SESplan
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT:
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
CONTENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
1. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY 3 1.1 Background 3 1.2 Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainable Development 4
2. INTRODUCTION 5 2.1 Purpose of this Environmental Report 5 2.2 Key Facts about SEA 7 2.3 Timeline for MIR & SEA 8
3. PLANNING CONTEXT 9 3.1 Outline and Objectives of Strategic Development Plan 9 3.2 SEA relationship with the Strategic Development Plan 9 3.3 Relationship with other Plans, Programmes & Strategies 11
4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT 32 4.1 Environmental baseline data 32 4.2 Environmental objectives of SEA 33
5. SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT FINDINGS FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH AREAS 36 5.1 Assessment findings 36 5.2 Summary of findings 37 5.3 Assessment of secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects 40
6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY AREAS 43 6.1 Environmental Implications for Strategic Development Plan Policy Areas 43 6.2 Environmental Implications for Local Plan Policy Areas 44
6. MONITORING 47
7. NEXT STEPS 48
1 APPENDICES
Appendix A: Baseline Report Appendix B: Detailed Assessment of Strategic Growth Areas Appendix C: Spatial Assessment of Strategic Growth Areas
2 1. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY This is the Non Technical Summary of the Environmental Report of the SESplan Draft Main Issues Report. The Environmental Report and the Non Technical summary have been produced by SESplan staff in discussion with the Consultation Authorities.
This document is available for consultation from ???. Please send comments to the following address:
SESplan 1st Floor, Hopetoun Gate 8b McDonald Road Edinburgh EH7 4LZ Tel 0131 524 5165 Email [email protected]
1.1 Background 1.1.1 A Development Plan Scheme has been produced by SESplan, as required under the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006. The Scheme sets out the programme for preparing the SDP and will be updated annually. It also provides basic information on the content of the SDP itself, and its broader policy context.
1.1.2 The Strategic Development Plan set out a long-term spatial planning strategy that broadly defines where development should be located, and how it should be delivered. The SDP will replace the three existing structure plans for the area: the Edinburgh and Lothians Structure Plan 2015, the Fife Structure Plan 2006-26 and the Scottish Borders Structure Plan 2001-18.
1.1.3 SDPs have an important role to play at the city region level, in terms of addressing strategic and cross boundary planning issues. They cover land use and strategic infrastructure issues that guide the future use of land. They should indicate where development, including regeneration, should happen and where it should not. There is a statutory duty on development plans to contribute to sustainable development. The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 requires SDPs to set out a vision for their areas, provide a spatial strategy, and to consider development alongside other issues including the principal social, economic, physical and
3 environmental characteristics of the area, land use, population, infrastructure provision and use (including transport, communications, water and energy supplies and drainage) and any anticipated future changes to these matters.
1.1.4 More specifically, the SESplan SDP will: cover an area with a population of 1.2 million and 521,000 households; address forecast population growth; facilitate and provide the steer for the future development and growth across the Edinburgh city region from 2012 to 2032; and focus the development path for SE Scotland through a wide range of challenging issues including the economic downturn and climate change adaptation.
1.2 Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainable Development 1.2.1 The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) aims to assist in promoting sustainable development through the integration of environmental objectives into the plan making process. Sustainable development is intended to enable a better quality of life without compromising the needs of future generations by balancing environmental, social and economic aspirations.
1.2.2 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 provides a new framework for SEA, establishing a methodology that aims to protect the environment and increase opportunities for public participation. This includes an assessment of the environmental effects of Plans, Programmes & Strategies and ensures consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Historic Scotland and the public. SESplan has determined that SEA is required as an integral element of the proposed Strategic Development Plan for South East Scotland.
1.2.3 The 2005 Act sets out the requirements for environmental assessment in Part 1 Section 1 (2a-c) i.e.:
(2) In this Act, an environmental assessment is- (a) the preparation of an environmental report; (b) the carrying out of consultations; and (c) the taking into account of the environmental report and the result of the consultations in decision-making.
4 2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 Purpose of this Environmental Report 2.1.1 As part of the preparation of Strategic Development Plan, SESplan is carrying out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). SEA is a systematic method for considering the likely environmental effects of certain plans, programmes and strategies (PPS). SEA aims to: integrate environmental factors into PPS preparation and decision-making; improve PPS and enhance environmental protection; increase public participation in decision making; and facilitate openness and transparency of decision-making.
2.1.2 SEA is required by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. The key SEA stages are:
Screening determining whether the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects and whether an SEA is required
Scoping deciding on the scope and level of detail of the Environmental Report, and the consultation period for the report – this is done in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Environmental publishing an Environmental Report on the PPS and its environmental Report effects, and consulting on that report
Adoption providing information on: the adopted PPS; how consultation comments have been taken into account; and methods for monitoring the significant environmental effects of the implementation of the PPS
Monitoring monitoring significant environmental effects in such a manner so as to also enable the Responsible Authority to identify any unforeseen adverse effects at an early stage and undertake appropriate remedial action.
2.1.3 The purpose of this Environmental Report is to: provide information on South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan;
5 identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant effects of the Strategic Development Plan and its reasonable alternatives; provide an early and effective opportunity for the Consultation Authorities and the public to offer views on any aspect of this Environmental Report.
6 2.2 SEA Report - Key Facts
Responsible Authority South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan Authority (SESplan)
Title of Plan/Programme Edinburgh and South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan
What prompted the plan? Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006
Plan subject Strategic Development Plan
Period covered by plan 2012 to 2032
Frequency of plan updates Revision and re-submission within 4 years of the approval date.
Plan area The SDP covers all of the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Southern Part of Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders Council and West Lothian.
Purpose of the plan / plan objectives The SDP will enable and steer future development across the city region.
Contact point: SESplan 1st Floor, Hopetoun Gate 8b McDonald Road Edinburgh EH7 4LZ Tel: 0131 524 5165 Email: [email protected]
7 2.3 Timeline for MIR and SEA - Diagram 1
Diagram 1: Timeline
Publication of Main Issues Report and supporting documents including SEA Environmental Report May 2010
May 2010
Analysis of Consultation Responses and Preparation of Proposed Plan
Update of SEA in line with Plan
Publication of Proposed Plan and supporting documents
February 2011
Analysis of formal responses
Submission of SDP to Scottish Ministers
March 2012
Examination of any outstanding objections
Preparation of Post Adoption Statement
Approval of SDP – 2012
Submission of Post Adoption Statement
8 3. PLANNING CONTEXT
3.1 Outline and Objectives of Strategic Development Plan 3.1.1 A Development Plan Scheme has been produced by SESplan, as required under the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006. The Scheme sets out the programme for preparing the SDP and will be updated annually. It also provides basic information on the content of the SDP itself, and its broader policy context.
3.1.2 Section 5 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 makes SEA mandatory for land-use plans. In accordance with this, SESplan has agreed that Strategic Environmental Assessment will be carried out during the preparation of the Strategic Development Plan.
3.1.3 The Strategic Development Plan sets out a long-term spatial planning strategy that broadly defines where development should be located, and how it should be delivered. The SDP will replace the three existing structure plans for the area: the Edinburgh and Lothians Structure Plan 2015, the Fife Structure Plan 2006-26 and the Scottish Borders Structure Plan 2001-18.
3.1.4 SESplan has integrated the SEA process into the Strategic Development Plan process to ensure that all significant environmental issues were identified at an early stage and subsequently addressed through the preparation of the Strategic Development Plan.
3.2 SEA relationship with the Strategic Development Plan 3.2.1 The Strategic Development Plan is broken down into two sections: the key policy areas and the strategic growth areas. These sections are very much interlinked with each other to provide a coherent and thorough approach to the long term planning of the SESplan area. Table 1 provides a summary of the environmental issues identified by Schedule 3 of the Environmental (Scotland) Act 2005 as relevant to the Strategic Development Plan.
Table 1: Environmental Issues relevant to Strategic Development Plan SEA Issue Scoped In/Out Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna Population & Human Heath Soil Water
9 Air Climatic Factors Material Assets Cultural Heritage Landscape
3.2.2 As part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, both elements have been assessed in terms of impact. A further detailed assessment has been produced for the strategic growth areas (see Appendices B & C). This has involved assessing environmental objectives against the strategic growth areas using spatial data whenever possible to highlight any significant impacts. The aim of this approach is to highlight key issues arising from these potential development areas to provide direction to the policies of the Strategic Development Plan (see sections 5 and 6 of the report). Additionally, this detailed assessment has highlighted matters to be covered within the Local Development Plans (see section 6.2 of the report).
10 3.3 Relationship with other Plans, Programmes & Strategies 3.3.1 Table 2 shows the relevant plans, programmes and strategies and environmental protection objectives, and their relationship with the Strategic Development Plan. Table 2: Relevant plans, programmes and strategies Name of Plan Environmental Requirements of Plan Implications for the SEA
Air The Air Quality Strategy for Sets out the air quality strategy for the UK with objectives Air Quality: SDP should contribute to reduction England, Scotland, Wales and and targets, referring to the Environment Act 1995 in air pollution. Northern Ireland. Working legislation. It seeks a reduction in the levels of 8 harmful Human Health and Safety: SDP should Together for Clean Air (2000) pollutants present in the air, which in turn promote: contribute to reduction in air pollution for the the protection of human health; and benefit of human health. the protection of vegetation and ecosystems Biodiversity: SDP should contribute to reduction in air pollution for the benefit of human health for the benefit of biodiversity.
Local Air Quality Management Sets out duties requiring local authorities to review and Air Quality: sets out requirements to reduce air Act (Part of the Environmental assess air quality in their area from time to time, the pollution which SDP should contribute to. Act 1995) reviews forming the cornerstone of the system of local air Human Health and Safety: looks to maintain quality management. and improve air quality for the benefit of human health to which SDP should make a contribution.
Edinburgh Air Quality Action Plan Sets out declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) Air Quality: sets out initiatives to reduce air (2008- 2010) and details the initiatives required to meet targets to pollution which SDP should seek to contribute improve air quality. to.
11 Human Health and Safety: looks to improve air quality for the benefit of human health to which SDP should make a contribution.
Scotland‟s National Transport Promote social inclusion by connecting remote and Material Assets: SDP should seek to integrate Strategy (2006) disadvantaged communities and increasing the with the aims of the National Transport accessibility of the transport network: Strategy. Protect our environment and improve health by building and investing in public transport and other types of efficient and sustainable transport which minimize emissions and consumption of resources and energy Improve safety of journeys by reducing accidents and enhancing the personal safety of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, passengers and staff. Strategic Transport Projects STPR complements the National Transport Review and Material Assets: SDP should seek to integrate Review (STPR) (2008) (Draft seeks to: with the aims of the STPR. Subject to SEA Consultation) improve journey times and connections – to tackle Population & Human Heath: SDP should congestion and the lack of integration and support the STPR interventions aimed at connections in transport which impact on our high reducing congestion, emissions etc and level objectives for economic growth, social improving human health. inclusion, integration and safety Climatic Factors and Air Quality: SDP should reducing emissions – to tackle the issues of climate support the STPR interventions aimed at change, air quality and health improvement which reducing congestion, emissions etc such as impact on our high level objective for protecting the tackling issues of climate change and the environment and improving health, and availability of better forms of public transport
12 improving quality, accessibility and affordability – to to reduce dependency on cars. give people a choice of public transport, where availability means better quality transport services and value for money or an alternative to the car SESTRAN Regional Transport to ensure that development is achieved in an Material Assets: SDP should seek to integrate Strategy (2008-2023) environmentally sustainable manner: reducing with the aims of the transport strategy greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants and Climatic Factors and Air Quality: SDP should enabling sustainable travel/ reduce car dependency contribute to ensuring that development is to promote a healthier and more active SEStran achieved in an environmentally sustainable area population manner, reducing air pollutants and thus improving air Quality Human Health: SDP should promote a healthier and more active population SPP Planning for Transport The national focus on transport is now on delivery of Material Assets: the SDP should plan land use transport projects. For the transport network to most in a manner which assists in reducing the effectively support the economy, land use planning should need to travel and contributes to sustainable assist in reducing the need to travel; in creating the right transport nodes. conditions for greater use of sustainable transport modes and in restricting adverse environmental impacts. PAN 75 Planning for Transport PAN 75 accompanies SPP and aims to create greater Material Assets: the SDP should plan land use awareness of how linkages between planning and in a manner which assists in reducing the transport can be managed. It highlights the roles of need to travel and contributes to sustainable different bodies and professions in the process and points transport nodes. to other sources of information.
13 Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna Nature Conservation (Scotland ) Introduced a „duty to further the conservation of Biodiversity: SDP should aim to conserve Act biodiversity‟ for all pubic bodies, and sets out more specific Scotland‟s biodiversity for future generations (2004 provisions within this (e.g. for SSSIs). Also states a by conserving habitats and species and requirement for the preparation of a Scottish Biodiversity raising public awareness on the importance of Strategy, to which all public bodies should pay regard. biodiversity.
Scotland‟s Biodiversity – It‟s In Sets out Scottish aims relating to biodiversity over 25 year Biodiversity: SDP should aim to conserve Your period. Seeks to go beyond a previous emphasis on Scotland‟s biodiversity for future generations Hands. A strategy for the protecting individual sites to achieve conservation at a by conserving habitats and species and conservation and enhancement broader scale. Aims to halt loss and reverse decline of key raising public awareness on the importance of of biodiversity in Scotland (2004) species, to raise awareness of biodiversity value at a biodiversity. landscape or ecosystem scale, and to promote knowledge, understanding and involvement amongst people.
Choosing Our Future – Details the Scottish Executive‟s (now Government) Biodiversity: SDP should aim to conserve Scotland‟s strategy for tackling issues such as climate change, Scotland‟s biodiversity for future generations Sustainable Development biodiversity, resource use and pollution. by conserving habitats and species. Strategy (2005) Climatic Change and Air Quality: aims to reduce impact on and adapt to climate change, SDP should aspire to this. Material Assets: SDP should aim to minimise resource depletion, encourage the responsible use of natural resources and maximise where possible on recovery, re-use and recycling of materials.
14
SPP: Natural Heritage The conservation of Scotland‟s plants, animals, Biodiversity and Landscape: these priorities PAN 60 Planning for Natural landscapes, geology, natural beauty and amenity is should be taken into account and progressed Heritage (2000) important and should be considered in all development as far as possible within the SDP. The SDP plans. should not adversely affect designated natural heritage sites, and should aim to support conservation and appreciation of natural heritage at a landscape scale.
The Scottish Forestry Strategy Key themes include to: Biodiversity: aims to conserve and enhance (2006) (and associated SEA) reduce the impact of climate change; biodiversity which needs to be taken on board get the most from Scotland‟s increasing and by SDP. sustainable timber resource; Population & Human Heath: aims to improve make access to and enjoyment of woodlands easier health and well being by providing biodiversity for all to improve health; and green infrastructure benefits, the SDP protect the environmental quality of our natural should enhance this. resources; and Climatic Change: aims to reduce impact on help to maintain, restore and enhance Scotland‟s and adapt to climate change. biodiversity Local Biodiversity Action Plan‟s The LBAPs translate national targets for species and Biodiversity: SDP should support the aims of East Lothian (2008 – 2013) habitats into effective local action, stimulates local working the LBAPs and avoid adversely affecting key Edinburgh (2004-2009) partnerships into tackling biodiversity conservation, raises habitats and species as identified therein. Fife (2nd Edition, 2003-2006) awareness, identifies local resources, identifies local Midlothian (2006) targets for species and habitats ensures delivery and Scottish Borders (2001) monitors progress. West Lothian (2005 – 2009)
15 Midlothian Biodiversity Guidance for Developers (2008)
Environmental Strategies Key themes include: Biodiversity: SDP should support the key Edinburgh Environmental safeguard, promote and improve the social, themes of each Environmental Strategy and Strategy economic, environmental and democratic wellbeing safeguard and promote the biodiversity of the Draft East Lothian Environment of all the people in the local authority area SESplan area. Strategy (2007 – 2009) Population & Human Heath: through the Take a Pride in Fife – safeguard and promotion of biodiversity the Environmental SDP will create benefits for the wellbeing of all Strategy for Fife – Review and the people in the SESplan area. Update (2006) Scottish Borders New Ways Environmental Strategy Local Woodland/ Forestry The creation, through forestry and woodland initiatives, of Biodiversity: aims to conserve and enhance Strategies or Other Edinburgh an attractive environment providing biodiversity and green biodiversity which needs to be taken on board and the Lothians Regional infrastructure benefits and to improve the health and well by SDP. Forestry Framework (Draft 2008) being of the area. Population & Human Heath: aims to improve Fife Indicative Forestry Strategy health and well being by providing biodiversity Scottish Borders Woodland and green infrastructure benefits, the SDP Strategy (2005) should enhance this.
16 Climatic Factors SPP : Renewable Energy The Scottish Ministers have set a target of generating 40% Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should Pan 45 Renewable Energy (since quantified as 6GW) of Scotland‟s electricity from safeguard sites suitable for renewable energy Technologies (2005) renewable sources by 2020 and confirmed that this target developments and support Scotland‟s PAN 84 Carbon Reduction (2008) should not be regarded as a cap. The importance of using commitment to renewable energy clean and sustainable energy from renewable sources will developments and movement towards low and continue to increase as a result of global imperatives to zero carbon developments. tackle climate change and the need to ensure secure and diverse energy supplies. PAN 45 complements SPP and highlights examples of good practice across Scotland. A key role of the planning system is to support a move towards low and zero carbon development through the use of energy efficient, micro-generating and decentralised renewable energy systems. PAN 84 provides information and guidance on implementing the targets set in SPP.
Changing Our Ways – Scotland‟s Details the Scottish Executive‟s (now Government‟s) Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should Climate Change Programme programme for reducing and adapting to climate change. aim to make an appropriate contribution to this (2006) programme. Climate Change (Scotland) Act Act to: Climatic Change and Air Quality: reduction in 2009 set a target for the year 2050, an interim target for greenhouse gas emissions through target the year 2030, and to provide for annual targets, for setting and implementation of measures to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; improve energy efficiency and make provision to provide about the giving of advice to the Scottish for reduction and recycling of waste. SDP Ministers relating to climate change; should promote and contribute towards the to confer power on Ministers to impose climate targets set by the bill.
17 change duties on public bodies; to make further provision about mitigation of and adaptation to climate change; to make provision about energy efficiency; to make provision about the reduction and recycling of waste; and for connected purposes.
Energy Efficiency and Strategy sets out the action they propose to take to help Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should Microgeneration: achieving a Low Scotland meet carbon savings targets etc outlined in aim to make an appropriate contribution to this Carbon Future: A Strategy for Changing Our Ways – Scotland‟s Climate Change programme to help meet carbon saving Scotland (2007) (Draft Strategy) Programme (2006) through improving energy efficiency targets for Scotland. and encouraging a greater uptake of microgeneration. Biomass Action Plan for Scotland The Biomass Action Plan sets out a coordinated Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should (2007) programme for the development of the biomass sector in aim to make an appropriate contribution to this Scotland and aims to: programme to help meet biomass plan aims to provide a summary of the wide range of existing for Scotland. activities, actions and initiatives; to provide a focus for a strategic coordinated approach to developing biomass for energy production across the heat, electricity and transport sectors; to identify roles and responsibilities for government, industry and public stakeholders to develop a vibrant bioenergy industry in Scotland; and to identify future actions and gaps
18 Climatic Change and Air Quality: These supplementary guides for renewables support SPP: Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should SDP should aim to make an Renewable Energy and set out policies and other advice to support and plan for renewable energy and appropriate contribution to this assist in positively planning for wind powered renewable wind energy developments in the SESplan programme to help meet biomass energy developments in Fife and in its coastal waters and area. plan aims for Scotland. for the use of renewable energy systems for new and existing developments and the reduction of carbon dioxide emission levels from new developments in the Scottish Borders. Cultural Heritage (including architectural and archaeological heritage) Scottish Historic Environment SHEP is the overarching policy statement for the historic Cultural Heritage: SDP should impact as little Policy (SHEP) (July 2009) environment. It provides a framework for more detailed as possible on the historic environment. strategic policies and operational policies that inform the day-to-day work of a range of organisations that have a role and interest in managing the historic environment. SPP: Planning and the Historic The historic environment is a vital contribution to Cultural Heritage: SDP should impact as little Environment Scotland‟s cultural heritage and contributes to our as possible on the historic environment. The understanding of the past and present. The conservation of SDP should outline the strategic importance of the historic environment should be carefully integrated with the historic environment as a resource in its other policies to ensure its survival. own right and as a driver for sustainable economic development and regeneration. The spatial strategy of the plan should be informed by considerations including the capacity of settlements and areas of countryside to accommodate development without damage to their historic value.
19 Landscape and Townscape Designing Places: A Policy Policy statement on design which sets out the overarching Landscape and Townscape: the six qualities Statement for Scotland (2001) policy on design including: of good design that make a successful place the six qualities that make a successful place – should be outlined in the SDP. distinctive, safe and pleasant, easy to get to and move around, welcoming, adaptable and resource efficient. Pan 44 Fitting New Housing Strategically, establishing landscape capacity and the Landscape and Townscape: SDP should Development into the Landscape relationship of new to existing urban forms as primary promote development which fits into the factors in determining the desirability of settlement existing landscape and townscape. expansion Promoting higher design standards relative to form layout and relation with existing urban areas SPP The SPP sets out the national planning policy framework for the protection of prime agricultural land. Pan 52 Planning and Small Identifying factors which threaten the important legacy of Landscape and Townscape: SDP should Towns small towns: promote quality development. Providing for regeneration and expansion Enabling lively, active and vibrant town centres within small towns Enabling efficient and effective transport to support economic growth and accessibility Promoting high quality design that promotes townscape quality PAN 65 Planning and Open Provides advice on the role of the planning system in Landscape and Townscape: SDP should Space (2003) protecting and enhancing existing open spaces and enhance existing open space and provide
20 providing high quality new spaces. high quality new spaces. PAN 71 Conservation Area This provides further advice on the management of Landscape and Townscape: SDP should not Management conservation areas. It identifies good practice for managing have a negative impact on any conservation change, sets out a checklist for appraising conservation areas in the SESplan area. areas and provides advice on funding and implementation. PAN 72: Housing in the Advice on design of houses in the countryside with a Landscape and Townscape: SDP should seek Countryside purpose to create more opportunities for good quality rural to create opportunities for good quality rural housing which respects Scottish landscapes and building housing in the SESplan area. tradition. SPP: Planning for Rural Planning policy which encourages a more supportive Landscape and Townscape: SDP should seek Development attitude towards „appropriate‟ development whilst to create opportunities for good quality rural acknowledging and valuing the diversity of rural Scotland. housing in the SESplan area. SPP: Green Belts Key objectives of green belt policy are: Landscape and Townscape: SDP should To direct planned growth to the most appropriate safeguard designated green belts within the locations and support regeneration; SESplan area. To protect and enhance the character, landscape setting and identity of towns and cities; and To protect and give access to open space within and around towns and cities, as part of the wider structure of green space Material Assets A Forward Strategy for Scottish Aims to create a prospering and sustainable farming Material Assets: SDP should support aims to Agriculture: Next Steps (and industry which is: create a prosperous and sustainable farming associated retrospective SEA) a major driver in sustaining rural development, industry. (2006) helping rural communities prosper; Biodiversity: the forward strategy looks to a leading player in the protection and enhancement protect and enhance the environment, the
21 of the environment; and SDP should support this. a major contributor to key objectives on animal Population & Human Heath: the forward health and welfare and human health and well- strategy aims to contribute to human health being. and well-being, the SDP should support this. Rural Development Programme Promote an environmentally sustainable industry by Material Assets: SDP should support the rural for Scotland, The Strategic Plan, targeting capital investment to mitigate farm development programme‟s strategic plan 2007-2013 (2006) pollution and secure environmental improvement; Climatic Factors: the SDP should support the developing products that reflect the high quality of production of feedstock for renewable energy the natural and cultural heritage; and production. supporting the production of feedstock for renewable energy production SPP: Opencast Coal This Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) sets out the national Material Assets: SDP should support the planning policy framework for the working of opencast coal. planning policy framework. SPP: Minerals This Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) sets out the national Material Assets: SDP should support the planning policy framework for protection of resources. planning policy framework. Consultation Paper on Potential To further encourage recycling by giving a power to the Material Assets: SDP should support Legislation Measures to Scottish Government to make regulations which would measures to implement zero waste in the Implement Zero Waste (2008) impose duties on public sector bodies and businesses to SESplan area. provide recycling facilities for customers, staff and, where appropriate, members of the public. The regulations would specify which bodies and businesses were to be subject to this duty and the nature of the recycling facilities that would be required. National Waste Plan (2003) The aims of the Plan are to minimise the impact of waste Material Assets: SDP should support on the environment, both locally and globally, to improve measures to improve resource efficiency in resource use efficiency in Scotland, and to remedy the the SESplan area.
22 environmental injustices suffered by those who have to live with the consequences of a wasteful society. SPP: Planning for Waste Waste has increased in volume and complexity over the Material Assets: SDP should support Management last five decades and the guidance sets out options to measures to manage waste in the SESplan follow to: area. reduce waste: re-use; recovery by recycling; waste as a source of energy; and treatment and disposal of the remaining waste in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner Population & Human Heath Our National Health: A Plan for Poverty, poor housing, homelessness and the lack of Population & Human Heath: SDP should Action, A Plan for Change (2000) educational and economic opportunity are the root causes contribute to improving the health of the of major inequalities in health in Scotland. The core aims SESplan area. are to build a national effort to improve health and to reduce inequalities in health. SPP: Physical Activity and Open To protect and enhance open space; Population & Human Heath: sport and Space To ensure a strategic approach to open space and recreation are an important part of a healthy other opportunities for sport and recreation by life and therefore areas for these activities requiring local authorities to undertake an open should be protected and enhanced within the space audit and prepare an open space strategy for SDP. their area; To protect and support opportunities for sport and recreation; To provide guidance on the quality and accessibility
23 of open space in new developments and on providing for its long-term maintenance and management; To provide guidance on planning for development of new indoor and outdoor facilities for sport and recreation. A Partnership for a Better The key aim is to ensure that no one in Scotland suffers Population & Human Heath: SDP should Scotland (2003) from poverty and to regenerate the most disadvantaged contribute towards ensuring that neighborhoods so that people can take advantage of job disadvantaged neighbourhoods are targeted opportunities and improve their quality of life. for regeneration to allow for improvements in quality of life of the Population. Making the Links: Greenspace Green spaces contribute to quality of life, access, health, Population & Human Heath: SDP should seek and the Partnership Agreement, education, community cohesion, biodiversity and to protect, enhance and promote green Greenspace Scotland enterprise. They have a significant role to play in relation to spaces. housing and the environmental and community services that they offer. Health Action Plans Health and wellbeing are fundamental to quality of life. Population & Human Heath: SDP should Making Edinburgh Healthier, Improving health and addressing health inequality contribute towards improving the health and Edinburgh Joint Health involves wide-ranging action across not just health and well being of the SESplan area population. Improvement Action Plan (2008 – care services but also public services including 2011) education, employment, housing, community safety and A Healthier Future for Fife: Fife environment. Joint Health Improvement Action Plan (2007-2010) Scottish Borders Joint Health
24 Improvement Plan (2005 – 2010) Core Paths and Access Core Paths Plans and Access strategies look to promote Population & Human Heath: SDP should Strategies themes of: contribute towards improving the health and East Lothian Core Paths Plan green spaces well being of the SESplan area by promoting (2008) human health and well being core paths and accessibility to the countryside Edinburgh Core Paths Plan accessibility and green spaces. (2008) inclusion Fife Council Access Strategy biodiversity (2006 - 2016) Fife Council Core Paths Plan (2008) Midlothian Core Paths Plan (2008) Scottish Borders Core Path Plan (2008) Towards 2020 – West Lothian Community Plan 2010-2020 West Lothian Core Paths Plan (2008) Community Plans Community Plans focus on achieving measurable Population & Human Heath: SDP should seek Edinburgh Community Plan improvements to the quality of life for all in the local to follow the guidance in the community plans (2005) authority area and provides a framework for delivering on engagement with the local community. Fife Community Plan – A long term visions for the area. The Community Plan sets Stronger Future for Fife (2007 the context for continued joint working between the Local Revised Edition) Authority Area and the local community and its partner
25 Moving Midlothian Forward – agencies. Community Plan, 2008 – 2011 (2008) Our Scottish Borders – Your Community: Community Plan 2006-2016 Strategic Housing Investment SHIPs set out how investment in affordable housing will be Population & Human Heath: SDP should Plan directed over the next 5 years to achieve the integrate with the SHIPs and plan to achieve (SHIP) outcomes set out in there associated Local Housing the outcomes set out in each local authority East Lothian SHIP Strategy. areas Local Housing Strategy. Edinburgh City Housing Strategy / SHIP Fife Council SHIP (2008) Scottish Borders Local Housing Strategy and Action Plan (2007) Midlothian SHIP (2009) West Lothian SHIP 2010-2015 Strategic Noise Action Plan for The three main objectives of the Directive are as follows: Population & Human Heath: SDP should not the Edinburgh Agglomeration To determine the noise exposure of the population add to noise levels and seek to preserve noise (Draft 2008) through noise mapping quality where it is good. To make information available on environmental noise to the public To establish Action Plans based on the mapping results, to reduce noise levels where necessary, and to preserve environmental noise quality where it is good
26 SPP: Affordable Housing This Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) sets out the national Provision of housing which is affordable is planning policy framework for provision of affordable supported by and an integral part of the SDP. housing. Pan 74 Affordable Housing Advice setting out how the planning system can support Population and Human Health: SDP should the Scottish Government‟s commitment to increase the seek to provide affordable housing in line with supply of affordable housing. the Scottish Government‟s recommendations. Soil PAN 33 Development of Document provides advice with regards to the Soil: SDP should follow this guidance on Contaminated Land (2000) development of contaminated land, which any development in areas of contaminated land. developments will need to adhere to. The Contaminated Land Details activities that are prohibited to prevent the Soil: SDP should not conflict with these (Scotland) contamination of land and watercourses. regulations. Regulations (2005) Scottish Soil Framework The main aim of the Framework is to promote the Soil: SDP should promote the sustainable (Consultation) – Finalised sustainable management and protection of soils consistent management of soils. expected 2009 with the economic, social and environmental needs of Scotland. Activities identified for focus include: soil organic matter stock protected soil erosion reduced greenhouse gas emission from soils reduced soil‟s capacity to adapt to changing climate enhanced soil biodiversity as well as above ground biodiversity protected soils making a positive contribution to sustainable flood management
27 Water The Water Environment and Ensures that all human activity that can have a harmful Water Status: SDP should follow all Water impact on water is controlled. appropriate guidance and legislation. Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (Designation of Scotland River Basin District) Order 2003 SEPA (2008) Draft River Basin Identifying areas of the water environment for Water Status: SDP should not conflict with Management Plans: Scotland protection and improvement these river basin management plans and seek River Basin District and Solway Identifying where current or historic activities are to enhance the environmental quality of water Tweed River Basin District constraining the quality of the water environment in the SESplan area. and the biodiversity it supports Details the actions required to ensure waters of special value (e.g. drinking, biodiversity, shellfish, bathing) are up to standard and maintain the quality where they already meet those standards Set out actions needed to deliver environmental improvements over the next 6 years and longer to 2027 Flood Risk Management The Scottish Ministers, SEPA and responsible authorities Water Status: flood risk management across (Scotland) Act 2009 must exercise their flood risk related functions with a view Scotland is important, the SDP should not to reducing overall flood risk through: create flood risks and should actively promote promotion of sustainable flood risk management, sustainable flood risk management. acting with a view to raising public awareness of flood risk, and acting in the way best calculated to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
28 SPP: Planning and Flooding SPP provides guidance to developers and planning Water Status: SDP should not contribute authorities on planning and flooding. New development towards or create flood risks within the should not take place if it would be at significant risk of SESplan area. flooding from any source or would materially increase the probability of flooding elsewhere. The storage capacity of functional floodplains should be safeguarded, and works to elevate the level of a site by land raising should not lead to a loss of flood water storage capacity. Drainage would be a material consideration and the means of draining a development should be assessed. Sustainable drainage would be required whenever practicable and watercourses should be culverted. Flood prevention and alleviation measures should respect the wider environmental concerns and appropriate engineering solutions recognise the context provided by the development plan. Whilst it is preferable for open spaces to flood rather than buildings it may not always be acceptable. PAN 69: Planning and Building The PAN supports SPP. Water Status: SDP should not contribute Standards Advice on Flooding towards or create flood risks within the (2004) SESplan area. SPP: Coastal Planning SPP notes that the developed coast should be the focus Water Status: SDP should only designate for developments requiring a coastal location, or which coastal areas for developments requiring a contribute to economic regeneration of settlements whose coastal location. livelihoods is dependent on coastal or marine activities and features. SEPA Statement on the SEPAs policy sets out the environmental issues associated Water Status: SDP should take account of the
29 Culverting of Watercourses with culverting and presents a consistent and pragmatic environmental issues associated with (1998) approach to this aspect of river engineering. culverting. Scottish Water Strategic Asset Outlines the current capacity at water and wastewater Water Status: SDP should check current Capacity and Development Plan treatment works across Scotland to let local authorities and capacity before planning any major developers see “at a glance” what capacity currently exists developments in the SESplan area. at a particular location in Scotland. It is intended to use this information to decide whether work will have to be carried out by Scottish Water to increase capacity at treatment works to enable a particular development to go ahead. Scottish Water, Water Resource In this draft Water Resources Plan we set out our strategy Water Status: SDP should not add any Plan (2008) to ensure that all our customers, the length and breadth of additional pressure to Scottish Water Scotland, have a secure supply of clear, fresh, safe resources. drinking water to 2031/32 and beyond. The key environment challenges for Scottish water is to: to adapt to pressures on water resources due to climate change and environmental constraints. Sustainable Seas for All: A Marine Bill proposes a new legislative and management Water Status: SDP should take account of the Consultation on Scotland‟s first framework for the delivery of sustainable economic growth Marine Bill when planning anything that could Marine Bill (2008) in the marine environment, with proposals relating to impact on coastal waters and/ or the sea. creating a stable investment environment, reducing the regulatory burden, nature conservation, improving our understanding of the seas with delivery through a Scottish marine management organization. Fife Shoreline Management Plan The main purpose of the Shoreline Management Plan is to Water Status: SDP should be aware of and (1999) identify existing coastal protection installations, evaluate take account of the naturally heritage interests their condition, identify where the coast is vulnerable to along the Fife coast.
30 erosion and/or flooding and to prioritise action. In addition the document takes account of the natural heritage issues along the Fife Coast, which has important SPA, SAC and RAMSAR sites along its length. Other NPF2 and SPP Scottish Planning Set out the national planning framework and the main All: underpins the development and Policy (2010) purpose and tasks for land use planning, development implementation of the SDP. planning and control for Scotland. Structure Plans Structure plans cover similar environmental requirements, All: The SDP should be congruent with all Edinburgh and Lothians Joint as follows: three structure plans. Structure Plan Committee (2004) to encourage growth which supports the Edinburgh and Lothians Structure development of a sustainable community; Plan 2015 access to a choice of transport including cycling Fife Matters – 20 year Structure and walking opportunities; Plan 2006 – 2026 Fife Council access to leisure, recreational and cultural facilities; Scottish Borders Structure Plan – access to a range of multi-use green space; 2001 to 2018 (published 2009) benefit from a high quality natural and cultural heritage assets, vibrant and distinctive towns and villages; benefits from new development which makes best use of resources, is well integrated with its surroundings, and is of a high quality, environmentally sensitive design a high quality, safe and healthy environment; and protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment.
31 4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT
4.1 Environmental baseline data 4.1.1 The Strategic Environmental Assessment has been undertaken using key spatial data and assessment of this data in terms of key environmental objectives. The detailed objective assessment is provided in Appendix B. This spatial assessment is provided in Appendix C. The following spatial data was used to undertake the assessment of the growth areas:
Table 3: Spatial information used for assessment SEA Topic Corresponding spatial information Air Air quality and average daily vehicle flows Biodiversity Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Ancient Woodland Inventory Climatic Factors Flooding, air quality, wind turbines & CO₂ emissions Cultural heritage Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Listed Buildings, World Heritage Sites and Gardens & Designed Landscapes Inventory Landscape National Scenic Areas, Areas of Great Landscape Value and Country Parks Material assets Current land use Population & Human Green network, key transport routes (road & rail), Core Heath Paths, Urban Areas and SUStran routes Soil Vacant & Derelict Land Survey Water SEPA flooding data
4.1.2 The growth hubs shown in Appendix C should be viewed as search areas within the SESplan area and not definite development zones. Many more site specific information and research will be required before determining the deliverability of development sites. They are shown on the maps simply to indicate potential areas to analyse the SEA objectives thoroughly.
32 4.2 Environmental objectives of SEA This spatial data was matched with the environmental objectives of the Report to create a more comprehensive assessment of the spatial strategy proposals. These are shown in table 4.
Table 4: SEA objectives SEA Objective SEA Topic Sub-objectives Monitoring To protect current air Air Maintain current levels of air quality Current air quality quality and provide Provide greater opportunities for access to Average daily vehicle flows opportunities for sustainable forms of transport public transport use
To protect and Biodiversity Protect/enhance International Conservation Internationally & nationally designated sites enhance biodiversity Areas Ancient Woodland designations & habitats in the Protect/enhance National/Local SESplan area Conservation Areas Protect/enhance Ancient Woodland
To reduce CO₂ Climatic Reduce CO₂ emissions Current CO₂ emissions for domestic gas & emissions and Factors Promote use of renewables electricity reduce energy Wind energy sources consumption To safeguard and Cultural Protect/enhance listed buildings Number of listed buildings enhance the built heritage Protect /enhance scheduled ancient Number of scheduled ancient monuments
33 and historic monuments Number of world heritage sites environment Protect/enhance world heritage sites Number of designed gardens & landscapes Protect/enhance designed gardens & landscapes
To protect and Landscape Protect/enhance designated sites Number of NSAs/AGLVs enhance the & Protect/enhance settlement townscapes Number of country parks landscape and Townscape Number of conservation areas townscape within the SESPlan area.
To promote the Material Sustainable use of mineral resources Current mineral resources available sustainable use of assets Recycling of waste Current predominant land uses natural resources % of waste recycled
To improve the Population Provide access to employment Employment statistics/employment sites quality of life and & Human Provide affordable housing data human health for Health Improve access to services Public transport provision & cycle networks communities in the Provide access to greenspace % of affordable housing available SESplan area Access to footpaths & cycle routes Distances to services Distances to green network
To protect the Soil Identify areas of expansion on brownfield Vacant & derelict Land Survey
34 quality of soil land Urban Capacity Study through the reuse of Protect soil quality brownfield land
To protect the Water Protect quality of major watercourses Status of major water courses quality of water and Identify areas of expansion away from Location of flooding prevent flooding flooding areas Existing water/waste water infrastructure Improve existing water/waste water infrastructure
35 5. SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT FINDINGS FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH AREAS
5.1 Assessment findings The full assessment findings are provided in Appendix B. Tables 5 and 6 provide an overview of the findings of these assessment findings.
Table 5: Assessment Findings for Preferred Strategies
Impact on SEA Topic
ultural ultural
Air Biodiversity, flora fauna & Climatic Factors C Heritage & Landscape Townscape Assets Material & Population Health Human Soil Water Scale of growth in plan 0 0 0 0 area Central Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 Edinburgh Waterfront 0 West Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 South East Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 0 East Coast Corridor 0 0 Midlothian Borders 0 0 0 0 Corridor Fife Forth 0 0 0 0 West Lothian 0 0
Table 6: Assessment Findings for Alternative Strategies
Impact on SEA Topic
Air Biodiversity, flora fauna & Climatic Factors Cultural Heritage Landscape Assets Material & Population Health Human Soil Water Scale of growth in plan 0 area Central Edinburgh N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Edinburgh Waterfront N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A West Edinburgh 0 0 South East Edinburgh ? 0 East Coast Corridor ? 0 0 0 0
36 Midlothian Borders ? 0 Corridor Fife Forth ? Lothian West 0 ? 0
Positive Very Negative Very Neutral Unknown positive negative 0 ?
5.2 Summary of findings 5.2.1 Scale of Growth It is a central purpose of the Scottish Government to achieve sustainable economic growth, building a Scotland that is wealthier and fairer, smarter and greener, healthier, safer and stronger. South East Scotland has a vital role in delivering this agenda in terms of the future economic, environmental and social development of the area. It reflects the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 which provides a strategy for the long term development of Scotland. The SESplan area falls within NPF spatial zones Central Belt, East Coast and South of Scotland. It is therefore a key requirement of the SDP to provide infrastructure and services to promote new development and investment. Two scenarios are presented in the SDP to meet these aims: the preferred option of a strong market recovery scenario, achieved through the continuation of the spatial pattern of growth established in the existing structure plans and local plans and; the alternative option of a high trend growth scenario which would require the delivery of the potential growth areas at a faster growth rate up to 2024, with the consequential requirement to consider further options beyond that date. The assessment of these two options has overall identified more positive results for the preferred strategy has less significant impacts on the SEA objectives, particularly in terms of Air, Climatic Factors and Soil. This is primarily because the preferred strategy demands less greenfield land to be developed in the shorter term and allows for the sustainable development of infrastructure and the green network. The alternative strategy demands a faster growth and has the potential to direct development away from areas that are well served in terms of sustainable transport, as well as waste and water infrastructure. The following section provides a summary of the preferred and alternative strategic growth areas in terms of impact on the SEA objectives.
5.2.2 Air The preferred strategy for the Strategic Development Plan have not been identified individually as having a significant negative impact on air quality within the SESplan area. This is because the preferred approach aims to promote development with good access to sustainable forms of transport. 37 In particular, key rail routes have been identified to East Lothian, West Lothian and Fife as well as the potential Waverley Line through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. The new tram route in Edinburgh will also be exploited. Other key existing transport routes such as the A1 and A720 are identified to serve South East Edinburgh and the East Coast Corridor. Nonetheless, a rise in car usage and therefore air pollution is likely. The alternative strategy will see a more significant impact as further land that has not yet been identified will be required. This could potentially be sought in areas where there is a more limited range of sustainable forms of transport.
5.2.3 Biodiversity The preferred strategy for the Strategic Development Plan are identified as individually having a minor negative impact on biodiversity with a potential significant impact identified at Edinburgh Waterfront due the two SPAs in this area. Mitigation measures identified through an Appropriate Assessment, however, should ensure that the overall impact within this specific area should not be significant. The alternative strategy is also identified as having a potential negative impact on biodiversity. Specific areas of concern are the River Tweed SAC and Firth of Forth SPA. This is because the alternative strategy would require additional land that had not yet been assessed and could potentially be damaging to these key sites. An Appropriate Assessment would also be required for any sites identified adjacent to these areas to ensure mitigation measures were undertaken. This would prevent any significant impacts.
5.2.4 Climatic Factors The preferred strategy has generally been identified as having a minor negative or neutral impact on Climatic Factors. This is because the preferred search areas for development are identified close to sustainable forms of transport, away from flood risk areas and should promote low carbon emissions through building standards and renewable energy. The alternative strategy may see more significant impact specifically in terms of the overall approach of a high growth trend as it will require larger quantities of development land which has not yet been identified and could encourage growth at an unsustainable rate in terms of the objectives for Climatic Factors. The Strategic Development Plan policies will need to ensure that an emphasis is placed on renewable forms of energy and energy efficient building standards.
5.2.5 Cultural Heritage Specific areas have been identified as having a potentially negative impact on Cultural Heritage in the preferred strategy. This includes: Central Edinburgh, Edinburgh Waterfront, the East Coast Corridor, Fife Firth and Lothian West. This is because key built or historical heritage has been identified within the search area which will need to be safeguarded and enhanced. Nonetheless, even areas where there has been a negative impact identified may see site specific issues that will need addressing through the siting and design of any development. The alternative strategy has an
38 unknown impact as land has not yet been identified and therefore it would be difficult to assess the impact this could have on Cultural Heritage.
5.2.6 Landscape & Townscape The preferred strategy has been identified as having a positive or neutral impact on Landscape & Townscape. The positive impacts could be seen in Central Edinburgh, Edinburgh Waterfront, the East Coast Corridor and Lothian West due to the regeneration of brownfield land in these search areas. If sited and designed sympathetically, these could enhance previously rundown areas. The alternative strategy might have a more negative impact on landscape as it would require new areas of land to be identified for development which have not yet been through the assessment process. Siting and design would also be vital to ensuring that this was not a significant impact on the objective.
5.2.7 Material Assets The preferred strategy has generally been assessed as having a neutral impact on Material Assets as development for the most part has been directed away from key mineral assets and should have already been incorporated into the Waste Management Plans as part of planned development. The East Coast Corridor has been identified as a minor negative impact as Blindwells is located on an area previously used for coal extraction. The alternative strategy could have a potentially more negative impact on Material Assets as it would require further land for development and may find it problematic in terms of waste production. Both strategies must promote zero waste through the Strategic Development Plan policy.
5.2.8 Population & Human Heath The preferred strategy has been identified as generally having significant positive impacts on Population & Human Health because it is locating development in areas that are supported by public transport, services and employment. Furthermore, the strategy should provide opportunities for affordable housing and greenspace through developer contributions. The alternative strategy has been identified as having a more neutral impact as although it should provide similar benefits in terms of affordable housing and greenspace, there will be a requirement for more land which may be sited away from key services and public transport. Strategic Development Plan policy must ensure that the developer contributions to affordable housing and greenspace are met to make either strategy beneficial.
5.2.9 Soil The preferred strategy should see a number of areas providing significant positive impacts to soil as development would be sited on brownfield areas that require redevelopment. This would lessen the amount of greenfield required and therefore prevent soil sealing. The alternative strategy would
39 require a considerable amount of Greenfield to be developed and therefore a significant negative impact has been identified for the majority of search areas. In cases where greenfield land is required to meet development needs, permeable construction materials should be used to mitigate the effects of sealing, as well as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This should be highlighted as a requirement at a strategic level to ensure that it is fed into the Local Plans policy making process.
5.2.10 Water The preferred strategy is identified as having minor negative or neutral impacts on Water. This is because land for the preferred strategy has been directed away from flood risk areas and should have been incorporated into the water and waste water management plans. The alternative strategy will have a more negative impact on Water as it will require further land for development which will have an impact on the water and waste water capacity for the area. This would therefore require enhancements to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development in unplanned areas. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the Local Plan process.
5.3 Assessment of secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects 5.3.1 Secondary effects Secondary effects are effects that are not a direct result of the Strategic Development Plan, but are a secondary result of the original impact. The following secondary effects have been identified:
5.3.1.1 Climatic Factors There is a possible secondary effect on Climatic Factors from poor air quality in specific areas of the Strategic Development Plan. A rise in car usage could exacerbate greenhouse gases within the SESplan area. Targeting areas that have good forms of sustainable transport as defined in the preferred strategy, however, should prevent this from being a significant issue.
5.3.1.2 Population & Human Health There is a possible secondary impact on Population & Human Health if the Strategic Development Plan has an impact on Climatic Factors and Water. This could exacerbate rising sea levels and flooding which could impact on settlements adjacent to the coast and water courses. Ensuring a reduction in CO₂ emissions through building standards and renewable energy targets should ensure that this is not a significant impact.
5.3.1.3 Water There is a possible secondary impact on Water due to soil sealing within the SESplan area as a percentage of development will be required on greenfield land. This could in turn impact on flooding
40 incidents as the sealing of soil prevents soak away. The mitigation measures identified in the detailed assessment should prevent this from being a significant impact on Water.
5.3.2 Cumulative effects Cumulative effects arise when a combination of developments accumulate together to have a significant effect, or where several individual effects of the Strategic Development Plan have a combined effect. The following cumulative effects have been identified through the assessment process:
5.3.2.1 Air There is likely to be a cumulative negative impact on air quality in the SESplan area as the overall set of strategies will generate increased traffic throughout the region. This could in the short term include greater construction pollution as well as longer term issues with travel patterns. Opportunities for sustainable forms of transport must be fully exploited in terms of the development hubs, specifically in terms of the tram line in Edinburgh and the rail routes through West Lothian and Fife as well as the proposed Waverley Line in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. This should ensure that the impact is not significant.
5.3.2.2 Biodiversity There is likely to be some impact on biodiversity in the SESplan area due to loss of greenfield land in the region and possible disruption to the habitat network. Particular issues of concern are in terms of the Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas within the region that must be protected from any potential damage. Nonetheless, there are mitigation measures that have been identified through the assessment process that should ensure that there is no significant effect on the overall SEA objectives.
5.3.2.3 Climatic Factors Although individual areas would not impact noticeably on Climatic Factors, a cumulative impact is a potential issue for the Strategic Development Plan. To ensure that this is not a significant impact, policy guidance on the use of renewable energies and zero emission building technologies, along with development being sited away from flood risk areas and close to sustainable forms of transport must be part of the plan. This must aim to meet the target of generating 40% (since quantified as 6GW) of Scotland‟s electricity from renewable sources by 2020 set by Scottish Ministers.
5.3.2.4 Material Assets Although waste management strategies might be able to incorporate the additional development within the preferred strategy, there may be a cumulative effect over the entire SESplan area in terms of waste resources. To ensure this is not a significant impact, the plan should aim for minimal waste
41 production with an emphasis on recycling and reuse. This should be promoted through the policy areas.
5.3.2.5 Soil There is likely to be a minor negative impact on soil quality the level of development proposed within the Strategic Development Plan will require a considerable amount of greenfield land to be developed. Nonetheless, where possible brownfield areas have been identified for regeneration and therefore this should ensure that the impact on soil sealing is lessened. To ensure that this is not a significant impact, mitigation measures have been identified through the assessment process. These will need to be implemented through the Local Development Plan process.
5.3.3 Synergistic effects Synergistic effects are a number of individual impacts that interact to produce a total effect that is different from the individual impacts identified. The following potential synergistic effects have been identified in terms of the Strategic Development Plan:
5.3.3.1 Climatic Factors There could be a potential synergistic effect on Climatic Factors through the combined impacts identified with Air and Soil. This is because the accumulation of air pollution and the sealing of soil within the SESplan area could see a rise in greenhouse gases which would have a negative impact on the climate. This could see a rise in sea levels, increased flooding and heightened temperatures. Nonetheless, the mitigation measures undertaken to prevent further CO₂ emissions and reduce energy consumption should ensure that this synergistic effect is not significant.
5.3.3.2 Water There could be a potential synergistic effect on Water through the combination of Climatic Factors and Soil. This is because the combination of negative impacts of issues such as flooding and water level rises interlinked with the sealing of soil could see potential flooding issues within the SESplan area. The preferred strategy of the Strategic Development Plan, however, should not see a significant impact on Water as mitigation measures have already been identified to ensure that flooding will not be exacerbated.
5.3.3.3 Population & Human Heath The interaction of Air and Climatic Factors could produce a potential synergistic impact on Population & Human Heath. This is because the combination of air pollution and a potential rise in CO₂ emissions could have an impact on human health issues. Nevertheless, the aim to provide sustainable forms of transport and reduce energy consumption within the Strategic Development Plan should prevent this synergistic effect from becoming a significant impact.
42 6. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FOR POLICY AREAS
6.1 Environmental Implications for Strategic Development Plan Policy Areas 6.1.1 Sustainable Development The principle of sustainable is embedded throughout the plan content as opposed to a standalone section. This is to recognise its influence on defining the development strategy. This strategic policy area should work positively with the strategic environmental objectives as it requires consideration of the sustainability of development, not only in its location, mix of uses and transport linkages, but in its use of resources such as water, its impact on flooding and the management of waste. This will particularly support the objectives for Air, Climatic Factors, Material Assets, Population & Human Heath and Water.
6.1.2 Infrastructure and Transportation The key issues for this strategic policy area are in terms of delivering essential infrastructure, producing a regional transport strategy and providing sustainable travel patterns for the region. These will generally have positive impacts on a variety of the strategic environmental objectives including Air, Climatic Factors and Population & Human Heath specifically in terms of ensuring sustainable forms of travel but may have a more negative impact on issues such as Biodiversity, Landscape & Townscape and Soil, particularly with regards to delivering essential infrastructure requirements. Environmental concerns will need to be built into the policy wording to mitigate against any potential damage to these issues.
6.1.3 Economic Development The overall strategic policy area should be positive specifically in terms of Population & Human Heath and Landscape & Townscape objectives as it should provide potential new employment and support the regeneration of town centres and retailing. Nonetheless, there are potential negative impacts in terms of Air, Biodiversity and Soil depending on the amount of greenfield land required and the siting of any new development. Any new employment centres should be located in areas served by sustainable forms of transport and use brownfield land wherever possible.
6.1.4 Housing Housing and specifically affordable housing is a key objective in terms of Population & Human Heath for the strategic environmental assessment and this policy area should have a very positive impact. It should also support the brownfield requirements sought through the soil objective to prevent further soil sealing. Nonetheless, as some Greenfield land will be required for housing, it could also have a negative impact on biodiversity and soil. The siting and design of any new housing development will be key to ensuring that impacts on Air, Climatic Factors, Cultural Heritage, Landscape & Townscape
43 and Water. The policy wording should ensure the development is sited away from areas where it could cause potential damage to these environmental objectives.
6.1.5 Environment This strategic policy area should have an overall positive impact on the strategic environmental objectives, specifically in terms of Biodiversity, Landscape & Townscape, Population & Human Heath and Soil as it will provide a strategic approach to the green network ensuring access to the countryside, providing greenspace within developed areas, retaining key sites for habitat and protecting the soil quality of these areas. This policy area will need to work closely with the strategic growth areas to ensure that these objectives are met.
6.1.6 Resources This strategic policy area is particularly significant to some of the cumulative impacts that have been assessed through the Strategic Growth Areas. Climate change and renewable energy is particularly significant in terms of the Strategic Development Plan as it has been identified that there may be a potential negative impact cumulatively on Climatic Factors. Emphasis on renewable energy and building standards to significantly reduce CO₂ should be emphasised. Issues regarding waste are also important in terms of promoting zero waste production within the SESplan area. Water and flooding should protect water status and direct development away from any flood risk areas. Overall, this policy area should be positive in terms of Climatic Factors, Material Assets, Population & Human Heath and Water.
6.2 Environmental Implications for Local Plan Policy Areas 6.2.1 Air: New development sites must be served by sustainable forms of transport to ensure maximum opportunities for reduced car usage and thus protecting air quality in the region. Key areas around Edinburgh should be protected from further air pollution, particularly around the central area, the waterfront and western Edinburgh. This will be supported by the tram routes through the city.
6.2.2 Biodiversity: For sites that provide key habitats for biodiversity, additional ecological work may be required. This will need to be protected enhanced through Local Plan policies and the planning application process. Sites located close to internationally designated conservation will required Appropriate Assessments to be undertaken.
44 6.2.3 Climatic Factors: To ensure that the strategy did not have a negative impact on climate change, Local Plan policy would need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources. Planning policy will also need to promote sustainable forms of transport and sites any new development away from areas at risk of flooding.
6.2.4 Cultural heritage: Local Plan policy must safeguard and promote the enhancement of the built and historical environment in the SESplan area. Siting and design of any new development will be a key part of the process in terms of ensuring that key heritage sites are protected. Development within Central Edinburgh, the Waterfront, the East Coast Corridor, Fife Forth and West Lothian has been highlighted as sensitive in terms of the development search areas.
6.2.5 Landscape & townscape: Any new development should be directed away from nationally designated sites and emphasis should be placed on the siting and design of any new development within the landscape. Conservation areas should be protected and enhanced through management plans that incorporate development sensitively. The overall townscape of any settlement should be addressed through Masterplanning and Development Briefs.
6.2.6 Material assets: Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. Sites should be located away from key areas where there is the potential for mineral extraction.
6.2.7 Population & Human Health: Access to greenspace will need to be ensured through the development process. Noise levels should not be added to although this may be difficult during construction. These assessments will be required on a site by site basis. Development should be located close to key services and public transport. Any new development should be located close to employment areas.
6.2.8 Soil: Brownfield sites should be promoted through the Local Development Plan process. 45 Any brownfield development sites identified as contaminated will be required to adhere to PAN 33 which provides advice on development of land with contamination and explains the relationship with Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
6.2.9 Water: Water supply and waste water capacity should be assessed at an early stage in the site assessment process for any new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the Local Plan process. Water status in terms of the Firth of Forth and the River Tweed would need to be protected from any damage.
46 7. MONITORING 7.1 Any plan should be monitored for the environmental outcomes, helping to identify the need for future corrective actions and its compliance with the SEA objectives. This can be integrated into the regular plan cycle or any plan revisions. Existing monitoring arrangements can therefore be used to obtain the required information. This can be from the plan in question or from other plans being undertaken within the Council.
7.2 The majority of monitoring for the SEA objectives is already undertaken by the SESplan Local Authorities or by other government bodies or agencies. Any new identified data can be incorporated into the monitoring arrangements for the Strategic Development Plan. This allows SEA monitoring to be incorporated into the existing performance monitoring.
7.3 A Monitoring Report has been undertaken for the South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan. In the future, this report should incorporate many of the monitoring needs identified within this SEA. The monitoring requirements and mitigation measures identified during this SEA process will feed into the future Monitoring Report. Further work will therefore be required before the Strategic Development Plan is at its finalised stage to ensure that these monitoring requirements are established and undertaken as part of the process.
47 8. NEXT STEPS 8.1 The Main Issues Report and the Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Report will undergo a period of consultation before finalisation. This will allow the public to make their views and objections known to SESplan regarding the content of the documents. This consultation period will be 12 weeks. There will then be a subsequent analysis of the responses for both documents before the preparation of the finalised Strategic Development Plan and the Environmental Report. A post adoption statement will be made once a finalised version of the Strategic Development Plan has been approved for adoption.
48
SESplan
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT:
APPENDIX A - BASELINE REPORT
CONTENTS OF THE BASELINE REPORT
1. INTRODUCTION 3
2. AIR 4
3. BIODIVERSITY 11
4. CLIMATIC FACTORS 15
5. CULTURAL HERITAGE 21
6. LANDSCAPE & TOWNSCAPE 27
7. MATERIAL ASSETS 32
8. POPULATION & HUMAN HEALTH 39
9. SOIL 52
10. WATER 56
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Schedule 2 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act requires the Environmental Report to include a description of “the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without the implementation of the Plan or programme.”
1.2 This section of the Environmental Report describes the current state of the environment in the study area and how this might change in the future in the absence of the Plan, and the environmental characteristics of the area likely to be significantly affected by the Plan.
1.3 The Edinburgh and South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan Authority (SESplan) area is made up of the six local authorities of:
City of Edinburgh;
East Lothian;
Fife (part of);
Midlothian;
The Scottish Borders and;
West Lothian.
1.4 This baseline will seek to give an overview of the region, using information gathered from the individual authorities listed above as well as national statistics. The baseline will be presented under the broad headings of:
Air
Biodiversity
Climatic Factors
Cultural Heritage
Landscape & Townscape
Material Assets
Population & Human Health
Soil
Water 2. AIR
SEA objective: To protect current air quality and provide opportunities for public transport use in the SESPlan area.
Detailed objectives: Maintain current levels of air quality Provide greater opportunities for access to sustainable forms of transport
2.1 Air quality 2.1.1 Local Councils have a responsibility under the Environment Act 1995 and Air Quality (Scotland) Amendments Regulations (2002) to improve air quality, not merely minimise pollution. The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (2000) and the Addendum (2003) set health based objectives for nine air pollutants and two for the protection of vegetation and ecosystems. Where it is found that these objectives are unlikely to be met by the due date, then an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) must be declared and an action plan setting out proposals for addressing the problems must be prepared. The plan area contains only 4 AQMAs and the locations of these are described in Table 1 and shown in Map 1. Map 2 provides an overview of the average daily vehicle flows within the SESplan region.
Table 1: Air Quality Management Areas within the SESplan Area AQMA Location Pollutants Pathhead An area encompassing 2 Localised concentrations kilometre squares of PM10 (from domestic surrounding the village of fires) Pathhead.
Central AQMA Edinburgh An area covering the city Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) centre, including the main link roads into the city centre.
St Johns Road Edinburgh An area encompassing St Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) John's Road Edinburgh from just east of the junction with the B701 to just east of the junction with Kaimes Road. Great Junction Street Great Junction Street, the Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Edinburgh most recently designated AQMA (March 2009)
2.2 Access to transport 2.2.1 There is a wide range of transport infrastructure within the SESplan area. For the purposes of this SDP the focus is on transport areas where development is most likely to be undertaken or be influenced by development. The Strategic Road Network is shown in Map 3 and the Strategic Rail network in Map 4. In summary, the key infrastructure includes:
2.2.2 Road Infrastructure, including:
M8 Motorway – Linking Glasgow with Edinburgh
M9 Motorway – Linking Stirling with Edinburgh
M90 Motorway and A90 – Linking Edinburgh with Fife
A720 – Edinburgh City Bypass
A92 – Linking Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy with the M90
A985 – Linking Kincardine with Rosyth and the M90
A71 – Linking Edinburgh with West Lothian and Lanarkshire
A801 – Linking to Grangemouth/Falkirk
A1 – Linking Edinburgh, East Lothian with the Scottish Borders and North of England
A68 and the A7 – both Linking Edinburgh, Midlothian and communities in the Borders to the north of England
A701/A702 – Through Midlothian to Scottish Borders
The Forth Road Crossing and the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing
Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine
2.2.3 Railway Infrastructure, including:
Edinburgh to Glasgow and Stirling
Edinburgh to Bathgate
Edinburgh to England (West and East Coast)
Fife Circle
Borders Rail Link – at planning stages
Kincardine to Stirling – under construction
Access to the East Coast Main Line via the station at Berwick –upon-Tweed
Forth Rail Bridge
East Coast Main Line (ECML) access via Dunbar and local services on ECML to Musselburgh, Wallyford, Prestonpans, Longniddry and Drem
2.2.4 Aquatic Infrastructure, including:
Firths of Forth including key ports such as Rosyth, Leith, Burntisland and Inverkeithing
North Sea
Forth and Clyde and Union Canals
Rosyth to Zeebrugge Ferry Terminal
2.2.5 International Airports
Edinburgh Airport
2.2.6 Commercial Freight Infrastructure
Rosyth Commercial Freight Terminal
2.2.7 The Scottish Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR)1 has made recommendations for 29 major packages of work on the transport network in Scotland. Of these, seven targeted infrastructure developments are directly relevant to the SESplan area. These are:
the Forth Replacement Crossing, linking Edinburgh and the south east to Fife, the north east and beyond;
Edinburgh to Glasgow rail improvements;
targeted road congestion alleviation schemes (Junction improvements for the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass and Enhancements on the A737 such as a bypass around Dalry) ;
upgrade of Edinburgh Haymarket Train Station;
rail improvements between Aberdeen and the Central Belt;
light rapid transit route between Edinburgh and Fife; and
east of Scotland rail improvements.
2.2.8 Route management schemes within the STPR are also targeted at the A1, A68, A92, Inverkeithing to Halbeath Rail link, A7 and A702 from Edinburgh to the Scottish border. Specific plans will ensure these roads are safe and suitably maintained for the expected levels of traffic and may, for instance, include realigning sections of road, individual junction improvements, creating 2+1 lanes, or, where appropriate, stretches of dualling.
1 Transport Scotland (2008) The Strategic Transport Projects Review. Available at: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/stpr
3. BIODIVERSITY
SEA Objective: To protect and enhance biodiversity & habitats in the SESPlan area.
Detailed objectives: Protect/enhance International Conservation Areas Protect/enhance National/Local Conservation Areas Protect/enhance Ancient Woodland
3.1 International and National Conservation Designations 3.1.1 A principal asset of the SESPlan area is its high quality natural environment and diverse range of species and habitats which are protected and conserved by a range of designations on an international and national scale. These are shown in Map 5. The area has a diverse range of species and habitats which need to be protected to avoid irreversible damage.
3.1.2 Table 1 shows the number of designated natural heritage sites within each of the constituent local authority areas.
Table 2: Designated Natural Heritage Sites within Each of the Constituent Local Authority Areas
cientific Interest Interest cientific
Ramsar Sites Sites Ramsar of Special Areas Conservation Special Protection Areas Special Sites of S Consultation Marine Areas Nature National Reserves Nature Local Reserves City of 1 - 1 6 - - 6 Edinburgh East Lothian 1 - 1 15 - - 1 Midlothian 2 1 2 15 - - 1 West Lothian 2 2 1 17 - 1 1 Fife 1 2 2 48 1 2 7 Scottish 3 8 4 91 - 3 - Borders SESPlan 10 13 12 19 1 6 16 Area Source: SNH 3.2 Local Biodiversity Action Plans 3.2.1 There is a wide variety of habitats within the SESplan area ranging from coastal habitats to farmland, urban and upland habitats. Habitats and species comprise the biodiversity of the area. Their importance and protection vary, with a number identified as priority habitats and species within Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs).
3.2.2 Review of local plans for each local authority area has indicated that the following types of habitat are of importance for the region. The LBAPs prepared for the six council areas confirm the important habitats as follows:
Woodland and Scrub Grassland and Marsh Tall Herb and Fern Heathland Mires and Peatlands Swamp Open Water Coastland Rock and Spoil Miscellaneous (cultivated land)
3.3 Ancient Woodland 3.3.1 The Semi-Natural and Ancient Woodland Inventory has 493 recorded sites throughout the region. Map 6 shows areas of Semi-natural and Ancient woodland within the SESplan region. In Edinburgh and Lothians the woodland is clustered in a semi-circular strip across East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian, with the less wooded Edinburgh City at the center. In the Scottish Borders the woodland areas mostly track the river valleys of the River Tweed catchment. In the SESplan portion of Fife, there is a cluster of forest in the western part, towards Clackmannanshire and then to the southwest of Kirkcaldy. Otherwise, the designated areas of woodland are intermittent and evenly spaced throughout the region.
4. CLIMATIC FACTORS
SEA Objective: To reduce CO₂ emissions and reduce energy consumption in the SESPlan area.
Detailed objectives: Reduce CO₂ emissions Promote use of renewables
4.1 Reduce CO₂ emissions 4.1.1 In 2006 the Scottish Executive (now Government) published Scotland‟s Climate Change Programme 2. This document set out how Scotland would make its contribution to UK targets. The more recent Climate Change (Scotland) Bill (2008) has recently been ratified by the Scottish Parliament and will mean that Scotland has the most ambitious climate change legislation in the world with a target of 80% reduction in CO2 by 2050 and a 42% reduction by 2020.
4.1.2 Table 12 provides a summary and comparison of ecological and greenhouse gas footprints for the different local authority areas within SESplan and also compares these with the averages for Scotland, the UK and the World. It can be seen that Scotland‟s Ecological Footprint at present is 5.34 gha/capita, compared with a UK average of 5.3 and a World average of 2.23. At this level it has been calculated that almost three earth equivalent planets would be needed if everybody in the world were to consume resources at the same rate as the national average for Scotland (and the same would apply across the rest of the UK). Maps 7 and 8 provide an overview of the domestic gas and electricity CO₂ emissions within the SESplan area.
Table 3: Comparison of Ecological and Greenhouse Gas Footprint for each Local Authority area within the SESplan region Ecological Footprint GHG Footprint Area (gha/capita) (tCO2eq/capita) World Average 2.20 - UK 5.30 16.34 Scotland 5.34 16.46 Local Authority Areas
2 Scottish Executive (2005)Changing Our Ways, Scotland‟s Climate Change Programme. Crown Copyright 3 Stockholm Environmental Institute (2008) Environmental Accounting for People and Place Edinburgh, City of 5.58 17.13 East Lothian 5.31 16.40 Fife 5.26 16.27 Midlothian 5.13 15.86 Scottish Borders 5.52 17.02 West Lothian 5.11 15.78
4.1.3 The SNIFFER 2006 publication „A handbook of climate trends across Scotland‟4 presents the changes in climate across Scotland in the last century and provides a benchmark against which to measure future climate change.
4.2 Energy production & renewables 4.2.1 Scotland has two coal-fired power stations, Longannet and Cockenzie. Together, the two stations provide approximately 33% of Scotland's electricity. Cockenzie Power Station is located in East Lothian and therefore is within the SESplan region, Torness Powerstation is also within the SESplan area. Cockenzie‟s coal-fired power station has been „opted out‟ under the EC‟s Large Combustion Plant Directive and must cease operation by the end of 2015. Scottish Power wish to replace it with a gas fired power station of similar generating capacity.5
4.2.2 55% of Scotlands electrical needs are met from nuclear power stations, however the two power stations (Torness and Hunterston B) are both nearing the end of their lifecycles. These two areas will leave large gaps in the energy supply market that could be filled by sustainable energy sources.
4.2.3 The SESplan area also contains reserves of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) and part of the SESplan area is licensed for CBM extraction. This is more likely to involve Fife but there is scope for sites in West Lothian.
4.2.4 The development of renewable energy sources has been identified as a key strand in the Scottish Governments plans to help tackle the issue of climate change. The Scottish Government have demonstrated this by setting the carbon reduction target of 42%, and has set out a framework for renewables in „Scotland‟s Renewable Action Plan‟.6
4 Barnett, C., J. Hossell, M. Perry, C. Procter and G. Hughes (2006) A handbook of climate trends across Scotland. SNIFFER project CC03, Scotland & Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research, 62pp. 5 East Lothian Council (2009) Comments on SESplan SEA Baseline 6 The Scottish Government (2009) Renewables action Plan 4.2.5 The estimated capacity of renewable energy generation in Scotland was estimated at 60 GW, enough to meet peak winter demands 10 times over7. The South East of Scotland has a potential key role to play in the development of sustainable energy resources with several existing and proposed windfarms. These are shown in Map 9. It should be noted that this figure was provided October 2009 and is merely indicative to the general level of wind development in the region and should not be taken as tacit acceptance of all the wind farms shown in the figure.
4.2.6 Wood fuel and heat recovery systems associated with forestry can be used as a means to generate renewable energy. The Scottish Borders Council and the local forestry sector aim to develop these sources of renewable energy in the Scottish Borders, with its large sector of forestry.8
4.2.7 Table 4 shows electrical generating capacity across Scotland, divided by energy source.
Table 4: Scotland Electrical Power Generating Capacity 2009 Technology Generating Capacity (Megawatts) Biomass 44 Coal Fired (Longannet and Cockenzie) 3,456 CCGT9 123 Diesel (Islands Power Stations) 133 Oil / Gas Fired (Peterhead) 1,540 Hydro and Pumped Storage 2,022 Nuclear (Torness and Hunterston B) 2,050 Wind 1,808 TOTAL 11,621 SESplan as % of Scotland Total 42.9% Source – DBERR (Digest of UK Energy Statistics) 2008, Scottish Energy Study 2006 (Vol. 1), British Wind Energy Association Database of Wind Farms
7 Scottish Government 2002 Scotland‟s Renewable Energy Potential – Beyond 2010 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/46951/0016328.pdf 8 Scottish Borders Council (2005) Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy New Ways for Scottish Borders Trees, Woodlands and Forests 9 CCGT – Combined Gas Cycle Turbine 5. CULTURAL HERITAGE
SEA objective: To protect and enhance the built and historic environment in the SESPlan area.
Detailed objectives: Protect/enhance listed buildings Protect /enhance scheduled ancient monuments Protect/enhance world heritage sites Protect/enhance designed gardens & landscapes
5.1 Built and historic environment 5.1.1 There is a wide range of cultural heritage designated sites within the SESplan area, as summarised in Table 5 below. It must be noted that these figures include the whole LA area of Fife and not just the SESplan part and so are not fully accurate to the SESplan region.
Table 5: Designated Cultural Heritage Sites Designation Number Category A Listed Buildings 3,436 Scheduled Ancient Monuments 1,566 Historic Gardens and Designed 127 Landscapes World Heritage Sites 1 Source: Pastmap10
5.1.2 The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh are the only world heritage site within the SESplan region. Map 10 shows the location of the World Heritage Site in the plan area. Designations range from those of national importance to those with a local value.
5.1.3 Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes are spread throughout the region with the highest number within Edinburgh and Lothians area, a smaller number throughout the Scottish Borders and a number located along the Fife coast. Map 11 demonstrates the locations of the Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes. It should be noted that the 127 historic gardens and designed landscapes are those on the national inventory, there are others not on the inventory that are of local and regional significance.
10 Pastmap (2009) www.pastmap.org.uk
5.1.4 The scheduled ancient monuments are evenly distributed throughout the SESplan area, with key sites such as Edinburgh Castle providing a national focus in terms of tourism and historical interest. The diversity of archaeology within the SESplan area reflects the range of activities and historical events that have taken place with Edinburgh at the centre. Landform, warfare, agriculture, industry, shipping and social activities have all influenced the functions that can be identified through the arcaehology of the area. Map 12 demonstrates the location of Scheduled Ancient Monuments within the SESplan area.
5.1.5 There is a large number of listed buildings throughout the region with a predominance of Category A listed buildings (buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic, or fine little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type) found within Edinburgh City and Lothian regions of SESplan, along the coast of Fife and throughout the valley regions of the Scottish Borders. These buildings are of interest, architecturally or historically, meeting the criteria by which the Scottish Ministers define the necessary quality and character under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997:11
Age and Rarity; Architectural Interest; and Close Historical Association
Map 13 provides an overview of all listed buildings within the SESplan area.
11 Historic Scotland (2010) http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/historicandlistedbuildings/listing.htm 6. LANDSCAPE & TOWNSCAPE
SEA Objective: To protect and enhance the landscape within the SESPlan area.
Detailed objectives: Protect/enhance designated sites Protect/enhance settlement townscapes
6.1 Designated Landscape Areas 6.1.1 The SESplan area has a broad and mixed landscape ranging from the coastal landscape of the Scottish Borders through the urban settlements of the City of Edinburgh to the uplands and moorland of the Pentlands and much of the Scottish Borders. A number of areas within the SESplan area have been identified as having a national and local landscape value with a range of designations.
6.1.2 The landscape of the SESplan area has been shaped both by geological and industrial activity. The landscape is influenced by its coastal and estuarine location along the North Sea coast, including the Firth of Forth. Inland, these landscapes are bordered by a number of hill ranges such as the Pentlands and Moorfoot Hills in the central part, with the Southern Uplands and Cheviot Hills in the south. Throughout the area river valleys provide a dominant local landscape, including narrow valleys such as parts of the River Almond and the flatter valleys of the River Tweed.
6.1.3 Farming throughout the area has also played a role in shaping the landscape both within lowland arable farming and upland pastoral farming. In more recent times the landscape has been increasingly influenced by urban development both within existing conurbations and within more rural settings such as the new town of Glenrothes.
6.1.4 Within the SESplan area there are 2 National Scenic Areas both within the Scottish Borders local authority area. Eildon and Leaderfoot NSA covers 3600 hectares in the Central Borders characterised by shapely unformed hills, winding wooded river and a mixed land use of arable pasture, plantation and moorland. Upper Tweedale NSA covers 10500 hectares of the Tweed Valley between Broughton and Peebles and is a narrow steep sided valley flanked by large rounded hills.12 Table 6 demonstrates some of the key designated landscape areas in the SESplan region. Map 14 provides the locations of National Scenic Areas within the
12 SNH (2009) Sitelink http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/portal/ SESplan area and Map 15 provides an overview of the regional designations in terms of landscape. Table 6: Designated Landscapes within the SESplan area
Regional Parks Parks Regional Parks Country Scenic National Areas City of 1 1 - Edinburgh East Lothian - 1 - Midlothian 1 2 - West Lothian 1 2 - Fife - 3 2 Scottish 1 - - Borders SESPlan Area 4 7 2
6.1.5 The current inconsistencies in local and regional landscape designations which SNH guidance 2005 recommended that authorities should revisit local designations in a consistent manner with a consistent name.13
6.1.6 Although the oldest scenic designation is Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) it is only one of the many landscape or scenic designations identified by planning authorities in their development plans. The use, status, application and names of these designations are varied and inconsistent throughout Scotland.
6.1.7 In 2005, SNH and Historic Scotland produced guidance setting out how local authorities should identify areas suitable for protection by a new local landscape designation, the Special Landscape Area (SLA). The designation Special Landscape Areas (cSLAs) will replace the existing Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and Areas of Outstanding Landscape Quality (AOLQ). Following consultation and boundary definition, SLAs would be protected from inappropriate development to conserve their valued characteristics and qualities.
6.1.8 Local Councils in the SESplan region are at various stages along the route to designating SLAs but draft recommendations for Special Landscape Areas are now
13 City Edinburgh Council (2009) Comments on Environmental Baseline available to view. These will not have any planning status until published in new Local Plans. Where the cSLA designation criteria are not satisfied, a number of existing AGLV and AOLQ are proposed for removal. However, such sites may retain other forms of policy protection e.g. Green Belt or Countryside Policy. The boundaries of some AGLV and AOLQ have also been refined to better reflect coherent landscape character units and SLA criteria.
6.2 Townscapes & Conservation Areas 6.2.1 Historical industrial activity has helped shape the landscapes and townscapes of the SESplan area. In particular, the industrial activity throughout the region, notably mining related, has played a key role through the creation of settlements, transport infrastructure and residual spoil heaps/bings. The area has a mixture of historic settlements, settlements associated with industrial expansion during the 19th Century and the successes expansion of new towns of the post-war period. Each of these types of settlement has a different townscape, with conservation areas designated within some villages and towns. Conservation Areas are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The character and appearance of settlements can be appreciated through an understanding of their origins and historic development. This „sense of place‟ makes an area of special historic or architectural interest. Throughout the SESplan area there are other areas of townscape that, although not designated as conservation areas, provide a historical, industrial and/or architectural value.
7. MATERIAL ASSETS
SEA objective: To promote the sustainable use of natural resources in the SESPlan area.
Detailed objectives: Sustainable use of mineral resources Recycling of waste
7.1 Mineral resources 7.1.1 Mineral resources are finite and they can only be worked where they occur, so it is essential that they are worked in the most efficient and sustainable manner. The use of alternatives or recycling of minerals only partially contributes to meeting demand. Transport of minerals over long distances is not always viable as it is costly not only to the consumer, but also to the environment. Securing local supplies can make an important contribution to sustainable development.
7.1.2 The state of the mineral resource contained within the central belt of Scotland has been described in the Scottish Government publication “A Guide To Minerals Information In The Central Belt Of Scotland” and a series of mineral resource maps have been produced along side this document14. The mineral resource map for East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian and the City of Edinburgh shows deposits of:
sand and gravel (including sub-alluvial and river terrace deposits, glaciofluvial deposits, raised beach deposits and blown sand);
peat;
crushed rock aggregate (including quartz-dolerite and alkali dolerite);
sedimentary rocks (including greywake sandstone);
brick clay (including lake deposits shale coincident with areas of shallow coal)
building sand stone (Craigleith standstone, Hailes sandstone, Ravelston sandstone and Binny sandstone);
Limestone;
Silica sand
Secondary aggregate (bings of spent oil shale); and
Shallow coal
14 The Scottish Government (2008) A Guide To Minerals Information In The Central Belt Of Scotland. Crown copyright. Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/05/27155411/1 7.1.3 The mineral resource map for Clackmannanshire, Fife and Falkirk shows deposits of:
sand and gravel (including sub-alluvial, river terrace deposits, glaciofluvial deposits, raised beach deposits and blown sand);
peat;
crushed rock aggregate (including quartz-dolerite and olivine dolerite);
sedimentary rocks (including greywake sandstone);
brick clay (including lake deposits, common shale for brick and common shale for brick coincident with areas of shallow coal)
former quarries of carboniferous sandstones;
Limestone;
Silica sand
Shallow coal
7.1.4 For further, visual interpretation of the mineral resources available in the area it is necessary to refer Map 16 which demonstrates predominant land uses. Figure 2 in the Soil section also provides an overview of the soil types within the region.
7.1.5 Consented mineral operations in the SESplan region are detailed in Tables 7 to 10. This includes sites with consent, those still working and some are currently dormant.
Table 7: Hard Rock Mineral Extraction within the SESplan area Name Location Hillwood (Dormant) Edinburgh Bangley East Lothian Bonnington Mains Edinburgh Broadlaw (Dormant) Midlothian Cowieslinn Scottish Borders Craighouse Scottish Borders Craigs Fife Cruiks Fife Devon Fife Edston Scottish Borders Glenfin Scottish Borders Goat Fife Greena Scottish Borders Hazelbank Scottish Borders Lochhead Fife Markle Mains East Lothian Orrock Fife Ravelrig Edinburgh Soutra Hill Scottish Borders Swinton Scottish Borders Trowknowes Scottish Borders
Table 8: Sand and Gravel Mineral Extraction Within SESplan Name Location Kettlestoun Mains Farm West Lothian Kinegar Scottish Borders Lomond Fife Longyester East Lothian Outerston Midlothian Reston Scottish Borders
Table 9: Opencast Coal Extraction Within SESplan Name Location Burnfoot / Nether Longford West Lothian Earlseat Fife Inchmuir Road West Lothian Muirdean Fife Northrigg / Torbane West Lothian Polkemmet West Lothian Rashiehall West Lothian Shewington Midlothian St Ninians Fife Woodend Washer Bing West Lothian Rusha Farm West Lothian Woodmuir Farm West Lothian
Table 10: Other Mineral Extraction Within SESplan Name Location Mineral Burrowmine Moor Fife Silica Sand Devilla Fife Silica Sand Levenseat West Lothian Silica Sand, Peat and Soil Drumshoreland West Lothian Burnt Shale Niddrie Castle Bing West Lothian Burnt Shale Newbigging Fife Dimension Stone Cullaloe Fife Dimension Stone Ecclesmachan West Lothian Dimension (Binny) Stone Auchencorth Moss Midlothian Peat Springfield Moss Midlothian Peat Whim Moss Scottish Borders Peat Dunbar East Lothian Limestone Source: SESplan Monitoring Statement
7.2 Waste & recycling 7.2.1 The National Waste Strategy and the European Council Landfill Directive establish a framework for reforming the waste management system in Scotland and sets targets for improving the sustainability of waste management up until the year 2020. The use of aggregates within infrastructure places a pressure on the natural resources of the SESplan area and further afield. Opportunities exist for the use of recycled aggregates and construction waste in the construction of new and maintenance of existing infrastructure. Table 11 shows the waste collected within the SESplan region and the quantities that were composted or recycled. Figure 1 shows the number of various waste and recycling facilities available within the SESplan region.
Table 11: Municipal Waste Collected Within the SESplan Region 2006/2007 (Source: SEPA15)
Total Waste collected for municipal Waste collected for disposal (tonnes) recycling and Local waste composting (tonnes) authority collected Other non- Commercia Household Commercial Household (tonnes) household l Edinburgh 264,773 174,717 23,342 2,129 57,295 7,290 East Lothian 67,686 42,294 1,132 0 19,498 4,761 Fife16 254,134 146,923 24,623 0 79,095 3,494 Midlothian 53,916 33,231 3,448 96 17,106 35 Scottish 73,625 43,097 8,961 429 18,222 2,917
15 Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (2006) Waste Data Digest. Crown Copyright. Available at: http://www.sepa.org.uk/waste/waste_data_1/waste_data_digest.aspx 16 It should be noted that these figures are for the whole of Fife and not the portion within the SESplan area Borders West Lothian 112,856 54,529 6,023 17,913 28,212 6,180 Total 826,990 494,790 67,528 20,568 219,427 24,677 Scotland17 2,546,062 2,093,922 394,402 23,922 734,670 105,569
Figure 1: Operational Waste Management Facilities in Lothian & Borders and Fife (2006)
Multiple activity Lothian & Borders Pet cemeteries/crematoria Fife Other treatment
Composting
Anaerobic Digestion
Transfer Station
Facility type Metal recycler
Civic amenity site
Incineration
Co-incineration
Landfill
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Number
(Source: SEPA Waste Data Digest 8, 200618)
7.2.2 New recycling targets are currently under review and could include: the amount of municipal waste being recycled or composted to be increased to 60 per cent by 2020 and a new target of 70 per cent by 2025. Landfill from municipal waste is to be reduced to five per cent by 2025. No more than 25 per cent of municipal waste is to be used to generate energy by 2025, and large, inefficient incinerators are to be rejected. The existing challenging target of stopping the growth in municipal waste by 2010 will be retained. These figures are set by the Scottish Government and subject
17 Note that available data for Scotland was 2005/2006 18 SEPA (2006) Waste Data Digest 8. Available at: http://www.sepa.org.uk/waste/waste_data/waste_data_digest.aspx to amendment. Currently a national waste strategy is under development and local authorities have produced there own individual waste strategies, including audits and the construction of waste plans.19
19 Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (2009) http://www.larac.org.uk/uk_waste_management_scotland.htm 8. POPULATION & HUMAN HEALTH
SEA objective: To improve the quality of life and human health for communities in the SESPlan area.
Detailed objectives: Provide access to employment Provide affordable housing Improve access to services Provide access to greenspace Access to footpaths & cycle routes
8.1 Employment 8.1.1 At the time of the 2001 Census, the SESplan area had a population of approximately 1.3 million people (approximately 25% of the Scottish population). More detailed population statistics can be seen in Table 12. Within the SESplan area the population is distributed between a number of larger towns/cities (>20,000 people) such as Dunfermline, Musselburgh, Glenrothes and Edinburgh, within smaller towns and villages throughout the area and in rural locations. The main density of population is focused around Edinburgh and its commuter belt, along the key transport corridors such as the M8, M9 and M90/A90 and in historical locations such as the valleys of the Scottish Borders and the coastal industrial towns of South Fife. Map 17 provides an overview of the urban areas within the SESplan region.
Table 12: Projected population of SESPlan SDP area, by age group and age structure 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
All Ages 1,192,300 1,202,790 1,212,240 1,221,300 1,229,800 1,238,090 1,246,080 0-15 212,470 211,680 210,960 210,780 211,170 211,770 212,420 16-24 144,190 146,820 149,210 150,820 150,700 150,370 149,900 25-29 80,690 84,680 87,950 89,590 90,560 91,310 91,950 30-34 80,660 78,630 77,610 78,730 81,180 83,860 87,240 35-44 187,640 186,930 184,540 181,720 178,390 175,360 170,660 45-54 161,340 165,010 168,820 172,170 175,830 178,240 180,840 56-59 78,290 74,780 73,230 72,430 72,410 73,120 75,050 60-64 61,970 67,530 70,430 72,420 73,990 75,020 71,660 65-74 98,860 99,360 101,100 102,970 104,370 106,000 111,570 75-84 64,090 64,600 65,100 65,720 66,640 67,710 68,750 85+ 22,100 22,770 23,280 23,960 24,560 25,330 26,050
Children (0- 212,470 211,680 210,960 210,780 211,170 211,770 212,420 15 years) Working 762,650 769,430 775,400 780,390 785,710 793,040 798,180 Ages20 Pensionable 217,180 221,680 225,880 230,130 232,920 233,280 235,480 Ages21
Source: General Register Office for Scotland22
8.1.2 From Table 13, it can be seen that, as a region, the plan area contains a proportion of service industry jobs that is higher than the national average (compared to production and construction industry related jobs). However, the City of Edinburgh is the only single council to reflect this trend, with all the other councils having a higher proportion of production and construction related jobs than the national figure. Figures displayed in Table 14 show that the average unemployment rate across the region is slightly lower than the national figure but in some local authorities in the region, such as Fife, the rate is much higher.
Table 13: Employment in the SESplan Area by Industry*
Total Proportion in Proportion in Local Authority Employment Production and Service (thousands) Construction Industries (%) Industry (%) Fife (Full LA 134.9 19.1 79.1 Area) West Lothian 74.7 24.2 75.0 City of Edinburgh 303.8 7.9 93.4 Midlothian 27.2 19.5 78.7 East Lothian 25.7 17.9 78.2 Scottish Borders. 43.5 21.8 71.7 SESplan Region 609.8 14.3 85.1 Total for 2,407.7 16.7 81.7
20 Working age is 16-59 for women and 16-64 for men until 2010. Between 2010 and 2020 working age becomes 16- 64 for women. Between 2024 and 2026, working age for both men and women becomes 16-65 and changes again, in two further steps, to 16-67 by 2046. 21 Pensionable age is 65 for men and 60 for women until 2010. Between 2010 and 2020, the pensionable age for women increases to 65. Between 2024 and 2046, the pensionable age for both men and women increases to 66 and changes again, in two further steps, to 68 by 2046. 22 General Register for Scotland (2006) Projected population of SESPlan SDP area, by age group and age structure http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/household-projections-statistics/pop-household-proj- scotland-sdp-areas-2006/list-of-detailed-tables.html Scotland *Estimated population 30 June 2008 Source: Scottish Government Statistics: Employee jobs by industry Local Authorities 1998-2007 Annual Business Inquiry23
Table 14: Unemployment Within the SESplan Area* Number unemployed Unemployment rate (2) National Local Authority Men Women All people Men Women All people rank East Lothian 502 193 693 2.1% 0.8% 1.4% 26 City of Edinburgh 4,434 1,521 5,949 3.5% 1.2% 2.3% 18 Fife (Full LA Area) 4,824 1,683 6,498 5.0% 1.9% 3.4% 7 Midlothian 596 236 836 2.5% 1.0% 1.8% 23 Scottish Borders 649 254 902 2.1% 0.9% 1.5% 25 West Lothian 1,748 624 2,367 3.8% 1.4% 2.6% 15 SESplan Region 12,753 4,511 17,245 3.2% 1.2% 2.2% - Scotland 58,223 19,943 78,085 4.1% 1.5% 2.8% - *As of January 2009 Source: Scottish Government Statistics Claimant Unemployment24
8.2 Affordable Housing 8.2.1 Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) states that it is necessary to make housing available at a cost below market value, to meet an identified need. Affordable housing can be broadly defined as housing which is of a reasonable quality that is affordable to people on modest incomes.
8.2.2 A 'housing needs and demand assessment' has been carried out for the SESplan area. The study included a calculation for households currently in need. This figure is detailed in Table 15 below.
Table 15: Households in Need Households in Need Edinburgh 9,130 East Lothian 1,080
23 Scottish Government Statistics: Employee jobs by industry Local Authorities 1998-2007 Annual Business Inquiry. Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/DatasetsEmployment 24 Scottish Government Statistics: Claimant Unemployment. Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/DataC5 Midlothian 950 West Lothian 2,030 Scottish Borders 1,230 Fife (SESplan) 5,140 SESplan 19,550 Source: SESplan HNDA
8.2.2 Table 16 summarises the housing land requirement calculation for the SESplan area. Table 16: Housing Land Requirement Housing Land 2008 to 2019 2019 to 2024 2024 to 2032 Requirement
Household change 58,277 31,626 45943
Allowance for Vacancies 2,090 1,120 1640
Allowance for demolitions 4,180 1,902 0
Backlog identified in HNA 19,549 0 0
Total demand 84,096 34,648 47,583
Annual demand for new 7650 6930 5950 housing
8.3 Access to services 8.3.1 Access to services includes a diverse range of issues including: retail, education, policing, leisure facilities and cultural activities.
8.3.2 The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people have access to services essential to their life and work. In 2002, they published a report entitled Availability of Services in Rural Scotland. This looked at local amenities using drive times as the key factor. Categories included post offices, banks, petrol stations and convenience stores. The report highlighted the lack of service provision for people within certain rural areas within Scotland (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Examples of maps from report
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002/10/15646/12193
8.3.3 As Map 17 demonstrates, the urban areas of SESplan are focused within the northern and western areas of the region with East Lothian and the Scottish Borders more sparsely populated. Key service areas are therefore focused much on Edinburgh, West Lothian and Fife with the East Coast Corridor and Central Borders areas providing more local coverage.
8.4 Access to greenspace 8.4.1 Currently a Green Network Study is in development between SESplan, SNH and the Forestry Commission. This review of the green infrastructure network in the SESplan region will highlight the linkages between areas of greenspace and place the network within its strategic context.
8.4.2 A good example of an existing green network partnership is the Edinburgh and Lothians Forest Habitat Network Partnership which aims to promote the economic, social and ecological benefits of green networks across the Edinburgh and Lothians Region. The partnership aims to create a quality environment through coordinated action by communities, agencies and businesses working together25.
8.4.3 In the Edinburgh and Lothians the Partnerships objectives are to:
Identify existing woodland and heathland habitat networks
Classify woodlands in terms of biodiversity quality
25 The partnership have produced a series of maps for the area available at: http://www.elfhnp.org.uk/advice.html. Examine how and where woodland expansion should be integrated into urban development
Examine where opportunities exist for improving community access to woodland
Provide detailed example plans for consolidating, expanding, and linking forest habitat networks
Identify the UKBAP priority open ground habitat, where woodland expansion is not appropriate.
8.4.4 The Central Scotland Green Network aims to improve landscape settings for towns and cities in the central belt of Scotland. The development of this Central Scotland Green Network has been included in the final Framework as one of 14 "National Developments" considered to be essential elements of the strategy for Scotland's long-term development. It stretches from Ayrshire in the West to Fife and East Lothian in the East. Key outputs for the project include26:
A significant increase in woodland expansion to further "green up" the area, boost recreation opportunities and contribute to climate change reduction;
Improved networks for cycling and walking, encouraging more "active travel" to work and school which will also reduce carbon footprints;
Building a strategic network of priority habitats which will improve biodiversity and protect many species;
Restoring vacant and derelict land with aim of regenerating and restoring it to attractive landscapes for a range of uses, including new business
Map 18 provides an overview of the woodlands network in the SESplan region.
8.5 Core Path networks 8.5.1 The Land Reform Act 2003, supported by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, now gives the public significant rights of responsible access to the Scottish countryside. The code defines the responsibilities of the public and landowners in taking and providing for access for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and the disabled. Under the terms of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act each council must draw up a Core Paths Plan (CPP) that satisfies the basic path needs of local people and visitors for recreation, exercise and transit, and to provide key links to the wider path
26 Central Scotland Forest at: http://www.csft.org.uk network. The paths will be designated and protected for the future and monitored and reviewed at appropriate intervals.
8.5.2 Core Path Plans have been published by City of Edinburgh Council27, the Scottish Borders28 and Midlothian Council29. Fife30, East Lothian31 and West Lothian32. Table 15 summarises the key pathways within each local authority, and those paths that link local authorities. Map 19 demonstrates the core paths within the SESplan area with the exception of Fife and East Lothian.
Table 15: Strategic Paths in the SESplan Region Main Route Description Area Firth of This is a long route which spans the northern edge of the Forth City of Edinburgh following the coast, from Queensferry to Musselburgh. It has potential links further west into Hopetoun House and the Round the Forth Cycle Route into Fife, and east into the Penicuik to Musselburgh Foot and Cycleway up the River Esk to Dalkeith Country Park in
Midlothian. Water of Route of strategic importance linking all the way through Leith Edinburgh from coast to hills, links with Firth of Forth route, Pentlands routes via Poets Glen and canal route at
Slateford and Redhall. City of Edinburgh of City
27 City of Edinburgh Core Paths Plan: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/leisure/parks_and_recreation/CEC_outdoor_access 28 The Scottish Borders Core Paths Plan http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/life/environment/outdooraccess/20159.html 29 Midlothian Core Paths Plan: http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/Article.aspx?TopicId=0&ArticleId=19601 30 Fife Draft Core Paths Plan: http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/topics/index.cfm?fuseaction=subject.display&subjectid=2587D375-E7FE-C7EA- 0641A036FA52DA9E 31 East Lothian Draft Core Paths Plan: http://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/site/scripts/downloads.php?categoryID=1504 32 West Lothian Draft Core Paths Plan: http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/1523/1504/1506 Union This is a clear linear route along the Union Canal and along Canal the parallel towpath, which enters the City of Edinburgh Towpath Boundary at Lin‟s Mill Aqueduct. From here one can one can continue along the canal westwards into West Lothian to reach the Falkirk Wheel, where it joins the Forth and Clyde Canal, or connect into the River Almond route. Moving eastwards towards the city centre, the route travels through the residential areas of Slateford, Merchiston, Polwarth and Viewforth (connection to North Edinburgh paths). The routes continues to Tollcross and ends at Lochrin Basin. Craigmillar This is a largely on road connecting route from Craigmillar to Dalkeith to the City of Edinburgh boundary, on the Old Dalkeith Link Road. The route spurs to connect to Ellen‟s Glen. It provides an onward connection to Dalkeith Country Park and National Cycle Network Route 1 in Midlothian. The John The John Muir Way is a continuous path, which extends for Muir Way almost 73km, linking East Lothian with the City of Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. The route is broken down into five main sections: Fisherrow to Cockenzie; Cockenzie to Aberlady; Aberlady to North Berwick; North
Berwick to Dunbar; and Dunbar to Dunglass River Esk The path follows the River Esk, from the coast to just north Path of Whitecraid. The route connects with the NCN Route 1
which continues to Dalkeith in Midlothian. East East Lothian Southern The Southern Upland Way is a 212 mile (340 km) route Upland Way running from Portpatrick on the west coast of Scotland to
Cockburnpath on the east coast. Approximately 82 miles (130 km) of the route is in the Borders passing through or near St Mary‟s Loch, Traquair, Yair, Galashiels, Melrose, Lauder, Longformacus, Abbey St Bathans and on to its
terminus at Cockburnspath. Scottish Borders Scottish Cakemuir Cross border link with connects Fala with Brothershiels and
Edge Area the Scottish Borders Core Path Network via Fala Moor.
Pentland Various routes forming links with Pentland Hills Path Hills Network and Edinburgh.
Midlothian the SESplan the region. country. the across routes transport sustainable 8.6.1 Access8.6 cyclto NationalCycle 1, Routeand75 76: 8.6.2 Fife West routesin theSESplan region. the with associated linkages local various have also routes the of Each areas. o City Lothian, East Borders, Scottish the through passes It Forth. the of sides both on route the with Andrews St and Stirling Edinburgh, to Tweed upon Berwick from runs 76 Route National ma a is This Dunoon. Edinburghand Lothian portionofWest SESplan. and Gourock between ferry the and Glasgow Edinburgh, via Portavadie with Leith connects 75 Route National theup east coast. Edinburgh.Firthonto crossesthen Forth,It the of travels through Fife Northwards Berwick from inland passes route The Shetlands. the and Orkneys the o'Groats, John to on and Edinburgh to country the of east coast the up then and London to Dover from way the all goes 1 Route National Sustrans develops and maintains the National Cycle Network, which provides which Network, Cycle National the maintains and develops Sustrans hr ae mjr ainl yl Ntok ots ihn th within routes Network Cycle National major 3 are There Lothian Path FifeCoastal Trail Heritage RiverAvon
e routes
in the north.in the Edinburgh)in south the to the TayBridge and Dundee City Stretches150 km Northfrom Queensferry (links to City of Lothian. and Linlithgowthatis theborder between Falkirk and West Route extends along the RiverAvon between
f Edinburgh, West Lothian and Fife Local Authority Local Fife and Lothian West Edinburgh, f
Map 20 Map
- upon
shows these routes within routes these shows - we t Mloe and Melrose to Tweed jor route within the the within route jor SSln region SESplan e Avonbridge 9. SOIL
SEA objective: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land in the SESPlan area.
Detailed objectives: To identify areas of expansion on brownfield land To protect the existing soil quality
9.1 Brownfield land 9.1.1 There are two sources that indicate the availability of brownfield land within the SESPlan area. These are:
9.1.2 Vacant and Derelict Land Vacant and derelict land presents an opportunity for development to take place on previously developed areas (thereby reducing development pressure on rural or more sensitive areas) but also presents potential issues surrounding contaminated land and the need for remediation and appropriate development.
Table 16: Derelict and Urban Vacant Land by Local Authority Area, 2008 Derelict Land Urban Vacant Total Derelict and Urban Land Vacant Land Area % of No. of Area % of No. of Area % of No. of Local (ha) Derelict Sites (ha) Urban Sites (ha) Total Sites Authority Land Vacant V&D (by Land Land Area)2 (by (by Area)2 Area)2 Edinburg 123 1 44 84 3 41 207 2 85 h, City of East 59 1 27 3 * 7 62 1 34 Lothian Fife33 726 9 152 99 4 62 824 8 214 Midlothia 261 3 72 21 1 12 282 3 84 n Scottish 85 1 93 20 1 18 105 1 111 Borders
33 Note that figures are for the whole of Fife not just the SESplan area West 557 7 54 65 2 20 622 6 74 Lothian (Source: The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 200834)
It must be noted that the above data may not be consistent, as it is sourced from individual authorities. Map 21 provides an overview of vacant and derelict sites within the SESplan area.
9.1.3 Urban Capacity Survey The Urban Capacity Study has been undertaken as part of the baseline data for the SESPlan. This will be incorporated into the background reports that have helped to inform the plan. The results of the SESplan area urban capacity study are summarised in Table 17. In total, 627 potential sites were identified covering a gross area of nearly 10 square kilometres. Following discounting, it is estimated that this could yield over 8,200 new dwellings over 7 years - an annual average of 1,300 units per annum.
Table 17: Urban Housing Capacity No. of sites Gross area Gross Discounted Annual units average City of 65 155 4490 2351 426 Edinburgh East 13 4 151 76 28 Lothian Fife 66 86 2334 1507 215 Midlothian 43 26 671 381 84 Scottish 282 445 5167 2817 402 Borders West 158 231 4979 1095 186 Lothian SDP area 627 947 17792 8227 1342
9.2 Soil quality 9.2.1 The nature and quality of soil within the SESplan area is governed to a degree by the nature of the bedrock and drift deposits, by historical and current vegetation cover, by existing land use and by factors such as industrial activity and physical influence from engineering and development.
34 The Scottish Government (2008) The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2008. Crown Copywright. Available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/01/29155655/2
9.2.2 The soils of the SESplan area have a varied quality with regard to agricultural capability with better quality soils capable of supporting a wider range of arable crops including areas of prime agricultural land located predominantly throughout central and eastern Fife and along the southern part of the Scottish Borders from Kelso and Duns through to Eyemouth on the east coast35. The poorest quality soils within the area with regard to agricultural capability are generally those associated with upland areas such as the Pentlands and the uplands of the Scottish Borders where land is only capable of supporting rough grazing. It is noted in the West Lothian Soil Sustainability Plan36 that the majority of soils found in West Lothian are formed by glacial till parent material with imperfect to poor drainage conditions. Similar soils occur throughout the remainder of the SESplan area, with the land able to support a smaller range of crops and improved grassland than on prime agricultural land.
9.2.3 Soils are of key importance in water quality, flood prevention, biodiversity and other soil related functions for natural heritage. The protection of soils is key to maintaining natural processes and in turn maintaining the quality of our environment as a whole. Figure 2 below gives a broad indication of the soil types that are distributed across the SESplan region. Further, more detailed information on the distribution of soil types in the SESplan area is available, under lease, from the Macaulay Institute.
Figure 2: Indication of Soil Types Across the Region
Source: The Scottish Government (2006) Scotland's Soil Resource - Current State and Threats
35 Scottish Government (2008) The Scottish Soil Framework: A Consultation Document 36 West Lothian Council and SNH (2004) West Lothian Soil Sustainability Report. West Lothian Council. Available at: http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/downloaddoc/1799514/1842967/soil_susatainability_report 10. WATER
SEA objective: To protect the quality of water and prevent flooding in the SESPlan area.
Detailed objectives: Protect quality of major watercourses Identify areas of expansion away from flooding areas Improve existing water/waste water infrastructure
10.1 Water Quality 10.1.1 The SESplan area lies predominantly within watercourse catchments that drain eastwards into the Firth of Forth and directly into the North Sea. Parts of the south-west of the Scottish Borders lie within catchments that flow to the west to the Solway Firth. There is an extensive network of watercourses within the SESplan area from upland drains and burns through to the key lowland watercourses that drain the area.
10.1.2 The northernmost part of the SESplan area, including Edinburgh, Fife and the northern edges of the Lothians falls within the Scotland River Basin District and within the Forth Area Management Plan. The Southern part of the SESplan region falls within the Solway Tweed River Basin District and the Tweed Area Management Plan.
10.1.3 Water quality is monitored by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) using a wide range of parameters and the latest water quality data is displayed on its interactive River Basin Management Plan map. This identifies a range of water quality classifications within the SESplan area. Table 18 below presents a summary of the monitored water quality within the area.
Table 18: Water Quality Within the SESplan Area
Area Summary of Water Quality Management Plan Forth Area Water quality generally ranges from „Moderate‟ to „Poor‟. Management There are three watercourses that are of „Bad‟ Quality and Plan (Rivers and these are: West Peffer/Mill Burn, East Peffer (both in the North Lakes South of Berwick area) and Bellyford Burn (which is close to Dalkeith). the Forth The reason for the lower quality in these watercourses is Estuary) recorded as being diffuse pollution and over abstraction as a result of arable farming. Moving east, away from the Forth crossing and up the estuary, water quality becomes progressively better, and ranges from „Moderate‟ to „Good‟ with the transition occurring east of Kinghorn and Leith Docks. At the coast around Kirkcaldy the Forth Area water quality is described as „High‟. Management Plan (Coastal The reason for the lower quality of water in the western part of waters within the Forth estuary is given as point source pollution from the Forth manufacturing, dredging for aggregates, land reclamation, Estuary) water transport and diffuse source pollution from chemicals production. Forth Area Water quality generally ranges from „Moderate‟ to „Poor‟. Management There is one watercourse that is of „Bad‟ Quality and this is: Plan (Rivers and Tower Burn (near to Dunfermline. Tower Burn is recorded as Lakes North of being of „Bad‟ quality due to urban development and sewage the Forth) disposal. Tweed Area Water quality generally ranges from Good to Moderate Management throughout the Management Plan area. Plan Some stretches of the Caddon Water, the Yarrow Water, Lambden Burn, Dye Water and the River Tweed are recorded as being of „Poor‟ water quality and this is attributed to diffuse pollution from mixed farming, morphological changes brought about by livestock and over abstraction.
The only water course that is recorded as „Bad‟ is the Allan Water, to the south of the Management Area. The reason for this is recorded as being due to over- abstraction and morphological changes to the river. (Source: SEPA draft river basin management plans 2009)
10.2 Flooding 10.2.1 Flooding is a natural phenomenon that plays an important role in shaping the environment. However, climate change may mean that flooding becomes more severe and more frequent in certain areas. Flood risk comes from a variety of sources including fluvial, coastal, groundwater, surface water storm and/or sewer flooding. It should be managed rather than prevented and needs to be taken into account in decisions about locating development. This management takes the forms of mitigation against the impacts of flooding including sustainable flood management projects; and adaptation to the changing flood risk in the future. In accordance with SPP7 - Planning and Flooding, SESplan will take a precautionary approach to flooding by avoiding new development and infrastructure on land at risk from flooding. Only where the development cannot be sited in a less sensitive location will the risk of flooding be managed through the provision of mitigation measures. There is often a compromise to be made in flood protection between the potential to protect new and/or existing developments and the need to maintain natural hydro- morphological and sedimentary process. Map 22 shows the areas which are most at risk of flooding, within the SESplan area, and the location of flood defence schemes.
10.2.2 As can be seen in Map 22, coastal flooding in the SESplan Region affects those areas along the Firth of Forth and along the coastline to the north and the south. River flooding occurs in low-lying areas adjacent to the watercourses in the River Tweed catchment and along the River Leven in Fife. There are also areas at risk of flooding in Edinburgh from the Water of Leith.
10.3 Water infrastructure 10.3.1 Scottish Water has produced an asset strategy for the SESplan region. This highlights where there is available capacity within Scottish Water‟s assets to accommodate further development without the need for upgrade and areas where assets are working at capacity and would need to be upgraded. This allows development to occur in areas where the need to upgrade existing infrastructure is minimal, therefore reducing developer costs.
10.3.2 Table 19 summarises the water and wastewater asset capacity in the SESplan region, as stated in the Scottish Water Asset Strategy.
Table 19: Water and Wastewater Asset capacity in the SESplan Region Area Wastewater Asset Status Drinking Water Asset Status Dunfermline Dunfermline Wastewater Treatment Works Glendevon Water South West, (WWTW) currently has capacity for in excess Treatment Works West and of 2000 housing units (WTW) currently has North adequate capacity Lochgelly There is currently sufficient capacity at Glendevon WTW Levenmouth Private Finance Initiative (PFI) currently has adequate WWTW and should additional capacity be capacity required then the PFI would be required to provide this. Inverkeithin Dunfermline WWTW currently has capacity for Glendevon WTW g in excess of 2000 housing units currently has adequate capacity Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy WWTW currently has capacity for Glenfarg WTW East approximately 1500 units currently has adequate capacity Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy WWTW currently has capacity for Both Glendevon and South West approximately 1500 units Glenfarg WTW currently have adequate capacity Levenmouth There is currently sufficient capacity at Both Glendevon and Levenmouth PFI WWTW and should Glenfarg WTW additional capacity be required then the PFI currently have would be required to provide this. adequate capacity Glenrothes There is currently sufficient capacity at Glenfarg WTW East \ Levenmouth PFI WWTW and should currently has adequate Markinch additional capacity be required then the PFI capacity would be required to provide this. Burntisland Burntisland WWTW currently has adequate Glendevon WTW capacity currently has adequate capacity Kelty/Locho There is currently sufficient capacity at Glendevon WTW re/Ballingry Levenmouth PFI WWTW and should currently has adequate additional capacity be required then the PFI capacity would be required to provide this. Edinburgh There is sufficient capacity at the WWTW for There is sufficient Waterfront the current developments along the waterfront capacity at the WTW for Developme the current nts developments along the waterfront Newbridge/ There currently is capacity available at In the Ratho and Kirkliston/ Newbridge PFI WWTW. The PFI company is Newbridge area there Ratho obliged to upgrade their works to provide are some pressure growth as part of their contract. issues on the water network Rosewell Recent enquiries for relatively large-scale N/A WWTW development would effectively take up all of the remaining capacity at the works at Rosewell Musselburg No WWTW capacity issues in Musselburgh Rosebery WTW which h currently has sufficient capacity East Linton There is insufficient capacity at East Linton Castle Moffat WTW WWTW to support new development in this currently has sufficient area capacity Pathhead Pathhead WWTW has no current capacity Rosebery WTW where spare to enable development sufficient capacity exists to support new development Wallyford drains to Seafield PFI WWTW which currently Water for Musselburgh has sufficient capacity comes from Rosebery WTW. The water infrastructure does need to be upgraded Haddington Haddington WWTW currently has sufficient Castle Moffat WTW capacity. currently has sufficient capacity North There is currently sufficient capacity at North Castle Moffat WTW Berwick Berwick WWTW to accommodate the current currently has sufficient local plan development allocations capacity Dunbar Dunbar WWTW was upgraded in 2007/08 Castle Moffat WTW which released capacity for development in currently has sufficient Dunbar capacity A7/A68 Within the A7/A68 corridor there are a number Rosebery WTW is Waverly of sites which drain to Gorebridge WWTW currently undergoing Line which has had capacity problems. However, improvements and will Corridor an upgrade project is currently being have additional undertaken which is scheduled for completion capacity. There may in early 2010. still be local network issues along the corridors and network investigations may be required for some developments. Penicuik There is currently capacity at Penicuik WWTW Rosebery WTW - for approximately 700 units comments above Livingston East Calder PFI WWTW has sufficient Balmore, Pateshill and and Almond capacity to allow development to proceed and Marchbank, all three Valley the PFI is required to provide additional have sufficient capacity capacity at present. Winchburgh Winchburgh WWTW is at capacity and when Pateshill WTW and development comes forward a growth project there is currently will be required capacity available.
Armadale Armadale WWTW currently has sufficient Balmore WTW currently capacity for the developments in the Local has sufficient capacity Plan Stow Stow WWTW is currently at capacity Galashiels WTW is being upgraded Lauder There is currently some capacity available at Howdenhaugh WTW Lauder WWTW has limited capacity as this works serves large parts of the Scottish Borders Galashiels Galashiels WWTW currently has adequate Howdenhaugh – capacity comments as above Peebles Peebles WWTW is currently nearing capacity Only limited capacity exists at Bonnycraigs WTW Innerleithen Capacity exists at Walkerburn WWTW for Innerleithen WTW approximately 200-300 units currently has capacity for approximately 200 units Selkirk Selkirk WWTW where sufficient capacity exists Howdenhaugh – to support new development comments as above
Hawick Hawick WWTW has adequate capacity at the Capacity exists at moment Roberton to support new planned development however there are some issues with regards to the trunk main network. Newton St Large-scale development is planned in the Howdenhaugh – Boswells Local Plan for Newton St Boswells. A growth comments as above project will be required to accommodate everything and the first stage of this process has recently been commenced Jedburgh Jedburgh WWTW has an unusually large At present, capacity amount of capacity available exists at Roberton to support new planned development however there are some issues with regards to the trunk main network Melrose Melrose WWTW has capacity for over 300 Howdenhaugh – units comments as above Duns Adequate capacity exists at Duns WWTW Sufficient capacity exists at Rawburn WTW to support new development in Duns Reston No capacity exists at Reston WWTW Sufficient capacity exists at Rawburn WTW to support new development in Reston Kelso A limited level of free capacity currently exists Roberton WTW which at Kelso WWTW has free capacity at present Earlston Growth which is expected to emerge in the Howdenhaugh – catchment of Earlston WWTW and so review comments as above of capacity is currently underway Coldstream A recent upgrade to Coldstream WWTW has Sufficient capacity secured sufficient capacity for committed exists at Rawburn to development in the area support new development however as this works serves large parts of the Scottish Borders any free capacity could be taken up development which may emerge elsewhere.
Eyemouth Eyemouth WWTW has a good deal of capacity Rawburn – comments as above Howden Howden WTW current has additional free N/A WWTW capacity to support new development within its catchment area.
SESplan
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT:
APPENDIX B - DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF SESplan’s AREAS FOR
STRATEGIC GROWTH
Table 1(a): Scale of Growth in SESPlan Area
Strategy: Preferred: The strong market recovery scenario could be achieved through the continuation of the spatial pattern of growth established in the existing structure plans and local development plans which are based upon urban extensions and large scale urban regeneration areas. Alternative: A high trend growth scenario would require the delivery of the potential growth areas at a faster growth rate up to 2024, with the consequential requirement to consider further options beyond that date. These options would be likely to include further incursion into the Edinburgh Green Belt and / or consideration of the potential for a new settlement within the wider SESplan area.
Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments Air: To protect current air quality The preferred strategy is likely to have a minor negative impact on air and provide opportunities for public quality as it will generate further traffic within the SESPlan area. The transport use. alternative strategy is likely to have a significant negative impact on air quality as it will encourage growth at a faster growth rate. This could in the short term include greater construction pollution as well as longer term issues with travel patterns. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 1(b) for detailed assessment). Opportunities for sustainable forms of transport must be fully exploited in terms of development hubs for wither strategy, specifically in terms of the tram line in Edinburgh and the Waverley Line through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. Biodiversity: To protect and Both strategies are likely to have a minor negative impact on biodiversity enhance biodiversity & habitats in as they will both require greenfield land to be developed. This could the SESPlan area and avoiding potentially cause disruption to the habitat network through loss of hedges irreversible losses to designated and green corridors. Nonetheless, development can sometimes have sites & species. positive effects on biodiversity as gardens and open space areas provide good opportunities for habitats. Any large areas for development will be required feed into the green network strategy to ensure that protection and enhancements can be provided for biodiversity. Development must be located away from internationally or nationally designated conservation sites. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ The preferred strategy should have a minor negative impact on climatic emissions and reduce energy factors as it will encourage development to be directed away from areas at consumption through promotion of risk of flooding and that encourage sustainable forms of transport. The renewables. alternative strategy has the potential to have a more negative impact as it 1 will require additional land to be identified as part of the high growth trend and therefore may encourage development at an unsustainable rate. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 1(b) for detailed assessment). Either strategy will require a key policy on the reduction in energy consumption through building construction. This should be cascaded down to the Local Development Plans within the SESplan area. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard 0 0 Neither strategy should have an overall impact on Cultural Heritage as and enhance the built and historic both require development to be undertaken. The preferred strategy environment. incorporates areas already identified through existing Structure Plans and Local development plans and therefore the sites likely to come forward for development have already been through an assessment. The siting and design of these new developments should incorporate any issues regarding the built or historic environment. The alternative strategy will require further growth areas that have not yet been assessed. It would be a key requirement to ensure that any new areas for development do not impact on the built and historic environment, but ensure protection and enhancement. This should be highlighted through LDP policies. Landscape & Townscape: To 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral effect on landscape as areas protect and enhance the for development have already been identified through Structure Plans and landscape & townscapes within the Local development plans to ensure minimal impact on designated sites. In SESPlan area, including areas where regeneration is likely to take place, attention to the siting and designated sites . design of new development should be a key consideration to ensure minimal impact on the character of conservation areas and the overall townscape. The alternative strategy may have a more negative impact as it will require additional land which has not yet been assessed through the planning process. A new settlement within the SESplan area could have a more significant impact on landscape depending on the siting and design of the development. Material Assets: To promote the 0 The preferred strategy should not a have an overall impact on material sustainable use of natural assets, specifically as the areas identified for development have been resources, including the sited away from mineral assets. There will be a rise in waste but this sustainable use of mineral should have been incorporated into the Local Authority’s waste strategy resources and recycling of waste. during the Structure Plan and LDP process. The alternative strategy may have a minor negative impact on material assets as a high growth scenario would see much more development at a faster rate which would not have been programmed into Local Authority waste strategies. Further work would be required to ensure that the emphasis was placed on recycling and reuse for either strategy. Population & Human Health: To The preferred strategy is likely to have a significant positive impact on 2 improve the quality of life and Population & Human Health as it should provide access to employment, human health for communities in affordable housing, services and greenspace. This is because the core the SESPlan area, including hubs have already been through the planning process and are located in providing employment, affordable areas that can sustain new development. The alternative strategy would housing, access to services and require further land to meet the high growth trend and therefore although it greenspace. could provide many of the same benefits as the preferred strategy, further work would be required to ensure that access to employment, services and greenspace were all incorporated into any new areas for development. Soil: To protect the quality of soil The preferred strategy is likely to have a minor negative impact on soil through the reuse of brownfield quality as it will require greenfield land to be developed to meet the land land. requirements. Nonetheless, where possible brownfield areas have been
identified for regeneration and therefore this should ensure that the impact on soil sealing is minimal. The alternative strategy may have a more significant impact on soil quality as it will require a higher rate of development within the SESplan area. This will for the most part have to be met by greenfield sites as most brownfield opportunities have already been identified through the preferred strategy. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 1(b) for detailed assessment). Water: To protect the quality of 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any significant impact on water water and prevent flooding as well as the areas for development that have been identified have for the most as improvement to existing part undergone assessment in terms of flooding and impact on water water/waste water infrastructure. status. Mitigation measures have therefore already been identified as well as improvements to the existing water and waste water infrastructure. The alternative strategy could have a potentially minor negative impact on water status and flooding as it would require additional areas to be identified for development. It would also demand development at a potentially unsustainable rate for water and waste water infrastructure.
Table 1(b): Detailed assessment for Scale of Growth in SESPlan Area
Significant issue: Air: To protect current air quality and provide opportunities for public transport use.
Potential Impact The alternative strategy is likely to have a significant negative impact on air quality as it will encourage growth at a faster growth rate. This could in the short term include greater construction pollution as well as longer term issues with travel patterns.
3 Mitigation: The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Working Together for Clean Air (2000) sets out the air quality strategy for the UK with objectives and targets, referring to the Environment Act 1995 legislation. It seeks a reduction in the levels of 8 harmful pollutants present in the air. Local Air Quality Management Act (Part of the Environmental Act 1995) sets out duties requiring local authorities to review and assess air quality in their area from time to time, the reviews forming the cornerstone of the system of local air quality management. Nature of residual The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on air quality in the long Assessment of residual effect: effect: term as it could potentially site development in areas unsupported by sustainable forms of transport.
Comments: The short term impact of a higher growth trend could see considerable construction pollutants that impact on air quality within localised areas. Medium and longer term negative impacts could be seen in development areas that are not supported by sustainable forms of transport, encouraging greater car usage and increasing of NO₂ within congested areas. Monitoring Monitoring of NO₂ incidents. Edinburgh Air Quality Action Plan. % of public transport users verses % of car users. requirements Significant issue: Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ emissions and reduce energy consumption through promotion of renewables.
Potential Impact The alternative strategy has the potential to have a more negative impact as it will require additional land to be identified as part of the high growth trend and therefore may encourage development at an unsustainable rate. Mitigation: A target of generating 40% (since quantified as 6GW) of Scotland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020 has been set by Scottish Ministers. The importance of using clean and sustainable energy from renewable sources will continue to increase as a result of global imperatives to tackle climate change and the need to ensure secure and diverse energy supplies. PAN 45 complements SPP6 and highlights examples of good practice across Scotland. A key role of the planning system is to support a move towards low and zero carbon development through the use of energy efficient, micro-generating and decentralised renewable energy systems. PAN 84 provides information and guidance on implementing the targets set in SPP6. Nature of residual Building construction and increased travel could cause rises in CO₂ and energy Assessment of residual effect: effect: consumption. 0
Comments: Short and medium term negative impacts have been identified due to building construction and increased energy usage. In the long term, if mitigation measures in terms of building construction and renewable energy resources are implemented, the impact should be neutral. Monitoring CO₂ emissions. Energy consumption in terms of non-renewable and renewable. Building standards through SESplan requirements region. Production of renewable energy in SESplan area.
4 Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.
Potential Impact The alternative strategy may have a more significant impact on soil quality as it will require a higher rate of development within the SESplan area. This will for the most part have to be met by greenfield sites as most brownfield opportunities have already been identified through the preferred strategy. Mitigation: Soils are fragile and essentially non-renewable, and can easily be damaged by sealing. Brownfield are therefore preferable as the soil quality has already been damaged. The Scottish Soil Framework (Consultation) aims to promote the sustainable management and protection of soils consistent with the economic, social and environmental needs of Scotland. In cases where greenfield land is required to meet development needs, permeable construction materials should be used to mitigate the effects of sealing, as well as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This should be highlighted as a requirement at a strategic level to ensure that it is fed into the LDP policy making process. Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage Assessment of residual effect: effect: from soil sealing.
Comments: Short and medium term negative impacts have been identified due to building construction and the loss of greenfield land. In the long term, if mitigation measures in terms of building construction and SUDS are undertaken, the impact should be neutral. Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements
5 Table 2(a): Areas for Future Growth: Central Edinburgh
Strategies: Preferred: The preferred approach of the SDP is to therefore continue to support the general principle of the redevelopment and regeneration of Central Edinburgh. Alternative: The Main Issues Report has not identified a reasonable alternative to the preferred approach.
Potential impacts of strategy on environmental objectives Environmental objectives Preferred Comments Air: To protect current air quality The strategy should only have a minor negative impact on air quality as and provide opportunities for public development within the city centre would encourage less car use into the transport use. centre and provide access to public transport. Nonetheless, in the short term it could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. Central Edinburgh has high levels of NO₂ that would need to be monitored to ensure that construction works do no exacerbate this problem. Biodiversity: To protect and 0 Overall, the strategy is unlikely to have any significant impact on biodiversity enhance biodiversity & habitats in as the sites likely to be identified are areas of brownfield land in the city centre the SESPlan area and avoiding where close contact with human activity has long been established. There irreversible losses to designated could be isolated cases of sites that provide habitats for biodiversity. These sites & species. will need to be protected through LDP policies and the planning application process. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The strategy is unlikely to have an impact on Climatic Factors in terms of emissions and reduce energy safeguarding sites suitable for renewable energy development. Development consumption through promotion of sites are also unlikely to be identified in flood risk areas as a result this renewables. strategy. The central location of development will prevent further car emissions as it will require less travel and better access to public transport but in the short term could there could be an increase in construction emissions. To ensure that the strategy did not have a negative impact on Climatic Factors, LDP policy would need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard The strategy could potentially have a significant negative impact on cultural and enhance the built and historic heritage if development is not approached sensitively. The central area of environment. Edinburgh is a World Heritage site and has several very significant Scheduled Ancient Monuments sited within it. There are also a multitude of listed buildings as well as considerable archaeology that any new development 6 would have an impact on. Nonetheless, regeneration and new development could potentially have a long term positive impact on the area and thus continue to support the reinvestment and rehabilitation of the World Heritage Status lifespan. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 2(b) for detailed assessment). Landscape and Townscape: To The strategy is not likely to have an impact on designated landscapes sites protect and enhance the but could have a potentially positive impact on the cityscape depending on the landscape and townscape within design of any new development within the centre. Any new development the SESPlan area. would need to be subject to Masterplanning and Development Briefs to ensure that the sites are well integrated into the overall views within the city and do not impact on the designation of any Conservation Areas. Material Assets: To promote the 0 This strategy would have no impact on mineral resources or agricultural land sustainable use of natural as the focus of development is within the centre of Edinburgh. The recycling resources, including the of waste is already undertaken by the City of Edinburgh Council and therefore sustainable use of mineral any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling resources, Prime Agricultural Land schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to and recycling of waste. incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. Population & Human Health: To The strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population & Human Health improve the quality of life and as the redevelopment/regeneration of Central Edinburgh will ensure access to human health for communities in employment, quality and affordable housing and services such as schools and the SESPlan area, including hospitals. Access to greenspace will need to be considered through the LDP providing employment, affordable as the intensification of development within the city centre could lead to loss housing, access to services and of open space if not identified and protected. Provision should also be made greenspace. to enhance footpaths and cycle paths to encourage healthy activities within the centre. Noise levels should not be added to although this may be difficult during construction. These assessments will be required on a site by site basis. Soil: To protect the quality of soil The strategy is likely to have a positive effect on Soil as the through the reuse of brownfield redevelopment/regeneration of Central Edinburgh will be done through the land. development of brownfield sites and the reuse of existing buildings. Any sites identified as contaminated will be required to adhere to PAN 33 which provides advice on development of land with contamination and explains the relationship with Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Water: To protect the quality of 0 Overall, the strategy should have a neutral impact on water status as it would water and prevent flooding as well locate development away from areas with high water status and flooding as improvement to existing constraints. However, the lack of permeable surfaces in urban areas for water/waste water infrastructure. surface water runoff can have an impact on drainage systems and creates a requirement for mitigation e.g. SUDS. The strategy would have an impact on 7 the water supply and waste water capacity in an area which already has a high population. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.
Table 2(b): Detailed assessment for Central Edinburgh
Significant issue: Cultural Heritage: To safeguard and enhance the built and historic environment.
Potential Impact The strategy could potentially have a significant negative impact on cultural heritage if development is not approached sensitively. Mitigation: The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 will protect any Scheduled Ancient Monuments from damage to the archaeology or their setting. Listed buildings are protected under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. Any impact on A listed buildings will need to be consulted upon with Historic Scotland. The World Heritage status will provide further protection to the whole central area, with a duty under the UNESCO 1972 Convention to protect, conserve and present such sites for future generations. Gardens & Designed Landscapes and B & C listed buildings should be protected with LDP policies and through applications to the Local Planning Authority. Nature of residual Construction works could impact on setting of built and historic environment in the Assessment of residual effect: effect: short term but in the long term should have positive impacts if design and siting of development is sympathetic to historic context. Comments: Construction works could have a short term impact but could also provide the opportunity to uncover further archaeology. The strategy should not have a medium or long term effect on Cultural Heritage provided that legislation and national/local policy are implemented. Furthermore, development of the central area could actually have some positive effects on the cultural heritage as it will regenerate potentially vacant or derelict areas and provide well designed places that compliment the historical setting of Edinburgh. Monitoring Data on listed buildings including number of applications to demolish buildings. Data on planning conditions for requirements archaeological surveys. Number of applications on works to SAMs.
8 Table 3(a): Areas for Future Growth: Edinburgh Waterfront
Strategy: Preferred: The preferred approach of the SDP is to therefore continue to support the general principle of the redevelopment and regeneration of the Edinburgh Waterfront. Alternative: The Main Issues Report has not identified a reasonable alternative to the preferred approach.
Potential impacts of strategy on environmental objectives Environmental objectives Preferred Comments
Air: To protect current air quality This strategy should only have a minor negative impact on air quality. The and provide opportunities for public area is well served in terms of public transport which could accommodate transport use. movement in and out of the area. In particular, the construction of the tram route into the centre and out to the west of Edinburgh should discourage greater car use. As there are very limited parking restrictions in this area at present, there is an attraction for workers to drive to the waterfront but the trams should encourage the use of public transport. NO₂ pollution is particularly high at Great Junction St and any further development must ensure that this is not further aggravated. In the short term, the strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. Biodiversity: To protect and The strategy could have a potentially negative impact as development would enhance biodiversity & habitats in take place on the waterfront and therefore adjacent to the Firth of Forth SPA the SESPlan area and avoiding and the Imperial Dock Lock SPA. The strategy could disrupt the migration of irreversible losses to designated water birds as well as potential contamination to mudflats that support rich sites & species. fauna. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 3(b) for detailed assessment). Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ The strategy is may have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors as the emissions and reduce energy area could be at risk of coastal flooding and the potential rise in sea levels consumption through promotion of over the long term. Development in this area could therefore potentially renewables. exacerbate these flooding issues. Construction methods should be carefully assessed within the quayside areas that will be most affected by this potential impact. In the short term, it could also cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. Planning policy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave 9 energy. More positively, however, the strategy will prevent further car emissions as it will require less travel and good access to public transport but this relies on the construction of the trams as part of a sustainable development package. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard The strategy could have a potential negative impact on Cultural Heritage as and enhance the built and historic the area has some significant Scheduled Ancient Monuments and environment. archaeology that will require protection and possible enhancement. There are a considerable number of listed buildings also within this area. Any development will need to ensure that there is no significant impact on these sites through consultation with Historic Scotland. Landscape and Townscape: To The strategy is not likely to have an impact on designated landscapes sites protect and enhance the or the greenbelt but could have a potentially negative or positive impact on landscape and townscape within the cityscape depending on the design of any new development within the the SESPlan area. centre. Any new development would need to be subject to Masterplanning and Development Briefs to ensure that the sites are well integrated into the overall views within the city. Material Assets: To promote the 0 This strategy would have no real impact on mineral resources as the focus sustainable use of natural of development is within the City of Edinburgh. The recycling of waste is resources, including the already undertaken by the City of Edinburgh Council and therefore any new sustainable use of mineral development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling resources and recycling of waste. schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. Population & Human Health: To This strategy could have a positive impact on Population and Human Health improve the quality of life and through the regeneration of the area as it would provide employment, human health for communities in affordable housing, access to services and greenspace. Public transport for the SESPlan area, including this area will be a key factor to support its integration into the rest of the city. providing employment, affordable housing, access to services and greenspace. Soil: To protect the quality of soil This strategy would have a positive impact as it would encourage the reuse through the reuse of brownfield of brownfield land within Edinburgh and help to regenerate an area that has land. suffered due to the decline of industry within the area. Any sites identified as contaminated will be required to adhere to PAN 33 which provides advice on development of land with contamination and explains the relationship with Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Water: To protect the quality of There is a potential negative impact on the water status within the area as water and prevent flooding as well the development would take place adjacent to the Firth of Forth. Any as improvement to existing development would require mitigations to ensure that no damage was made water/waste water infrastructure. to the quality of the water in the Forth or the Water of Leith. Further detail 10 regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy will therefore be required for this SEA objective (see Table 3(b) for detailed assessment). The strategy would have an impact on the water supply and waste water capacity in an area which already has a high population. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.
Table 3(b): Detailed assessments for Edinburgh Waterfront
Significant issue: Biodiversity: To protect and enhance biodiversity & habitats in the SESPlan area and avoiding irreversible losses to designated sites & species. Potential Impact The strategy could have a potentially negative impact as development would take place on the waterfront and therefore adjacent to the Firth of Forth SPA. The strategy could disrupt the migration of water birds as well as potential contamination to mudflats that support rich fauna. Mitigation: The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act (2004) underlines a ‘duty to further the conservation of biodiversity’ for all pubic bodies, and sets out more specific provisions within this. SPAs are strictly protected sites classified in accordance with Article 4 of the EC Birds Directive. The siting of development will be important to ensuring the least disruption to the migratory birds. Development areas in the LDP should therefore be sited away from key nesting areas. City of Edinburgh Council’s Biodiversity Habitats Plan (2004-2009) aims should also be acknowledged and supported. Nature of residual Care should be taken to prevent short term disruption to key nesting sites and Assessment of residual effect: effect: migratory patterns. 0
Comments: In the short term, the strategy could potentially have a minor negative impact on biodiversity as it could cause disruption to both of the SPAs. An Appropriate Assessment will be required to ensure this is carefully mitigated against. In the medium and longer term, the development of the Edinburgh Waterfront is unlikely to have any significant impact if development has been sited away from key nesting sites and ensures that the migratory patterns of the protected species are maintained. Monitoring Bird nesting sites and their site conditions. Condition of coastal features. Forth Estuary Environmental Assessment requirements Program (FEEAP) monitoring of pollution in inner Forth mudflats as referred to in SNH’s Firth of Forth Management Statement. Significant issue: Water: To protect the quality of water and prevent flooding as well as improvement to existing water/waste water infrastructure. Potential Impact There is a potential negative impact on the water status within the area as the development would take place adjacent to the Firth of Forth.
11 Mitigation: The Water Framework Directive translated into the Water Environment and Water Services Act (WEWS) 2003 aims to address all forms of pollution for water bodies. Furthermore, Sustainable Seas for All: A Consultation on Scotland’s first Marine Bill (2008) proposes a new legislative and management framework for the delivery of sustainable economic growth in the marine environment. The siting and design of any proposed development areas will be important to protecting and enhancing the water status of the Water of Leith and the Firth of Forth. The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill 2008 underlines that Local Authorities must exercise their flood risk related functions with a view to reducing overall flood risk. SUDS will be required on any new development. This should be reflected in SESPlan policy. Nature of residual Potential contamination from construction works in short term. Assessment of residual effect: effect: 0
Comments: In the short term, the strategy could potentially have a negative impact on water as it could cause potential contamination due to construction works. In the medium and longer term, the development of the Edinburgh Waterfront is unlikely to have any significant impact if development has been sited away from water courses and ensures SUDS are integral to any site. Monitoring Coastal water status through National Water Quality Classification. Upgrades to treatment of waste water. Water requirements classification of Water of Leith. SEPA’s flood risk mapping.
12 Table 4(a): Areas for Future Growth: West Edinburgh
Strategy: Preferred: The preferred approach of the SDP is to continue to support the economic and commercial development of West Edinburgh. The addition of further housing to West Edinburgh will assist in creating a mixed use, sustainable and well connected community. Alternative: The alternative approach would be to focus on the development of the economic opportunities already identified and provide new housing elsewhere within the SESplan region.
Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments Air: To protect current air quality 0 The preferred strategy should not have an impact on air quality as it should and provide opportunities for public encourage a self contained community that has local access to employment transport use. and services and does not require the car to access the city centre as there is good public transport provision. In particular, the tramline to central Edinburgh from West Edinburgh and the Gogar multi modal station will provide a sustainable alternative to car travel. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on air quality as the focus of simply employment would require potential car use as employees would be located further from their work. High levels of NO₂ have been recorded at St Johns Road on the western side of Edinburgh that could be exacerbated by the alternative strategy although good public transport links should not make this significant. In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. Biodiversity: To protect and 0 The preferred strategy should not have an impact on biodiversity although it enhance biodiversity & habitats in will require the development of greenfield sites that have a short term impact the SESPlan area and avoiding on the habitats network. Nonetheless, garden ground and recreational irreversible losses to designated parkland can sometimes provide greater opportunities for habitat than sites & species. agricultural land. Furthermore, the strategy does not impact on any major conservation sites and any development will be subject to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity habitats. The alternative approach may have a potential negative impact as it will encourage dispersed greenfield development that may have more damaging implications for biodiversity in terms of siting. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Climatic Factors as it emissions and reduce energy promotes a self contained community that has local access to employment consumption through promotion of and services and does not require the car to access the city centre as there 13 renewables. is good public transport provision. It is also located away from flood risk areas. In the short term, it could also cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. The alternative strategy limited development to economic/commercial development could have a negative impact depending on where new housing development is located and the availability of sustainable transport modes. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard 0 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any overall impact on the cultural and enhance the built and historic heritage of the area although there are a number of Designed Landscapes environment. that will need to be carefully addressed through the design of any proposed development. This should be applied through LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs. There are also a considerable number of listed buildings located around the strategy area and there would also need to be protected from detrimental development. The alternative strategy impact is unknown it has not identified an area for development. Nevertheless, it could be potentially negative if development was to be dispersedand sited in areas with significant historic issues. Landscape and Townscape: To 0 The preferred strategy should not have any significant impact on landscape protect and enhance the although development within the greenbelt will lessen the amount of landscape and townscape within greenspace around Edinburgh. Nonetheless, the general amenity of the the SESPlan area. landscape has already been significantly lessened by the City Bypass and the expansion of Edinburgh. It will therefore not have a significant impact on any national or regionally designated areas of value. Any new development should consider carefully the siting and design to ensure the creation of an attractive new townscape. The alternative strategy may have a minor negative impact on the landscape as it would require the development of greenfield land in dispersed alternative areas and therefore could potentially be damaging to more valuable areas of landscape. The siting and design of any development will need to carefully address the green network and key views within the landscape. Material Assets: To promote the 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any significant impact on Material sustainable use of natural Assets as it should not impact on any mineral resources. The recycling of resources, including the waste is already undertaken by the City of Edinburgh Council and therefore sustainable use of mineral any new development would require to be incorporated into existing resources and recycling of waste. recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. The alternative strategy may have a minor negative impact as it could potentially see dispersed
14 development that might damage mineral resources and not be incorporated into the Local Waste Strategy. Population & Human Health: To 0 The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population and improve the quality of life and Human Health as it will provide opportunities for access to employment, human health for communities in affordable housing, services and potential new greenspace in a location the SESPlan area, including which has got good public transport links. The alternative would have a providing employment, affordable neutral impact as development would be dispersed and therefore potentially housing, access to services and located into areas that did not have the same access to amenities that the greenspace. preferred strategy offers. Soil: To protect the quality of soil Both strategies are likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as both through the reuse of brownfield will focus development primarily on greenfield land and not on the reuse of land. brownfield. Developed land would therefore seal soil and generally lower the quality of soil. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 4(b) for detailed assessment). Water: To protect the quality of Neither strategy is likely to have a significant impact on water status or water and prevent flooding as well flooding as there are limited watercourses within the area and these tend to as improvement to existing be of a lower quality. Nonetheless, the Gogarburn diversion could have a water/waste water infrastructure. potential impact on the Gyle surface water. Any development must ensure that it prevents any further damage to existing water status and divert development away from flooding areas. The preferred strategy would require enhancements to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.
Table 4(b): Detailed assessment for West Edinburgh
Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.
Potential Impact Both strategies are likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as both will focus development primarily on greenfield land and not on the reuse of brownfield. Mitigation: Soils are fragile and essentially non-renewable, and can easily be damaged by sealing. Brownfield are therefore preferable as the soil quality has already been damaged. The Scottish Soil Framework (Consultation) aims to promote the sustainable management and protection of soils consistent with the economic, social and environmental needs of Scotland. In cases where greenfield land is required to meet development needs, permeable construction materials should be used to mitigate the effects of sealing, as well as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This should be highlighted as a requirement at a strategic level to ensure that it is fed into the LDP policy making process. Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage Assessment of residual effect: from soil sealing. effect:
15
Comments: Short and medium term negative impacts have been identified due to building construction and the loss of greenfield land. In the long term, if mitigation measures in terms of building construction and SUDS are undertaken, the impact should be neutral. Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements
16 Table 5(a): South East Edinburgh
Strategy: Preferred: The preferred approach of the SDP is to support the continued expansion of South East Edinburgh. Alternative: The alternative approach would be to focus on the development of the existing and committed proposals and not allow for any further expansion into the Green Belt.
Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments Air: To protect current air quality The preferred strategy is should only a minor negative impact on air quality and provide opportunities for public within the area as it continues to focus development in an area that is well transport use. connected in terms of existing and proposed public transport. Care should be taken to ensure that either strategy does not aggravate congestion on the A1 or the City Bypass although there are no reported areas of major pollution incidents on the south eastern side of Edinburgh. The alternative strategy might have a more significant negative impact on air quality as it could involve the development of land that is not well integrated into the public transport system. This could potentially exacerbate congestion on the A1 or the City Bypass if public transport is not well integrated into any new development. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy will therefore be required for this SEA objective (see Table 5(b) for detailed assessment). In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. Biodiversity: To protect and 0 The preferred strategy should not have an impact on biodiversity although it enhance biodiversity & habitats in will require the development of greenfield sites that have a short term impact the SESPlan area and avoiding on the habitats network. Nonetheless, garden ground and recreational irreversible losses to designated parkland can sometimes provide greater opportunities for habitat than sites & species. agricultural land. Furthermore, the strategy does not impact on any major conservation sites and any development will be subject to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity habitats.. The alternative approach may have a potential negative impact as it will encourage dispersed greenfield development that may have more damaging implications for biodiversity in terms of siting. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Climatic Factors as it emissions and reduce energy does not require the car to access the city centre as there is good existing consumption through promotion of and proposed public transport provision. It is also located away from flood 17 renewables. risk areas. In the short term, it could also cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors it will potentially direct development away from areas with good transport linkages. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard 0 ? The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any overall impact on the cultural and enhance the built and historic heritage of the area although there are a number of Designed Landscapes environment. that will need to be carefully addressed through the design of any proposed development. This should be applied through LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs. There are also a considerable number of listed buildings located around the strategy area and there would also need to be protected from detrimental development. The alternative strategy impact is unknown it has not identified an area for development. Nevertheless, it could be potentially negative if development was to be dispersed and sited in areas with significant historic issues. Landscape and Townscape: To 0 The preferred strategy should not have any significant impact on landscape protect and enhance the although development within the greenbelt will lessen the amount of landscape and townscape within greenspace around Edinburgh. Nonetheless, the general amenity of the the SESPlan area. landscape has already been significantly lessened by the City Bypass and the expansion of Edinburgh. It will therefore not have a significant impact on any national or regionally designated areas of value. Any new development should consider carefully the siting and design to ensure the creation of an attractive new townscape and green network. The alternative strategy may have a minor negative impact on the landscape as it would require the development of greenfield land in alternative dispersed areas and therefore could potentially be damaging to more valuable areas of landscape. The siting and design of any development will need to carefully address the green network and key views within the landscape. Material Assets: To promote the 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any significant impact on Material sustainable use of natural Assets as it should not impact on any mineral resources. The recycling of resources, including the waste is already undertaken by the City of Edinburgh Council and therefore sustainable use of mineral any new development would require to be incorporated into existing resources and recycling of waste. recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. The alternative strategy may have a minor negative impact as it could potentially see dispersed development that might damage mineral resources and not be incorporated into the Local Waste Strategy.
18 Population & Human Health: To 0 The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population and improve the quality of life and Human Health as it will provide opportunities for access to employment, human health for communities in affordable housing, services and potential new greenspace in a location the SESPlan area, including which has got good public transport links. The alternative would have a providing employment, affordable neutral impact as development would be dispersed and therefore potentially housing, access to services and located into areas that did not have the same access to amenities that the greenspace. preferred strategy offers. Soil: To protect the quality of soil Either strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as both will through the reuse of brownfield focus development primarily on greenfield land and not focus on the reuse of land. brownfield. Developed land would therefore seal soil and generally lower the quality of soil. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy will therefore be required for this SEA objective (see Table 5(b) for detailed assessment). Water: To protect the quality of 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have a significant impact on water status water and prevent flooding as well or flooding as there are limited watercourses within the area and these tend as improvement to existing to be of a lower quality. Nonetheless, any development must ensure that it water/waste water infrastructure. prevents any further damage to existing water status and divert development away from flooding areas. The alternative strategy would require enhancements to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development in dispersed areas. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.
Table 5(b): Detailed assessment for South East Edinburgh
Significant issue: Air: To protect current air quality and provide opportunities for public transport use.
Potential Impact The alternative strategy might have a more significant negative impact on air quality as it could involve the development of land that is not well integrated into the public transport system. Mitigation: The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Working Together for Clean Air (2000) sets out the air quality strategy for the UK with objectives and targets, referring to the Environment Act 1995 legislation. It seeks a reduction in the levels of 8 harmful pollutants present in the air. Local Air Quality Management Act (Part of the Environmental Act 1995) sets out duties requiring local authorities to review and assess air quality in their area from time to time, the reviews forming the cornerstone of the system of local air quality management. Nature of residual The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on air quality in the long Assessment of residual effect: effect: term as it could potentially site development in areas unsupported by sustainable forms of transport.
19 Comments: The short term impact of the alterative strategy could see considerable construction pollutants that impact on air quality within localised areas. Medium and longer term negative impacts could be seen in development areas that are not supported by sustainable forms of transport, encouraging greater car usage and increasing of NO₂ within congested areas. Monitoring Monitoring of NO₂ incidents. Edinburgh Air Quality Action Plan. % of public transport users verses % of car users. requirements
Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.
Potential Impact Either strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as both will focus development primarily on greenfield land and not focus on the reuse of brownfield. Mitigation: Soils are fragile and essentially non-renewable, and can easily be damaged by sealing. Brownfield are therefore preferable as the soil quality has already been damaged. The Scottish Soil Framework (Consultation) aims to promote the sustainable management and protection of soils consistent with the economic, social and environmental needs of Scotland. In cases where greenfield land is required to meet development needs, permeable construction materials should be used to mitigate the effects of sealing, as well as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This should be highlighted as a requirement at a strategic level to ensure that it is fed into the LDP policy making process. Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage from Assessment of residual effect: soil sealing. effect:
Comments: Short and medium term negative impacts have been identified due to building construction and the loss of greenfield land. In the long term, if mitigation measures in terms of building construction and SUDS are undertaken, the impact should be neutral. Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements
20 Table 6(a): East Coast Corridor
Strategy: Preferred: The Strategic Development Plan should test the potential to significantly expand the new settlement at Blindwells by a minimum of an additional 2,500–3,000 units, subject to technical studies, including ground conditions and particularly the capacity of the A1 and its Bankton, Gladsmuir and Old Craighall junctions. Alternative: There is scope for a more limited level of growth to be accommodated but dispersed throughout the East Coast Corridor, rather than concentrated in one specific location. East Lothian may be able to accommodate an additional 600 - 700 units without an expansion of Blindwells in the period 2019 to 2024.
Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments Air: To protect current air quality Both strategies may have a minor negative impact on air quality. In the case and provide opportunities for public of the preferred strategy, the intention is to create a new community with transport use. employment, public services and transport links. This should mitigate against a significant impact on air quality. The alternative strategy may have a similar impact as it will encourage greater car usage due to locating development in more rural locations. Care should be taken to ensure that either strategy does not aggravate congestion on the A1, in Musselburgh and the south eastern side of Edinburgh . This could be done by ensuring there is local employment and good public transport available to discourage commuting. In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. Biodiversity: To protect and The preferred strategy is likely to have a minor negative impact on enhance biodiversity & habitats in biodiversity as it will require some greenfield development. This is because the SESPlan area and avoiding although the initial area identified is a reclaimed opencast mining site, further irreversible losses to designated expansion may require farmland. Furthermore, the Firth of Forth SPA is just sites & species. over 1km north of the preferred strategy area and could therefore see a rise in visitors and leisure usage. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on biodiversity as it might require the development of greenfield sites as East Lothian settlements are considerably constrained in terms of brownfield land. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Climatic Factors as it emissions and reduce energy promotes a self contained community that has local access to employment consumption through promotion of and services and does not require the car to access Edinburgh as there will renewables. be good public transport provision. It is also located away from flood risk 21 areas. In the short term, it could also cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors as it could potentially focus development in areas that would require car use as employees would be located further from their work. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard ? The preferred strategy could have a potential minor impact on cultural and enhance the built and historic heritage as the Blindwells site is surrounded by a number of Scheduled environment. Ancient Monuments (6), Listed Buildings (16) and the site of the Battle of Prestonpans is located to the north west. Any development will need to ensure that these historical landmarks are protected and their setting not damaged. This should be mitigated through national legislation and local policies. The alternative strategy is unknown as it is not location specific although there are a number of Designed Landscapes that will need to be carefully addressed through the design of any proposed development. There are also numerous SAMs within East Lothian that will require protection. This should be applied through LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs. Landscape and Townscape: To 0 The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on landscape or protect and enhance the townscape as the development will focus on an area of primarily open and landscape and townscape within vacant land that could potentially enhance the area. The alternative proposal the SESPlan area. is unlikely to have any impact on landscape or townscape as the development would be dispersed throughout the settlements and therefore would be minimal in terms of its impact. The siting and design of any development will need to carefully address the green network and key views within the landscape. Material Assets: To promote the 0 The preferred strategy may have an impact on mineral assets as the sustainable use of natural proposed development will take place primarily on a former open cast coal resources, including the mine. This would therefore prevent any further extractions being made to the sustainable use of mineral site. The alternative strategy is unlikely to have any impact on mineral resources and recycling of waste. assets. The recycling of waste is already undertaken by East Lothian Council and therefore any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. Population & Human Health: To 0 The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population and improve the quality of life and Human Health as it will provide opportunities for access to employment, human health for communities in affordable housing, services and potential new greenspace in a location the SESPlan area, including which has got good public transport links. The alternative would have a
22 providing employment, affordable neutral impact as development would be dispersed and therefore potentially housing, access to services and located into areas that did not have the same access to amenities that the greenspace. preferred strategy offers. Soil: To protect the quality of soil The preferred strategy is focused initially on an area of brownfield land that through the reuse of brownfield will be regenerated. Further expansion, however, may require the land. development of greenfield sites and therefore could potentially have a minor negative impact. The alternative strategy might have a minor negative impact on soil as East Lothian has a limited amount of brownfield land available in the dispersed settlements and therefore greenfield sites would have to be sought to fulfil this commitment to development. This would seal soil and therefore damage the existing high quality soil in East Lothian as indicated through Prime Agricultural Land. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy will therefore be required for this SEA objective (see Table 6(b) for detailed assessment). Water: To protect the quality of 0 0 It is unlikely that either strategy should have an impact on water status or water and prevent flooding as well flooding although in terms of the alternative strategy, any new development as improvement to existing areas in the LDP must be sited away from watercourses within the area. water/waste water infrastructure. Enhancements will be required in either instance to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.
Table 6(b): Results of assessment for East Coast Corridor
Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.
Potential Impact The alternative strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as it will focus development primarily on greenfield land and not focus on the reuse of brownfield. Developed land would therefore seal soil and generally lower the quality of soil in the area. Mitigation: Soils are fragile and essentially non-renewable, and can easily be damaged by sealing. Brownfield are therefore preferable as the soil quality has already been damaged. The Scottish Soil Framework (Consultation) aims to promote the sustainable management and protection of soils consistent with the economic, social and environmental needs of Scotland. In cases where greenfield land is required to meet development needs, permeable construction materials should be used to mitigate the effects of sealing, as well as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This should be highlighted as a requirement at a strategic level to ensure that it is fed into the LDP policy making process. Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage from Assessment of residual effect: soil sealing. effect:
23 Comments: Short and medium term negative impacts have been identified due to building construction and the loss of greenfield land. In the long term, if mitigation measures in terms of building construction and SUDS are undertaken, the impact should be neutral. Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements
24 Table 7(a): Midlothian Borders Corridor
Strategy: Preferred: Future development will therefore continue to focus on the Core Development Areas (CDAs), based around transport corridors. There could be scope to promote up to 1,500 houses in the A7/A68/ Borders rail corridor, building upon the new community and limited expansion of existing settlements. The A701 corridor could potentially accommodate a further 850 houses through limited extension of existing settlements. Alternative: The alternative to focusing growth on existing CDAs and Hubs is a strategy of more dispersed growth across a wider range of settlements through Midlothian and Scottish Borders.
Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments Air: To protect current air quality 0 Either strategy is unlikely to have a significant impact on air quality although and provide opportunities for public both strategies will require a rise in car usage due to their rural locality. The transport use. preferred strategy should be more neutral towards air quality as it focuses development in areas where there is public transport (specifically the Waverley Line), employment and services. The alternative strategy might focus development away from these services and thus encourage greater car usage. There is a significant poor air quality (PM10) recorded at Pathhead which occurs as a result of coal fires. Any further development should not exacerbate this problem. In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. Biodiversity: To protect and The preferred strategy may have a minor negative impact on biodiversity as enhance biodiversity & habitats in there are a considerable number of internationally/nationally designated the SESPlan area and avoiding sites within this search area, most specifically the River Tweed SAC which is irreversible losses to designated located close to many of the Core Development Areas in the Scottish sites & species. Borders. An Appropriate Assessment will be required for any development sited in close proximity to the SAC. Nonetheless, long term areas for development have been identified that will not impact on the Tweed SAC. Furthermore, these designations would not on development in the A701 corridor. The alternative strategy might have a more major impact as development would be dispersed and could have a greater impact on the Tweed SAC network. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 7(b) for detailed assessment). Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Climatic Factors as it 25 emissions and reduce energy promotes development within areas that have good access to public consumption through promotion of transport specifically along the Waverley Line. In the short term, it could also renewables. cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors as it could potentially focus development in areas that would require greater car use. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard 0 ? The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Cultural Heritage as and enhance the built and historic it concentrates on areas that have already been assessed in terms of environment. archaeology, listed buildings, Ancient Scheduled Monuments and Gardens and designed Landscapes. Any site specific issues should be dealt with through Masterplanning and Development Briefs. The alternative strategy is identified as having an unknown impact as it would locate development in areas that have not yet been assessed. The siting and design of any new development would therefore require detailed assessment to ensure that it safeguards and enhances the built and historic environment. This should be through the Local Development Plan process. Landscape and Townscape: To Both strategies may have a minor negative impact on landscape as there protect and enhance the are two NSAs within this search area: the Upper Tweeddale and Eildon Hills. landscape and townscape within There are also numerous AGLVs throughout Midlothian and the Scottish the SESPlan area. Borders. Nonetheless, longer term areas for expansion have already been identified with minimal impact on these landscape designations. The siting and design of any development will, however, need to carefully address the green network and key views within the landscape. Impact on the townscape of historic settlements in Midlothian and the Borders will also need to be considered. Material Assets: To promote the 0 0 Neither strategy should have any real impact on mineral assets as the sustainable use of natural development strategy should be dispersed through the Core Development resources, including the Areas or other settlements and therefore unlikely to be sited on key areas sustainable use of mineral required for extraction. The recycling of waste is already undertaken by resources and recycling of waste. Midlothian and Scottish Borders Council and therefore any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. Population & Human Health: To The preferred strategy will have a positive impact on Population and Human improve the quality of life and Health as it will encourage development in areas that already provide human health for communities in employment, services and are on the transport network through Midlothian the SESPlan area, including and the Scottish Borders, most specifically the Waverley Line. Development
26 providing employment, affordable should also provide affordable housing and enhanced greenspace with housing, access to services and either strategy. The alternative strategy is likely to have less of a positive greenspace. impact as it might allow dispersed development to take place in areas that do not provide access to the required services and public transport. Soil: To protect the quality of soil Either strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as there are through the reuse of brownfield limited brownfield opportunities in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders and land. therefore any new development would rely primarily on greenfield development. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 7(b) for detailed assessment). Water: To protect the quality of The preferred strategy may have a minor negative impact on water status water and prevent flooding as well and flooding as there are a considerable number of water courses in the as improvement to existing Scottish Borders of a high status adjacent or within the Core Development water/waste water infrastructure. Areas, most specifically the River Tweed. Nonetheless, long term areas for development have been identified that will not impact on the Tweed SAC. Furthermore, these designations would not on development in the A701 corridor. The alternative strategy might have a more major impact as development would be dispersed and could have a greater impact on the Tweed flood risk area. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 7(b) for detailed assessment).
Table 7(b): Detailed assessment for Midlothian Borders Corridor
Significant issue: Biodiversity: To protect and enhance biodiversity & habitats in the SESPlan area and avoiding irreversible losses to designated sites & species. Potential Impact The alternative strategy might have a more major impact as development would be dispersed and could have a greater impact on the Tweed SAC network. Mitigation: The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act (2004) underlines a ‘duty to further the conservation of biodiversity’ for all pubic bodies, and sets out more specific provisions within this. Any development in close proximity to the Tweed SAC will require an Appropriate Assessment to ensure that mitigation measures are undertaken to protect the biodiversity and habitat of the SAC. The siting and design of any proposed development areas will be key to protecting and enhancing the SAC. Replacement of riparian habitat and SUDS will be required as part of any development. This should be reflected in SESPlan policy. Nature of residual Short term pollution from construction works. Assessment of residual effect: effect: 0
27 Comments: A short term significant impact has been identified due to construction works. Medium and long term neutral impacts if siting and design of new developments address this issue through re-planting of riparian habitats and the creation of SUDS. An Appropriate Assessment will be required for any development sited in close proximity to the SAC. Monitoring Classification of water status. Atlantic salmon, lamprey and otter population. requirements Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.
Potential Impact Either strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as there are limited brownfield opportunities in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders and therefore any new development would rely primarily on greenfield development. Mitigation: Soils are fragile and essentially non-renewable, and can easily be damaged by sealing. Brownfield are therefore preferable as the soil quality has already been damaged. The Scottish Soil Framework (Consultation) aims to promote the sustainable management and protection of soils consistent with the economic, social and environmental needs of Scotland. In cases where greenfield land is required to meet development needs, permeable construction materials should be used to mitigate the effects of sealing, as well as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This should be highlighted as a requirement at a strategic level to ensure that it is fed into the LDP policy making process. Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage Assessment of residual effect: effect: from soil sealing.
Comments: Short and medium term negative impacts have been identified due to building construction and the loss of greenfield land. In the long term, if mitigation measures in terms of building construction and SUDS are undertaken, the impact should be neutral. Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements Significant issue: Water: To protect the quality of water and prevent flooding as well as improvement to existing water/waste water infrastructure.
Potential Impact The alternative strategy might have a more major impact as development would be dispersed and could have a greater impact on the Tweed flood risk area. Mitigation: The Water Framework Directive translated into the Water Environment and Water Services Act (WEWS) 2003 aims to address all forms of pollution for water bodies. The River Tweed is part of the SEPA (2008) Draft River Basin Management Plans: Scotland River Basin District and Solway Tweed River Basin District aimed at improving the water environment. The siting and design of any proposed development areas will be important to protecting and enhancing the water status of the Tweed. The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill 2008 underlines that Local Authorities must exercise their flood risk related functions with a view to reducing overall flood risk. Sites therefore must not be development if they are in the 1:100 or 1:200 flooding zone. SUDS will be required on any new development. This should be reflected in SESPlan policy.
28 Nature of residual Construction works could exacerbate contamination in the short term. Assessment of residual effect: effect: 0
Comments: In the short term, construction works could potentially damage the water status of the River Tweed. In the medium and longer term, however, if mitigation measures such as SUDS are undertaken, development should have a neutral impact. Monitoring Classification of water status. Atlantic salmon, lamprey and otter population. SEPA’s flood risk mapping. requirements
29 Table 8(a): Fife Forth
Strategy: Preferred: Additional housing and employment land allocations could be considered by the Local Development Plan that would continue the existing patterns of growth by focusing large expansions onto existing key settlements in locations accessible by a variety of transport modes. Alternative: The alternative approach would be a more dispersed pattern of growth over a wider area to include more settlements.
Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments Air: To protect current air quality Either strategy is unlikely to have a significant impact on air quality although and provide opportunities for public both strategies will require a rise in car usage due to their rural locality. The transport use. preferred strategy should have less of an impact on air quality as it focuses development in areas where there is public transport, employment and services. The alternative strategy might focus development away from these services and thus encourage greater car usage. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 8(b) for detailed assessment). In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. Biodiversity: To protect and Both options are likely to require the development of greenfield land. This enhance biodiversity & habitats in could have an impact on biodiversity habitats. The development of any the SESPlan area and avoiding settlements adjacent to the Firth of Forth could have a more significant irreversible losses to designated impact due to the designation of the SPA for this area. Further development sites & species. of these settlements could therefore result in a rise in visitors and leisure usage. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a positive impact on Climatic Factors as emissions and reduce energy it promotes development within areas that have good access to public consumption through promotion of transport. In the short term, it could also cause construction emissions that renewables. are potentially damaging to the climate. Nonetheless, development near any coastal towns such as Kirkcaldy should account for potential coastal flooding. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors as it could potentially focus development in areas that would require greater car use. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy.
30 Cultural Heritage: To safeguard ? The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any significant impact on the and enhance the built and historic cultural heritage of the area although there are key listed buildings present environment. along the coastal region of the Forth that will need protection from development and possible enhancement. There are some key designed landscapes also located along the Forth coast. The alternative strategy is assessed as having an unknown impact as it would depend on the siting and design of development. Any new development must ensure the built and historic environment is protected and enhanced. This should be applied through LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs. Landscape and Townscape: To 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have an impact on landscape as there protect and enhance the are no nationally designated landscape sites within this search area. The landscape and townscape within siting and design of any development will, however, need to carefully the SESPlan area. address the green network and key views within the landscape. Impact on the townscape of historic settlements such as Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline will also need to be considered. The alternative strategy may have a more negative impact on Landscape & Townscape as it would require further land that has not been assessed in terms of landscape. Siting and design will be key to ensuring minimal impact. Material Assets: To promote the Neither strategy should have any real impact on mineral assets as the sustainable use of natural development strategy should be dispersed through the Core Development resources, including the Areas or other settlements and therefore unlikely to be sited on key areas sustainable use of mineral required for extraction. Nonetheless, this search area has been traditionally resources and recycling of waste. rich in minerals such as coal and therefore could have a minor negative impact. The recycling of waste is already undertaken by Fife Council and therefore any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. Population & Human Health: To The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population and improve the quality of life and Human Health as it will trigger development in areas that already provide human health for communities in employment, services and are on the transport network in Fife. Development the SESPlan area, including should also provide affordable housing and enhanced greenspace. The providing employment, affordable alternative strategy may have a less positive impact as development would housing, access to services and be dispersed amongst the smaller settlements that might not be able to greenspace. provide such good amenities. Soil: To protect the quality of soil 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on soil quality as Fife through the reuse of brownfield have quite a good supply of brownfield land within the settlements that could land. be regenerated. This will lessen the amount of greenfield required. The alternative strategy might have a minor negative impact on soil as dispersed settlements may have less brownfield potential and therefore greenfield sites 31 would have to be sought to fulfil this commitment to development. Water: To protect the quality of 0 It is unlikely that either strategy should have an impact on water status or water and prevent flooding as well flooding although in terms of the alternative strategy, any new development as improvement to existing areas in the LDP must be sited away from watercourses within the area and water/waste water infrastructure. ensure that water/waste water capacity can accommodate it. Any coastal development will also need to ensure it does not damage the Firth of Forth water status and does not exacerbate coastal flooding. Enhancements will be required in either instance to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.
Table 8(b): Detailed assessment for Fife Forth
Significant issue: Air: To protect current air quality and provide opportunities for public transport use.
Potential Impact The alternative strategy is likely to have a significant negative impact on air quality as it will encourage growth at a faster growth rate. This could in the short term include greater construction pollution as well as longer term issues with travel patterns. Mitigation: The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Working Together for Clean Air (2000) sets out the air quality strategy for the UK with objectives and targets, referring to the Environment Act 1995 legislation. It seeks a reduction in the levels of 8 harmful pollutants present in the air. Local Air Quality Management Act (Part of the Environmental Act 1995) sets out duties requiring local authorities to review and assess air quality in their area from time to time, the reviews forming the cornerstone of the system of local air quality management. Nature of residual The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on air quality in the long Assessment of residual effect: effect: term as it could potentially site development in areas unsupported by sustainable forms of transport.
Comments: The short term impact of a higher growth trend could see considerable construction pollutants that impact on air quality within localised areas. Medium and longer term negative impacts could be seen in development areas that are not supported by sustainable forms of transport, encouraging greater car usage and increasing of NO₂ within congested areas. Monitoring Monitoring of NO₂ incidents. Edinburgh Air Quality Action Plan. % of public transport users verses % of car users. requirements
32 Table 9(a): West Lothian
Strategy: Preferred: Potential development of 6000 further units in addition to maximum requirement identified in Structure Plan. Growth directed to Core Development Areas but must be linked with regeneration. Alternative: Potential development of 6000 further units in addition to maximum requirement identified in Structure Plan. Growth directed to new allocations with a proportion in Core Development Areas.
Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments Air: To protect current air quality 0 0 Either strategy is unlikely to have a significant impact on air quality. Both and provide opportunities for public strategies should focus development towards areas where there is public transport use. transport, employment and services. There are good public transport links in West Lothian, specifically the Edinburgh to Glasgow train line, and this should discourage further car usage. In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. Biodiversity: To protect and There are potential negative effects from both these approaches as there enhance biodiversity & habitats in will be loss of greenfield in order to meet the land requirements. Both the SESPlan area and avoiding approaches would focus on regeneration which would in theory reuse irreversible losses to designated brownfield land. The alternative approach might rely on greenfield land if sites & species. brownfield sites have already been delivered. There are also a number of designated sites within the western section of Lothian West that would need to be protected from the impacts of development. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ Either strategy should have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors. emissions and reduce energy Both strategies would focus development in areas that are well served for consumption through promotion of public transport and do not have serious issues with flooding. LDP policy renewables. would need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard ? The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any overall impact on the cultural and enhance the built and historic heritage of the area although there are important industrial SAMs present in environment. West Lothian, including the Union Canal, which will need safeguarded from development. There will also be considerable industrial archaeology, particularly on brownfield sites that will require investigation. LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs should ensure that the siting and design take account of the built and historical environment within the area. The alternative strategy is identified as having an unknown impact as it 33 would locate development in areas that have not yet been assessed. The siting and design of any new development would therefore require detailed assessment to ensure that it safeguards and enhances the built and historic environment. This should be through the Local Development Plan process. Landscape and Townscape: To 0 Both strategies should see improvements to townscape as they will protect and enhance the encourage the regeneration of brownfield sites. The preferred strategy landscape and townscape within should see a particular improvement to the regeneration of towns in the the SESPlan area. western part of West Lothian. There should be no real impact on landscape although the alternative strategy could potentially require greenfield sites. The siting and design of new development should be carefully addressed to support the green network. Material Assets: To promote the Neither strategy should have any real impact on mineral assets as the sustainable use of natural development strategy should be dispersed through the Core Development resources, including the Areas or other settlements and therefore unlikely to be sited on key areas sustainable use of mineral required for extraction. Nonetheless, this area is rich in minerals and resources and recycling of waste. therefore it could have a minor impact on the objective. The recycling of waste is already undertaken by West Lothian Council and therefore any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. Population & Human Health: To Both strategies are likely to have a positive impact on Population and improve the quality of life and Human Health as they will trigger development in areas that already provide human health for communities in employment, services and are on the transport network in West Lothian. the SESPlan area, including Development should also provide affordable housing and enhanced providing employment, affordable greenspace with either strategy. Either proposal will benefit local housing, access to services and communities. greenspace. Soil: To protect the quality of soil The preferred strategy should only have a minor negative impact on soil through the reuse of brownfield quality as areas that have already been identified for development have land. incorporated brownfield sites whenever possible. Nonetheless, there will be a certain amount of greenfield land required. The alternative strategy may have a more significant negative impact as it would require land that has not yet been assessed and would probably require greater amounts of greenfield land to deliver the strategy. Water: To protect the quality of 0 It is unlikely that either strategy should have an impact on water status or water and prevent flooding as well flooding although in terms of the alternative strategy, any new development as improvement to existing areas in the LDP must be sited away from watercourses within the area and water/waste water infrastructure. ensure that water/waste water capacity can accommodate it. Enhancements will be required to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to 34 cope with new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.
Table 9(b): Detailed assessment for West Lothian
Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.
Potential Impact The alternative strategy may have a more significant negative impact as it would require land that has not yet been assessed and would probably require greater amounts of greenfield land to deliver the strategy. Mitigation: Soils are fragile and essentially non-renewable, and can easily be damaged by sealing. Brownfield are therefore preferable as the soil quality has already been damaged. The Scottish Soil Framework (Consultation) aims to promote the sustainable management and protection of soils consistent with the economic, social and environmental needs of Scotland. In cases where greenfield land is required to meet development needs, permeable construction materials should be used to mitigate the effects of sealing, as well as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This should be highlighted as a requirement at a strategic level to ensure that it is fed into the LDPs policy making process. Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage Assessment of residual effect: effect: from soil sealing.
Comments: Short and medium term negative impacts have been identified due to building construction and the loss of greenfield land. In the long term, if mitigation measures in terms of building construction and SUDS are undertaken, the impact should be neutral. Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements
35
SESplan
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT:
APPENDIX C - SPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF
SESplan’s AREAS FOR STRATEGIC
GROWTH
Map 1: Location of Air Quality Management Areas
Great Junction Street Edinburgh (NO2)
X X X Edinburgh Central (NO2)
X Pathhead Midlothian (PM10)
StJohns Road Edinburgh (NO2)
Key 1:647,000 ± XCore Hubs SESplan boundary
X Air Quality Management Area 07143.5 Kilometers
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2009. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 2: Average Daily Vehicle Flows ± Key Core Hubs ! 261 - 6811 ! 6812 - 13665 ! 13666 - 22681 ! 22682 - 40857 ! 40858 - 68392 1:655,000 SESPlan 0482 Kilometers
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 3: Strategic Road Network
To Dundee Routes to North East Scotland
M90 A92
A985
M9 Dunbar A1 Edinburgh M8 A71 To Glasgow
A702 A7 A68 Berwick-Upon-Tweed and routes to North East England
Galashiels
To South West Scotland and North West England
To North East England
To South West Scotland and North West England
± 1:817,000 Key CoreAreas_Buffer SESPlan A Roads of Strategic Importance 09184.5 Kilometers Motorways
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2009. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 4: Strategic Rail Network
To Aberdeen and North East Scotland
To Sterling
Falkirk Dunbar
Edinburgh
To Glasgow
Berwick-Upon-Tweed To South West Scotland and route to and North West England North East England Galashiels
Key 1:847,000 ± Core Hubs SESplan boundary Rail line 09184.5 Kilometers Proposed rail line
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2009. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 5: Internationally Designated Sites ± Key Ramsar SAC SPA SSSI Core Hubs SESPlan
1:655,000 0482 Kilometers
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 6: Ancient Woodlands ± and Semi Natural Woodlands Key
Ancient Woodland Semi Natural Woodland Core Hubs SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 !!!! ! Map 7: Domestic Gas CO2 Emissions !!!!! !! !!! !! ! !! !!!!!! !!!! !!! !!! Key ! !! !! ± !! !!! ! !! !!! Domestic Gas !! !!!!!!! !!!!!!! ! !!! !!!!! !! !! !!!! ! 0 - 653 !!!! ! ! !! !!!!!! ! !!!!! !! ! !! !!!!!!! !!! ! 654 - 2210 !!! !! ! !! !!!! !!! !!! !!!!!! ! ! !!!! ! ! 2211 - 4290
! !! !!! ! !!!!! !!! !! 4291 - 7820 !!! ! !!!!!!!! !! ! !!!!!!!!!!!! !!! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!! !! !! ! !!!!!!!!! !!!! !!! !!! 7821 - 15100 ! !!! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! !! ! !!!!!!!!!!!! !! ! !! ! !!!!!!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!! !!!!! ! Core Hubs !! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!! ! !!! !!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!! ! ! !!!!!!! !! ! !! !!! !!!!! !! !! !!! !! SESPlan ! !!! !! ! ! !!! !!! !! 0482 Kilometers !!! !! ! ! !!! ! !! !! 1:655,000 ! !! ! !!! !!! ! !
! !
!
! !! ! !!! ! ! !! !!! !!!!! !! !! !! !!! !! ! ! !!
! !! !
!! !!! !! !
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 8: Domestic Electricity !! !!!!!! !!!!!!! CO2 Emissions !!!!!! !!!! !! !!! !!! !! ± ! !! Key !! !! !! !!! !! ! !!!!!! !!!!!!!! Domestic Electricity !! !! ! ! !! ! !!!!!! 0 - 707 ! !!!! !! ! ! ! !!! !!!! !! !! !! ! !!! ! !! 708 - 2310 !!!!!! ! !!!! ! ! ! 2311 - 4610 ! !! !!! !!!! !! !! !!! !! !!!!!!! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!! !!! 4611 - 8380 ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! !! !!!!!!!!! !!!! ! ! !!! ! !!! ! !!!!!!!!! !!! !!!! !!! ! !!! !!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! 8381 - 15400 !! ! !!!!!!!!!! !! !!! !!!!! !!!!!!!!!! ! !! !!!! !!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!! !! ! !!!!!! ! !! !!! !! Core Hubs !! !!!! !! !!! !!! ! !!! !! !!! !! ! !!! !! ! !!!! !!! ! !! 0482 Kilometers !! !! ! SESPlan !! ! !!! 1:655,000 ! !!! ! !! !!! !
! ! ! !
!
! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !!!! !! !! !!! !! ! ! !!
! ! ! ! ! !! !! !
!
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 9: Wind Energy ± Key Windfarm Turbines Proposed Windfarms Core Hubs SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 10: World Heritage Sites ± Key World Heritage Sites Core Hubs SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 11: Gardens & ± Designed Landscapes Key
Gardens & Designed Landscapes Core Hubs SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 12: Scheduled Ancient Monuments ± Key Core Hubs Scheduled Ancient Monuments SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 13: Listed Buildings ± Key Listed buildings Core Hubs SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 14: National Scenic Areas ± Key
Core Hubs National Sceneic Areas SESPlan
1:655,000 0482 Kilometers
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 15: Regional ± Landscape Designations Key
Areas of Great Landscape Value Country Parks
Core Hubs SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 16: Predominant Landuse ± Key
)" Agricultural )" Forestry )" Agriculture/Minerals
)" Urban )" Arable )" Water )" Military/Agriculture )" Grazing )" Horticulture Core Hubs SESPlan 0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 17: Urban Areas ± Key
Urban areas Core Hubs SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 18: Woodland Network ± Key Woodland network
Core Hubs SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 ± Map 19: Core Paths Key
Core paths Core Hubs SESPlan
1:655,000 0482 Kilometers
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 20: SUStran Cycle Routes ± Key SUStran cycle routes Core Hubs SESPlan
0482 Kilometers 1:655,000
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 21: 2009 Vacant & ± Derelict Land Survey Key
2009 Vacant & Derelict Land Core Hubs SESPlan
1:655,000 0482 Kilometers
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 22: SEPA Flooding Map ± Key
SEPA Flood Map Coastal SEPA Flood Map Fluvial
Core Hubs SESPlan
1:655,000 0482 Kilometers
Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420