The Environment Strategy 2011-2015

Delivery Plan of the South Hams and West Devon Community Strategy Contents

About this Document (page )

Chapter 1 – Background (page ) Shared services Working in partnership Economic Considerations Our track record

Chapter 2 – Sustainable Waste Management (page )

Chapter 3 – Environmentally Sustainable Communities and Organisation (page )

Chapter 4 – Conserving and Enhancing the Built and Natural Environment (page )

Chapter 5 – Environmental Issues, Our Priorities and Commitments for Delivery (page )

Glossary (page )

Action Plan for 2011/12 (page ) About this document

The Environment Strategy is one of a suite of delivery plans which underpin the South Hams and West Devon Community Strategy. It sets out how we, as two Councils, will work with the community and voluntary sector and other public sector organisations, to improve and conserve the local environment for the benefit of the people and place of South Hams and West Devon.

Alongside “The Environment”, the Economy, Community Life, and Homes are priorities for the South hams and West Devon Joint Partnership, all of which have their own individual delivery plan. All of our partners have made a commitment to work together on these priorities and improve services in the most cost-effective and efficient way, to have a positive impact on the quality of life for local people.

This Strategy sets out our priorities for the next four years and specific targets we will aim to achieve over the next 12 months. These actions are aspirational, yet realistic. The strategy will be reviewed and updated annually. It sets out the background and context within which the Strategy is based, our priorities for delivery and a detailed action plan. It has been produced in a time of significant change and uncertainty, therefore it reflects the current difficult economic conditions and unprecedented reduction in resources.

Our priorities for the ENVIRONMENT:

- Sustainable Waste Management - Environmentally Sustainable Communities and Organisations - Conserving and Enhancing the Built and Natural Environment

We hope you will take the time to read this document. We have tried to make it relevant, interesting and easy to read.

If you would like to know how you can get involved in helping to influence environment services in South Hams and West Devon please contact Ross Kennerley, Landscape and Recreation Manager; [email protected] or 01803 861234.

This document is also available on the Councils’ websites www.southhams.gov.uk and www.westdevon.gov.uk. CHAPTER 1 – BACKGROUND

SHARED SERVICES

This plan is shared across South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council and represents a significant step in the successful convergence of services across both areas. As neighbouring rural local authorities with similar issues and challenges we have been working together to deliver a number of services in a more cost-effective way. As well as reducing costs this has helped both Councils’ to develop the capacity and the resilience to maintain and improve crucial services. Collaboration commenced in 2007 with the appointment of a shared Chief Executive.

Wherever possible this Strategy seeks to maximise opportunities from shared services to deliver efficiencies, be more cost-effective and improve outcomes for local people.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

The Community Strategy

There is now one Joint Partnership (JP), which has replaced the two separate Local Strategic Partnerships for the two authorities. The JP brings together key stakeholders from the community and voluntary sectors and other public sector organisations. This joint partnership approach has increased our partners’ capacity by reducing duplication, with a real commitment from all stakeholders to work together to address issues of shared concern and improve the local environment.

How we will work together to make decisions:

Partners working within the Environment Priority include both local authorities, Dartmoor National Park, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Natural England, Local Parish and Town Councils, local environmental organisations such as Transition Towns, community groups such as Kingsbridge Agenda 21 Group and voluntary representatives. These groups have committed to working together to deliver the Environment Strategy, through effective community engagement, monitoring and reporting on progress. Community consultation and representation

Joint Partnership Council Members

The Environment Delivery Group Council Decision-Makers

Membership Executive (South Hams) Multi-Agency group including community Environment and Community Committee representatives and partners (West Devon)

Role Membership To develop, implement and monitor the Environment Both sets of Council Members Delivery Plan Role To make recommendations to elected Members on To approve and monitor the Environment Delivery Executive (South Hams) and Environment and Plan Community Committee (West Devon) To formally adopt the Plan taking into account Consultation/Feedback Mechanisms recommendations from the Environment Delivery Bi-Annual monitoring reports Group

Consultation/Feedback Mechanisms Quarterly monitoring reports

Consultation and Feedback Partnership Working

Links to other strategies and plans

The Community Strategy and Delivery Plans do not sit in isolation but link to the strategies and plans of partner organisations and communities and other key Council plans. These will influence how resources are targeted.

When developing this Strategy we have had regard to the strategies and plans for Health, the Police, Social Care and Voluntary groups. Parish plans developed by our local communities are also used to influence our actions.

The Local Development Frameworks (LDF) for both Councils and for Dartmoor National Park, provide the foundations for delivering a spatial strategy for the area. They set out where land for residential and business development should be allocated to meet local needs, whilst ensuring that communities remain sustainable with the right infrastructure and facilities to support this development, with due regard to the natural environment. Our Partner’s priorities for the Environment: A

W Biodiversity is o

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To see a thriving agricultural and land fish stocks are C l

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soils, water and air and makes a s sustainably for

E the benefit of

positive contribution to reducing and n

adapting to climate change. v wildlife and i r Promote green travel, improve o people. n

Recreation management roads and reduce congestion m T

e Reduce waste, improve o n

r

t recycling and reduce landfill e

d ENVIRONMENT u

c Climate change and sustainability e

c

l Public Rights of Way (PROW) and access

i becoming a more m

a environmentally responsible t e S organisation. c u Enough good quality water for people h s a To proactively reduce risk, t n

a and the environment

g to save life, protect i e property and the n Flood risk and coastal erosion are effectively managed and a a

n environment from fire and

b people and property are better prepared and protected. d

other emergencies. l

e i t s

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c a o r n m s e i q n u g e

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Economic Considerations

The local economy impacts on how we can deliver all of our services and therefore we need to consider this when developing our Plans.

The recent economic crisis has resulted in the UK having a national public sector debt of £952.8bn or 64.8% of GDP1. Austerity measures have been introduced to tackle the debt, including reducing public sector funding. With the reduction in the money available for public sector contribution to the environment agenda in general, there is a risk that there will be limited progress on environmental issues in the coming years.

However there is a flip side, where households and businesses will tend to become more efficient to limit expenditure on fuel and utility bills. The Government have also committed to being the ‘greenest government ever’, with the renewable energy and the clean technology sector seen as ‘essential’ and ‘vital’ for future global competitiveness. This was evidenced in

1 www.ons.gov.uk (25 Oct 2010) the increase in spending for science compared to most other sectors following the Comprehensive Spending Review.2

These economic considerations have influenced our actions for the coming year. We will continue to monitor key information and trends on a regular basis to enable us to respond quickly and proactively to changes as they occur.

OUR TRACK RECORD

Up until now South Hams and West Devon have worked separately in many areas of the Environment. From April 2011 we will start to develop a shared Recycling and Refuse Service and also shared Natural Environment and Conservation teams to join our shared Environmental Health team. Through these teams, and under this Strategy, the policies and strategies that underpin our work in the Environment will be joined-up and refined.

Below is a summary of our achievements over the past four years. Detailed information on progress against the targets set out in previous strategies is available on request or through the Councils’ websites. SOUTH HAMS ACHIEVEMENTS WEST DEVON ACHIEVEMENTS  Working with partners to map the green  Assessing air quality in West Devon with no Air infrastructure within the South Hams. Quality Management Zones needing to be  Developing a partnership with the Woodland declared. Trust to plant over 62,000 trees in West  Funding a 4 year programme of survey work by South Hams. the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre, where  Provided capital investment and worked with 43 potential County Wildlife Sites (CWS) were the community to attract Lottery and other surveyed, and 21 new CWS were designated. funds amounting to £3.5m to significantly Monitoring and management advice is now improve parks and open spaces. taking place to increase the percentage of sites  The AONB Unit has run events and in positive management. campaigns involving over 16,000 people to  Abiding by our Biodiversity Duty by mark their 50th anniversary year. implementing an action plan and incorporating  Producing guidance notes for improving biodiversity in all of our functions. public rights of way in partnership with Devon  Enabling and part-funding the Tamar Estuaries County Council and Dartmoor National Park Consultative Forum. in response to demand from Community  Improving education and publicity which Groups and Parish Plans. increased participation in our recycling  Achieving external grants, for example services. £38,000 from Defra to support the local work  Implementing a new waste and recycling of the Slapton Line Partnership service that has seen West Devon’s recycling  Managing roadshows to connect to over rate improve to at least 50% 15,000 residents to publicise and educate  Composting of street sweepings for use as waste and recycling initiatives. farm compost by local farms  Consistently high recycling rates, with 57% of  Enabling rurally isolated villages to have waste recycled in 2009/2010, 6th highest in garden waste collected beyond normal England and the best rates in Devon. collection rounds.  Saving over 15,000 tonnes of CO2 released  Reducing carbon emissions in our from recycling and composting household Okehampton Customer Service Centre by over waste in 2008- 2009. 15,000kg by installing new renewable energy  Achieving our target of reducing 20% of our technology. CO2 emissions from the Council by 2011.  Reducing CO2 emissions from our leisure  Enabling only 341kg of household waste to centres from 6% be sent to landfill (2nd lowest in the country).  Opportunity Okehampton, a business centre commissioned and managed by WDBC has won several awards for energy efficiency.

2 £4.6bn / yr of spending review period set aside to invest in science and research. Consultation:

To help develop this Delivery Plan, we have involved our Partners, community groups, staff and elected Members, to gain a better understanding of the issues facing our environment over the next few years, and how we can work together to address those issues.

Event Summary Staff sessions To understand the work that we are already doing or planning within the environment theme. The outcome of these sessions helped to shape our priorities under the Environment Priority. Environment Delivery Group A workshop with our Partners and some local community groups to discuss the issues facing the natural and human environment, and to start discussions around partnership actions to reduce duplication and improve the environment. Member sessions To focus our work on key areas of priority to our Members and their local communities. These sessions resulted in a number of actions being included around renewable energy and composting. Chapter 2 Sustainable Waste Management

UK Waste Policy

Each year in the UK, we generate over 80million tonnes of waste from households, commerce and industry. To help tackle the problems our large amount of waste can cause, the Government is aiming for the UK to be a ‘zero waste’ economy. Measures to achieve this were outlined in Defra’s Structural Reform Plan, where a thorough review of waste policies has been promised by the end of 2011.3

Most waste policy in the UK is governed by the EU Waste Framework Directive which is the overarching legislation for the whole waste cycle- collection, transport, recovery and disposal. The Directive introduced the waste hierarchy (Figure. 1), where all EU Member States have to firstly encourage the reduction of waste, secondly encourage the re-use of waste that might otherwise be landfilled, thirdly recycle where possible or recover energy from waste, and finally dispose the waste if no other option is viable. The waste hierarchy has been adopted by South Hams and West Devon within our Waste Management Polices, and is reflected in our Environment Action Plan (1.1).

Figure 1. The top of the hierarchy is waste prevention (the most important) and at the bottom, safe disposal (as the least preferred option). The hierarchy is sometimes shortened to the 3Rs (reduce, reuse & recycle)4

Another key EU Directive is the Landfill Directive. This Directive sets demanding targets to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfill. Biodegradable waste in landfill produces methane, a strong greenhouse gas.

Table 1. EU Landfill Directive targets for the reduction of biodegradable waste to landfill: By 2010, 75% of the landfill produced in 1995 By 2013, 50% of the landfill produced in 1995 By 2020, 35% of the landfill produced in 1995

The Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme helps the UK meet these targets. Landfill site operators are responsible for paying landfill tax, however these operators pass on the costs to businesses and councils. The standard rate for 2010-2011 was £48 per tonne (this increases

3 DEFRA Structural Review Plan Nov 2010: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/what/documents/defra-businessplan- 101108.pdf 4 http://www.recycledevon.org/kidszone/secondary/what-happens-to-our-waste/index.php Feb 2011 by £8/yr until April 2013).5 To keep the cost to the taxpayers down, local councils implement the waste hierarchy, namely through providing appropriate recycling schemes and facilities.

To drive forward the UK’s aim to be a zero waste economy, Defra have recently published the ‘Anaerobic Digestion Framework’ that aims to encourage a substantial increase in our energy from waste, which will create more ‘green’ jobs within AD plants and the supply chain.

There are four key drivers for the increased use of Anaerobic Digestors (AD):

 Climate change- AD reduces greenhouse gas emissions from manure and waste, and is a renewable source of energy.  Renewable Energy without significant adverse land-use change- by using of waste feedstocks for biogas production. Biogas can be used to produce heat or electricity or cleaned to make biomethane.  Diverting waste from landfill.  Creating sustainable sources of critical resources such as phosphorus- the digestate from AD is a valuable source of fertilisers.

The waste problem in the South West

Just over 2.8 million tonnes of municipal waste (collected by local authorities, mainly domestic in nature) was collected in the South West during 2008/2009; 10% of the English total of 27.3 million tonnes6. This amount was 3.6% (105,000 tonnes) less than in 2006/2007. Although this demonstrates a continued decline from the 2004/2005 peak of almost 3 million tonnes, the total amount of municipal waste collected in 08/09 was still 5.6% more than in 2000/2001 (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Municipal Waste Arising in the South West between 2000/01 - 2008/097

The long-term sustainable management of waste represents an ongoing and significant challenge for the region. Landfill remains the principal method of waste disposal in the South West, as it is in England. We are seeing positive trends towards a reduction in the amount of

5 www.netregs.gov.uk 6 Defra, 2009 7 South West Observatory Environment Module/Environment Agency 2011 waste that we produce and the proportion that we reuse or recycle, however, at the present rate of input the region only has seven years of landfill life left (2008).

The Devon Municipal Waste Strategy

This Strategy was produced in 2004, by all the local authorities in Devon who have a responsibility for waste. District/ Borough and City Councils are responsible for waste collection and Devon County Council is the Waste Disposal Authority. The Environment Agency is the regulator responsible for environmental protection and licensing and inspection of waste management facilities. It is hoped that by working together Devon authorities can go further in achieving national targets set by European Waste Directives (Table 1.).

In 2003/04 West Devon was the top local authority in Devon for recycling with rates of 32%. In the same year South Hams recycled just 25%. In the space of seven years the South Hams’ rate has more than doubled to 57% (2009/2010)- becoming the best recycling authority in Devon and one of the best in the Country. Although recycling has not increased on the same scale in West Devon, in 2010 the Council successfully implemented a new waste collection system, and this has already seen the recycling rate rise significantly in 2010 to at least 50% (latest figures).

Waste Disposal

Although recycling has improved so that less waste is going to landfill, as an area, Devon still needs to look at new options for disposing our non-recyclable waste. Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council and Torbay Council, have joined together as the South West Devon Waste Partnership8 (SWDWP) to work on this issue. It has been estimated that we are producing 200,000 tonnes per year over our landfill targets in Devon. To avoid the financial penalties, which could affect council tax bills, and to address environmental concerns the SWDWP has been working on a number of new disposal options.

Energy from Waste has been chosen as the best solution for waste disposal in the South West. ‘Energy from Waste’ is a clean, reliable technology that is in use across the UK and throughout Europe. One of the biggest benefits is that it also generates electricity and heat. The electricity can either be sold back into the national grid or like the heat, sold on to others to offset running costs. This means that customers using the energy won’t need to use fossil fuels, which is better for the environment.

8 http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/swdwp.html Chapter 3 Environmentally Sustainable Communities and Organisations

Carbon Emissions

The UK has committed to observing the Kyoto Protocol (an international agreement linked to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) and through the Climate Change Act 2008, the Department for Energy and Climate Change has set legally binding emission reduction targets:

 By 2020 a reduction of 34 % greenhouse gas emissions;  By 2050 a reduction of at least 80 % in greenhouse gas emissions

compared to 1990 levels.

The Energy Bill 2010 includes measures on the Green Deal, which aims to see energy efficiency measures supplied to all homes at no upfront costs. It is proposed that the work to upgrade the property to become energy efficient, will be paid back from the saving on energy bills. Not only will this new Green Deal benefit homeowners, but it is also expected to increase employment, for example in insulation alone the number of people employed in the sector cold increase from 27,000 to 100,000 by 2015, expecting to peak at 250,000 in the next decade.9 You can find out more about our work improving the energy efficiency of housing within our Homes Strategy.

Renewable Energy

The EU Renewable Energy Directive asks for Member states to develop an action plan to reach 15% renewable electricity (RE) generation by 2020; this will be an eight-fold increase for the UK. Currently the main mechanism for supporting the UK’s growth in renewable energy supply is the Renewables Obligation (RO). The RO works by placing an obligation on electricity suppliers to source a specified and annually increasing proportion of their electricity sales from renewable sources, or pay a monthly penalty. Since its introduction in 2002, it has tripled the level of renewable electricity in the UK from 1.8% to 6.64% (2010 figures). Table 2. Renewable Energy Technologies in the UK Renewable Energy Generation in the UK Hydroelectric The UK currently generates 1.3% of electricity from hydroelectric schemes, mainly from large scale sites in the Scottish Highlands. This renewable source is not likely to be developed further on a large scale due to environmental concerns and as the best sites have already been developed. Wind In 2007 wind energy over took hydropower as the largest RE source in the UK. There are currently 13 offshore wind farms, with a total of 436 turbines. The UK is identified as the best market for offshore wind in the world. Currently there are no offshore turbines in the South West, however Cornwall has 9 onshore wind farms. Wave and Tidal The UK is currently seen as a world leader in developing wave and tidal renewable technologies. Research has suggested that wave and tidal power could meet 10-15% of our current electricity demand.

9 DECC Website Dec 2010 http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn10_125/pn10_125.aspx Although this technology is not yet at a commercial stage, the South West is leading in this research, for example the Wave Hub facility, currently being tested in Cornwall. Geothermal Geothermal RE refers to different types of thermal energy stored within the earth. There are two forms of Geothermal RE. Ground Source Heat Pumps that make use of heat found in shallow depths of the earth’s crust, in the UK 5,000 pumps are installed in homes every year. Deep Geothermal power is heat from deep in the earth’s interior that has risen close to the surface. A study has shown that Devon and Cornwall’s geology is likely to be most suitable for exploring geothermal power plants. Micro Generation This includes solar, small turbines, heat pumps and biomass. A typical home PV (solar panels) system can produce 50% of the average household electricity, saving 1200kg of CO2/yr and 30 tonnes over a life time. With rising oil and gas prices, more homes and businesses in the UK are interested in producing their own renewable energy through micro-generation.

Feed-in Tariffs

The Energy Act 2008 introduced feed-in tariffs to encourage small scale low carbon electricity generation. These work alongside the RO (as incentives for larger scale generation).10 The scheme went live in April 2010 and is available through licensed electricity suppliers, who pay tariffs to generators of low carbon / renewable electricity. This makes micro-generation more economically viable for householders and communities. By Nov 2010, 15,468 installations had registered to take part in the scheme. The South West has 2,246 registered installations, 85% of these being Solar PV.11

Feed-in tariffs can now be utilised by local authorities who can install renewable technologies on public assets and benefit from a minimum payment for all electricity generated from the system, as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to the grid. This is in addition to the savings on fuel bills.12

The Environmental Sustainability of our Local Area

Carbon Emmissions

As rural areas, carbon emmissions from South Hams (10.1 tonnes per Captia) and West Devon (10.9 tonnes per Capita) are high in comparison to the neighbouring urban centres of Torbay (5 tonnes per Capita) and Plymouth (5.5 tonnes per Capita) (2008 figures). Major factors contributing to higher emissions are the greater distances travelled to work, and to access services and high levels of emissions from agriculture. In rural locations travel by car to access employment and essential services is often the only option.

South Hams District Council has a Carbon Management Plan that has set a target of a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions from the Council’s operations by April 2011 (from April 2008 levels). It was estimated that a 20% reduction in emissions could save the council £450,000.

Table 3. South Hams District Council Carbon emissions from Council operations (NI185 submission 2010)

CO2 Emissions (kg) Percentage change

10 Introducing the Feed-in Tariff Scheme OfGem 2010 11 Feed-in Tariff Update Newsletter Issue 2 Dec 2010 OfGem 12 Making Feed-in Tariffs Work for You- a Toolkit for Local Authorities. The Energy Saving Trust 2010. 2008/09 4,780,048 2009/10 3,203,081 -33%

Table 3 demonstrates that the 20% reduction target was exceeded in 09/10. This was achieved through a number of key investment projects namely vehicle replacements and improvements to the principal buildings, as well as improving carbon awareness of all staff.

In West Devon, the Council is making good progress in reducing emissions; during 2009 the Council’s Okehampton Business Centre reduced emissions by over 15 tonnes by installing Solar PV Panels and a wind turbine. At the main Kilworthy Park site, the installation of Solar PV Panels has contributed a further 3.8 tonnes per year saved. The Leisure Centres, the Council’s biggest consumers of energy, reduced consumption by 6% in 2009/10, in part thanks to the installation of a more energy efficient boiler at Meadowlands in Tavistock.

Renewable Energy

Local targets for renewable electricity generation and heat capacity in the South West of England for 2020 are based on the national 15% renewable energy target . Regen South West estimates that to meet this, renewable electricity and heat generation in the region must reach 20 GWh by 2020. Currently the South West has 171.59 MW of onshore renewable electricity, and 68.03 MW of renewable heat, far short of the 2020 target.

Only a small amount of energy in the South Hams and West Devon is generated from renewable sources. Over recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of new projects and outputs across the region. The South Hams now has the most projects in Devon generating renewable electricity. Although West Devon has fewer projects, the electricity generated from these projects is greater, by over 2MW. The majority of this energy is from small-scale hydropower facilities. Table 4. renewable electricity and heat generation by micro-generation projects in South Hams and West Devon (RegenSW 2010). Renewable electricity Renewable heat Projects MW Projects MW South Hams 52 1.47 104 1.87 West Devon 24 3.76 74 1.62

Unlike West Devon Borough Council, South Hams District Council currently has no renewable installations. Late in 2010 South Hams Member’s agreed to commission a feasibility study into installing renewable fittings to Council owned assets including Follaton House and the Depots. A separate study is also being conducted into the energy efficiency and potential for renewable installations at the Council-owned leisure centres within the main towns. The results of these studies will be reported during the updates to this Strategy. Chapter 4 Conserving and Enhancing the Built and Natural Environment

The Natural Environment

The natural environment underpins our economic prosperity, our health and our well being. Protecting the environment and enhancing biodiversity is one of Defra’s top three priorities. This is in line with the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), of which the UK is a signatory. One of the goals is to ensure environmental sustainability, including reducing biodiversity loss and securing environmental resources, this is recognised as positively influencing our health.

Over the past 30 years there have been significant reductions in the levels of environmental pollution and degradation in areas such as air and water partly through the regulatory and management activity of Environmental Health services. Alongside this many of our most precious species and habitats are now protected through various designations, from Local Nature Reserves to European Special Areas of Conservation and World Heritage Sites.

There are currently 224 National Nature Reserves in England and one Marine Nature Reserve at Lundy covering a total area of 94,400 hectares (or 0.6% of the country's land surface). The largest is the Wash Reserve in East Anglia (8,800 hectares) and the smallest Horn Park Quarry in Dorset (0.32 hectares). Natural England manages two-thirds of Nature Reserves with one-third managed by other bodies such as the National Trust, the Forestry Commission, RSPB, local authorities and Wildlife Trusts.

However as populations continue to increase; we are putting more and more pressure on our environment. To ensure the environment continues to give us valuable services that underpin our economic, social and personal well being; such as a salt marsh protecting a coastal village from flooding; Defra is promoting an ‘ecosystem approach’ to decision making.

An Ecosystems Approach= a framework for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way.13

One of the key elements of an ecosystems approach is valuing the services that ecosystems provide; for example if every household in England were provided with good access to quality green space it could save the NHS an estimated £2.1bn/yr.14

In Spring 2011, the government will publish their Natural Environment White Paper. It is proposed that this White Paper will embrace the Ecosystem Approach and change the way we all think about and manage the natural environment. In July 2010, a consultation was launched that stated the White Paper will give Councils and communities freedom to take control and find innovative new ways to protect and enhance the natural environment. It will also advocate for integrated cross-boundary management of the environment- encouraging a landscape-scale approach.

The natural beauty of South West Devon

Defra’s acknowledgement that the natural environment underpins our economic prosperity, our health and our well being, is no where truer than in South West Devon; where tourism is

13 Convention on Biological Diversity 14 http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/policy/natural-environ/documents/narrative.pdf one of our main employers, the health of the population is generally better than England overall15 and access to the countryside is very important to our residents16.

The natural environment of South West Devon is renowned for being high quality. The natural assets from the landscape, the ecology, to the cultural and built heritage of the area, is what makes the South Hams and West Devon desirable places to live and work. It is our priority to protect and where necessary enhance these key features of our local environment for the benefit of all who live, work and visit the area.

Table 5. South West Devon Profile of the Natural Environment17 Detail Designation South West Shared/Joint Hams Devon National Park 19% 45% 64% Areas of Outstanding 354km2 91km2 445km Natural Beauty Special Areas of 4 (+2 4 3 SACs are Conservation offshore shared (Dartmoor, candidate South Dartmoor SACs) Woods and Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Complex) Special Protection Areas 1 1 1 (Tamar Estuaries Complex) Sites of Special Scientific 27 36 64, with 3 shared Interest County Wildlife Sites and Nearly Nearly ~600 sites County Geological Sites 300 300 National Nature Reserve 2 2 4 Areas of great landscape 224km2 71.6km2 295.6km value Heritage Coast 200km2 n/a Local Nature Reserves 1 4 5

Table 5 demonstrates the rich natural environment of the local areas with significant areas of the district and borough protected in one way or another. Despite the number of designations and the protected status of much of the local environment, this does not mean that the features, ecosystems and species are not under threat. These threats can be from natural processes, such as erosion and sea level rise at Slapton Ley, or from human impacts, such as recreational disturbance within our estuaries. The high quality of the local natural environment relies on the conservation of the key sites identified in table five – alongside the conservation of the general landscape in which these sites sit. They cannot be conserved in isolation.

15 Health Profiles for South Hams 2010 and West Devon 2010 (Department of Health and APH) 16 ‘Important things that make somewhere a good place to live’ – Access to Nature (4th SHDC, 5th WDBC) in Place Survey 2008 17 Annual Monitoring Reports 2010 for SHDC and WDBC The Slapton Line Partnership Slapton Sands is located in the South Devon AONB on Devon’s most southerly peninsula facing eastwards into Start Bay and the English Channel. The ‘Line’ is a shingle barrier beach dividing the largest natural freshwater lake in South West England from the sea. The shingle barrier carries the main arterial road. This road, the coastal village of Torcross and a number of car parks along the length of the Line are threatened by long term erosion by the sea. The Slapton Line Partnership was formed in 2001 to co-ordinate the future management of the Line following a storm that caused the road to close for 3 months. A scheme of ‘managed realignment’ is being implemented which will see the Line, with the road, disappear in 30-50 years time. The Slapton Line Partnership, of public bodies such as SHDC, Devon County Council and the Environment Agency alongside the SDAONB, landowners and local parish councillors, aids the local communities and businesses affected to adapt to the changes that will inevitably happen. The Partnership has been successful in gaining £245,000 of Defra funding to assist with this work. http://www.slaptonline.org/

As public sector organisations, we need to work together to ensure this special environment is preserved for future generations. Where it is failing, due to a variety of pressures on the local environment, that work is done to protect it through our Environmental Health services; or enhance the area, through our Conservation and Green Spaces Teams; ensuring it can sustain those special ecosystems or features that our local communities and businesses enjoy and rely on for well-being.

A large proportion of the local area is designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). AONB is the statutory designation applied to 49 of the finest landscapes of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Tamar Valley AONB and the South Devon AONB both have comprehensive Management Plans to coordinate the protection and enhancement of these ‘special’ landscapes. Both Councils and our partners help to deliver and develop these plans, and they form a key part of this Strategy.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity Local plays authorities an important in England role in andtackling Wales climate have change, a key e.g.role carbonto play sinks, in the natural conservation floodplains; of biodiversity is an indicator and this of theis now wider recognised health of our and environment; formalised within the Natural Environment and Rural helps Communities to sustain local(NERC) economies Act 2006, through where: creation of jobs in the conservation, agriculture, forestry, food and tourism sectors; “Every public body must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent  supportswith the other proper vital exercisenatural (ecosystem) of those functions, functions to- e.g. the provision purpose of of clean conserving air and water,biodiversity” natural. DEFRA: Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing the Biodiversity Duty (2007)

The main functions undertaken by Councils where biodiversity can be taken into account are: - Local policies and strategies; - Administering the planning system through forward planning and development management; - Management of Council owned land and buildings; - Education, advice and awareness; - Procurement.

Both Councils have agreements with the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre over data sharing for protected species and sites. In West Devon this also provides information to ensure planning applications can be checked to ensure they do not impact upon sites where legally protected (2000 sites in WD) and rare species (900 sites in WD) have been recorded.

Public Open Space

Public spaces provide many benefits to the communities that use them, whether they are sports pitches, gardens, play parks, allotments or just greenspace that allows for a bench or a flower bed.

South Hams and West Devon both benefit from extensive, high quality, Public Space. In South Hams the District Council owns a number of Public Spaces (although the majority are still community or privately owned). In acknowledging the overall importance of these sites in council and other ownership (see Table 6 below) the district has adopted a Public Space Strategy in accordance with government guidance. West Devon benefits from a similar range of public space but with the Borough Council being a less significant owner. In both areas there is a clear role for the Councils to actively support and promote public space management through their roles as landowner and planning authority and through community development work.

Table 6. South Hams District Council's public space ownership statistics, based on 2003 population statistics of 81,800.

Total 10390 127.01

Through consultation events in the development of the Public Open Space Strategy, South Hams residents made it clear that they aspire to have quality public space in the district. High quality public space supports social, economic and community vibrancy. On its own the District and Borough Councils have a limited ability to deliver quality public space, with tight resources. We have acknowledged that we need to work with organisations and local communities both within and outside the area to continue to deliver the improvements that our local people expect.

Built Heritage

The archaeological or historical heritage of the area is of immense value and contributes much towards the distinct character and quality of the local towns, villages and countryside to the benefit of the local environment. However, these features are irreplaceable and vulnerable to the threat of change; effective protection of the historic environment is vital.

There are around 2,400 listed buildings in West Devon, excluding Dartmoor National Park. Of these, four are on the English Heritage ‘At-risk’ register, indicating that they are of poor or very bad state. In South Hams there are 3,462 listed buildings with five buildings on the ‘at- risk’ register.

Historic areas are now extensively recognised for the contribution they make to our cultural inheritance, economic well-being and quality of life. There is undoubtedly firm public support for the conservation and enhancement of areas of architectural and historic interest and for the recognition of such areas.

Government policy imposes a duty on Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) (districts and boroughs) to designate Conservation Areas that are ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.

Following designation, LPAs have a duty to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of Conservation Areas.

Table 7. Conservation Areas within South Hams and West Devon Designated Conservation Areas South Hams West Devon Ashprington Bere Alston Berry Pomeroy Eworthy Cornworthy Exbourne Ermington Germansweek Modbury Hatherleigh Newton Ferrers Lamerton Noss Mayo Lifton Salcombe Northlew Stoke Fleming North Tawton Stoke Gabriel Milton Abbot Strete Bondleigh Totnes Okehampton Tuckenhay Stowford Yealmpton Tavistock/Bere Alston Railway Bratton Clovelly Tavistock x 3 Weir Quay Bere Ferrers Whitchurch Bridestowe Broadwoodkelly Buckland Monachorum Bere Ferrers The Local Development Framework Policy Framework provides the strategic protection for areas of heritage importance and Development Management policies ensure that listed buildings and conservation areas are preserved.

The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site

The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape was added to the exclusive international list of World Heritage Sites (WHS) on 13th July 2006.

The substantial mining remains from the 18th and 19th Century are a testimony to the contribution Cornwall and West Devon made to the Industrial Revolution in the rest of Britain and to the fundamental influence the area had on the mining world at large. Tavistock is the eastern gateway of the entire WHS, with the town centre standing as a monument to the wealth generated for the Bedford estate from the copper and other ores mined locally. Whilst the grand buildings erected on the back of mining riches are very evident, there are significant remaining industrial buildings and an underground legacy that remains relatively uncharted within the Site.

Morwellham Quay is a unique industrial port complex with a tremendous depth and range of heritage interest. In May 2008 Morwellham became one of 3 Key Centres for the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape WHS. http://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk/

With an evolving Government policy in all areas of our Community Strategy, any significant changes to the national policy framework governing each of the priority areas, for example the publication of the Natural Environment White Paper will be covered in our annual updates to each Delivery Plan. CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, OUR PRIORITIES AND COMMITMENTS FOR DELIVERY

This chapter sets out the key issues affecting our local environment and the priorities and commitments we have made to the local environment and our communities. This will guide our work to deliver improvements in a cost-effective way.

OUR PRIORITIES FOR ACTION

From the local evidence base and the feedback from our partners, community and voluntary groups, staff and Councillors, we have identified three priorities for action: Sustainable Waste Management Environmentally Sustainable Communities and Organisations Conserving and Enhancing the Built and Natural Environment

Within each of these priorities there are a number of issues to address and commitments we have made as a Partnership on how we will work together to tackle these issues for the benefit of all. To demonstrate how we are going to meet these commitments we have developed an aspirational, accountable and achievable action plan to deliver improvements from year one (page 25).

Environmental issues in South Hams and West Devon

By tackling key national issues around biodiversity degradation, renewable energy generation and waste management in a coordinated holistic way on a local scale, we will begin to make a real difference to the people and place of South West Devon.

To help shape this Strategy, key public sector partners and community groups within South Hams and West Devon met to discuss the local environment and what we could do to improve it. The following were identified as the key issues we should be tackling through our Partnership:

In a WORD CLOUD please JASON:

Biodiversity Marine biodiversity Dog mess Energy Coastal change Landscape character Green and blue infrastructure Pollution Travel/transport Resources/efficiency Behaviour change Recycling/waste the 3R’s Competing needs Expectation Leisure use Community food production Food security Decision makers Education / Awareness Resilience Adaptation to climate change Extreme weather Land-use change Economy / money Social Consequences Employment Tourism Urban Environment Water Management A functioning sustainable community Responsibility and Rights

Our priority areas for action:

1. Sustainable Waste Management

Our key issues: - The large amount of domestic waste being produced (5.6% more than in 2000/01) - Improving recycling rates in West Devon and further improving them in South Hams, in a tighter economical scenario. - Landfill space is running out, and will be used up in 4 years - Alternative solutions to landfill, Energy from Waste plants.

Our Partnership Commitments: 1.1 We will work to reduce, re-use and recycle more waste for and with our communities. 1.2 We will work to improve the sustainability of our waste management 1.3 We will work with our ensure sustainable waste disposal

2. Environmentally Sustainable Communities and Organisations

Our key issues: - Changes to our climate - The need support our vulnerable communities to adapt to changes in our climate - Rising oil and gas commodity prices - Rurality of area requires a certain dependence on fossil fuels - National targets to improve renewable energy production - The potential of our local area and our organisations to produce energy from renewable sources

Our Partnership Commitments: 2.1 We will work together to become greener and more efficient organisations 2.2 We will encourage and enable through the planning process, renewable energy generation where appropriate in our local area. 2.3 We will support communities to adapt and mitigate the effects of changes in our climate. 2.4 We will work with our communities to develop sustainable initiatives within local communities. 3. Conserving and Enhancing the Built and Natural Environment

Our key issues: - Acknowledging the value of a quality local natural environment and the services this environment provides to local people, visitors and businesses. - Changes to our climate degrading local sites and impacting on biodiversity - Finding the appropriate balance between economic growth, housing growth and conserving and enhancing the built and natural environment - Having the resources to maintain quality public open spaces - Human interference having detrimental effects on the natural and built heritage of the local area

Our Partnership Commitments: 3.1We will have a robust planning framework that seeks to conserve and enhance our natural environment 3.2We will work together as a Partnership to deliver holistic protection to maintain high quality landscapes, ecosystems and built heritage. 3.3As partners we will ensure our assets are managed in a coordinated way for the benefit of local communities.

This Environment Strategy aims to put into place a long term management plan to ensure the environment of South West Devon remains special. For the first year of this four year plan, we aim to develop the frameworks to effectively work together as public sector organisations with our community groups and local charitable organisations. These partnership arrangements will ensure that over the four year period we can deliver the improvements our communities need and want, to secure a sustainable environment that in turn will support the well being of our local communities, the economic future of the area and enable appropriate development of sustainable dwellings. GLOSSARY OF TERMS

AONB- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, two local sites- http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk/ and www.southdevonaonb.org.uk BTCV- British Trust for Conservation Volunteers Biodiversity- Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth. This includes all species of animals and plants, and the natural systems that support them. (defra) Community Council of Devon- A rural charity giving advice and support for rural communities on funding projects, playing fields, village halls etc. Dartmoor Circle- Environmental charity aiming for a low carbon Dartmoor DAWRRC- Devon Authorities Waste reduction and Recycling Committee DCCN- Devon Community Composting Network DCRN- Devon Community Recycling Network Devon Heartlands- The Devon Heartlands Community Partnership is the successor to the Okehampton Area MCTi Partnership working with communities of Okehampton, North Tawton & Chagford and the surrounding Parishes. Ecosystems Approach- a framework for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. Energy Action Devon- Environmental charity working to reduce the impact of climate change and fuel poverty Health- "state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (World Health Organisation (1948) WHO) Kyoto Protocol- an international agreement linked to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Regen SW- a not for profit company promoting renewable energy Resource Futures- Environmental consultant Sustainable development- "meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs" (World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) SWDWP- South West Devon Waste Partnership (Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council) SWWRF- South West Waste and Recycling Forum TaVi- Tavistock and Villages Development Forum, which arose out of the Market & Coastal Town Initiative (MCTI). They are an independent body giving their local community a voice to the public, private, third and voluntary sectors. Transition Towns- A Transition Initiative (which could be a town, village, university or island etc) is a community-led response to the pressures of climate change, fossil fuel depletion and increasingly, economic contraction. World Heritage Sites- The World Heritage List includes 911 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value. WRAP- Waste and Resources Action Programme

Environment Action Plan 2011/12

1. SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

1.1 Working to reduce, re-use, recycle and recover more waste for our communities Actions Target Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Date Officer Agencies/Groups Involvement Action How the  Desirable community is/can Action be involved  Community Action Continue to educate and communicate March Ruth Edwards, SHDC, WDBC, DCC, Direct Desirable, driven by Waste Management with communities and community 2012 Jane Savage DAWRRC, DCRN, involvement with statutory. Policies (SHDC) groups to reduce, reuse and recycle & Andy WRAP, SWWRF. community West Devon Waste their waste; through targeted Barron. groups and town Strategy communication and education which and parish Waste Education Policy ties in with local, regional and national councils (Voices) (WDBC) campaigns. Devon Municipal Waste Strategy Continue waste education initiatives March Andy Barron SHDC, WDBC, DCC, Direct Desirable, driven by Waste Education Policy within schools to encourage future and 2012 DAWRRC, Resource involvement with statutory. (WDBC) current generations to manage their Futures, DCCN. local schools. waste sustainably. Investigate new cost effective waste March Ruth Edwards, SHDC, WDBC, DCC, Possibility of Desirable- raised by Waste Management management initiatives which 2012 Andy Barron, DAWRRC, DCRN, utilising Big Members priority for Policies (SHDC) encourage management of waste Stuart Jellings, DCCN, SWDWP, Society agenda. action West Devon Waste further up the waste hierarchy, Jane Savage Community Groups. Strategy particularly involving anaerobic Devon Municipal Waste digesters. Strategy Lobby Government, the EU and the March Ruth Edwards SHDC, WDBC, DCC, Business Voice Desirable- raised by Waste Management worst offending ‘suppliers’/producers 2012 & Andy Barron DAWRRC, DCRN, Members as priority Policies (SHDC) to lower the amount of non- DCCN for action West Devon Waste biodegradable packaging, particularly Strategy with fruit and veg. Devon Municipal Waste Strategy Introduce a pilot project to investigate March Andy Barron SHDC, WDBC Town and Parish Desirable raised by Community Life Strategy the feasibility of community 2012 and Emma Voices/ Clusters/ Members as priority composting sites to reduce waste Gorbutt Link Committees for action. collection and benefit local Community Voice communities (link to pilot project for allotments below)

To focus specific communications In place by Ruth Edwards, SHDC, WDBC and Business Voice Desirable, raised by Waste Management towards tourists and second home March Andy Barron, DCC, Dartmoor staff and Members Policies (SHDC) owners to manage their waste 2012, to be Jane Savage Partnership to improve recycling West Devon Waste sustainably and to use local waste continued rates Strategy management services effectively. over Devon Municipal Waste following Strategy years. 1.2 Improve the sustainability of our waste management Actions Target Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Date Officer and Agencies/Groups Involvement Action Monitoring How the  Desirable Frequency community is/can Action be involved  Community Action Explore possibility of expanding April 2013 Beverley SHDC, WDBC Business Voices Desirable- Waste Management commercial waste recycling and waste Mason, Stuart efficiency. Raised Policies (SHDC) collections across West Devon and Jellings, Helen by Members and West Devon Waste the South Hams. Dobby staff. Strategy Devon Municipal Waste Strategy Offer support and advice to March Beverley SHDC, WDBC, Business Voices Desirable Waste Management businesses to manage their waste 2012 Mason, Ian Environment Agency Policies (SHDC) both legally and sustainably and to Hosking West Devon Waste take enforcement action against Strategy businesses that do not comply with the Devon Municipal Waste law. Strategy Economy Strategy Investigate new cost effective waste March Ruth Edwards, SHDC, WDBC, DCC, Possibility of Desirable- raised by Waste Management management initiatives which 2012 Andy Barron, DAWRRC, DCRN, utilising Big Members priority for Policies (SHDC) encourage management of waste Stuart Jellings, DCCN, SWDWP, Society agenda. action West Devon Waste further up the waste hierarchy, Jane Savage Community Groups. Strategy particularly involving anaerobic Devon Municipal Waste digesters. Strategy 1.3 Working with our partners to ensure sustainable waste disposal Actions Target Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Date Officer and Agencies/Groups Involvement Action Monitoring How the  Desirable Frequency community is/can Action be involved  Community Action Investigate more efficient and effective 2015 Stuart Jellings, SHDC, WDBC, DCC, The Voices Desirable- efficiency Waste Management methods of transporting and managing Richard Dean, DAWRRC, SWDWP. Policies (SHDC) the movement of waste, with a focus Ruth Edwards West Devon Waste on the proximity principle, both within Strategy and outside South West Devon. Devon Municipal Waste Strategy Work with our partners to influence the 2012 Helen Dobby SHDC, DCC, PCC, The Voices Desirable Waste Management South West Devon Waste Partnership TC and SWDWP Policies (SHDC) in finding a suitable site and method to West Devon Waste dispose of our waste sustainably. Strategy Devon Municipal Waste Strategy

2. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AND ORGANISATIONS

2.1 Working Together to become greener and more efficient organisations Actions Target Date Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Officer and Agencies/Groups Involvement Action Monitoring How the  Desirable Frequency community Action is/can be involved  Community Action Through the Environment Delivery 31/03/2012 Laura Payne All partners on Group, partner organisations to share Environment Delivery best practice about becoming greener Group organisations Review and amend the ‘Efficiency Sept 2012 Laura Payne SHDC and WDBC Internal document Desirable- efficiency Climate Change Strategy through Sustainability Action Plan’ in but could be and carbon and Efficiency through South Hams to become a document opened for reduction Sustainability Action Plan relevant and achievable by both consultation Existing Officer time 2009-2011 (SHDC) authorities. Implement an encouraging and March 2012 Laura Payne SHDC and WDBC N/A - internal Desirable- efficiency Green Travel Plan for enabling ‘Green Travel Policy’ and and carbon West Devon Borough associated action plan across South reduction Council; Hams DC and West Devon BC for Existing Officer Climate Change Strategy staff and council activities. time. and Action Plan (SHDC); Active South Hams and West Devon Action Plan Support the ‘Green Team’ at SHDC December Emma Gorbutt SHDC and WDBC N/A- internal Desirable Carbon Reduction and the ‘Green Champions’ at WDBC 2011 and Laura Management Plan to share best practice and work on Payne (SHDC) shared actions with staff and Efficiency through Members. Sustainability Action Plan 2009-2011 (SHDC) Green Champions Action Plan (WDBC) Develop a Sustainability Policy March 2012 Laura Payne South Hams District N/A- internal Existing Officer time Sustainability Policy Framework across SH and WD to Annually Council and West Framework (SHDC) demonstrate how the principles of Devon BC sustainability are integrated throughout the council’s processes and services. 2.2 Encouraging and enabling Renewable Energy generation and reducing non-renewable energy use: Actions Target Date Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Officer and Agencies/Groups Involvement Action Monitoring How the  Desirable Frequency community Action is/can be  Community involved Action Review guidance provided to assist March 2012 Development WDBC Consultation Existing officer time DNPA Management Plan local people and community Management SHDC with and partner time organisations in relation to DNPA communities Planning Policies for Renewable Energy and applying for AONB’s will be required SHDC and WDBC installations Regen South West, Energy Action Devon, Environment Agency

Review the way in which partners and March 2012 Development WDBC SHDC DNPA Their needs Desirable- from Community Life Strategy SHDC and WDBC support and management AONBs and aspirations staff and members encourage the development of and The Green Dartmoor Circle will shape the sessions Economy Strategy renewable energy generation and Team and Transition Towns way we investigate potential for Renewable Green Regen South West, improve the Possibility of new DNPA Management Plan Energy Position Statement. Champions Energy Action delivery of officer to champion Devon, Kingsbridge services. Local renewables/existing Low Carbon Group, resident and officer time PL21,North Tawton ‘expert’ panels/ Environment Trust. networks Environment Agency Promote DNPA new Design Guide March 2012 Jo Rumble DNPA DNPA action Desirable – DNPA Management Plan which will support the construction of (DNPA) Suggested by Jo environmentally sustainable houses Rumble at DNPA Research external funding March 2012 Green Team SHDC (DNPA) Scope for large Desirable- raised Carbon Management opportunities and appropriate amount of by Members as Plan, Efficiency through providers to conduct an assessment community priority for action. Sustainability Action Plan of our Renewable Energy potential engagement to (SHDC) within South Hams including offshore assess potential. likelihood of community support. Partner’s to support the completion March 2012 Andrew Dartmoor Circle, Community Community Action Carbon Management Plan and implementation of Dartmoor Shadrake DNPA, WDBC, Action (SHDC) Circle’s Low Carbon Action Plan (Dartmoor SHDC, Duchy, Circle) Dartmoor Commoners, Dartmoor Partnership Sustainable South Brent Proper Job (Chagford) Westden (Tavistock) Pl21 (Ivybridge) SHDC to act on recommendations Apr 2012 Alan Robinson SHDC and Tresoc Potential Desirable- carbon SHDC Planning policies from the RE feasibility study consultation reduction and commissioned in early 2011. required efficiency Asset Management Plan 2.3 Adapting and mitigating the effects of changes in our climate Actions Target Date Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Officer and Agencies/Groups Involvement Action Monitoring How the  Desirable Frequency community Action is/can be  Community involved Action Enable and support communities to March 2012 Peter Dale SHDC and WDBC Through parish Desirable Parish Plans, SHDC develop resilience to extreme DCC planning Emergency Response weather events such as flooding, EA process Guide, DCC Major snow and ice through emergency Emergencies Plan parish planning. Raise public awareness of March 2012 Tracy SHDC and WDBC Connect, Town Desirable Parish Plans, SHDC emergency planning, through Windemer, DCC and Parish Emergency Response promotion on websites, South Peter Dale EA Voices Guide, DCC Major Hams/West Devon Connect, and Emergencies Plan public/parish council meetings/events Promote community resilience to March 2012 Tracy Windemer SHDC and WDBC N/A- internal Desirable Parish Plans, SHDC flooding by investigation and support and the Environment Emergency Response of property protection grants and/or Agency Guide, DCC Major flood schemes through the DCC Emergencies Plan Environment Agency funding streams EA Provide a consultation service and March 2012 Tracy Windemer SHDC and WDBC N/A- internal Statutory Planning Policies, LDF technical evaluation of sustainable documents. drainage for planning applications. Contribute to multi agency March 2012 Peter Dale SHDC N/A- internal Desirable Shoreline Management partnerships to identify and monitor EA Plan, DCC Coastal risks to coastal communities Pollution Plan 2.4 Working to promote and support environmentally sustainable initiatives in the community Actions Target Date Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Officer and Agencies/Groups Involvement Action Monitoring How the  Desirable Frequency community Action is/can be  Community involved Action Investigate the potential to work with March 2012 Andy Barron SHDC and WDBC An appropriate Desirable- raised Community Engagement a community organisation to enable and Emma community by Members as Strategy, the use of council owned land to be Gorbutt group will be priority for action utilised for a community allotment and directly Community Life Strategy associated compost site (see action involved under 1.1) LDF Documents Appraise the way in which Partners March 2012 Emma Gorbutt Transition Towns Their needs Desirable Community Engagement and WDBC/SHDC support and Groups, Grow Tavi, and aspirations Strategy, encourage the development of local West Den, TAVI will shape the Existing officer time and sustainable food production and WDBC SHDC way we and partner time Community Life Strategy distribution in South West Devon. DNPA Town and improve the Parish Voices. delivery of Dartmoor services. Local Partnership, resident and ‘expert’ panels/ networks Improve community engagement by March 2012 Dotty Allan WDBC SHDC Parish plans Desirable Community Engagement working with communities in West Parish Plan groups are developed Existing staff time Strategy, Devon and South Hams through Parish Councils and lead by and partner time community led planning to ensure Community Council local Community Life Strategy that plans take into account of Devon communities environmental considerations and HOG -Co Parish Plans sustainability. Statement of Community Involvement Map existing community food projects December Emma Gorbutt Transition Towns Extensive Desirable Community Engagement and allotments to identify gaps in 2011 Quarterly Groups, Grow Tavi, consultation Existing staff time Strategy, provision. West Den, TAVI required. and partner time WDBC SHDC Community Life Strategy DNPA Parish Link Committees Parish Plans Hog-co AONB’s Statement of Community Involvement

3. CONSERVE AND ENHANCE THE BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Responsible planning, to conserve and enhance the environment Actions Target Date Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Officer and Agencies/Groups Involvement Action Monitoring How the  Desirable Frequency community Action is/can be  Community involved Action Ensure strategic planning policies are In line with Jo Perry and SHDC WDBC DNPA Statement of Statutory AONB Management reviewed and developed to continue to Local Graham Swiss Community Plans take into account environmental Developmen Jo Rumble Involvement considerations and sustainability t Scheme Public Space Strategies principles.

Development Management to March 2012 Anna Henderson- SHDC, WDBC N/A- internal Desirable- raised by Planning policies introduce a working practise to Smith/Ben Dancer Members as priority challenge the demolition of properties and Malcolm Elliot for action when mentioned in a related planning application Improve our monitoring and Oct 2011 Enforcement SHDC and WDBC Community Desirable NERC Act enforcement of environmental teams across input alerting protection and enhancement planning authorities Annual Council’s to Existing staff PPS9 Biodiversity and consent conditions/clauses. breaches, resources Geological Conservation other body involvement such as the EA, N E and Police as poss. enforcing body 3.2 Working to protect our high quality landscapes, marine environment and built heritage Actions Target Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Date Officer and Agencies/Groups Involvement Action Monitoring How the  Desirable Frequency community Action is/can be  Community involved Action Investigate and implement initiatives to March 2012 Andy Barron, Ian SHDC, WDBC, Big Society Desirable- raised by Waste Management reduce litter and to encourage Hosking, Resource Futures, approach to Members and staff Policies, West Devon residents and visitors to use facilities (Keep Britain Tidy?) enable Waste Strategy provided for collection of litter. community projects Continue to take enforcement action March 2012 Ian Hosking, Alison SHDC, WDBC, Communities Desirable Waste Management against people who fly-tip and to Stoneham Environment Agency, encouraged to Policies, West Devon publicise the details of successful Police, DNPA report Waste Strategy, prosecutions. Rangers incidences Environmental Health Enforcement Policy

Investigate whether there is potential to March 2012 Ian Hosking SHDC, WDBC, N/A Desirable Waste Management increase the level of fines for fly-tipping DEFRA Policies, West Devon offences. Waste Strategy, Environmental Health Enforcement Policy

Promote and support volunteer and March 2012 Ian Hosking, Stuart SHDC, WDBC, Big Society Desirable- Community Engagement community litter clearance events on Jellings, Community and approach community Strategy beaches and other public land. Landscape & voluntary groups, supporting Leisure BCTV, Probation community Service, DNPA projects Rangers Deliver and support South Devon Apr 2012 Robin Toogood South Devon AONB Public Plan production SHDC LDF documents AONB Management Plan including Unit consultation Statutory DCC Structure Plan actions relating to Natural England on plan  Natural Environment DEFRA adoption AONB unit budget  Sustainable Living SHDC & DCC  Awareness and TBC & PCC Extensive Communication community /  Partnerships volunteering involvement in AONB work Deliver and support Tamar Valley Apr 2012 Tim Selman Tamar Valley AONB Public Plan production WDBC LDF documents AONB Management Plan including Unit consultation Statutory DCC & CCC Structure actions relating to Natural England on plan Plans  Landscape Management DEFRA adoption AONB unit budget  World Heritage Site WDBC & SHDC  Sustainable Management DCC & CCC Extensive  Safeguarding the AONB community /  Understanding and awareness volunteering  AONB Management involvement in AONB work Review opportunity for joint SH and June 2011 Jo Perry SHDC & WDBC Community Desirable Devon Landscape WD “Landscape character Ross Kennerley DCC and interest Character Assessment assessment” and accompanying Georgina Browne Natural England group European Landscape Management Guidelines DNPA consultation Strategy Promote targeting of Land March 2012 Ross Kennerley DEFRA Promotion Desirable Green Infrastructure Management and Woodland Natural England through Link Targeting of existing Plans Management grants to areas of local Forestry Commission Comm./ funding landscape importance clusters Support local tree planting and On going Keith Rennells SHDC Lead from Desirable National Tree Planting protection through community SHTWN Parish Tree Existing staff time Strategy partnerships with Tree Warden warden Networks Network Allocated budget Support and enable conservation Apr 2012 Richard Gage SHDC & WDBC Consultation Desirable SHDC LDF documents initiatives within communities focussed English Heritage on published Community Action DCC Structure Plan on protecting our industrial and built AONB documents. EH Guidance Notes heritage, through education; supporting DNPA Part ownership and enabling. possibilities Conserve and enhance our historic Apr 2012 Richard Gage SHDC & WDBC Parish Statutory SHDC LDF documents built environment through the English Heritage Consultations DCC Structure Plan Programme of Heritage Protection DNPA Member/Com PPS5 & PPS1 Reform and the legislative Planning munity EH Guidance Notes framework as part of the statutory Involvement at South Devon AONB planning function of the LPA. pre-app stage Management Plan and throughout the planning process Publish Conservation Area Appraisals Apr 2012 Nils White SHDC & WDBC Consultation Desirable PPS5 to improve our knowledge and Graham Lawrence DNPA throughout the EH Guidance & Best understanding of the extent and Annual process with Allocated budget Practice condition of South West Devon’s various South Devon AONB historic environmental resources. Use community Desirable but Management Plan appraisals to inform management bodies. requires addition decisions. (statutory resources consultation) Formal Potential consultation Community Action prior to adoption Implementing Conservation Area Ongoing Graham Lawrence, SHDC and WDBC, Opportunity for Desirable Conservation Area Management Plans in association with Nils White and Town Heritage Community to Existing staff Appraisals across SH partners, such as Tavistock Robert Plumb Partnerships. self- monitor resources and WD Townscape Heritage Partnership. Annual Support delivery of the Cornwall and March 2012 Graham Lawrence WDBC, DCC, Promotion Desirable but Existing WHS West Devon World Heritage Site – for Annual Cornwall Council, through West requires addition Management Plan Management Plan projects and completion WHS Officer Working Devon Voices. Conservation interpretation, particularly building an of review of Group and resources identity for Tavistock as the eastern Plan Partnership. gateway to the World Heritage Site.

Review and combine the Biodiversity Mar 2012 Ross Kennerley SHDC & WDBC To be Desirable South Hams and West Duty Action Plans at WD and SH- in Rob Sekula Annual DEFRA assessed Existing staff Devon Biodiversity Action particular duties relating to resources Plans  Strategic Planning  Development management  Asset management Implement Service Level Agreements June 2011 Jo Perry SHDC & WDBC Input from Funding from Council Biodiversity with Devon Biodiversity Records Ross Kennerley DBRC specialist government Plans Centre at both authorities. Annual groups Biodiversity award Implement standardised biodiversity June 2011 Anna Henderson- SHDC & WDBC Input from Existing staff Natural England Standing screening for planning applications and Smith/Ben Dancer NE specialist resources advice; accompanying planning guidance, and Malcolm Elliot DCC groups Funding from Council Biodiversity across both authorities. TBC government Plans Biodiversity award Investigate the feasibility of June 2011 Ross Kennerley SHDC Community Desirable National Biodiversity implementing a landscape scale Robin Toogood South Devon AONB interest groups Big Lottery Action Plan project relating to the South Devon TBC Unit; as partners in Other funding Integrated Biodiversity Delivery Area. TBC, TCCT, PCC project sources Natural England, DEFRA Increase the number of County Wildlife March 2012 Ross Kennerley DCC Could be Continuance of Defra Local Sites Sites in positive management. Rob Sekula Annual DBRC achieved funding to Devon Indicator DNPA through Biodiversity encouraging Monitoring volunteering Framework Regulate / Manage local pollution March 2012 Ian Luscombe SHDC and WDBC, Statutory Air Quality Strategy issues through: Bi-annual update DCC, DEFRA, DWI, requirements Contaminated Land - Air Quality Management Zones EA Strategy Environmental - Regulation of Private water Existing resources Protection Enforcement Supplies Policy Bathing Water - Managing statutory nuisance Strategy (e.g. noise and odour emissions) - -Inspecting Industrial Processes - Delivering the Contaminated Land Strategies - - Monitoring Bathing Waters Develop management linkages and Mar 2012 Nigel SHDC, SD AONB, Work with Statutory Marine and Coastal coastal zone integration opportunities Mortimer Community Groups specialist Access Act 2010; under Marine and Coastal Access Act marine groups Estuary Management 2010 Plans

Promote and continue with the March 2012 Ian Gibson SHDC, EA and Local Statutory EU Directives, Estuary commitment of the Harbour Authority, Salcombe Harbour community Management Plan. SHDC and the Environment Agency to Authority groups are Existing resources improve water quality and sustainable often environmental practises within the consulted and Estuary. involved in Harbour Authority activity. Maintain effective management March 2012 Robin Toogood South Devon AONB Marine interest Desirable Estuary Management arrangements for our estuaries within, Unit groups Plans through a series of groups and forums, SHDC, DCC Harbour and implement the estuary Harbour Authorities Authorities management plans. Scope all new legislation relating to the June 11 Nigel Mortimer South Devon AONB Marine interest Statutory Marine and Coastal marine and coastal environment and Unit groups Access Act; EU designations for their impact on partner SHDC, DCC Harbour Directives. authorities. Harbour Authorities Authorities Confirm joint arrangements for support April 12 Ross Kennerley SHDC & WDBC Annual Statutory TECF Management Plan to Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum Jo Perry TECF Tamar SAC Management and undertake review of Tamar Existing budget Plan Estuary Management Plan. 3.3 Delivering green infrastructure and improving access to public open space Actions Target Responsible Responsible Community  Statutory Linked Strategies Date Officer and Agencies/Groups Involvement Action Monitoring How the  Desirable Frequency community Action is/can be  Community involved. Action Active participation in strategic Green On going Ross Kennerley Natural England; Community Statutory LDF Policy and Site Infrastructure Partnerships and Plan 3 monthly Forestry interest groups Allocations delivery in Plymouth and Torbay Commission; involved in Existing staff SHDC and WDBC; projects and resources Plymouth Green PCC & TBC plan Infrastructure Plan DNPA development Developer contributions Torbay Green External Grants Infrastructure Plan Consider opportunities for local green Sept 11 Rob Sekula SHDC & WDBC; Community Statutory LDF Policy and Site Infrastructure plans for Market Towns Ross Kennerley Town and Parish interest groups Allocations alongside Public Space Strategy Jo Perry Councils; involved in review and Masterplanning exercises TBC DNPA projects and NE, EA, FC etc plan development Implement delivery of the South Hams Mar 12 Ross Kennerley SHDC Town and Desirable (but South Hams Public Public Space Action Plan including Town and Parish Parish Council statutory need to Space strategy themes in relation to Councils Voices, manage owned  Increasing accessibility Landowners Community land) PPG 17 “Open Space,  Improving quality Voices Sport and recreation”  Partnership working Existing capital and  Sustainable design and revenue budgets maintenance External grant bids

s.106 funding Improve management of public space March 2012 Ross Kennerley SHDC & WDBC Town and Desirable South Hams Public through closer working with Town, Rob Sekula Keith DNPA, DCC Parish Council Existing capital and Space Strategy Parish, Market Town and Community Rennells Town and Parish Voices revenue budgets groups. (to include DNP and DCC Councils Parish Plans assets) Landowners External grant bids Public Agencies PPG 17 “Open Space, s.106 funding Sport and recreation”

Core Strategies and other LDF documents Work with DCC to influence local Jan 2012 Ross Kennerley SHDC, WDBC, DCC, Link with Desirable- raised by DCC Local Transport transport plans to improve countryside DNPA parish/neighbo Members as priority Plans access within the area. urhood plans for action Improve the ‘enjoyment of the Apr 2012 Keith Rennells SHDC & WDBC Volunteer Desirable Public Space Strategy environment’, by continuing and Rob Sekula Health Authorities involvement in improving existing initiatives such as DCC scheme Existing Resources Health Strategy Village Trails, Health Walks, Local Natural England delivery Nature Reserve management, event DNPA programmes, and cycling/ walking Direct benefit routes and networks. to communities