Including Bulford and Durrington)
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Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan Sustainability Appraisal Report Annex 1 A.2 Amesbury (Including Bulford and Durrington) Wiltshire Council May 2018 Wiltshire Council: Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan: Sustainability Appraisal Report ANNEX 1 – A.2 Amesbury (including Bulford and Durrington) SITE OPTIONS ASSESSMENT TABLES Atkins 1 Wiltshire Council: Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan: Sustainability Appraisal Report A.2 Amesbury (Including Bulford and Durrington) Amesbury, Bulford and Durrington - Stage 3 Site Assessment Tables Sites considered in this Area of Search Site S98 – Land to the rear of Durrington Manor, Durrington Site 3179 – Land to the south of Larkhill Rd, Durrington Site 3154 – Piece Meadow, Durrington Site 3379 – Land to the north of London Rd, Amesbury Sites being taken forward by Wiltshire Council from this stage to Stage 4 Site S98 – Land to the rear of Durrington Manor, Durrington Site 3179 – Land to the south of Larkhill Rd, Durrington Site 3154 – Piece Meadow, Durrington Site 3379 – Land to the north of London Rd, Amesbury Durrington Site S98 – Land to rear of Durrington Manor, Durrington Site context Site size: 4.64 ha. Site capacity: approximately 103 dwellings. Site S98 is a large, greenfield site to the north west of Durrington. The site is well screened by mature vegetation around the boundary, both from Hackthorne Road to the north and Netheravon Road to the west. To the south of the site is recent residential development and to the north and east is the older part of the village of Durrington. The site is currently used for equestrian and stabling purposes. SA objective 1. Protect and enhance all biodiversity and geological features and avoid irreversible losses Decision Aiding Questions. Will the development site … 1. Avoid habitat fragmentation Development at this greenfield site has potential for fragmentation of existing wildlife habitats, such as the hedgerows and including prejudicing future biodiversity trees. The development of the site for housing would have the potential to make appropriate provision for green infrastructure restoration? to reduce the risk of habitat fragmentation. 2 Wiltshire Council: Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan: Sustainability Appraisal Report 2. Ensure all new developments The site is within the 6.4km buffer of Salisbury Plain Special Protection Area (SPA). protect and enhance local biodiversity through the adoption of appropriate mitigation measures including buffering existing important sites and The development of the site for housing would be unlikely to lead to major adverse impacts on designated and non- species (including ancient woodland, designated biodiversity interests within the local area. However, because of the proximity to the Salisbury Plain SPA housing CWSs, SSSIs, SACs, SPAs and development may trigger contributions to Salisbury Plain SPA HRA Mitigation Strategy (Stone Curlew Project). locally designated sites) and creating biodiversity features within new The site comprises pasture land. Significant ecological constraints are unlikely though the mature trees on the field development resulting in a net gain? boundaries, which form secondary wildlife corridors, should be retained. The trees on the south, west and northern boundaries of the site are protected by Tree Preservation Orders. Existing trees should be retained and planting should be integrated throughout the development. Housing density should be limited to ensure that an adequate buffer can be left adjacent to tree planting. Boundary features to be excluded from curtilage of properties. Ecological assessment will be required to accurately assess likely impacts in support of any planning application. There may be potential to create or enhance habitat through the development of this site. 3. Result in greater community The development of the site for housing would have the potential to increase public access to designated and non-designated engagement with biodiversity? biodiversity features, such as the Salisbury Plain SPA, the River Avon SAC and the wider countryside. 4. Require protection and provision of In line with national policy, local plan policy and standing advice from relevant bodies, the development of the site for housing green corridors and river corridors, would have the potential to make suitable provision for buffers to recognised green/water course corridors. with use of buffer strips, where necessary? Site comprises pasture with mature tree planting on perimeter field boundaries, which forms secondary wildlife corridors. Ecological assessment will be required to assess likely impacts and determine the extent of provision and protection that maybe required. 5. Aid in the delivery of a network of In accordance with local plan policy and planning guidance, the development of the site would be capable of delivering multi- multifunctional Green Infrastructure? functional Green Infrastructure. 6. Ensure all new developments have In accordance with local plan policy and biodiversity targets, the development of the site for housing would be capable of regard to and protect BAP habitats/ delivering biodiversity improvements. species? The site does not contain UK BAP priority habitats. 7. Consider the findings of the HRA in The HRA screening assessment has identified that development at the settlement could contribute towards impacts upon the site selection and design? Salisbury Plain SPA through increased recreational disturbance. It has also identified potential for impacts on the River Avon SAC through increased water abstraction and habitat loss / damage. An appropriate assessment is required if the site is taken forward into any subsequent stage of the selection process. 8. Maintain the existing extent of The development of the site would not affect ancient woodland features. However, mature trees on the site should be ancient woodland sites? protected. 3 Wiltshire Council: Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan: Sustainability Appraisal Report 9. Require that disturbance impacts of The site falls within the visitor catchment of Salisbury Plain SPA. An appropriate assessment of the potential effects of proposed development are assessed recreational disturbance is required if the site is taken forward into any subsequent stage of the selection process. as part of development proposals, particularly in relation to Salisbury Plain and New Forest SPAs? 10. Consider Wiltshire Council Not applicable – the site does not fall within one of the Council’s current guidance areas. guidance to maintain SAC integrity in relevant areas? 11. Ensure that all new developments The development of the site would be unlikely to lead to impacts on designated Local Geological Sites (LGS). protect Local Geological Sites (LGSs) from development? Assessment outcome (on balance) - - Summary of SA Objective 1 The site comprises pasture land. Significant ecological constraints are unlikely though the mature trees on the field boundaries, which form secondary wildlife corridors, should be retained. The trees on the south, west and northern boundaries of the site are protected by Tree Preservation Orders. Ecological assessment will be required at site level to support individual planning applications. At this site there is a specific requirement to retain tree planting and integrate planting throughout new development. Housing density may need to be limited to ensure an adequate buffer can be left adjacent to tree planting to ensure it does not interfere with the amenity of dwellings. Boundary features to be excluded from curtilage of properties. There may be potential to create or enhance habitat through the development of this site. However, due to the relationship of the site with the River Avon SAC, likely significant effects are triggered based on a settlement level HRA screening. An appropriate assessment would be required if the site is taken forward into any subsequent stage of the selection process. Allocation of housing sites in Durrington in combination with effects of the army basing programme could make mitigation of these effects problematic. On balance it is considered that this site has moderate adverse effects and that mitigation may be problematic. SA objective 2. Ensure efficient and effective use of land and the use of suitably located previously developed land and buildings Decision Aiding Questions. Will the development site … 1. Maximise densities in sustainable The development of the site would be capable of delivering appropriate housing densities in line with local planning policy and locations that have good access to available evidence. local facilities, public transport links and key infrastructure? The site is located at the edge of Durrington just outside the settlement boundary. It has good access to services at the town and public transport. However residents are likely to rely on the use of private car to access a wider range of services and 4 Wiltshire Council: Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan: Sustainability Appraisal Report employment further afield. 2. Maximise reuse of previously This is a greenfield site and there is no potential for maximising the reuse of previously developed land. developed land where possible/appropriate? 3. Encourage remediation of There is no evidence to suggest that the site is affected by contamination, or formally registered as such in accordance with contaminated land? the provisions of relevant legislation. The greenfield use of the site renders it unlikely that remediation measures would be required