies (as far as we are aware no DPD objectives have, to date, been required to be modified). This typically entails an iterative process, whereby recommendations are made regarding modification of the objectives or policies such that they would eliminate the effects on the European Site. These recommendations are then tested against other policies and objectives in the context of the Sustainability Appraisal to ensure that the final wording addresses considerations relating not only to European sites but also to other environmental considerations.

To avoid repetitive protection clauses in many of the objectives and policies (which goes against advice set out in PPS12), recommendations that are made to mitigate likely significant effects on European Sites will avoid, where possible, blanket protection policies and will be made specific to particular European Sites.

A reassessment of each modified objective or policy should then allow it to be assessed as having no likely significant effect and therefore it can be screened-out of the requirement for Appropriate Assessment (as set out in 2.2.3). If the objective or policy can be thus modified such that it will have no or “de minimis” effects on European Sites, NE’s guidance (paragraph 2.2.25 of the draft NE guidance) states that it can then be concluded that the policy will not have an ‘in-combination’ effect on the sites either with other policies in the Core Strategy or Site Allocations DPD or with other plans, projects or strategies.

Where it cannot be concluded that an objective or policy is not likely to have a significant effect on the integrity of a European Site, then Isle of Wight Council will be required to undertake an Appropriate Assessment.

3. Baseline Information

3.1 Identified European Sites of Interest

There are seven European Sites within the Isle of Wight:

 Solent & Isle of Wight Lagoons SAC;

 Briddlesford Copses SAC;

 South Wight Maritime SAC;

 Isle of Wight Downs SAC;

 Solent Maritime SAC;

 Solent & Southampton Water SPA; and

 Solent & Southampton Water Ramsar Site.

In addition, there are seven European Sites outside but within 10km of the District, which have also been considered within this HRA report. These are:

 The New Forest SAC (6km);

 New Forest SPA (6km);

 New Forest Ramsar Site (6km);

 Portsmouth Harbour SPA (6km);

 Chichester & Langstone Harbours SPA (9km);

 Portsmouth Harbour Ramsar Site (6km); and

 Chichester and Langstone Harbours Ramsar Site (9km).

Maps showing these sites are included in Appendix A.

3.2 European Site Conservation Objectives and Vulnerabilities

Baseline information for the fourteen identified European Sites has been collated in Table 3.1. The conservation objectives (where known) were obtained from Natural England. Where the conservation

objectives were not made available, reasons for selection as a European Site were obtained from the JNCC website. At the time of publication of this report some of the conservation objectives for the European Sites were at the consultation draft stage and therefore may be liable to change. In addition it has not proved possible to obtain the conservation objectives for some sites. In these instances the designated features of interest are included in this report instead and will be updated with the conservation objectives as they become available.

It should be noted that Natural England considers that where the conservation objectives for a site refer to “maintaining in favourable condition”, this also implies restoration if the feature is not currently in a favourable condition.

Table 3.1 Baseline information on European Sites on the Isle of Wight

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities4

Solent & Isle of Wight No conservation objectives available. • Increased water abstraction associated with new Lagoons SAC The Primary Feature of Interest is developments (SE RSS) • Coastal lagoons • Waste water treatment discharges causing increased nutrient concentrations (SE RSS) • Water level management/sluice maintenance (N2K data form) • Reduced water quality due to industrial waste disposal/landfill/ discharges and diffuse pollution occurring off the site (N2K data form) • Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS) • Coastal squeeze from development resulting in loss of habitat (SE RSS) • At risk from flooding from sea level rise (EA Isle of Wight CFMP) • Incidental pollution from shipping associated with increased movement as a result of investment in ports (SE RSS) • Increased development may exacerbate flood risk and should be considered in the context of rising sea levels and climate change (NE Core Strategy Issues and Options) Briddlesford Copses SAC No conservation objectives available. • Disturbance of bats due to large areas of the SAC being The Primary Feature of Interest is open to the public for recreation (N2K data form) • Bechstein`s bat (Myotis bechsteinii) • Forestry operations, although these are undertaken with guidance from NE (N2K data form) • At risk from flooding (Environment Agency Isle of Wight CFMP – Scoping Report, February 2007) • Bechstein`s bat rely on areas up to 3.5km from their roosts as foraging areas which may leave them vulnerable to habitat loss and disturbance outside the SAC (Entec)

4 Information on vulnerabilities is referenced from the Natura 2000 data form (N2K data form), the Appropriate Assessment of the Draft South East Plan (SE RSS), comments on the withdrawn Isle of Wight Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation (NE – Natural England, HIWWT – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust), Environment Agency Isle of Wight Catchment Flood Management Plan Scoping Report, February 2007

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities4

South Wight Maritime SAC Subject to natural change, maintain the reefs in favourable condition, • Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS) in particular: • At risk from flooding (Environment Agency Isle of Wight • rocky shore communities CFMP – Scoping Report, February 2007) • kelp forest communities • Existing and proposed coast protection works (N2K data • subtidal red algae communities form) • subtidal faunal turf communities • Coastal squeeze of cliff habitats due to erosion, development or intensive agriculture in the hinterland (N2K data Subject to natural change, maintain in favourable condition: form) • sea cave communities • Sewage disposal (N2K data form) • vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts • Accidental pollution from shipping activity (N2K data form) • Development in the intertidal/subtidal (N2K data form) • Commercial and recreational activities such as dredging and dredged spoil disposal, fishing and boating (N2K data form) • Introduction of non-native species, e.g. from shipping activity (N2K data form) • Marine aggregate extraction (off-site) (N2K data form) Isle of Wight Downs SAC No conservation objectives available. • Increased air pollution (SE RSS) The Primary Features of Interest are: • Increased recreational pressure resulting in trampling (SE • semi-natural dry grasslands and scrub facies on RSS) calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) • Inappropriate grazing regime leading to scrub • vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts encroachment (N2K data form) • the habitats for the population of early gentian (Gentianella anglica).

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities4

Solent Maritime SAC Subject to natural change, maintain the estuaries in favourable • Water abstraction associated with developments (SE RSS) condition, in particular: • Waste water treatment discharges causing increased • shingle communities, nutrient concentrations (SE RSS) • reedbed communities, • Considered to be at risk of air pollution as it is crossed by • saltmarsh communities, the A27 (SE RSS) • intertidal mudflat, • Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS) • subtidal sediment communities, • Incidental pollution from shipping associated with increased movement as a result of investment in ports (SE RSS) • sandflat communities. • At risk from flooding (Environment Agency Isle of Wight Subject to natural change, maintain the Atlantic salt meadows CFMP – Scoping Report, February 2007) (Glauco-Puccinellietalia) in favourable condition, in particular: • Existing and proposed flood defence and coast protection • low marsh communities, works (N2K data form) • mid-marsh communities, • Coastal squeeze of intertidal habitats due to coastal • upper marsh communities, erosion/ sea level rise and sea-walls/ development in the hinterland • transitional high marsh communities. (N2K data form) Subject to natural change, maintain the cordgrass swards • Introduction of non-native species e.g. from shipping (Spartinion) in favourable condition, in particular: activity (N2K data form) • small cordgrass (Spartina maritima) communities, • Developments pressures including ports, marinas, jetties etc. Proposals often involve capital/ maintenance dredging to • smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) communities, provide/ improve deep water access, and land-claim of coastal • Townsend's cordgrass (Spartina x townsendii) habitats (N2K data form) communities. Maintain in favourable condition • habitats for Desmoulin's whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana) • annual vegetation of drift lines, • coastal lagoons.

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities4

Solent Maritime SAC Maintain the mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low (continued) tide in favourable condition, in particular: • intertidal mud communities, • intertidal muddy sand communities, • intertidal sand communities, • intertidal mixed sediment communities. Maintain the perennial vegetation of stony banks in favourable condition. Maintain the Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand in favourable condition, in particular: • annual Salicornia saltmarsh communities (SM8), • Suaeda maritima saltmarsh communities (SM9). Maintain the sandbanks slightly covered by seawater all the time in favourable condition, in particular: • subtidal gravel and sands, • subtidal muddy sand, • subtidal eelgrass Zostera marina beds. Maintain the shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophilia arenaria (white dunes) in favourable condition. Solent & Southampton Subject to natural change, maintain in favourable condition the • Water abstraction associated with developments (SE RSS) 5 Water SPA habitats for the internationally important populations of the regularly • Waste water treatment discharges causing increased occurring Annex 1 species , in particular: nutrient concentrations (SE RSS) • standing water, • Considered to be at risk of air pollution as it is crossed by • sand and shingle, the A27 (SE RSS) • salt marsh, • Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS and N2K data • intertidal mudflats and sandflats, form) • shallow coastal waters, • Coastal squeeze from development and sea level rise resulting in loss of habitat (SE RSS and N2K data form) • lagoons.

5 The SPA conservation objectives are based on habitat condition and maintenance rather than directly bird numbers as this may change in response to national or international trends or events. However, Natural England will also use annual counts and five year peak means in conjunction with information about the national population to determine whether the SPA is continuing to contribute to the Favourable Conservation Status (FCS) of SPAs across Europe.

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities4

Subject to natural change, maintain in favourable condition the • Knock- on effect from dredging the River Itchen Estuary habitats for the internationally important populations of the regularly resulting in changes in the extent and distribution of intertidal habitats occurring migratory species and internationally important (SE RSS) assemblage of waterfowl , in particular: • Disturbance from low flying aircraft from increased traffic • grazing marsh, from Southampton Airport (SE RSS) • reed beds, • Incidental pollution from shipping associated with • standing water, increased movement as a result of investment in ports (SE RSS) • coastal and inundation grassland, • At risk from flooding (Environment Agency Isle of Wight CFMP – Scoping Report, February 2007) • salt marsh, • Increased development, particularly housing, will result in • intertidal mudflats and sand flats, higher levels of disturbance being experienced by birds (NE Core • boulder and cobble shores, Strategy Issues and Options) • mixed sediment shores, • Development may impact on SPA bird populations using • lagoons. arable areas adjacent to the Medina Estuary (NE Core Strategy Issues and Options) • Increased development may exacerbate flood risk and should be considered in the context of rising sea levels and climate change (NE Core Strategy Issues and Options) • Development may impact on high water wader roosts (HIWWT Core Strategy Issues and Options) Solent & Southampton Subject to natural change, maintain the internationally important • Water abstraction associated with developments (SE RSS) 6 Water Ramsar wetland characteristic of the Atlantic biogeographical region (Criteria • Waste water treatment discharges causing increased 1) in favourable condition, in particular: nutrient concentrations (SE RSS) • estuaries, • Considered to be at risk of air pollution as it is crossed by • saline lagoons, the A27 (SE RSS) • saltmarsh, • Increased recreational pressure and erosion (SE RSS and • intertidal reefs, Ramsar summary sheet) • damp woodland. • Increased development may exacerbate flood risk and should be considered in the context of rising sea levels and climate change (NE Core Strategy Issues and Options)

6 Ramsar Criterion 1: The site is one of very few major sheltered channels between a substantial island and mainland in European waters, exhibiting an unusual strong tidal flow and has long periods of slack water at high and low tide. The site contains many good and representative examples of wetland habitats characteristic of the biogeographical region including saline lagoons, salt marshes, estuaries and reefs.

Ramsar Criterion 2: The site supports an important assemblage of rare, vulnerable or endangered species or subspecies of plant or animal, or an appreciable number of individuals of any one or more of these species.

Ramsar Criterion 5: Assemblages of international importance: Species with peak counts in winters: 51,343 waterfowl (5 year peak mean 1998/99- 2002/2003)

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities4

Subject to natural change, maintain the wetland hosting an assemblage of rare, vulnerable or endangered species (Criteria 2) in favourable condition, in particular: • grazing marsh, • coastal and inundation grassland, • reedbeds, • intertidal mudflats and sandflats, • shingle, • saline lagoons, • saltmarsh, • cordgrass swards (Spartinion). Subject to natural change, maintain the wetland regularly supporting 20,000 waterfowl species in favourable condition and the wetland regularly supporting 1% or more of the individuals in a population of waterfowl species (Criteria 5 and 6) in favourable condition, in particular: • grazing marsh, • coastal and inundation grassland, • reedbeds, • standing water, • saltmarsh, • intertidal mudflats and sandflats, • boulder and cobble shores, • mixed sediment shores, • saline lagoons.

Ramsar Criterion 6: Species populations occurring at levels of international importance.

Table 3.2 Baseline information on European Sites within 10km of the Isle of Wight

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities

The New Forest SAC Subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition: • Drainage of wetland habitats for improved grazing and • New Forest permanent ponds, with particular reference to forestry (N2K data form) oligotrophic waters with very few minerals of Atlantic sandy plains with • Afforestation of heathland habitats with conifers and other amphibious vegetation. non-native species (N2K data form) • New Forest temporary ponds, with particular reference to • Essential grazing by commoners' animals is vulnerable to oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals of Atlantic sandy current economic trends (N2K data form) plains, and oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with • Waste water treatment discharges causing increased amphibious vegetation belonging to Littorelletae uniflorae and / or nutrient concentrations from increased housing (SE RSS) Isoeto-Nanojuncetea. • Considered to be at risk of air pollution due to the proximity • New Forest wet heath with particular reference to Northern of several major roads (SE RSS) Atlantic wet heath with cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) and southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale). • Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS, N2K data form) • New Forest dry heath in favourable condition with particular reference to European dry heaths, breeding nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), woodlark (Lullula arborea), Dartford warbler (Sylvia undata) and wintering hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) • New Forest wet grassland in favourable condition, with particular reference to Molinia meadows on chalk and clay (NVC M24), M25 and M23 communities. To maintain in favourable condition • depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion • New Forest pasture woodland with particular reference to: beech forests with holly (Ilex aquifolium) and yew (Taxus bacata), rich in lichens and mosses (Illici-Fagion), old acidophilous oak woods with pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) on sandy plains, Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests, stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), and nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus). • New Forest Inclosure Woodland, with particular reference to early 19th century broadleaf and / or Ancient Woodland Sites (AWS), or ancient semi-natural woodland, beech forests with holly (Ilex aquifolium) and yew (Taxus bacata), rich in lichens and mosses (Illici- Fagion), old acidophilous oak woods with pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) on sandy plains, honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), and nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus). • New Forest bog woodland. • New Forest riverine woodland with particular reference to alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior. • the habitats of the populations of Southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale).

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities

• the habitats of the populations of stag beetle (Lucanus ervus). • New Forest mires with particular reference to depressions on peat substrates (Rhynchosporion), transition mires, alkaline fens and southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale) • alkaline fens. • the habitats of the populations of Annex II species: great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) New Forest SPA 7 To maintain in favourable condition the habitats of the populations of • Increased recreational pressure disturbing birds and Birds Directive Annex I species that contribute to internationally causing erosion (SE RSS and N2K data form) important populations in the New Forest SPA of the following breeding • Inappropriate management of habitats (N2K data form) species: • Drainage and low water levels (N2K data form) • breeding Dartford warbler (Sylvia undata), • nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), • woodlark (Lullula arborea), • honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) and for wintering species: • hen harrier (Circus cyaneus).

7 The site qualifies under Article 4.1 of the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following species listed on Annex I of the Directive during the breeding season: Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, woodlark Lullula arborea, ,honey buzzard Pernis apivorus, Dartford warbler Sylvia undata and wintering hen harrier Circus cyaneus. The site also qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of hobby Falco subbuteo and wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix during the breeding season

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities

New Forest Ramsar No conservation objectives available. • Commercial scale forest exploitation (Ramsar summary The New Forest was declared a Ramsar Site due to the presence of: sheet) • an internationally important wetland characteristic of the • Introduction/invasion of exotic plant species (Ramsar Atlantic biogeographical region (Criteria 1) summary sheet) • a wetland hosting an assemblage of rare, vulnerable or • Considered to be at risk of air pollution as it is crossed by endangered species (Criteria 2) several major roads (SE RSS) • a wetland supporting genetically and ecologically diverse • Erosion (Ramsar summary sheet) flora and fauna in favourable condition (Criteria 3) • Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS) Portsmouth Harbour SPA 8 Subject to natural change, maintain in favourable condition the • Maintenance and development of both commercial and habitats for the internationally important populations of the regularly military ports (N2K data form) occurring migratory species, in particular: • Water abstraction associated with developments (SE • coastal and inundation grassland RSS) • saltmarsh • Waste water treatment discharges causing increased • intertidal mudflats and sandflats nutrient concentrations (SE RSS) • shallow coastal waters • Considered to be at risk of air pollution due to the proximity of several major roads (SE RSS) Subject to natural change, maintain the internationally important wetland characteristic of the Atlantic biogeographical region in • Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS and N2K data favourable condition, in particular: form) • estuaries • Coastal squeeze from development and sea level rise resulting in loss of habitat (SE RSS and N2K data form) • coastal and inundation grasslands • Incidental pollution from shipping associated with • saltmarsh increased movement as a result of investment in ports (SE RSS • intertidal mudflats and sandflats and N2K data form)) • shallow coastal waters • Water abstraction associated with developments (SE Subject to natural change, maintain the wetland supporting genetically RSS) and ecologically diverse flora and fauna in favourable condition, in • Waste water treatment discharges causing increased particular: nutrient concentrations (SE RSS) • coastal and inundation grassland • Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS) • saltmarsh • cordgrass swards • intertidal mudflats and sandflats • shallow coastal waters

8 The site qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following species during the winter: dark-bellied brent goose Branta bernicla bernicla, dunlin Calidris alpina alpine, black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa islandica, red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities

Subject to natural change, maintain the wetland supporting 1% or more of the individuals in a population of waterfowl (Dark-bellied Brent goose Branta bernicla bernicla) in favourable condition, in particular: • coastal and inundation grassland • saltmarsh • intertidal mudflats and sandflats • shallow coastal waters Chichester & Langstone Subject to natural change, maintain in favourable condition the • Considered to be at risk of air pollution as it lies close to Harbours SPA9 habitats for the internationally important populations of the regularly the A259 (SE RSS) occurring Annex 1 species (under the Birds Directive), in particular: • Water abstraction associated with developments (SE • sand and shingle RSS) • shallow coastal waters • Waste water treatment discharges and agricultural run-off Subject to natural change, maintain in favourable condition the causing increased nutrient concentrations (SE RSS and N2K data habitats for the internationally important populations of the regularly form) occurring migratory species and the habitats for the internationally • Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS and N2K data important assemblage of waterfowl, in particular: form) • reedbeds • Coastal squeeze from development and sea level rise • standing water resulting in loss of habitat (SE RSS and N2K data form) • coastal and inundation grassland • Incidental pollution from shipping associated with increased movement as a result of investment in ports (SE RSS) • sand and shingle • Incremental loss of fringing habitats and transitional • saltmarsh communities as hard coastal defences are maintained by riparian • intertidal mudflats and sandflats land-owners (N2K data form) • mixed sediment shores • shallow coastal waters

9 breeding season; Little tern Sterna albifrons, Common tern Sterna hirundo, Sandwich tern Sterna sandvicensis, Bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica. The site also qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following species during the winter: pintail Anas acuta, shoveler Anas clypeata, teal Anas crecca, wigeon Anas penelope, Turnstone Arenaria interpres, Brent goose Branta bernicla bernicla, sanderling Calidris alba, dunlin Calidris alpina alpina, ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula, Red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator, Curlew Numenius arquata, Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola, shelduck Tadorna tadorna, redshank Tringa totanus and for regularly supporting over 20,000 waterfowl during the winter

European Site Conservation Objectives Vulnerabilities

Chichester & Langstone No conservation objectives available. Water abstraction associated with developments (SE RSS) Harbours Ramsar The primary features of interest are the presence of: Waste water treatment discharges causing increased nutrients (SE an internationally important wetland characteristic of the Atlantic RSS) biogeographical region Considered to be at risk of air pollution as it lies close to the A259 a wetland regularly supporting 20,000 waterfowl species in favourable (SE RSS) condition Increased recreational pressure (SE RSS) a wetland regularly supporting 1% or more of the individuals in a Erosion (Ramsar summary sheet) population of waterfowl species (Ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula, Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa islandica, Common redshank Tringa totanus totanus, Dark-bellied brent goose Branta bernicla bernicla, Common shelduck Tadorna tadorna, Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola, Dunlin Calidris alpina alpine)

4. Summary

Relevant baseline data relating to European Sites on and within 10km of the Isle of Wight from various sources including Natural England and the JNCC, have been collected and summarised. Information regarding potential threats and vulnerabilities at each site has also been highlighted.

A total of fourteen European Sites are included in this Baseline Report. Seven are located within the Isle of Wight, the other seven are within 10km. Six of the sites are designated as SACs, four as SPAs and four as Ramsar sites, with many locations being subject to multiple designations. Most of the sites are associated with the coast around the Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth (only three have non- coastal qualifying features). However, between them, the sites support a wide range of habitat types and species and could have their integrity threatened by many different processes, particularly increased recreational pressure, changes to water supply and impacts associated with new developments.

The baseline information contained in this report, in particular the vulnerabilities identified, will be used to inform and develop policies in the Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD in an iterative process. On completion of draft policies for the Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD the baseline information contained in this report will be utilised to help screen each ‘potential effect’ policy to determine if any likely impacts on European Sites will occur and whether these are likely to be significant. Where there are potential significant effects policy amendments will be recommended such that significant harm to the integrity of the sites can be avoided. Where this is not possible it will be necessary for Council to undertake an Appropriate Assessment of the plan concerned. This HRA Screening Stage will be detailed in a subsequent report by Entec.

Appendix A Maps of European Sites