DOCSLIB.ORG

Biodiversity

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Biodiversity Wheelabrator Harewood Waste-to- Energy Facility Chapter 10 – Biodiversity Prepared for: WTI/EfW Holdings Ltd. AECOM Wheelabrator Harewood Waste-to- Energy Facility Table of Contents 10. Ecology ............................................................................................... 10-2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 10-2 Stakeholder Engagement ............................................................................................................. 10-2 Legislation and Planning Policy .................................................................................................... 10-4 Assessment Assumptions and Limitations ..................................................................................... 10-7 Assessment Methodology ............................................................................................................. 10-8 Baseline Conditions .................................................................................................................... 10-17 Design Measures and Impact Avoidance .................................................................................... 10-29 Assessment of Likely Impacts and Effects................................................................................... 10-30 Mitigation and Enhancement Measures ...................................................................................... 10-44 Residual Effects.......................................................................................................................... 10-44 Cumulative Effects ...................................................................................................................... 10-45 References ................................................................................................................................. 10-46 Figures Figure 10-1a: Statutory Designated Sites for Nature Conservation Located Within 10 km Figure 10-1b: Designated Sites for Nature Conservation and Notable Habitat Located Within 2 km Figure 10-2: Phase 1 Habitat Plan Figure 10-3: Bat Activity Transect Routes and Static Detector Locations Tables Table 10-1: Key consultation responses to main matters .............................................................. 10-3 Table 10-2: Summary of Local Planning Policy ............................................................................. 10-7 Table 10-3: Survey and reporting status ....................................................................................... 10-8 Table 10-4: Desk Study Data Sources ........................................................................................... 10-9 Table 10-5: HSI score and interpretation ..................................................................................... 10-11 Table 10-6: Summary of dusk bat activity surveys undertaken .................................................... 10-13 Table 10-7: Summary of static bat detector deployments ............................................................ 10-13 Table 10-8: Dormouse ‘index of probability’ scores by month ...................................................... 10-14 Table 10-9: Relating CIEEM assessment terms to those used in other chapters ......................... 10-17 Table 10-10: Sites with Statutory Designations for Nature Conservation ...................................... 10-18 Table 10-11: Sites with Non-Statutory Designations for Nature Conservation .............................. 10-19 Table 10-12: Summary of amphibian survey results .................................................................... 10-26 Table 10-13: Summary of reptile survey results ........................................................................... 10-27 Table 10-14: Reptile population size categories........................................................................... 10-28 Table 10-15: Summary of Magnitude of Impact and Significance of Effect during Enabling Works, Construction and Commissioning ................................................................................................ 10-36 Table 10-16: Summary of Magnitude of Impact and Significance of Effect during Operation and Maintenance ............................................................................................................................... 10-42 Prepared for:WTI/EfW Holdings Ltd. AECOM 10-1 Wheelabrator Harewood Waste-to- Energy Facility 10.Ecology Introduction This chapter of the PEIR reports the findings of an assessment of the likely significant effects on Ecology as a result of the Harewood Waste-to-Energy Facility (hereafter referred to as the ‘Proposed Development’). For more details about the Proposed Development, refer to Chapter 4: The Proposed Development. This chapter identifies and proposes measures to address the potential impacts and effects of the Proposed Development on ecological receptors, during construction, operation, and decommissioning. This document provides the preliminary findings of the environmental assessment undertaken to date to inform the formal consultation process. It does not constitute a full Environmental Statement (ES), which will be produced as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application. It is intended that this chapter provides consultees with an early opportunity to provide informed comments on the work undertaken to date and its findings. The Applicant will take into account these comments when finalising the ES and DCO application. The various assessments are at differing stages of completion due to outstanding design and baseline information, and in some areas there are gaps that are highlighted along with an explanation on how this will be further developed for the ES. This approach adheres with the EIA Regulations and Planning Inspectorate Advice Note 7. Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholders for the Proposed Development include statutory consultees, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, local conservation groups, and local communities. A high-level summary of responses to the Scoping Opinion can be found in Chapter 2: Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria. Key comments relevant to this discipline are outlined below. Prepared for: WTI/EfW Holdings Ltd. AECOM 10-2 Wheelabrator Harewood Waste-to- Energy Facility Table 10-1: Key consultation responses to main matters Consultee Main matter raised Key responses Natural England In order to secure appropriate biodiversity An integrated biodiversity and landscape mitigation and enhancements Natural mitigation and management plan will be England recommends that the provided alongside the ES at DCO Environmental Statement (ES) is submission. supported by a Biodiversity Mitigation and Enhancement Plan (BMEP). See paragraph 10.234 of this chapter for an initial discussion of mitigation measures to be incorporated. The ES should include consideration of All of these items are considered in this PEIR potential impacts on protected and notable and will be assessed in full within the ES. species and include consideration of impact of lighting on bats. See paragraphs 10.120 to 10.165 of this chapter. Barton Stacey There is the potential for impacts on Breeding bird and dormouse surveys have Parish Council dormice, bees, and ground nesting birds. been undertaken and a summary of results is provided in paragraphs 10.135, and 10.159 of this chapter. The Site and adjacent land does not support bee hives. Honey bees (the focus of the parish council comments) are not legally protected or notable. In addition they forage over a very large area, such that the loss of habitat at the Site would be a very small percentage of that suitable habitat available to local bee populations. On this basis no significant effects are expected and they have been scoped out of the assessment. Basingstoke and Ensure consideration of two Sites of The assessment includes consideration of the Deane Borough Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) (River SSSI’s listed and all other SINC’s within a 2 Council Test and East Aston Common) and Sites of km radius of the Site. Importance for Nature Conservation See paragraph 10.93 and Table: 10-10 of this (SINCs) including Test Valley Meadow and chapter. Tidbury Ringwood. Prepared for: WTI/EfW Holdings Ltd. AECOM 10-3 Wheelabrator Harewood Waste-to- Energy Facility Consultee Main matter raised Key responses Bracknell Forest There is the potential for longer distance The full assessment of potential impacts of air Borough Council environmental impacts which may have quality on protected and/or notable sites will potential to impact distant Special be provided in the final ES, when traffic data is Protection Areas (SPAs) including Windsor available. If initial modelling indicates potential Great Park and Thames Basin Heaths for impacts on designated sites and/or habitat SPAs. of principal importance within a 2 km radius then the sites considered will be extended to include those more distant from the Site. There are no internationally designated sites within 10 km of the Site. See paragraph 10.79. Hampshire There is the potential for air quality impacts The air quality assessment includes all County Council on ecological receptors. Requested that designated sites and protected/notable effects on ancient woodland and other air habitats within 2 km of the Site. quality sensitive priority habitats to be The extent may be extended if the initial scoped into the assessment. results for
Load more

Recommended publications
  • HBIC Annual Monitoring Report 2018
    Monitoring Change in Priority Habitats, Priority Species and Designated Areas For Local Development Framework Annual Monitoring Reports 2018/19 (including breakdown by district) Basingstoke and Deane Eastleigh Fareham Gosport Havant Portsmouth Winchester Produced by Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre December 2019 Sharing information about Hampshire's wildlife The Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre Partnership includes local authorities, government agencies, wildlife charities and biological recording groups. Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre 2 Contents 1 Biodiversity Monitoring in Hampshire ................................................................................... 4 2 Priority habitats ....................................................................................................................... 7 3 Nature Conservation Designations ....................................................................................... 12 4 Priority habitats within Designated Sites .............................................................................. 13 5 Condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)....................................................... 14 7. SINCs in Positive Management (SD 160) - Not reported on for 2018-19 .......................... 19 8 Changes in Notable Species Status over the period 2009 - 2019 ....................................... 20 09 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council .......................................................................... 28 10 Eastleigh Borough
    [Show full text]
  • Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Landscape, Biodiversity
    Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees Supplementary Planning Document July 2018 DRAFT for Economic Planning and Housing Committee 1 Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees SPD – DRAFT for EPH 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4 Purpose of this Supplementary Planning Document .............................................. 4 What types of development does this Supplementary Planning Document apply to? ......................................................................................................................... 5 Professional sources of advice .............................................................................. 5 2. Policy context ................................................................................................................. 6 Links to Green Infrastructure Strategy ................................................................... 7 3. Landscape ...................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 9 Policy context ........................................................................................................ 9 Overview of how to create a strong landscape structure ...................................... 10 STAGE ONE: Understanding a site - Survey of the site and its surroundings
    [Show full text]
  • Monitoring Change in Priority Habitats, Priority Species and Designated Areas
    Monitoring Change in Priority Habitats, Priority Species and Designated Areas For Local Development Framework Annual Monitoring Reports 2018/19 (including breakdown by district) Basingstoke and Deane Eastleigh Fareham Gosport Havant Portsmouth Winchester Produced by Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre December 2019 Sharing information about Hampshire's wildlife The Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre Partnership includes local authorities, government agencies, wildlife charities and biological recording groups. Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre 2 Contents 1 Biodiversity Monitoring in Hampshire ................................................................................... 4 2 Priority habitats ....................................................................................................................... 7 3 Nature Conservation Designations ....................................................................................... 12 4 Priority habitats within Designated Sites .............................................................................. 13 5 Condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)....................................................... 14 7. SINCs in Positive Management (SD 160) - Not reported on for 2018-19 .......................... 19 8 Changes in Notable Species Status over the period 2009 - 2019 ....................................... 20 09 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council .......................................................................... 28 10 Eastleigh Borough
    [Show full text]
  • 11892 the LONDON GAZETTE, 29Ra OCTOBER 1970
    11892 THE LONDON GAZETTE, 29ra OCTOBER 1970 APPENDIX B Information about Registrations in Second Period Open to Objection from 1st May 1970, to 31st July 1972 REGISTER OF COMMON LAND Unit No. Description Acreage CL 262 ... Tadley Pound, Tadley 0-200 CL 263 ... Holt Green, Bentworth 0-580 CL 264 ... Former Pond, Bentworth 0-241 CL 265 ... Star Green, Bentworth 0-360 CL 266 ... Cranemoor Common, Christchurch East 38-253 o CL 267 ... Plaitford Wood Common, Melchet Park and Plaitford 0-154 r CL 268 ... Plaitford Common (Part) 0-520 r CL 269 ... Chewton Common, Christchurch 0-360 or CL 270 ... Westfield Common (Part), Hamble 0-340 CL 271 ... Pond Green, Hamble 0-720 CL 272 ... Hamble Hard, Hamble 0-200 CL 273 ... The Triangle, Headbourne Worthy and Abbotts Barton 0-110 CL 274 ... Weavers Down (Part), Bramshott 5-000 or CL 276 ... Bickerley Common (Part), Ringwood 0-240 r CL 277 ... Hurst Common, Ringwood 28-500 r CL 278 ... Hoegate Common, Soberton 16-000 or CL 279 ... The Pond, Cliddesden 0-140 CL 280 ... Shalden Green, Shalden 8-460 CL 281 ... Hoegate Common (Part), Soberton 8-320 CL 282 ... Odiham Common (Part), Odiham 3-590 r CL 283 ... Ropley Pond, Ropley 0-200 CL 284 ... Peel Common, Fareham 1-300 CL 285 ... The Allotments, North Baddesley 1-953 CL 286 ... Lopshill Common, Damerham 31-330 or CL 287 ... Portsdown Hill (Part), Fareham 23-800 CL 288 ... Lopshill Common (Part), Damerham 2-210 CL 289 ... Land at Shepherds Road, Bartley 3-500 r CL 290 ... Land at Rockram Wood, Cadnam 5-780 or CL 291 ..
    [Show full text]
  • Authority Monitoring Report 2006
    Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Annual Monitoring Report 2005/06 December 2006 Table of Contents SECTION ONE: REPORT 1. Introduction 3 1.1 Context 3 1.2 Structure 4 1.3 Profile of the Borough 5 1.4 Implementation of the Local Development Scheme 6 1.5 Executive Summary 8 2. Accommodating Development 9 2.1 The Supply of New Homes 9 2.2 Previously Developed Land 13 2.3 Density of Completed Residential Dwellings 14 2.4 Affordable Housing 15 2.5 Sustainability of New Dwellings 15 2.6 Housing Mix 16 2.7 Non-residential Parking Standards 17 2.8 Gypsy and Traveller Sites 18 3. Economic Issues and Development 20 3.1 Employment Land 20 3.2 Retail, Office and Leisure 22 3.3 Farm Diversification 24 4. The Natural Environment and Resources 25 4.1 Flood Protection and Water Quality 25 4.2 Biodiversity 26 4.3 Renewable Energy 30 4.4 Open Space 30 4.5 Recycling 31 1 SECTION TWO: APPENDICES 1.1 Appendix 1: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Adopted Local Plan Objectives 1.2 Appendix 2: Regional Planning Guidance Nine: South East England Policies (RPG9) 1.3 Appendix 3: Draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South East (Draft South East Plan) Policies 1.4 Appendix 4: Integrated Regional Framework (IRF) Objectives 1.5 Appendix 5: Hampshire County Council (HCC) Structure Plan 1.6 Appendix 6: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Adopted Local Plan Policies 1.7 Appendix 7: Other Strategies 1.8 Appendix 8: Profile of the Borough 1.9 Appendix 9: Projected Housing Completions (by site) 1.10 Appendix 10: Housing Density 1.11 Appendix 11: Housing Strategy Statistics 2006 1.12 Appendix 12: Sustainability of New Dwellings 1.13 Appendix 13: Non-residential Parking Standards 1.14 Appendix 14: Flood Protection and Water Quality 1.15 Appendix 14: Bibliography 1.16 Appendix 15: Glossary 2 Chapter One INTRODUCTION 1.1 Context 1.1.1 The 2005/06 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) is the second annual review of various planning related activities in the Borough.
    [Show full text]
  • Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees Supplementary Planning Document
    Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees Supplementary Planning Document December 2018 Foreword Basingstoke and Deane has a range of high quality natural environment assets that are greatly valued by residents and visitors alike. The Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan 2011- 2029 sets out ambitious plans for growth, and it is important that any impacts on the natural environment are sensitively and appropriately considered to ensure that our valued green spaces, landscapes and habitats continue to contribute to the borough’s environment. This Supplementary Planning Document adds further detail to the natural environment policies in the Local Plan, providing guidance on how existing green infrastructure, landscape, biodiversity, and trees should shape development proposals and be considered as part of the planning process. The document will help to both protect and enhance the borough’s landscapes, minimise impacts on and provide net gains for biodiversity, and ensure that the many environmental benefits of trees are recognised. As such, it will help to create distinctive, high quality and healthy places to live. This document has been informed by extensive consultation including a seven week formal consultation with residents and stakeholder. It has been prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees SPD 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Landscape Character Assessment
    Landscape Architecture Masterplanning Ecology Basingstoke and Deane Landscape Character Assessment May 2021 hankinson duckett associates t 01491 838175 e [email protected] w www.hda-enviro.co.uk The Stables, Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BA Hankinson Duckett Associates Limited Registered in England & Wales 3462810 Registered Office: The Stables, Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Wallingford, OX10 8BA Basingstoke and Deane Landscape Character Assessment 2021 i CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Introduction page 1 1.1 In 2019, Basingstoke and Deane Council commissioned Hankinson Duckett Associates (HDA) to undertake a review of the Borough’s 2001 Landscape Character Assessment. The updated 2 Basingstoke and Deane Landscape Overview page 1 Landscape Character Assessment will be part of the evidence base for the Local Plan and will help guide spatial planning and development management decisions within the Borough. 3 Landscape and Townscape Types page 19 1.2 The original 2001 study was prepared by Landscape Design Associates in association with 4 Landscape Character Areas Wessex Archaeology, and forms the basis for the revised Landscape Character Assessment, 1. Highclere and Burghclere page 34 updated as appropriate. 2. Ecchinswell page 40 3. Wolverton page 46 1.3 The 2001 study has been updated taking into account both changes to the landscape, and the 4. North Sherborne page 52 current best practice landscape character assessment guidance set out by Natural England's 5. North Silchester page 58 'An approach to landscape character assessment' published in 2014. 6. Loddon and Lyde Valley page 62 7. The Clere Scarp page 68 1.4 The landscape overview and Landscape Types from the 2001 assessment have been reviewed 8.
    [Show full text]
  • Scoping Report December 2019 UE0338 SEA- Soton LP Scoping 2 191217
    SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL Scoping Report December 2019 Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Southampton City Vision Local Plan Scoping Report Client: Southampton City Council Report No.: UE0338 SEA- Soton LP Scoping_2_191217 Author: Proofed: Approved: Giulia Civello BSc(Hons) MSc PIEMA Nick Pincombe BA(Hons) MSc CEnv Nick Pincombe BA(Hons) MSc CEnv Michael Williams BSc(Hons) MSc MIEMA MCIEEM MIEMA MCIEEM Revision No.: Status/Comment: Date: 0 Draft for comment 15 October 2019 1 Final draft 18 November 2019 2 Final 17 December 2019 SA/SEA for the Southampton City Vision Local Plan: Scoping Report December 2019 UE0338 SEA- Soton LP Scoping_2_191217 This page is intentionally blank. SA/SEA for the Southampton City Vision Local Plan: Scoping Report December 2019 UE0338 SEA- Soton LP Scoping_2_191217 Contents 0 Non-Technical Summary i 0.1 What is Sustainability Appraisal? i 0.2 What is the Southampton City Vision Local Plan? i 0.3 Purpose and Content of the Scoping Report i 0.4 Presenting the Scoping Information ii 0.5 Key Sustainability Issues iii 0.6 The Sustainability Appraisal Framework vii 0.7 Consultation Arrangements viii 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Purpose of this Document 1 1.2 The Southampton City Vision Local Plan 1 1.3 The Study Area 2 1.4 Sub-regional Context 4 1.5 Sustainable Development 4 2 Methodology 7 2.1 Integrated Sustainability Appraisal 7 2.2 Stages of Sustainability Appraisal 8 2.3 Approach to the Assessment 8 2.4 Limitations to the Assessment 11 3 Presenting the Scoping Information 13 3.1 Receptor
    [Show full text]
  • Hampshire Biodiversity Opportunity Areas - Statements
    Hampshire Biodiversity Opportunity Areas - Statements 01: Faccombe Landscape Character Area: Hampshire Downs Landscape Types: Downland Mosaic and Assarts Geology: Chalk bedrock overlaid in places with Clay-with-Flints deposits. Sand and Gravel river terrace deposits to the west. Biodiversity: This area lies within the North Wessex Downs AONB and consists of an undulating landscape of large areas of chalk capped by a superficial deposit of clay. There are numerous ancient semi-natural woodlands of oak-ash-hazel coppice, and remnant pockets of downland on the steeper slopes. Sites of significant nature conservation value include Linkenholt Hanging, Sidley Wood and the complex around Pilot Hill. The boundary had been determined by the county boundary, the geology and strong contour data and the clusters of both existing BAP habitats and number of high opportunity areas for downland restoration and reversion of planted ancient woodland back to semi-natural woodland. Key species include adonis blue butterfly, chiltern gentian and fragrant orchid. Targets and opportunities: Lowland Calcareous Grassland Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland www.hampshirebiodiversity.org.uk Hampshire Biodiversity Opportunity Areas - Statements 02: Vernham's Dean to Hurstbourne Tarant Landscape Character Area: Hampshire Downs Landscape Types: Downland Mosaic and Assarts / Major River Valleys Geology: Chalk bedrock with Sand and Gravel river terrace deposits along the north-east boundary. Biodiversity: This area lies within the North Wessex Downs AONB and consists primarily of a chalk downland landscape on a steepish mostly north east facing scarp running along the west side of the Bourne Rivulet from Hurstbourne Tarrant to the county boundary at Vernham Dean and continuing into Wiltshire.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
    Wheelabrator Harewood Waste-to- Energy Facility Appendix 10-1 – Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Prepared for: WTI/EfW Holdings Ltd. AECOM Appendix 10-1: Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Wheelabrator Harewood Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Facility Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) WTI/EfW Holdings Ltd. October 2019 Wheelabrator Harewood Waste-to-Energy Facility October 2019 Quality information Prepared by Checked by Approved by Ashley Welch John Simmons Neil Titley Graduate Ecologist, GradCIEEM Technical Director CEcol CEnv Technical Director MCIEEM George Willkinson Graduate Ecologist GradCIEEM Revision History Revision Revision date Details Authorized Name Position 00 29/03/18 Draft JS J Simmons Associate Ecologist 01 02/05/18 Updated draft JS J Simmons Associate Ecologist 02 19/10/19 Updated draft JS J Simmons Technical Director Prepared for: WTI/WfE Holdings Ltd. AECOM Wheelabrator Harewood Waste-to-Energy Facility October 2019 Prepared for: WTI/EfW Holdings Ltd. Prepared by: AECOM Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited Midpoint Alençon Link Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 7PP UK T: +44(0)1256 310200 aecom.com Limitations AECOM (“AECOM”) has prepared this Report for the sole use of Wheelabrator Technologies Inc (“Client”) in accordance with the terms and conditions of appointment. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this Report or any other services provided by AECOM. This Report may not be relied upon by any other party without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM. Where any conclusions and recommendations contained in this Report are based upon information provided by others, it has been assumed that all relevant information has been provided by those parties and that such information is accurate.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Biodiversity Monitoring Report 2014/15 Monitoring Change in Priority Habitats, Priority Species and Designated Areas (Including Breakdown by District)
    Annual Biodiversity Monitoring Report 2014/15 Monitoring Change in Priority Habitats, Priority Species and Designated Areas (including breakdown by district) For Local Plan Annual Monitoring Reports _________________________________________ Produced by Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre December 2015 1 Contents 1 Biodiversity Monitoring in Hampshire .................................................................................. 2 2 Priority habitats ................................................................................................................... 5 3 Nature Conservation Designations .................................................................................... 10 4 Priority habitats within Designated Sites ............................................................................ 11 5 Condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) ..................................................... 12 6 SINC changes observed and recorded .............................................................................. 14 7. SINCs in Positive Management (SD 160) - Not reported on for 2014-15 .......................... 15 8 Changes in Notable Species Status over the period 2004-2014 ........................................ 16 9 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council ......................................................................... 24 15 Havant Borough Council ................................................................................................. 30 Note: This report only includes the detailed
    [Show full text]
  • Thruxton Neighbourhood Plan Request for Screening Opinion for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
    Thruxton Neighbourhood Plan Request for Screening Opinion for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Introduction This statement has been prepared by Test Valley Borough Council (as responsible authority) to determine whether or not a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and/or a Habitats Regulations Assessment are required for the draft Thruxton Neighbourhood Plan following the submission of a screening opinion. The Regulations advise that where the responsible authority determines that the plan is unlikely to have significant environmental effects (and, accordingly, does not require an environmental assessment), it shall prepare a statement of its reasons for the determination. This statement fulfils that requirement. Context The preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan involves a series of stages as required by legislation before it can be ‘made’. To be ‘made’, a Neighbourhood Plan must meet certain Basic Conditions. These include that the making of the plan “does not breach, and is otherwise compatible with, EU obligations”. One of these obligations is Directive 2001/42/EC ‘on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment’. This is often referred to as the strategic environmental assessment (or SEA) Directive. The SEA Directive seeks “to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes.” The SEA Directive is transposed into UK law through the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (the ‘SEA Regulations’) and it is these Regulations that the neighbourhood plan will need to be compatible with.
    [Show full text]