Sustainability Appraisal of the Slough Local Plan
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Sustainability Appraisal of the Slough Local Plan Scoping Report November 2016 Sustainability Appraisal of the Slough Local Plan Scoping Report LC-246 Document Control Box Client Slough Borough Council Report Title Sustainability Appraisal of the Slough Local Plan Status Draft Filename LC-246_Slough_SA_Scoping_Report_15_231116RB.docx Date November 2016 Author WPE, SBC Reviewed RWB, PJH Approved NJD Front cover: Detail of the roof at Slough Railway Station by Matt Buck Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0 About this report & notes for readers SA is a tool for predicting potential significant effects. The actual effects Lepus Consulting Ltd (Lepus) has prepared this report for the use of may be different from those identified. Prediction of effects is made Slough Borough Council. There are a number of limitations, which using an evidence-based approach and incorporates a judgement. should be borne in mind when considering the results and conclusions of this report. No party should alter or change this report whatsoever without written permission from Lepus. This Scoping Report is based on the best available information, including that provided to Lepus by the Council and information that is © Lepus Consulting Ltd publicly available. No attempt to verify these secondary data sources has been made and they have assumed to be accurate as published. Lepus Consulting This scoping report was prepared in November 2016 and is subject to and limited by the information available during this time. 1 Bath Street, Cheltenham This report has been produced to identify the scope and level of detail Gloucestershire required in the Environmental Report for the Slough Local Plan and GL50 1YE meets the requirements of the SEA Directive. It is not intended to be a substitute for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Appropriate Telephone: 01242 525222 Assessment (AA) or the Habitat Regulations Assessment. E-mail: [email protected] www.lepusconsulting.com Information on the consultation on this draft Scoping Report is given overleaf. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0 Draft Scoping report for the SA of the Slough Local Plan November, 2016 LC-246_Slough_SA_Scoping_Report_15_231116RB.docx Consultation on the Draft Scoping Report This document is a draft scoping report, the purpose of which is to identify the scope and level of detail required in the Environmental Report for the Slough Local Plan 2016-2036. An Environmental Report to assess the significant environmental impacts of Slough’s Local Plan is required under the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal regulations. The first stage of this process is to consult on the draft Scoping Report in order that the Environmental Report is fit for purpose. Slough Borough Council is now seeking the views of the Consultation Bodies (Natural England, English Heritage and the Environment Agency) on this draft scoping report. The Council is also consulting adjoining Councils under the Duty to Cooperate for cross boundary issues, and internal departments for the accuracy of information. The results of the consultation will be used to inform the final scoping report. A series of questions are provided in the table below. Consultation questions Are there other relevant policies, plans and programmes that will affect or Q1. influence the Local Plan (e.g. its Vision, Objectives, Issues and Options, Preferred Option or Site Allocations)? Q2. Do you agree that the baseline data collected is appropriate? Q3. Do you have, or know of, any additional relevant baseline data which should be added to that already listed? Q4. As far as you are aware, are there any inaccuracies or anomalies in the data presented? Q5 Do you agree with those topics which have been scoped out? Q6. Do you agree that the principal social, economic and environmental issues relevant for the Local Plan for Slough have been identified? Q7. Are you aware of any issues which in your opinion should be added, or any that should be removed? Q8. Are the objectives suitable in the context of Slough? © Lepus Consulting for Slough Borough Council i Draft Scoping report for the SA of the Slough Local Plan November, 2016 LC-246_Slough_SA_Scoping_Report_15 updated page_291116RB.docx Q9 Are there any additional objectives that should be included or any that should be removed in the context of what the plan is seeking to achieve? Q10 Do you have any comments on the SEA Framework? This consultation will be open for 5 weeks from 30th November 2016 until 5th January 2017. Responses should be received by 5th January 2017. Responses and any comments about this consultation should be sent to: Planning Policy SMP 2FW 51 Bath Road SL1 3UF Email: [email protected] (Please do not send to Lepus Consulting) © Lepus Consulting for Slough Borough Council ii Draft Scoping report for the SA of the Slough Local Plan November, 2016 LC-246_Slough_SA_Scoping_Report_15_231116RB.docx Contents 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 This report ................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Habitat Regulations Assessment ...................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Slough ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.4 Sustainability Appraisal (SA) ............................................................................................................ 3 1.5 The SA Process ....................................................................................................................................... 3 1.6 An integrated approach to Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.7 Best Practice Guidance ....................................................................................................................... 4 1.8 The Slough Local Plan ......................................................................................................................... 5 2 Presenting the Sustainability Information .................................................................................. 6 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Policy, plan and programme review ............................................................................................. 10 2.3 Baseline data collection .................................................................................................................... 10 2.4 Key sustainability issues ..................................................................................................................... 11 2.5 Future evolution of the plan without the Plan .......................................................................... 11 3 Accessibility and Transport .......................................................................................................... 13 3.1 Summary of policy, plan and programme review ................................................................... 13 3.2 Slough Borough: Baseline data ...................................................................................................... 15 4 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................................ 22 4.1 Summary of policy and plan review ............................................................................................. 22 4.2 Baseline data ......................................................................................................................................... 22 5 Biodiversity and Geodiversity ..................................................................................................... 26 5.1 Summary of policy and plan review ............................................................................................ 26 5.2 Baseline data ......................................................................................................................................... 27 6 Climate Change adaptation and mitigation ............................................................................. 34 6.1 Summary of policy and plan review ............................................................................................ 34 6.2 Baseline data ........................................................................................................................................ 35 7 Economic Factors ........................................................................................................................... 43 7.1 Summary of policy and plan review ............................................................................................ 43 7.2 Baseline data ........................................................................................................................................ 43 8 Health and wellbeing ....................................................................................................................