Sustainability Appraisal of the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan

Sustainability Appraisal of the Chiltern and South Bucks District Local Plan

SA Scoping Document

November 2015

LEPUS CONSULTING LANDSCAPE, ECOLOGY, PLANNING & URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability Appraisal of the Chiltern and South Bucks District Local Plan

Scoping Report

LC-216 Document Control Box Client Chiltern District Council & South Bucks District Council Report Title Sustainability Appraisal of the Chiltern & South Bucks Local Plan Number 1 Status Final Filename LC-216_Scoping_4_271115SS.docx Date November 2015 Author RMC Reviewed SBS Approved NJD

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0

About this report & notes for readers

Lepus Consulting Ltd (Lepus) has prepared this draft report for between October and November 2015 and is subject to and the use of Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils. There are a limited by the information available during this time. number of limitations, which should be borne in mind when considering the results and conclusions of this report. No party should alter or change this report whatsoever without written This report has been produced to assess the sustainability effects permission from Lepus. of the Local Plan and meets the requirements of the SEA Directive. It is not intended to be a substitute for Environmental © Lepus Consulting Ltd Impact Assessment (EIA) or Appropriate Assessment (AA).

SA is a tool for predicting potential significant effects. The actual For further information on the differences between the products effects may be different from those identified. Prediction of please see: effects is made using an evidence-based approach and http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/environmentalassessment_tcm incorporates a judgement. 9- 257008.pdf

The assessments above are based on the best available Client comments can be sent to Lepus using the following information, including that provided to Lepus by the Council and address. information that is publicly available. No attempt to verify these secondary data sources has been made and they have assumed 1 Bath Street, to be accurate as published. Cheltenham Gloucestershire Every attempt has been made to predict effects as accurately as possible using the available information. Many effects will GL50 1YE depend on the size and location of development, building design Telephone: 01242 525222 and construction, proximity to sensitive receptors such as wildlife sites, conservation areas, flood risk areas and watercourses, and E-mail: [email protected] the range of uses taking place. This scoping report was prepared www.lepusconsulting.com

Front cover: Orange-tip butterfly

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0 SA of the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan November, 2015 LC-216_Scoping_4_271115SS.docx

Contents

1 Introduction ...... 1 1.1 This report ...... 1 1.2 Chiltern District ...... 1 1.3 South Bucks District ...... 3 1.4 Sustainability Appraisal ...... 3 1.5 The SA Process ...... 3 1.6 An integrated approach to Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment ...... 4 1.7 Best Practice Guidance ...... 4 1.8 The Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan ...... 5 2 Presenting the Sustainability Information ...... 6 2.1 Introduction ...... 6 2.2 Policy, plan and programme review ...... 9 2.3 Baseline data collection ...... 9 2.4 Key sustainability issues ...... 10 3 Accessibility and Transport ...... 11 3.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 11 3.2 South Bucks District: Baseline data ...... 12 3.3 Chiltern District: Baseline data ...... 17 4 Air Quality ...... 22 4.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 22 4.2 Baseline data ...... 22 5 Biodiversity and Geodiversity ...... 26 5.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 26 5.2 Baseline data: ...... 27 6 Climate Change ...... 38 6.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 38 6.2 Baseline data ...... 39 7 Economic Factors ...... 50 7.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 50 7.2 Baseline data ...... 50 8 Health ...... 55 8.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 55 8.2 Baseline data ...... 55 9 Historic Environment ...... 62 9.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 62 9.2 Summary of baseline data ...... 62 10 Housing ...... 73 10.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 73 10.2 Baseline data ...... 73 11 Landscape and townscape ...... 76 11.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 76 11.2 Baseline data: Chiltern ...... 76

12 Material Assets ...... 87 12.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 87 12.2 Baseline data ...... 87 13 Population and Quality of life ...... 94 13.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 94 13.2 Baseline data: Chiltern District ...... 94 14 Water and Soil ...... 101 14.1 Summary of policy and plan review ...... 101 14.2 Baseline data ...... 102 15 SA Framework ...... 107 15.1 The purpose of the SA Framework ...... 107 15.2 Sustainability Appraisal objectives ...... 107 16 Subsequent stages to be carried out ...... 109 16.1 Introduction ...... 109 16.2 Refining options and assessing effects ...... 109 16.3 Sustainability Appraisal and Publication/Submission ...... 109 17 Consultation on the Scoping Report ...... 111 17.1 Purpose of Consultation ...... 111 17.2 Consultation Details ...... 111

Appendix A: Full SA Framework Appendix B: PPP Review

Acronyms

AQMA Air Quality Management Area

BAP Biodiversity Action Plan BNS Biological Notification Site

CAMS Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy

CDC Chiltern District Council

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

CO2e Equivalent Carbon Dioxide DCLG Department of Communities and Local Government DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change

DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

EU European Union

GIS Geographic Information Systems

HS2 High Speed 2 rail line

HAP Habitat Action Plans

IMD Index of Multiple Deprivation km Kilometres kW Kilowatts

LLTI Limiting Long-Term Illness

LNR Local Nature Reserve

LSOA Lower Super Output Area

LWS Local Wildlife Site

NNR National Nature Reserve

NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide NPFA National Playing Field Association

NPPF National Planning Policy Framework

ODPM Office of the Deputy Prime Minister ONS Office of National Statistics

Particulate Matter (10 stands for Particulate Matter up to 10 PM 10 micrometres in size)

PPP Policies, Plans and Programmes

PROW Public Rights of Way

RIGS Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites

SA Sustainability Appraisal

SAM Scheduled Ancient Monument

SBDC South Bucks District Council

SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SFRA Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

SOA Super Output Area

SPZ Source Protection Zone SSSI Sites of Special Scientific Interest

UK United Kingdom

UKCP09 UK Climate Projections 2009

WRMP Water Resource Management Plan

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 Chiltern District and South Bucks District administrative boundaries

Figure 2.1 Stages in the SA process

Figure 3.1 Road links surrounding South Bucks

Figure 3.2 Public transport in South Bucks

Figure 4.1 Location of AQMAs and diffusion tubes in South bucks

Figure 4.2 Broad Street / Berkhampstead AQMA

Figure 5.1 Ancient Woodland and non-statutory conservation designations in Buckinghamshire Figure 5.2 Priority areas for BAP habitat

Figure 5.3 LWS, BNS and RIGS in South Bucks

Figure 5.4 Location of the Chilterns AONB

Figure 5.5 Statutory nature designations in Chiltern and South Bucks

Figure 6.1 Changes in annual mean temperature in the South East to 2099 as a result of a medium emissions scenario

Figure 6.2 Changes in summer mean precipitation in the South East to 2099 as a result of a medium emissions scenario

Figure 6.3 Changes in winter mean precipitation in the South East to 2099 as a result of a medium emissions scenario

Figure 6.4 South Bucks Flood Zones from pluvial and ground water

Figure 6.5 Fluvial flood risk in Chiltern

Figure 6.6 Fluvial flood risk in South Bucks

Figure 6.7 South Bucks District Council Annual Emissions

Figure 6.8 Green Infrastructure in Buckinghamshire

Figure 7.1 Percentage of enterprises in each age band in Chiltern

Figure 7.2 Percentage of enterprises in each age band in South Bucks

Figure 8.1 Life expectancy in Chiltern

Figure 8.2 Life expectancy in South Bucks

Figure 8.3 Health Summary for Chiltern

Figure 8.4 Health summary for South Bucks

Figure 9.1 Historic landscape character in Chiltern and South Bucks

Figure 9.2 Historic landscape designations

Figure 9.3 Location of settlements in the South Bucks Townscape Character Study

Figure 11.1 Landscape Character Areas in Chiltern

Figure 11.2 Landscape Character Areas in South Bucks

Figure 11.3 Colne Valley Regional Park and the proposed route of HS2

Figure 11.4 Green Belt

Figure 11.5 Tranquillity in Southern Buckinghamshire

Figure 11.6 Proposed route of HS2

Figure 12.1 Percentage of households in fuel poverty

Figure 12.2 Percentage of dwellings with a mains gas connection

Figure 12.3 Mineral deposits in Buckinghamshire

Figure 13.1 Population estimates for Chiltern

Figure 13.2 Age structure of the population

Figure 13.3 Index of multiple deprivation for Chiltern

Figure 13.4 Index of multiple deprivation for South Bucks

Figure 14.1 Agricultural Land Quality across the District

Figure 14.2 Source Protection Zones

List of Tables

Table 2.1 Sustainability themes

Table 3.1 Method of travel to work

Table 3.2 Transport links surrounding Chiltern

Table 5.1 Sites of local significance

Table 6.1 End-user carbon dioxide emissions: regional summary 2013 (DECC, 2015) Per capita carbon dioxide emissions by sector: regional summary 2013 Table 6.2 (DECC, 2015)

Table 7.1 Employment and Unemployment Rates in Chiltern

Table 7.2 Employment and Unemployment Rates in South Bucks

Table 7.3 Employment by occupation (NOMIS, 2014)

Table 9.1 Conservation areas in Chiltern and South Bucks

Table 9.2 Townscape Character Types in Chiltern

Table 12.1 Waste arisings and recycling rates in Chiltern and South Bucks

Table 13.1 Mid-2011 population estimates

Table 13.2 Crime statistics for Chiltern and South Bucks

Table 15.1 SA Objectives

1 Introduction

1.1 This report

1.1.1 Chiltern District Council (CDC) and South Bucks District Council (SBDC) are currently preparing a joint Local Plan. As part of the process a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is being undertaken. This Scoping Report has been prepared as the first stage of the SA process in order to inform the environmental assessment of the plan. This report will be published for consultation with the consultation bodies as required by Regulation 12 (5) of the UK Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Regulations 2004. !

1.1.2 The plan will cover the administrative boundaries of Chiltern District and South Bucks District (See Figure 1.1).

1.2 Chiltern District

1.2.1 Chiltern District is located in the centre of the Chilterns to the northwest of Greater London, taking its name from this range of hills. Chiltern District adjoins the Hertfordshire Borough of Dacorum and District of Three Rivers to the north and east and the Buckinghamshire districts of South Bucks to the south, Wycombe to the south and west and Aylesbury Vale to the north. Amersham, at the centre of Chiltern District, is about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Central London and about 15 kilometres (10 miles) from the edge of the built up area of Greater London.

1.2.2 The District has an area of 19,635 hectares (48,519 acres) and a population of about 92,700 according to 2011 census data.

1.2.3 Chiltern is predominantly a rural district, with its towns and villages in a countryside setting, all of which is part of the Green Belt around Greater London. Much of the countryside is also exceptionally high quality landscape of national reputation forming part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The District is fortunate in that its countryside is mostly well maintained in productive use. It is attractive to both residents and visitors for recreation.

1.2.4 Transport links with adjoining areas are good. Three main routes cross the District (the A404; the A413; the A416/A355) and provide access to the national road network, the M1, M3, M4, M25 and M40 all being within easy reach. Chesham is linked to London via an Underground station. Chiltern Railways run services between Amersham to London Marylebone.

Chiltern

South Bucks

Figure 1.1: Chiltern District and South Bucks District administrative boundaries (Magic, 2015)

1.3 South Bucks District

1.3.1 South Bucks is a district located in the southeast corner of Buckinghamshire, comprising of a population of approximately 64,000, living in 24,700 households. At just under 55 square miles, it is a relatively small district with 87% of the land designated as Green Belt. There are several towns and villages, the largest being Beaconsfield, Burnham and Gerrards Cross, which are well provided with shopping and other facilities. Many of the towns and villages have historic buildings and places of interest, which are preserved through the use of conservation areas and listed building designations.

1.3.2 South Bucks is surrounded by large urban areas to the south, west and east. However, the district itself is characterised by a dispersed settlement pattern, with no central urban focus. Beaconsfield is the largest settlement in the area, with about 4,700 households.

1.3.3 The area includes the M40, M25 and the M4 within its boundaries as well as a number of major A and B roads. It also includes two London rail links; Chiltern Rail via Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross and First Great Western via Burnham.

1.4 Sustainability Appraisal

1.4.1 This document constitutes the SA Scoping Report for the plan. This represents Stage A of SA, according to the PAS (2007) Guidance on Sustainability Appraisal. !

1.4.2 SA is the process of informing local development plans to maximise the sustainability value of the plan. SA is a statutory requirement for local development plan documents. The SA process informs soundness tests for development plan documents. The key objective of SA is to promote sustainable development.

1.5 The SA Process 1.5.1 This report is the first stage of the SA process, which has been prepared to provide baseline evidence in order to allow an informative approach to sustainability appraisal.

1.6 An integrated approach to Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment 1.6.1 The European Union Directive 2001/42/EC or ‘SEA Directive’ applies to a wide range of public plans and programmes on land use, energy, waste, agriculture, transport etc. (see Article 3(2) of the Directive for other plan or programme types). The SEA procedure can be summarised as follows: an environmental report is prepared in which the likely significant effects on the environment and the reasonable alternatives of the proposed plan or programme are identified. The public and the relevant environmental authorities are informed and consulted on the draft plan or programme and the environmental report prepared.

1.6.2 The Directive has been transposed into English law by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (the SEA Regulations, SI no. 1633).

1.6.3 Under the requirements of the SEA Directive and Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (2004), specific types of plans that set the framework for the future development consent of projects, must be subject to an environmental assessment. Therefore it is a legal requirement for the plan to be subject to SA and SEA throughout its preparation.

1.6.4 Sustainability Appraisal is a UK-specific procedure used to appraise the impacts and effects of development plans in the UK. It is required by S19(5) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and should be an appraisal of the economic, social and environmental sustainability of development plans. The present statutory requirement for SA lays in The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. SEA is a systematic process for evaluating the environmental consequences of proposed plans or programmes to ensure environmental issues are fully integrated and addressed at the earliest appropriate stage of decision-making.

1.7 Best Practice Guidance 1.7.1 The requirements to carry out SA and SEA are distinct, although it is possible to satisfy both obligations using a single appraisal process. Government policy recommends that both SA and SEA are undertaken under a single sustainability appraisal process, which incorporates the requirements of the SEA Directive. This is to be achieved through integrating the requirements of SEA into the SA process. The approach for carrying out an integrated SA and SEA is based on best practice guidance:

• Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (September 2005): A Practical Guide to the SEA Directive; and • Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG; 2013) National Planning Practice Guidance - Strategic environmental assessment and sustainability appraisal; web based guidance to accompany the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) including guidance on the SEA/SA process

1.7.2 Recently, DCLG released web-based guidance to accompany the NPPF. This includes information on the SA and SEA processes and can be accessed by following the link:

http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/

1.8 The Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan

1.8.1 CDC and SBDC are working together on a new development strategy for the combined areas. The Local Plan will include the overall strategy for the districts, site allocations and development policies. The proposed timetable for the Plan is as follows:

• Public Consultation commencing in January/February 2016 incorporating an ‘Issues and Options’ Consultation • Preferred Options Consultation commencing in October/November 2016 • Publication (Draft Plan) Consultation commencing in March/April 2017 • Submission of the Plan to the Secretary of State in September 2017 • Examination in December 2017 • Adoption in June 2018

2 Presenting the Sustainability Information

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Scoping is represented by Stage A of the SA process in Figure 2.1. This report presents information about:

• Identifying other relevant plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives; • Collecting baseline information; • Identifying sustainability problems and key issues; • Preparing the SA Framework; and • Consultation arrangements on the scope of SA with the consultation bodies.

! Figure 2.1: Stages in the SA process

2.1.2 The policy and plan review, the baseline data, and the identification of sustainability issues have been presented via a series of sustainability themes.

2.1.3 These sustainability themes incorporate the topics listed in Annex 1(f) of the SEA Directive as well as other issues key to Chiltern and South Bucks Councils. Consequently the broad and effective range of sustainability themes are covered by the appraisal process, as follows:

• Biodiversity, flora and fauna; • Population; • Human health; • Soil; • Water; • Air; • Climatic factors; • Material assets; • Cultural heritage (including architectural and archaeological heritage); • Landscape; and • The inter-relationship between these factors.

2.1.4 Table 2.1 presents details of what each sustainability theme includes, in terms of content and specifically, details of the required SEA topic.

2.1.5 It is anticipated that presenting the information through these sustainability themes will help enable the reader to easily locate the SA/SEA information relevant to their specific areas of interest.

! !

Table 2.1: Sustainability themes

SEA topic included What is included in the Sustainability theme in EU Directive sustainability theme? 2001/42/EC Transportation infrastructure; Accessibility and Traffic flows; Population transportation Walking and cycling; Accessibility. Air pollution sources; Air quality Air Air quality hotspots; Air quality management. Habitats; Species; Biodiversity and Biodiversity flora and geodiversity fauna Nature conservation designations; Landscape features; Geological features. Greenhouse gas emissions by source; Climate change Climatic factors Greenhouse gas emissions trends; Effects of climate change; Climate change adaptation. Economic performance; Business start-ups; Economic factors Material assets Employment and earnings; Skills, education and unemployment; Sites and premises. Health indicators; Health Human health Healthcare inequalities; Sport, fitness and activity levels. Historic development of the City; Designated and non-designated sites and areas; Historic environment Cultural heritage Setting of cultural heritage assets; Historic landscape character assessment; Archaeological assets. House prices and affordability; Population Housing Housing quality and vacancy rates; Material assets Homelessness. Renewable energy; Waste arisings and recycling rates; Material assets Material assets Minerals; Previously developed land. Population size and migration; Population density; Age structure; Population and Indices of Multiple Deprivation; Population quality of life Unemployment; Crime; Recreation and amenity (including open space and green infrastructure).

SEA topic included What is included in the Sustainability theme in EU Directive sustainability theme? 2001/42/EC Soils; Watercourses; Soil Water resources; Water and Soil Water Water quality; Flooding; Contaminated land.

2.2 Policy, plan and programme review

2.2.1 The plan may be influenced in various ways by other policies, plans or programmes (PPPs), or by external sustainability objectives such as those put forward in higher strategies or by legislation. The SA/SEA process will take advantage of potential synergies between these PPPs and address any inconsistencies and constraints.

2.2.2 A summary of the PPP review is presented in the following chapters under each sustainability theme. The PPP summaries should be read alongside the more detailed information included in Appendix B. The review of PPPs is presented according to the SEA topics discussed in Section 2.1.

2.3 Baseline data collection

2.3.1 The following chapters present a review of current environmental and socio-economic conditions affecting Chiltern and South Bucks by sustainability theme. The purpose of the baseline review is to help define the key sustainability issues for the plan. This will enable the predicted effects of the plan to be effectively appraised.

2.3.2 The currency, resolution and presentation of data are crucial to an effective baseline. Information selected seeks to:

• Inform the situation at the local level; • Be the most up to date; and • Be fit for purpose.

2.3.3 One of the purposes of consultation on the Scoping Report is to seek views on whether the data selected is appropriate. The baseline has been constructed utilising a wide range of data sources, with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data where available. The data has been presented through tables, text and GIS mapping, and all data sources have been referenced as appropriate. Meaningful data for the purposes of comparison and to address the topics being assessed as part of the SA processes is not always available. Where data is available at a local scale it has been used to inform the scoping process, if district-wide is not available, regional information has been used. Where this is the case, it is clearly stated.

2.4 Key sustainability issues

2.4.1 Drawing on the PPP review and the baseline data, Chapters 3 to 14 set out a series of key sustainability issues relevant for the plan. Where possible, baseline data is combined for the Chiltern District and the South Bucks District. However, due to the nature of data collection, some chapters have been sub-divided at the District level, to give a clearer understanding of the current sustainability issues within the area. The identification of these will help the SEA process focus on the key sustainability problems and opportunities, which may be addressed through the plan.

3 Accessibility and Transport

3.1 Summary of policy and plan review

3.1.1 European and UK transport policies and plans place emphasis on the modernisation and sustainability of the transport network. Specific objectives include reducing pollution and road congestion through improvements to public transport, walking and cycling networks and reducing the need to travel. National policy also focuses on the need for the transport network to support sustainable economic growth.

3.1.2 The PPPs highlight that congestion on roads, railways, airports and ports continues to be a key challenge for the South East1. Transport is recognised to have a key role to play in reducing carbon emissions and the impact on the natural environment. Local plans therefore focus on meeting transport needs more effectively through improved access to jobs and services, particularly for those most in need, in ways which are sustainable: improved public transport, reduced problems of congestion, pollution and safety2.

3.1.3 In 2006 the Department for Transport (DfT) produced the Transport's Role in Sustaining the UK's Productivity and Competitiveness report. This document encouraged local transport authorities to develop a robust evidence base when planning transport.

3.1.4 The South Bucks District Transport Strategy is not a stand-alone strategy but instead draws on a number of National, Regional and Local Planning and Transportation policy documents to ensure that the strategy guides the delivery of wider objectives. It is closely aligned, in particular, with tackling land use planning, environmental and socio-economic issues and problems in the district.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 Institute of Civil Engineers, South East England (2013) The State of the Nation: Transport 2013 2 Buckinghamshire County Council (2010) South Bucks District Transport Strategy

3.2 South Bucks District: Baseline data

Road network

Figure 3.1 Road Network around South Bucks (Buckinghamshire County Council, 2010)

3.2.1 The transport network of South Bucks provides a reasonably good level of service, considering the excessive traffic congestion common to towns across South East England3. Figure 3.1 shows that parts of the national motorway network pass through South Bucks (the M4, M25 and M40), and there is access to them all from within the district. This however can cause difficulties in terms of vehicles using the roads in South Bucks to rat run between motorways or to avoid congestion on the motorways.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 Buckinghamshire County Council (2010) South Bucks District Transport Strategy!

3.2.2 Within South Bucks the primary east/west non-motorway route is the A40. The A355, A412 and A413 comprise South Buck’s main north/south links (see Figure 1). A significant network of B, C and unclassified roads link these roads together and connect to other lower order settlements in the District. There are traffic delays at peak hours where the A355 and the A40 meet at the London End Roundabout, to the east of Beaconsfield. Vehicles also use the A412 from the M25 Junction 1 through Iver Heath towards Slough and the M4. This rat running can cause problems of congestion and impact on the condition of rural roads through over use and large vehicles using unsuitable roads for their size.

3.2.3 The South Bucks District Transport Strategy (2010) sets out clear objectives for dealing with transport issues, problems and challenges within the District. It is not a stand-alone strategy but instead draws on a number of National, Regional and Local Planning and Transportation policy documents to ensure that the strategy guides the delivery of wider objectives.

3.2.4 Stakeholders suggested that in relation to the climate change goal set out by DfT, it was necessary to reduce the need to travel through spatial planning, maximise the impact of low carbon technologies, facilitate and provide information on lower carbon transport choices. Greener alternatives must be provided and promoted along with good public transport provision, better urban design and reliable information. The Government indicated that the focus of investment plans would be on the most congested and crowded routes and on public transport. This will include investment in measures to “improve traffic-flow, promote buses, cycling and walking, enable effective road maintenance and enhance local travel networks.”4

Rail network

3.2.5 There is a good access to the rail network within South Bucks. Access to the Great Western Rail line (to Bristol and Paddington) can be gained at Iver, and Taplow in the south of the District. Stations at Denham, Denham Golf course, Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield service the north of the district, offering access onto the Chiltern Railways line which serves London to the south and High Wycombe and onwards to Birmingham to the north.

3.2.6 Crossrail is a new high-frequency, high capacity railway for London and the South East. The service is expected to begin full operation in 2019. The route will stop at Iver station and Taplow Station, providing more efficient transport links to central London and Reading5.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 DfT (2007): Towards a Sustainable Transport System 5 http://www.crossrail.co.uk/#

Airports

3.2.7 There are no commercial airports within the Districts, although Heathrow Airport lies approximately 2km from the southeastern border of South Bucks, on the other side of the Colne Valley Regional Park. This makes the area an attractive place to live for frequent travellers and a place to stay for those travelling to and from Heathrow Airport.

Public rights of way and cycle routes

3.2.8 South Bucks has an extensive Public Rights of Way (PROW) network, due to the District possessing a significant amount of green space. This network is essential for local accessibility and recreational use. The Grand Union Canal runs through the south east of the District, offering potential for recreation and improved walking and cycling provision. The Thames Path runs alongside the Thames at the southwestern border of South Bucks and the Grand Union Canal Walk passes to the south of Iver and continues into Slough one way and northwards along the Grand Union Canal the other way. The London Loop walking route follows the River Colne and Grand Union Canal through the Districts, as well as other footpaths running along, to and from the River Colne.

3.2.9 There are limited numbers of off road cycle ways in South Bucks, where they exist they are often linked to the Slough cycle network. There are on road cycle routes in South Bucks, but again they are limited and generally serve the towns. There is a cycle route along the Jubilee River, which is primarily traffic-free through South Bucks and links to PROW along the Grand Union Canal and to Reading. The Beeches Cycleway is a twelve mile route passing through the Districts from Burnham to Farnham Common. This attractive route passes through Burnham Beeches and is promoted primarily as a recreational route6.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6 http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/131263/beeches-cycleway-leaflet.pdf

Accessibility and public transport

3.2.10 Beaconsfield is a local transport hub and is served by regular links to High Wycombe, Slough, Amersham, and is on the A40 bus route that provides links with Gerrards Cross, Heathrow and Uxbridge. Gerrards Cross is also served by frequent buses; it is also on the A40 bus route, and also has services to Slough, the Chalfonts and Amersham. Burnham has frequent buses into Slough, however there are poor bus links to the north of the County.

3.2.11 There is a Chiltern and South Bucks Dial-a-Ride Service run by a charity that provides door to door social transport for people of all ages living within Chiltern or South Bucks Districts who are unable to use or even access public transport.

3.2.12 Beyond the main interurban corridors bus provision varies from a few services most weekdays to no services whatsoever in the smaller settlements. For many this leads to a strong dependence on car use.

3.2.13 Table 3.1 illustrates the method of travel to work of residents in South Bucks. The information was gained from the 2011 census.

Table 3.1 Travel modes for work (ONS, 2011)

Mode of transport South Bucks Buckinghamshire South East England Driving a car or 42.7 43.0 39.0 34.9 van On foot 3.3 5.3 6.7 6.3

Works mainly at or 10.9 9.9 8.0 6.6 from home Bus minibus or 1.1 1.9 3.0 4.7 coach Passenger in a car or van 2.6 2.9 3.1 3.2 Train 5.5 3.9 4.8 3.3 Underground, metro, light rail or 1.3 1.1 0.2 2.6 tram Bicycle 0.9 0.9 2.0 1.9

Taxi 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 Motorcycle, scooter or moped 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.5 Other 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Not in 30.7 29.9 32.1 35.3 employment !

3.2.14 Table 3.1 shows that the majority of residents in South Bucks travel to work by car. Almost 1/3 of residents in South Bucks are not in employment, however this lower than the average for the South East and England. A significant proportion of residents in South Bucks work from home.

3.2.15 South Bucks District experiences high levels of in and out commuting. Approximately two thirds of the resident workforce (19,000 as at 2001) commute out of the district each day, with a similar number commuting into the district. The number of residents who choose to cycle or walk to work is small. Only 3.3% get to work by foot, and 0.9% walks. This is almost doubled at County and Country level.

3.2.16 Reduction of congestion and use of sustainable travel modes is encouraged. Local Transport Strategies will be developed and delivered as part of the 3rd Transport Plan 3 year rolling Implementation Plan7. This will include principal settlements such as Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, and Burnham; in addition to some secondary and tertiary settlements. Key targets for the Strategies are:

• When development plans are made for Wilton Park include walking, cycling and public transport links from the development into the town centre and out to neighbouring centres; • Further investigation of options regarding improvement of walking and cycling infrastructure and information; • Further investigation of parking problems within Beaconsfield Old Town and for rail users in the New Town; • Further investigation into easing over capacity issues to the east of Beaconsfield; • Work with Chiltern Rail to provide increased cycle parking and better footbridge lighting at Gerrards Cross Station; • Work with bus operators towards improved bus services between Burnham and the north of the County; and • Further investigation into easing traffic hotspots on the A4 between Slough and Maidenhead.

3.2.17 The Buckinghamshire Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) includes Local Area Strategies. The Strategy for South Bucks notes that the District has high levels of in- and out-commuting as well as issues with inconsiderate speeding and parking. This LTP3 identifies the A40 at Beaconsfield and Denham and the A412 at Iver as congestion hotspots.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7 Buckinghamshire County Council, (2011), Local Transport Plan 3, buckinghamshire local transport plan

3.3 Chiltern District: Baseline data

Road network

3.3.1 The road network within Chiltern connects the two main centres of Amersham and Chesham with smaller settlements. The two primary A-roads are the A413 and A404, which meet in Amersham. The A413 runs northwest-to-southeast through the district to link Wendover with Gerrards Cross and the A404 runs east-to-west to connect Paddington with Maidenhead. Two A-roads run north to south through the district; the A355 and the A416. The A355 runs north from Beaconsfield to Amersham and the A416 runs north from Amersham through Chesham and connects with the A41 to the north of the district. A small section of the M25 passes through the southeastern corner of the district.

3.3.2 A network of B and C roads link Amersham and Chesham with smaller settlements and the rural areas.

Rail network

3.3.3 The main railway line in Chiltern is the Chiltern Railways Aylesbury to London Line, which calls at stations in Great Missenden, Amersham and Chalfont and Latimer. Amersham Station also serves the Metropolitan London Underground line, which provides direct links to central London via Baker Street. The underground line also serves Chalfont and Latimer station and a branch line to Chesham Station also provides direct services through to London and connections to the Chiltern line at Chalfont and Latimer station.

3.3.4 The Chiltern Main Line connects Gerrards Cross with Beaconsfield and calls at Seer Green Station, in the south of Chiltern. There is an Underground station in Chesham, which provides a convenient link into central London. The proposed rail route for HS2 passes through the District, but will not have any stops in either Chiltern or South Bucks.

Public rights of way and cycle routes

3.3.5 There is a comprehensive network of public footpaths, bridleways and promoted routes for walking. The network provides connectivity for local residents and is also used for outdoor recreation. Promoted routes in Chiltern include: The Chiltern Way, South Bucks Way and Chess Valley Walk. These provide long distance walking routes for tourists and local residents. The Chiltern Way is a circular walking route of 214 kilometres around the Chilterns AONB.

3.3.6 There are provisions for cyclists in the area, with a concentration of cycle routes passing through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

3.3.7 The Chilterns Cycleway is a 170 mile circular route passing right around the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with over 95% of the route on-road. The Cycleway follows minor roads as much as possible, however traffic can be heavy at rush hour.

3.3.8 National Cycle Route 57 runs east to west and connects Chesham with Great Missenden, eventually terminating at Oxford.

Accessibility, public transport and car ownership

3.3.9 The public transport network in Chiltern can be seen in Figure 3.2. Bus services in this area are provided by a number of operators such as Arriva, Carousel and Redline, among others. Bus services are more regular in the main centres of Amersham and Chesham but sporadic in the smaller settlements. Key bus services include Numbers 1, 55, 335, 336, 353 and 730 which connect Chiltern with key settlements in surrounding districts such as Gerrards Cross, High Wycombe, Hemel Hempstead, Wendover and Watford. Bus service 177 passes through the key settlements of Chiltern, including Chesham, Great Missendan and Amersham.

© Lepus Consulting for Chiltern District Council and South Bucks District Council 18 Poundon X5 18 16 18 60 Hoggeston Eggington * Botolph Granborough 153 Linslade to Cambridge 16 Charndon Calvert Claydon Dunton 150 70 & Oxford A 154 B Leighton to Luton Marsh 67 162 Stanbridge 18 Gibbon Buzzard 70 Wing Bicester North 164 North 16 Marston Edgcott 165 Bicester Launton X60 Billington Dunstable Bicester Ledburn Town Cublington Totternhoe Oving 164 Grendon 165 Eaton 30 Underwood Whitchurch 150 167 Slapton 162 Bray 61 Quainton 60 Aston 164 to Luton 16 Abbotts Northall Ambrosden Hardwick Mentmore Blackthorn Horton Edlesborough 16 Weedon Wingrave Ivinghoe Ludgershall 162 Aston 153 Cheddington 112 154 150 Rowsham 164 162 Whipsnade PiddingtonSA30 of the ChilternWestcott and 1South6 Bucks16 Local PlanX60 November, 2015 165 167 Ivinghoe 61 Waddesdon 60 175 174 Bierton LC-216_Scoping_4_271115SS.docx Long 167 Dagnall Aylesbury Vale Parkway Marston Marsworth Upper Quarrendon Pitstone Boarstall 112 Winchendon 112 164 175 Ashendon see separate map Puttenham 61 50 Brill Dorton for details 61 Ringshall 112 164 Wilstone 50 Little 118 Fairford AYLESBURY 500 Horton-cum- Leys 501 Gaddesden Studley 110 Stone Aston Drayton 111 Bedgrove Clinton Aldbury Oakley 113 Walton Beauchamp Tring 118 Chilton 280 Court Tring 111 Cuddington 50 164 501 Great 30 H Gaddesden 113 112 111 Dinton 50 E Chearsley Bishopstone Weston 61 500 Easington 280 Stoke Turville Wiggington R Mandeville Halton 501 50 Cow T S Stanton St John Ford Roast 354 110 Haddenham 112 300 RAF 50 Long Halton 500 Worminghall 111 Haddenham 112 300 55 Berkhamsted Crendon & Thame Parkway 194 501 321 50 110 110 Church Terrick 50 Buckland 500 End Butlers Wendover Common Northchurch Ickford 280 Little 149 Shabbington 270 Kimble Cross Cholesbury 501 Owlswick 194 354 Kingsey RCB 321 Hawridge 113 EllesboroughEllesborough 55 Common 113 Longwick Swan 149 354 to Hemel Longwick Great Kimble Swan Hempstead Thame Towersey Monks Great Kimble Bottom 500 Hemel 280 280 Bottom Bellingdon 194 Ashley Hempstead IlmerIlmer Risborough 177 Ashley 501 Wheatley Tiddington 270 Askett300 DunsmoreDunsmore D Green Tiddington270 Apsley 280 280 C Askett Asheridge Whelpley 12120 The Lee Lee Asheridge Whelpley to Oxford to27 Oxford5 40 Hill 500 MiltonMilton 321 Common Great Lye 40 120 Princes 55 Hivings Green 501 275 CommonCommon 120 RisboroughPrinces Chartridge Green 320 Princes 177 to Watford 320 RisboroughPrinces Risborough 340 Risborough RCB Ballinger TTeetsworthtsworth Emmington Common 730 RCB Common 77 Botley Sydenham 300 Great H O X F Bledlow Hampden 55 South Ley H O Heath Ley R Loosley 333 CHESHAMCHESHAM HillHill E D Chinnor Loosley 333 Prestwood D Chinnor RCB 321 Row RCB 171777 see seseeparate R S RCB Row RCB 334 Great 177 map at S 272755 Missenden 177 190 separate T H Saunderton Hyde 190 www.buckscc. A B H 275 Saunderton Lacey Speen Chesham map S Aston 333311 Lee Green 48 Heath Chesham gov.uk/ O I Aston Bryants BoisBois travelinfo I Rowant Bledlow Upper Bottom Great Little Latimer Postcombe Kingston Bledlow North Little 55 R Postcombe Blount Ridge Kingshill Kingshill AMERSHAM C D X Blount Dean 55 Little Chenies 40 Lt Missenden Little E SaundertonSaunderton Walters Widmer ChalfontChalfont336 F E Lewknor Ash Hughenden Widmer 177 340 Ash Hughenden End Holmer 177 to O Bradenham Naphill Valley Green Amersham Watford O Bradenham Naphill Old ChalfontChalfont & &336 Radnage Amersham Common LatimerLatimer E F Stokenchurchtokenchurch 275 1 336 R 3211 300 1 Penn 336 353533 to E 33331 300 Penn F Watford 275 4400 48 Street 730 275 48A Hazlemere 73 Coleshill 730 D Downley Hazlemere Chorleywood West 73 Coleshill Watlington Wycombe see separate Tylers Winchmore Rickmansworth S Studley S Green map at 31 Green Hill 28 275 www.buckscc. Chalfont Totteridge St Giles 724 H Christmas Piddington gov.uk/ Penn 577 Common 28 Sands travelinfo Maple to Watford, Ibstone 377 Chalfont Cross St Albans & A B HIGH 580 Harlow Northend 48A 48 48A WYCOMBE Micklefield Common II Seer Cadmore Wycombe Knotty Green Jordans 580 335 End Lane Green R Cressex Marsh Chalfont EwelmeC D R Turville End Booker Heath Loudwater St Peter Harefield Turville Fingest Seer Green 28 & Jordans 353 E BEACONSFIELD E 800 580 Frieth 32 Marlow see separate Gerrards 331 Skirmett Bottom FLACKWELL map 730 Cross to E F 850 Ruislip 160 HEATH 335 158 see separate X74 A40 Denham Stonor Chisbridge map at 740 581 353 Green Cross see separate www.buckscc. Wooburn 581 map at Little gov.uk/ Green Marlow travelinfo 74 Denham www.buckscc.gov.uk/ Hedgerley Golf Club Denham Routes operating at least hourly Fawley travelinfo Bourne BOURNE 22 Bovingdon MARLOW End END X74 583 Tatling Denham 6 or more days a week Hambleden Green 353 End A40 Marlow Egypt 331 22 Routes operating less frequently Greenlands 800 Fulmer 730 724 New Mill Danesfield Cliveden Farnham Denham 5 or more days a week End Common 740 580 850 Cookham Burnham 335 Routes operating less than 800 Cookham 68 Beeches Stoke 22 Bisham Cookham Poges Wexham 582 5 days a week Medmenham Dean Cookham Uxbridge 850 Rise Farnham Street Buckinghamshire Bus Operating Companies 155 Britwell Royal 583 Iver Henley-on 37 Burnham Wexham Heath Pinkneys 58 Park 58 -Thames Furze 53 7 W Green Platt Taplow Hospital Henley I 2 Stoke 7 M N Maidenhead 63 Green 583 Arriva CarouselFirst GroupRed RoseRedline Z & S Other A D Burnham 2 George I D Green Yiewsley Railway or Main Waterway I D S D 53 Slough 583 Iver Underground 63 75 S 58 Lower E Iver Line &S tation County Boundary E O Langley Shiplake L 75 West N Bray 68 O Drayton This map is based on Ordnance Survey material with thepermission of Ordnance Shiplake R Richings Survey on behalf of the Controllerof Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown Shiplake Dorney 68 U 58 Park copyright.Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to Wargrave H Reach Dorney prosecution or civil proceedings. Buckinghamshire County Council 100021529 [2014]. G 583 800 & Eton Wargrave 850 E 0 kilometres 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bus services E Holyport 582 H 75 75 to Reading to Reading as at A Datchet to Heathrow 2/11/2014 Twyford D Colnbrook 0 miles 1 2 3 4 5 Charvil 53 Windsor to Bracknell

Figure 3.2!Public Transport map for Chiltern and South Bucks (Transport for Bucks, 2014)

3.3.10 Chiltern experiences high levels of in and out commuting. Approximately two thirds of the resident workforce out-commutes each day, with a similar number commuting into Chiltern. Table 3.2 illustrates travelling patterns of residents in Chiltern.

Table 3.2:!Modes of commuting

Mode Chiltern Bucks South England East

Driving a car or van 39.3% 43.0% 39.0% 34.9%

On foot 4.2% 5.3% 6.7% 6.3%

Works mainly at or 11.1% 9.9% 8.0% 6.6% from home

Bus, minibus or coach 0.9% 1.9% 3.0% 4.7%

Passenger in a car or 2.5% 2.9% 3.1% 3.2% van

Train 5.1% 3.9% 4.8% 3.3%

Underground, metro, 4.2% 1.1% 0.2% 2.6% light rail or tram

Bicycle 0.6% 0.9% 2.0% 1.9%

Taxi 0.2% 0.3% 0.2% 0.3%

Motorcycle, scooter or 0.4% 0.4% 0.6% 0.5% moped

Other 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

Not in employment 31.1% 29.9% 32.1% 35.3%

3.3.11 Table 3.2 shows that the majority of residents (39.3%) in Chiltern travel to work by car or van. A significant proportion of residents in Chiltern work from home almost double that of England (11.1% compared to 6.6%). This may have a positive effect on congestion, as fewer residents will be travelling for work.

3.3.12 Whilst only 4.2% get to work by foot, the numbers of those cycling to work is also small compared to that of the Buckinghamshire and England. 2.0% of the South East cycle to work in comparison with 0.6% of Chiltern. As a result there is heavy dependence on personal car use across Chiltern.

3.3.13 Due to its close proximity to Greater London and other major employment and social centres, the good connections by road and rail make Chiltern a popular place to live.

3.3.14 Reduction of congestion and use of sustainable travel modes is encouraged. Improving air quality is a key objective through increased use of public transport and sustainable travel (walking and cycling) and minimising commuting.

3.3.15 The Buckinghamshire Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) includes Local Area Strategies. The Local Area Strategy for Chiltern identifies the A416 as an area in need of better traffic management.

Box 3.1: Key Accessibility and Transport Issues for Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan area

• Reliance on personal car use is high. • Rates of commuting by bus is lower than the county, regional and national average.

• Both Chiltern and South Bucks area experience high levels of in and out commuting.

• Promoted footpaths within Chiltern and South Bucks are popular with locals and tourists.

4 Air Quality

4.1 Summary of policy and plan review

4.1.1 A number of objectives have been established in relation to air quality at both the European and the UK level (emanating from the 1996 EC Directive). This includes the setting of targets for reducing emissions of specific pollutants to minimise negative impacts on health and the environment.

4.1.2 The Environment Act (1995) requires all Local Authorities to Review and Assess the air quality in their area. In areas where the air quality objectives are not anticipated to be met, councils are required to establish Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA).

4.2 Baseline data

4.2.1 Air quality within the Chiltern and South Bucks districts is linked to emissions from road traffic and congestion. Following the implementation of the Environment Act 1995, and since the publishing of the National Air Quality Strategy in 1997, both districts have been undertaking reviews and assessments of air quality. This includes assessments for the following pollutants identified as possible risks to human health:

• Carbon Monoxide; • Benzene; • 1,3 – Butadiene; • Lead;

• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2); • Sulphur Dioxide; and

• Particulates (PM10).

4.2.2 Air pollution tends to be centred around the motorways. South Bucks District Council declared in 2004 an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) adjacent to the M4, M25 and M40 (see Figure 4.1).

4.2.3 South Bucks District Council monitors NO2 and PM10 at monitoring stations throughout the district.

4.2.4 The South Bucks District Council (2014) Air Quality Progress Report did not identify any major changes in pollution sources within the district 8 since the previous annual report. PR 2013 showed variations in NO2 levels, however these are too small and inconsistent to describe a trend. Three or four locations are noted where an exceedance is likely at the diffusion tube site, whilst there is no exceedance at the nearest receptors.

! Figure 4.1: Location of AQMA and diffusion tubes in South Bucks (South Bucks District Council, 2014)

4.2.5 In 2007, Chiltern District Council designated an AQMA along Berkhampstead Road/ Broad Street (A416) in Chesham (see Figure 4.2).

This was designated due to exceedances of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at kerbside monitoring locations. This was highlighted as a potential issue for the proposed HS2 route, but was concluded to not be an issue due to being more than 4km from the survey area9.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8 South Bucks District Council (2014) 2013 Air Quality Progress Report 9 Department for Transport (2013) London-West Midland Environmental Statement -Volume 5: Technical Appendices

Figure 4.2: Location of Broad Street and Berkhampstead Road AQMA (Chesham, Buckinghamshire) (Chiltern District Council, 2009)

4.2.6 The 2012 Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment for Chiltern District Council, in fulfillment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995, Local Air Quality Management10, concluded that all the objectives in the Air Quality Regulations for England would be met by the relevant dates

for all pollutants except NO2. This excessive level of NO2 is experienced only within the AQMA. Outside of the AQMA concentration data from the

survey sampling points shows that NO2 levels are likely to be within the requirements of the Air Quality Regulations objectives. There have been no new sources of emissions, significant changes in existing sources, or any significant local changes relevant to air quality that would be likely to increase the risk of pollutants exceeding objective values.

4.2.7 CDC is leading on Group 51M11, the combined authorities affected by the proposed HS2 train, which will pass through the district. No planning permission has yet been granted.

4.2.8 The following are confirmed within the 2013 Air Quality Progress Report12 as sources which have an impact on air quality within the Plan area:

• Road traffic sources • Other transport sources • Industrial sources • Commercial and domestic sources • New developments with fugitive or uncontrolled sources

Box 4.1: Key Air Quality Issues for the Chiltern District and South Bucks District Local Plan area

• Two AQMA’s lie within the Plan area due to excessive levels of NO2 from transport

• New housing, employment development areas, commercial and domestic sources, transport, and increasing visitor numbers in the area have the potential to lead to impacts on air quality.

! !

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 10 Chiltern District Council (2012) Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment.!! 11 51M an alliance of 18 local authorities who are working together to oppose HS2. The group is known as '51M' because that represents how much HS2 will cost each and every parliamentary constituency - £51 million. The group wants to emphasise the impact this proposed scheme will have on every taxpayer in the country for years to come.! 12 South Bucks District Council (2014) 2013 Air Quality Progress Report

5 Biodiversity and Geodiversity

5.1 Summary of policy and plan review

5.1.1 The objectives of policies and plans at all levels, focus on the conservation of biological diversity (including a reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss), and the protection and monitoring of endangered and vulnerable species and habitats. In general, emphasis is also placed on the ecological importance of brownfield sites, geodiversity, enhancing areas of woodland and other important habitats. The integration of biodiversity considerations into all environmental and socio-economic planning is strongly advocated.

5.1.2 The Natural Environment White Paper (HM Government, 2011) focuses on promoting high quality natural environments, expanding multifunctional green infrastructure networks and initiating landscape scale action to support ecological networks. The White Paper specifically seeks to: protect core areas of high nature conservation value; promote corridors and ‘stepping stones’ to enable species to move between key areas; and initiate Nature Improvement Areas, where ecological functions and wildlife can be restored.

5.1.3 The White Paper is supported by the Biodiversity Strategy for England (DEFRA, 2011). This seeks to halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy, well-functioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people. The Biodiversity Strategy for England also proposes introducing a new designation for Local Green Areas to enable communities to protect places that are important to them.

5.1.4 The NPPF includes guidance on promoting the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment. It requires the planning system to contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures.

5.1.5 The Chilterns Conservation Board published its management plan for 2014-201913, which identified a vision for the AONB and identified a number of issues that will need to be considered, specifically concerns regarding the pressure on the landscape due to increased visitor numbers and increased access routes, pressure from development in areas surrounding the Chilterns (including High Speed Two), increased water extraction due to population increases, loss of traditional farming practices such as grazing and the livestock sector, and influence of climate change. The Management Plan identifies a number of policies to preserve, protect and improve the Chilterns.

5.2 Baseline data:

Habitats and Species

5.2.1 The Plan area contains a diverse range of habitats. BAP Habitats in the Plan area include:

• Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodlands; • Lowland Meadow; • Wet Woodland; • Lowland Heath; • Lowland Fens; • Lowland Dry Acid Grassland; • Lowland Calcareous Grassland; • Lowland Beech & Yew Woodland • Hedgreows • Traditional orchards • Ponds

5.2.2 Ancient woodland habitats are detailed further in Figure 5.1.

5.2.3 The Districts of Chiltern and South Bucks have a large number of legally protected species, including bats and grass snakes.

5.2.4 Figure 5.2 depicts the regional priority areas of opportunity for restoration and creation of BAP habitats in South Bucks. This is a spatial representation of the BAP targets for the area, rather than areas of constraint14.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 13 Chilterns Conservation Board (2014) Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan 2014-2019 accessed 21/09/15, available at http://www.chilternsaonb.org/uploads/files/ConservationBoard/ManagementPlan/Management%20Plan%202014- 19/chilterns_management_plan_2014-19_final.pdf!! 14 Buckinghamshire County Council, Natural England Team (2010) South Bucks Heaths and Parklands BOA Statement December 2010

Figure 5.1: Ancient Woodland cover and non-statutory conservation designations (LUC, 2011)!

Figure 5.2:!Regional priority areas of opportunity for restoration and creation of BAP habitats in South Bucks (Buckinghamshire County Council, Natural England Team, 2010)!

5.2.5 Other biodiversity assets are identified across the Plan area in the Biodiversity and Planning in Buckinghamshire publication (Version 2, March 2014)15. These include UK Priority Habitats and Species; those key within the Chiltern and South Bucks Districts include the red-listed corn bunting, linnet, skylark, and yellowhammer, and nationally important areas of chalk grassland. Farmland birds in particular have shown dramatic declines within the last 30 years, and all individual birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Opportunities should be taken to maintain and enhance the populations of these birds wherever possible.

5.2.6 There are also a variety of farmland habitats including arable plant communities, ancient hedgerows, ponds and traditional orchards16. !Whilst the intricate mosaic of habitats is a feature of the areas landscape, fragmentation of habitats is a concern as smaller patches become less ecologically viable and harder to manage effectively.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 15 Buckinghamshire County Council (2014), Biodiversity and Planning in Buckinghamshire accessed on 21/09/15 available at http://www.buckinghamshirepartnership.co.uk/media/2294011/bucks_bioandplanning_lowres.pdf ! 16 Chilterns Conservation Board (2014) Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan 2014-2019 accessed 21/09/15, available at:

5.2.7 Ancient Woodlands are a further area of protection and biological importance. They are found throughout Buckinghamshire, although there are particular concentrations in South Bucks and the Chilterns, which includes internationally important Beech woods. Figure 5.1 identifies the 930ha of woodland mapped in Buckinghamshire. Key associated species include:

• Common dormouse; • Marsh tit; • Spotted flycatcher; • Silver-washed fritillary; • Bluebell; • Coralroot; • Bird’s nest orchid; • Ghost orchid; • Violet helleborine; • Box; • Violet click beetle; • Stag beetle; • Royal bolete fungi; • Bats

5.2.8 The current legislation identified for UK Priority Habitats includes that provided by the NPPF paragraph 117 and 118: ‘Planning policies should promote the preservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the recovery of priority species populations, linked to national and local targets, and identify suitable indicators for monitoring biodiversity in the plan.’

5.2.9 It is important to consider the impact of development from adjoining authorities and their potential impact on European sites either alone or in conjunction with development within the Chiltern and South Bucks area.

5.2.10 Green Infrastructure can also contribute to biodiversity in terms of habitat provision, and is often managed for wildlife as well as for people. Details of Green Infrastructure in the area are given in Chapter 6.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.chilternsaonb.org/uploads/files/ConservationBoard/ManagementPlan/Management%20Plan%202014- 19/chilterns_management_plan_2014-19_final.pdf

Nature conservation sites and nature reserves

5.2.11 Natural England encourages local authorities to formally designate appropriate sites as ‘Local Nature Reserves’ under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. A Local Nature Reserve (LNR) designation demonstrates a commitment by the local authority to manage land for biodiversity, protect it from inappropriate development and provide opportunities for local people to study and enjoy wildlife.

5.2.12 There is one national nature reserve (NNR) in the Plan area, Burnham Beeches. Burnham Beeches is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the only biological site in the Plan area designated for international importance (Figure 5.5). There are four local nature reserves in the Chiltern District. There are ten designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Chiltern and South Bucks combined (Figure 5.5). South Bucks has the highest percentage (79%) of SSSIs in favorable condition within Buckinghamshire, but more action is needed to achieve the national target of bringing 95% of SSSIs to a favorable condition by 2010. Table 5.1 details the area of sites of local significance, including Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) and Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) in Chiltern District and South Bucks District, and comparatively with Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Table 5.1:!Sites of Local Significance and their conservation management status for each District (Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre, 2013).!!

5.2.13 Table 5.1 uses figures for the period April 2011 to March 2012. 26 (34.6%) of the 75 Local Sites in Chiltern are in positive conservation management compared with 17 (50%) of the 34 Local Sites in South Bucks. These are both lower than the Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes figures of 223 (50.6%) of the 440 Local Sites.

Figure 5.3:!Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs), Biological Notification Sites (BNSs) and Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGSs) in Buckinghamshire (Buckinghamshire County Council 2014)!

Figure 5.4: The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (LUC, 2011)!

5.2.14 Of the SSSIs within Chiltern District, 99.83% currently meet Natural England’s target of bringing all SSSIs into Favourable or Unfavourable Recovering condition. In South East England as a whole 97.48% of SSSIs are currently meeting this target. South Bucks has 79% of SSSIs in favourable condition, but more action is needed to achieve the national target of bringing 95% of SSSIs to a favourable condition by 2010.

5.2.15 There are three Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Buckinghamshire; Burnham Beeches, Aston Rowant and the Chiltern Beechwoods SAC. Burnham Beeches SAC lies within the Plan area, in South Bucks. Burnham Beeches is designated for its acidophilous beech forests, with holly (Ilex sp.) and sometimes yew (Taxus sp.) in the shrublayer.

5.2.16 Chiltern Hills AONB extends to 8333 sq kms and was designated in 1965. Figure 5.4 shows the extent of the AONB across the Plan area. The Chilterns AONB is a landscape designation with strong associations with biodiversity. It was designated to protect its special qualities which include the 50 mile stretch of steep chalk escarpment with areas of flower-rich down-land, woodlands, commons, tranquil valleys, the network of ancient routes, villages with their brick and flint houses, chalk streams and a rich historic environment of hill forts and chalk figures.

5.2.17 Future developments, outside the scope of the Plan, have potential to negatively impact biodiversity in the Districts. In particular, the proposed route of HS2 passes through Mid Colne Valley SSSI, including the portion of the SSSI that lies within South Bucks District and adjacent to the Northmoor Hill Wood LNR. The proposal is that HS2 runs over this area on a viaduct. HS2 will also pass through the Chilterns AONB, through a combination of tunnels, cuttings, embankments and viaducts17. Construction and operation of HS2 could cause potential disturbance to wildlife in these areas.

5.2.18 It will be a key objective of the Plan to ensure that no development will directly impact upon the designated and protected sites, however there may be indirect impacts. The Chilterns AONB Management Plan (2008- 2013) identifies a number of policies and actions to manage sites through habitat mapping. The Management Plan also recognizes the need to develop consistent approaches to understand the biodiversity resource at county level, across the district boundaries.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 17 http://interactive-map.hs2.org.uk

Figure 5.5: Statutory nature conservation designations in South Bucks and Chiltern (LUC, 2011)

Geodiversity!

5.2.19 Geodiversity is an important asset for the Plan area. Geodiversity is the collective term describing the geological variety of the Earth’s rocks, fossils, minerals, soils and landscapes together with the natural process that form and shape them. Geodiversity underpins biodiversity by providing diversity of habitat and the ecosystem, with the soil being the link between them. It also embraces the built environment by providing the basis for neighbourhood character and local distinctiveness through building stone and material.

5.2.20 The Earth Heritage Action Plan was developed within the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes (local) Biodiversity Action Plan (2000-2010). The Action Plan states that Geology contributes in no small way to the shape of the human landscape and has guided many of its uses from the earliest times. Flint and clay for brick making, chalk quarrying and gravel extraction have all had significant effects on the County and its landscape” (Buckinghamshire Earth Heritage Group, 2000).

5.2.21 The provision of high-speed rail to Birmingham is not opposed by the Districts however there are serious concerns about the choice of preferred route on the geological assets of the area. The preferred route is set to cross the northern limb of the London Basin with a downward sequence of Seaford Chalk, Lewes Nodular Chalk, Newpit Chalk and Holywell Chalk.

5.2.22 Overall, Buckinghamshire has a varied geology and many sites in Bucks have been designated for protection due to their important geology – designated either as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (there are 10 Geological SSSIs in Bucks) or as Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (there are 39 RIGS). There is also a Local Geological Site just south of Beaconsfield (Figure 5.1).

5.2.23 At many of the sites layers of local rocks can be seen, and in some cases fossils can be found. These sites are also important for wildlife: some species of bats roost in caves, while Sand Martins nest in sandy bank sides. Open ground is beneficial for reptiles and Common Lizards can be seen basking on many geological sites. There are Geological SSSIs and RIGs in the following Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOAs)18:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 18 Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Biodiversity Partnership (date unknown) Earth Heritage Available at: http://www.buckinghamshirepartnership.co.uk/biodiversity/biodiversity-action-plan/earth-heritage/ Accessed: 10/11/15

• Ashridge and Ivinghoe Beacon • Brill and Muswell Hill • Central Chilterns Chalk Rivers • Chiltern Escarpment • Colne Valley • Dunsmore Woodlands • Gomm Valley • Greensand Ridge • Hambleden and Wormsley Valleys • Ouse Valley • Radnage Valley • South Bucks Heaths & Parklands • South Western Commons • Wendover Woods

Box 5.1: Key Biodiversity and Geodiversity Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan area

• There are a number of BAP habitats and species and European within the plan area which should continue to be managed and conserved appropriately.

• In Chiltern, 99.83% of SSSI’s currently meet Natural England’s target of bringing all SSSIs into Favorable or Unfavorable Recovering condition, and in South Bucks 79% of SSSIs are in favourable condition.

• Enhancements to the Plan area’s green infrastructure network will support local and sub-regional biodiversity networks through helping to improve connectivity for habitats and species.

• The Plan area has an interesting and varied geology and many sites have been designated for protection due to their important geology.

! !

6 Climate Change

6.1 Summary of policy and plan review

6.1.1 Climate-related PPPs focus on both mitigating the causes of climate change and adapting to the effects of climate change. Commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have been introduced from the international level to the sub-regional level. The PPPs address policy development across all sectors and at all levels, combining both demand management (reduced energy consumption and increased efficiency of use) and supply-side measures (low carbon options including fuel mix and renewables). A number of the PPPs state specific targets to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. This is led at the national level by the Climate Change Act (2008), which sets a legally binding target of at least a 34 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and at least an 80 percent cut by 2050 against a 1990 baseline.

6.1.2 Climate change and energy efficiency policies and programmes to encourage sustainable development are set out by central government. The national Building Regulations, as updated March 2015, require certain levels of sustainable construction to be met and provide guidance on additional, optional regulations for water and access. The government has outlined, through the Localism Bill the importance of sustainable development and its commitments to reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. The Climate Change Act 2008 should also be considered which sets the national carbon reduction targets along with the Renewable Energy Strategy.

6.1.3 Adaptation measures proposed by the PPPs include a presumption against development in flood risk areas, appropriate design of new development, the promotion of new infrastructure such as sustainable urban drainage systems and improved maintenance to help address the changes that are likely to occur as a result of climate change. Through this approach the NPPF seeks to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at all stages of the planning process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding, and to direct development away from areas of highest risk.

6.2 Baseline data

Potential effects of climate change!

6.2.1 Climatic and anthropogenic-induced climate change are increasing concerns for the Plan area. Emissions could continue to rise and future development may not be as low carbon as possible, with potential for little demand for locally generated sustainable energy. It will therefore be an important role of the Plan to encourage sustainable development and construction, and support low carbon energy sources.

6.2.2 In June 2009 the outcome of research on the probable effects of climate change in the UK was released by the UK Climate Projections (UKCP09) team19. UKCP09 gives climate information for the UK up to the end of this century and projections of future changes to the climate are provided, based on simulations from climate models. Projections are broken down to a regional level across the UK and are shown in probabilistic form, which illustrate the potential range of changes and the level of confidence in each prediction.

6.2.3 The UK Climate Predictions looks at temperature and precipitation up to 2080 for the UK and specific regions (in our case South East). This shows that in both a low and high emissions scenario there is a 90% chance of a predicted increase in temperature of 2-3°C by 2020 and a 3-4°C increase in temperate by 2050 for the South East. In relation to precipitation, in a low and high emissions scenario summer precipitation is predicted to change by 10% in 2020 and 2050 (90% probability). In a low emissions scenario winter precipitation is predicted to change by 10% in 2020 and 20% by 2050 (90% probability). In a high emissions scenario winter precipitation is predicted to change by 10% by 2020 and 30% by 2050 (90% probability)20.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 19 The data was released in June 2009: See: http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/ 20 UK Climate Projections, DEFRA: http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/content/view/379/499/

Figure 6.1: Changes in annual temperature in the South East to 2099 as a result of a medium emissions scenario (UK Climate Projections, 2014)!

6.2.4 Figures 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 are a series of graphs to illustrate UKCP09 information for the South East region over a wider timescale to the end of the century. This is presented in five (10, 33, 50, 67 and 90%) probability levels for each 30-year time period:

Figure 6.2: Changes in summer mean precipitation in the South East to 2099 as a result of a medium emissions scenario (UK Climate Projections, 2014)

Figure 6.3: Changes in winter mean precipitation in the South East to 2099 as a result of a medium emissions scenario (UK Climate Projections, 2014)!

6.2.5 Chiltern District Council has undertaken a Local Climate Change Strategy (2009) to set out its current priorities to address climate change and in particular its own operations, in line with national and local targets21. Data from National Indicators (NI185 to NI194) describes different forms of progress against climate change within the District. In Chiltern, data

suggests there is currently higher than average CO2 emissions per capita. South Bucks is currently preparing a new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. The South Bucks Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy 2008-201122 also sets out a summary of aims and actions to deliver on sustainable development and climate change. For example, since April 2007, South Bucks District Council has been monitoring its energy use and mileage for Council business. The Council is establishing a valuable baseline of energy use / C02 emissions for future monitoring purposes one year ahead of national deadlines. Without these Plans, emissions could continue to rise and future development may not be as low carbon as possible, with potential for little demand for locally generated sustainable energy. It will therefore be an important role of the Plan to encourage sustainable development and construction and encourage low carbon energy sources.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 21 Chiltern District Council (2009b) Chiltern Climate Change Strategy 22 South Bucks District Council (2008) Sustainability and Climate Change 2008-2011

Flooding

6.2.6 Flooding is the most significant issue related to climate change impacts in the Plan area. The risk of surface water flooding in urban areas may increase in particular in the light of more torrential and frequent rainfall events especially during winter and the risk of tidal flooding is likely to be affected by sea level rise.

6.2.7 South Bucks District is bounded by the River Thames to the south and west and River Colne to the east. The risk of river flooding within the district is generally limited, restricted geographically to those areas situated adjacent to the main river corridors. A proportion of the district is affected by flooding from either the River Thames or the River Colne system and its tributaries, most notably Alder Bourne and the River Misbourne. Localised issues have been identified within the district through the Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)23.

6.2.8 In addition to fluvial (river) flooding, properties and infrastructure within South Bucks are also at risk of flooding from other, more localised, sources. These include groundwater flooding, the surcharging of the underground sewer system, the blockage of culverts and gullies (which results in overland flow), and surface water flooding. Evidence of localised flooding of this nature has been captured from parish councils throughout the district, and can be seen in Figure 6.4 which shows Flood Zones in the district, and highlights probability of flooding.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 23 JE Jacobs on behalf of South Bucks District Council (2008) Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 1!

Figure 6.4: South Bucks Flood Zones (JE Jacobs, 2008). !

6.2.9 The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) for South Bucks (2008)24 sets out a record of historical flooding, involving consultation with the Environment Agency, Thames Water, Anglian Water, the Bedford Group of Internal Drainage Broads and Buckinghamshire County Council. The SFRA covers all sources of flooding and the other key flood risk considerations expected by the NPPF and technical note on flood risk.

6.2.10 A relatively small proportion of the Chiltern District is at risk of flooding from rivers. The Rivers Chess and Misbourne flow northwest to southeast through the District, with the Vale Brook flowing into the River Chess in Chesham. In general, the river valleys are well defined, and river flooding is not a significant issue to much of the local community. Flooding from the Vale Brook through Chesham is a greater issue since it is predominantly culverted and receives a significant volume of urban runoff. Flooding of roads and properties occurs across the District from more localised sources including surface water, groundwater, sewers and blocked culverts.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 24 JE Jacobs on behalf of South Bucks District Council (2008) Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 2 !

6.2.11 The SFRA for Chiltern (2013)25 identifies that future development within Chiltern District could influence the risk of flooding posed to neighbouring areas if not carefully managed.

Figure 6.5: Risk of flooding from rivers and sea in the Chiltern District (Environment Agency, 2015)

6.2.12 Figures 6.5 and 6.6 further support Figure 6.4, showing the areas that are already at significant risk of flooding from rivers. Climate change is likely to increase the risk of flooding in the Plan area.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 25 Jacobs on behalf of South Bucks District Council (2013) Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) Level 1 Update

Figure 6.6:!Risk of flooding from rivers and sea in the South Bucks District (Environment Agency, 2015)

6.2.13 Flooding from main rivers is an issue across the Plan area. The highest flooding risk is flash flooding from excessive overland flow or overtopping of minor watercourses. Therefore, surface water run-off management in the Plan area is an important issue on all developments of any size, clearly highlighting the need for SUDS that maximise source control measures.

Greenhouse gas emissions

6.2.14 According to data from DEFRA, emissions for electricity consumption in Chiltern district has increased over the year 2014/2015 by 109 tonnes of 26 CO2e . The Chiltern District Council Greenhouse Gas Report (2015) states that a comprehensive Climate Change Strategy and actions have been developed in order to monitor and reduce carbon emissions. It is also proposed that the Council will work in partnership with the other Bucks authorities to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 26 Chiltern District Council (2015) Chiltern District Council Greenhouse Gas Report.

! Figure 6.7:!South Bucks District Council Annual Emissions (South Bucks District Council, 2013)!

6.2.15 The South Bucks District Council Annual Greenhouse Gas Report (2013) show that carbon emissions have continued to reduce with a 5.17% reduction year on year. This makes a total emissions reduction of 20.64% against the base year 2008/2009 (see Figure 6.7).

6.2.16 The requirement to improve the energy efficiency of homes stems from

the legal requirements to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions set out in the Climate Change Act 2008 and the government’s Carbon Plan,

published in 2011. The Carbon Plan sets to reduce greenhouse gas CO2 emissions by 29% by 2017, 35% by 2022, and 50% by 2027 – for buildings this means a reduction between 24% and 39% compared to 2009 levels by 2027. CDC’s Greenhouse Gas Report sets an internal carbon reduction target of 4% over the next three years with a view to being carbon neutral by 2050.

6.2.17 Table 6.1!shows that the South East has lower per capita emissions than the South West and England overall. This is mainly due to lower emissions per capita from the industrial sector (see Table 6.2). However, Table 6.2 shows that per capita emissions from the domestic and transport sectors are high for the South East, compared to other regions and England overall.

Table 6.1: End-user carbon dioxide emissions: regional summary 2013 (DECC, 2015)

Total emissions (million Per capita emissions Region/Country tonnes CO2) (tonnes CO2 per capita) Greater London 41.2 4.9 South East 55.8 6.3 South West 34.5 6.4 England 361.4 6.7

Table 6.2:!Per capita carbon dixode emissions by sector: regional summary 2013 (DECC, 2015)

Industrial & Region/Country Domestic Transport LULUCF commercial Greater London 2.2 1.8 0.9 0.0 South East 2.1 2.1 2.2 0.1 South West 2.2 2.0 2.1 0.1 England 2.8 2.0 1.9 0.0

Green Infrastructure

6.2.18 Green infrastructure is a network of multi-functional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities (NPPF, 2012). Green infrastructure has many benefits including human health, climate change adaptation and wildlife value27. GI can play an important role in helping urban areas adapt to climate change, by reducing airborne pollutants, providing shade and local cooling and reducing surface water runoff28.!

6.2.19 The Buckinghamshire Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan was published in 2013 to build on the Buckinghamshire GI Strategy (2009). The purpose of these documents was to identify key GI features in the county and opportunities for enhancing the GI network. Figure 6.8 shows key GI corridors in Buckinghamshire. Primarily these provide opportunities for formal sports activities and informal recreation, however many of the sites are also important for wildlife and are managed to increase biodiversity. The Plan areas green spaces are extremely diverse from open spaces and recreational facilities include community/ village halls, leisure centres, swimming pools, synthetic turf pitches, amenity open space (Twenty hectares and below), to parks, playing pitches, informal youth facilities, children’s play grounds and allotments.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 27 Forest Research (2010). Benefits of green infrastructure. 28 Forest Research (2010) Benefits of Green Infrastructure Landscape Institute (2013) Green Infrastructure: An integrated approach to land use!

6.2.20 The Buckinghamshire GI Strategy (2009) and GI Delivery Plan (2013) identified GI Priority Action Areas, which area areas where enhancement of GI will be focused. !Priority Action Area 3 encompasses the whole of South Bucks and some of Chiltern. This area has existing accessible GI, much of which is fragmented and under pressure from a large ‘catchment’ population. The aim of Priority Action Area 3 is ‘to provide for the Green Infrastructure needs of communities in the Local Authority areas of Wycombe District South and South Bucks in Buckinghamshire and for Windsor & Maidenhead, Slough and Hillingdon in neighbouring areas.

6.2.21 The overarching vision for the development of green infrastructure in Buckinghamshire is to provide a multi-functional network of semi-natural and man-made green spaces and green links that are high quality and accessible by all in the County. One of the key objectives for the green infrastructure network is to connect urban areas with the surrounding countryside via green corridors, in order to provide opportunities for communities to access a variety of green spaces on their doorstep and the wider countryside.

Box 6.1: Key Climate Change Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan area

• Climate change has the potential to increase the risk of fluvial and surface water flooding.

• Changes in temperature and precipitation levels as a result of climate change are likely to have resulting impacts on invasive species, changes in farming practices and soil erosion.

• CO2 emissions in the Chiltern District has increased over the year 2014/2015 by

109 tonnes of CO2e.

• Green Infrastructure should be enhanced and expanded. • There is limited commercial energy generation in the area.

! Figure 6.8:!Green Infrastructure in Buckinghamshire (Buckinghamshire County Council 2014)

! !

7 Economic Factors

7.1 Summary of policy and plan review

7.1.1 The improvement and maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment are key aims of the strategies at UK and European levels. Other objectives include improvements to the education system to increase the skill levels of both children and adults, as well as improved productivity and innovation, particularly with regards to technology.

7.1.2 At a regional and local level, emphasis is placed on community cohesion and regeneration; building business and enterprise, developing skills and employment, supporting strategic infrastructure requirements and promoting investment. ! One of the major aims of the Buckinghamshire Sustainable Community Strategy 2009-202629 is to further strengthen its existing prosperity and become an acknowledged global centre for enterprise and entrepreneurship.

7.2 Baseline data

Economic performance

7.2.1 Within Chiltern District there are 5,265 active businesses (ONS, 2013), and within the South Bucks district there are 4,605 (ONS, 2013). The majority of these enterprises are over 10 years old (see Figures 7.1 and 7.2), showing that businesses in the Plan area are well established. Figures for the Chiltern District show that there are fewer enterprises under two years old and more than ten years old than regionally, with more similar figures in the middle bands of two to nine years old. Compared to South Bucks, however, there are regionally more enterprises over ten years old.

7.2.2 The smaller number of younger businesses within Chiltern shows that less start up enterprises are locating in the area. This could be an indication of a lack of enterprise and entrepreneurship; something which the Plan may improve. !

7.2.3 There are a large number of small to medium sized business enterprises thriving across the more rural parts of the Plan area, which form an important part of the overall economy.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 29 Buckinghamshire Strategic Partnership (2009) Sustainable Community Strategy for Buckinghamshire 2009-2026

Figure 7.1: Percentage of Enterprises in each age band – Chiltern and the South East. Chiltern 006 refers to a Middle Layer Super Output Area randomly selected within Chiltern (ONS 2015)

Figure 7.2: Percentage of Enterprises in each age band – South Bucks and the South East. South Bucks 001 refers to a Middle Layer Super Output Area randomly selected within South Bucks (ONS 2015)

Employment and earnings

7.2.4 The employment level for Chiltern is higher than that for England overall, however economic activity levels are lower (Table 7.1). This is also seen for South Bucks, where there is over a 10% difference between economic level for the Districts in relation to England (Table 7.2). The high economic activity and employment rate for both Districts highlights the successful economy of the Plan area.

Table 7.1: Employment and Unemployment Rates in Chiltern and England (ONS 2012-2013)

Variable Measure Chiltern England Economic activity rate % 75.5 77.3 Employment rate % 73.8 71.1 Unemployment rate % 4.8 7.8 !

Table 7.2: Employment and Unemployment Rates in South Bucks and England (ONS 2012- 2013)

Variable Measure South Bucks England Economic activity rate % 86.1 77.3 Employment rate % 81.6 71.1 Unemployment rate % 3.8 7.8 !

7.2.5 According to the Official Labour Market Statistics, there are a range of sectors and occupations providing employment in the Chiltern and South Bucks Districts (see Table 7.3).

Table 7.3: Employment by occupation (NOMIS, 2014)

South Bucks England Chiltern (%) (%) (%) Managers, directors and senior officials 17.4 18.8 10.9 Professional occupations 23.1 20.9 17.5 Associate professional & technical 15.8 15.8 12.8 Administrative & secretarial 11.1 12.2 11.5 Skilled trades occupations 8.9 9.4 11.4 Caring, leisure and Other Service 8.2 7.0 9.3 occupations Sales and customer service occupations 5.8 5.3 8.4 Process plant and machine operatives 3.4 4.2 7.2 Elementary occupations 6.4 6.4 11.1 !

7.2.6 As highlighted by Table 7.3 the Plan area has a higher proportion of the workforce working as managers, directors and senior officials, and in professional occupations. For both the Chiltern and South Bucks Districts these occupations are of higher percentage than England. This reflects the highly skilled nature of the workforce.

7.2.7 The number of residents claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance is 2% for the Chiltern District, and 1% for South Bucks, compared with England’s 4% (ONS, 2010).

7.2.8 According to the nomis official labour market statistics (2014) gross weekly earnings for full time workers working in the Chiltern District were £553.30 and £650.50 for the South Bucks District. These figures, compared to £541.40 for that in the South East and £520.20 in Great Britain show that average incomes in the Plan area are higher than the regional and national averages.

7.2.9 The Districts are influenced by a number of larger employment centres around its borders, particularly Milton Keynes, High Wycombe and Oxford and Bicester. Uxbridge and Slough are also important employment centres for the residents of South Bucks. Data from the 2001 census shows that 33,538 Chiltern residents commute out of the District to work (predominantly to Greater London), with the average distance travelled to work being 17.3km. For the South Bucks District, similarly, relatively little business and employment is located within the main urban areas. According to the Last Census, approximately two-thirds of the resident workforce (circa 19,000 people) commute out of the District on a daily basis.

7.2.10 Table 7.4 shows that skills levels are high in both Chiltern and South Bucks. A significantly higher proportion of both Districts’ working age population has NVQ4 qualifications compared to the South East and Great Britain averages. Comparatively between the two Districts, more residents of Chiltern (2.9%) have achieved NVQ1 than those of South Bucks.

Table 7.4: Highest level of qualification in Chiltern and South Bucks (ONS 2014)

South Chiltern Bucks South East Great (%) (%) Britain (%) (%) No Qualifications 14.7 16.5 5.6 8.8 NVQ1 and above 96.0 93.1 89.2 85.0 NVQ2 and above 89.4 84.4 77.1 73.3 NVQ3 and above 71.5 66.5 60.5 56.7 NVQ4 and above 58.4 48.0 39.1 36.0 Other Qualifications 4.2 5.5 5.2 6.2

Box 7.1: Key Economic factors Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Plan area

• New business start-ups should be encouraged in the districts. • The residents of both Chiltern and South Bucks are highly skilled and educated. • The employment level for both Chiltern and South Bucks are higher than that for England overall.

! !

8 Health

8.1 Summary of policy and plan review

8.1.1 Health related PPPs focus on improving rates of infant mortality and life expectancy; reducing work related illness and accidents; significantly improving levels of sport and physical activity, particularly among disadvantaged groups; promoting healthier modes of travel; supporting the public to make healthier and more informed choices in regards to their health; improving accessibility to healthcare and leisure/recreational facilities; and reducing health inequalities, particularly for children and older people.

8.2 Baseline data

8.2.1 The health of residents in the Plan area is generally good, with 53.8% of people in Chiltern, and 52.4% of South Bucks describing their health as very good (2011 Census). As little as 2.5% of people in Chiltern and 2.9% in South Bucks describe their health as bad, which is considerably less than England as a whole (4.2%). The health of people in both Districts is generally better than the England average, as well as having higher life expectancy30 (see Figure 8.1 and 8.2).

8.2.2 Deprivation in Chiltern and South Bucks is lower than average, however about 8.1% (1,500) children live in poverty in Chiltern, and 9.6% (1,200) in South Bucks.

8.2.3 Data on main benefit claimants gives an indication of prevalence of disability among the population. 1% of both Chiltern and South Bucks are disability claimants, which mirrors that of England31.

8.2.4 The Districts’ health summaries in Figures 8.3 and 8.4 highlight the overall high health levels in the Plan area. For Chiltern, child health in particular is good. In Year 6, 12.1% (104) of children are classified as obese, which is better than the average for England. The rate of alcohol-specific hospital stays among those under 18 was 20.2%, again better than the average for England – representing 4 stays per year. In comparison, for South Bucks, in Year 6, 17.5% (105) of children are classified as obese. The rate of alcohol-specific hospital stays among those under 18 was 27.6%. This represents 4 stays per year.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 30 ONS (2011) Census: Neighbourhood statistics. Available at: http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/ 31 Office for National Statistics, (2010), Health Profile: South Bucks

8.2.5 No specific data was identified regarding the capacity of health facilities in Chiltern and South Bucks. All GP surgeries in the Plan area are currently accepting new patients, which indicates at least some capacity for new residents32.

Figure 8.1: Life expectancy at birth: Chiltern and England (ONS, 2011)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 32 NHS Choices http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/LocationSearch/4!

Figure 8.2: Life expectancy at birth: South Bucks and England (ONS, 2011)

! Figure 8.3: Health Summary for Chiltern District (Public Health England, 2014)

Figure 8.4: Health Summary for South Bucks District (Public Health England, 2014)

Open Space, Sports and Recreational facilities

8.2.6 Analysis of natural green/open space provision in the South East of England by Natural England and Forestry Commission33 shows Chiltern has only 2% of households meeting all of the Accessible Natural Green Space requirements, and South Bucks only 11%. However, 70% of households in Chiltern live within 5km of a 100ha+ greenspace site, and 100% of South Bucks.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 33 Patrick Mckernan, Forestry Commission and Matthew Grose, High Weald AONB Unit (2007) An analysis of accessible natural greenspace provision in the South East

8.2.7 SBDC Open Space, Sports and Recreational Facilities Strategy34 identifies that South Bucks is constrained due to 87% being Green Belt which can limit some forms of open space/sport/recreation within the Green Belt. Existing provision of green infrastructure can be seen in Figure 6.7, and is measured on a Parish-by-Parish bases, where a number of parishes fall below National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) standard. Deficiencies are noted, and it is considered that new housing development is expected to make provision for Green Space (particularly children’s play).

8.2.8 Chiltern District Council has put together an Open Space and Recreation Strategy35 to effectively manage recreational facilities and open space provision as well as consider options to address any shortfalls. Numerous sports and recreational facilities are present in the Plan area including: football pitches, playing fields, courts, bowls greens, and cricket clubs, although accessibility and availability of these varies across the plan area.

8.2.9 Chiltern’s Strategy supports several Buckinghamshire county wide strategies including the Sustainable Community Strategy, Green Infrastructure Plan, Physical Activity Strategy and Children and Young People’s Plan by contributing to key cross‐cutting themes including health, economic regeneration and protecting the environment.

8.2.10 There are a number of large, publically accessible green spaces in the Plan area. This includes the following Country Parks:

• Black Park; • Langley Park; • Denham Park; and • Thorney Park.

8.2.11 There are also a number of opportunities for outdoor recreation including Burnham Beeches and Chilterns AONB. Additional green spaces include local parks and areas of open access land, such as Stoke Common, Gerrards Cross Common and Hodgemoor Woods.

8.2.12 Green Infrastructure is important for human health as it provides open recreational space, which may encourage physical exercise, and an attractive public realm, which may contribute to mental wellbeing. A GI baseline is presented in Chapter 6.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 34 South Bucks District Council (2008) Open Space, Sports and Recreational Facilities Strategy 35 Chiltern District Council (date unknown) Updated – Chiltern Open Space and Recreational Strategy (2015-2018)

Box 8.1: Key Health Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan area area

• Health levels are generally high in Chiltern and South Bucks, with life expectancy for both male and females above the England average. • Overall there is considered to be good access for residents in Chiltern to GI across the district, however a number of parishes in South Bucks fall below NPFA standard.

! !

9 Historic Environment

9.1 Summary of policy and plan review

9.1.1 Historic environment priorities from the international to the local level seek to address a range of issues. These include protecting designated resources and their settings (such as listed buildings, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, and registered parks and gardens); recognising the cultural aspects of landscape and establishing mechanisms for their protection against inappropriate development; recognising the potential value of unknown and undesignated resources; and conserving/enhancing sites and landscapes of archaeological and heritage interest so that they may be enjoyed by both present and future generations.

9.1.2 Regional guidance provides information on the way in which streets and public open spaces are managed in order to reinforce local character, creating a set of general principles for the continuing maintenance and enhancement of space. The Local PPPs are in line with the regional, national and international PPPs, providing more specific guidance and information.

9.2 Summary of baseline data

Historic landscape

9.2.1 Buckinghamshire County Council surveyed 30 historic settlements in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, in order to understand the evolution of these towns and inform their future management. The findings were published in From Markets to Metroland: The Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Historic Towns Project (2014). This included the following historic towns in Chiltern:

• Amersham; • Chalfont St Peter; • Chesham; and • Great Missenden.

9.2.2 From Markets to Metroland included the following towns in South Bucks:

• Beaconsfield; • Burnham; • Denham; and • Gerrards Cross.

9.2.3 These were selected because of their historic status as well as their significance as settlements today.

9.2.4 In 2006 Buckinghamshire County Archaeological Service published an Historic Landscape Characterisation for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. This document aims to explain how and why the landscape looks as it does. This study described Chiltern as an essentially “ancient” rural landscape of fields and woodlands, much influenced by twentieth century development. The settlement pattern is a combination of nucleated and more dispersed forms on the higher ground. Chiltern has a uniquely extensive area of coaxial field systems, particularly to the north and east of Chesham.

9.2.5 The Historic Landscape Characterisation (2006) identifies South Bucks as the most built up district, which has seen more 20th century change than other districts in the county. The historic settlement pattern was a mixture of nucleated and dispersed forms, but this is largely obscured by modern development. The largest coverage of enclosures is 20th century enclosures, reflecting a change from farming to leisure use. There is a large concentration of historic parks and gardens in South Bucks, reflecting its proximity to London and Windsor. South Bucks has the highest proportion of industrial landscapes in Buckinghamshire, with many quarries located along the rivers and the M25 and M40. Recreational areas also form the highest proportion of any district in the county. The historic landscape character maps for Chiltern and South Bucks are shown in Figure 9.1.

a) b)

Figure 9.1: Historic landscape character map of a) Chiltern and b) South Bucks (Buckinghamshire County Archaeological Service, 2006)

Designated features

9.2.6 Many important features and areas for the historic environment in Chiltern and South Bucks are recognised through statutory historic environment designations; listed buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Other important features are recognized through non- statutory environment designations; Local listings, Historic Parks and Gardens and Conservation Areas. Historic England is the statutory consultee for certain categories of listed building consent and all applications for scheduled monument consent. The historic environment is protected through the planning system, via conditions imposed on developers and other mechanisms.

9.2.7 Listed buildings are those that have been placed on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. There are a number of listed buildings in Chiltern and South Bucks, most of which are associated with historic settlements, including Dorney, Burnham, Taplow, Denham, Beaconsfield, Chalfont St Giles, Penn, Amersham, Chesham and Great Missenden.

9.2.8 A scheduled ancient monument (SAM) is a nationally important archaeological site or historic feature that is given protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. There are eleven scheduled ancient monuments (SAMs) in South Bucks and 17 in Chiltern. Of the 17 SAMs in Chiltern, two include parts of Grim’s Ditch, which straddles many local authority boundaries and dates from the Middle Bronze Age.

9.2.9 Conservation areas are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Local authorities have the power to designate conservation areas in any area of 'special architectural or historic interest' whose character or appearance is worth protecting or enhancing. This is judged against local and regional criteria, rather than national importance as is the case with listing. Conservation Area designations increase the local planning authority's control over demolition of buildings and over certain alterations to residential properties that would normally be classed as 'permitted development' and not require planning permission. Table 9.1 lists the conservation areas in Chiltern and South Bucks by settlement. More details on each of these can be found at http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/planning/conservationareas and http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/conservationareas respectively. Figure 9.2 shows all historic landscape designations in the Plan area.

Table 9.1: Conservation Areas in Chiltern and South Bucks (Chiltern District Council, 2015, South Bucks District Council, 2015)

Conservation Areas Chiltern District South Bucks District Amersham: • Old Town Beaconsfield: • Elm Close • Shardeloes Parkland • Beaconsfield Old Town • Weller Estate (The Drive, Highfield Close, • Hampden Hill Green Lane and Grimsdells Lane)

Chalfont St Giles: Boveney: • Village centre and field adjacent to • Boveney Miltons Cottage

Chalfont St Peter:

• The First Estate Burnham: • Gold Hill Easy • Burnham • North Park and part of Kingsway

Chenies & Latimer:

• Chenies Bottom and Main village Dorney: • Latimer village, Latimer Park and • Dorney land east of Flaunden Road linking to Chenies Bottom

Chesham: Denham: • Old Town, Town • Denham Village Centre and Pednor Uxbridge Lock Road •

Chesham Bois: Farnham Royal: • Bois Lane and Chesham Bois • Farnham Royal Common

Cholesbury & Hawridge: Fulmer: • Main Villages • Fulmer

Conservation Areas Chiltern District South Bucks District Gerrards Cross: Coleshill: • Gerrards Cross Centenary • Centre of Village • Gerrards Cross Common

Great Missenden: • High Street and Hedgerley: surroundings and Hedgerley Village Missenden Abbey • Parkland

Jordans: Hedgerley Green: • Old Jordans, part of Village surrounding • Hedgerley Green The Green

Little Missenden: Huntercombe: • Village centre • Huntercombe

Penn & Tylers Green: Iver: • Village surrounding The Green and • Iver Church Road area

Penn Street: Stoke Green: • Centre of Village • Stoke Green

The Lee: Stoke Poges: • Old Church and The • Stoke Poges West Green • Stoke Park

Taplow: • Taplow Riverside ! • Taplow Village

Wexham: ! • Framewood Road

9.2.10 The Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest was first published by English Heritage in 1988. Although inclusion on the Register brings no additional statutory controls, registration is a material consideration in planning terms. Parks and gardens are registered as: Grade I, which are parks and gardens deemed to be of international importance; Grade II*, which are parks and gardens deemed to be of exceptional significance; and Grade II, which are deemed to be of sufficiently high level of interest to merit a national designation.

9.2.11 There are five Historic Park and Gardens in Chiltern and twelve in South Bucks. This includes Stoke Poges Gardens of Remembrance and Cliveden, which are Grade I listed. Figure 9.2 shows the distribution of these.

! Figure 9.2:!Location of Historic Landscape Designations in the Plan Area (LUC, 2011)!

9.2.12 Since 2008, English Heritage has released an annual Heritage at Risk Register. The Heritage at Risk Register highlights the Grade I and Grade II* Listed Buildings, and Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, wreck sites and registered parks and gardens in England deemed to be ‘at risk’.

9.2.13 There are two listed buildings in Chiltern on the Heritage at Risk Register; Barn at the rear of the George Public house, Great Missenden and Walls of moated site at Grove Farm, Ashley Green. There is a single listed building in South Bucks on the Heritage at Risk register; Aviary at Dropmore House, Heathfield Road, Taplow.

Non-designated features

9.2.14 It should be noted that not all of the Districts’ historic environment resource and heritage assets are subject to statutory designations; non- designated features comprise a significant aspect of heritage, which is often experienced on a daily basis by many people – whether at home, work or leisure. Whilst not listed, many buildings and other features are of historic interest. Likewise, not all nationally important archaeological remains are scheduled. There may be unrecorded archaeological artefacts in the area, which have not yet been discovered.

9.2.15 The Archaeology Data Service shows 501 records of physical archaeological evidence in Chiltern and 526 records in South Bucks. This includes records of known features as well as digs and excavations, some of which resulted in archaeological finds, some did not.

Townscape

9.2.16 The South Bucks Townscape Character Study Part 2 Revision A (2015) provides a townscape assessment for each settlement within the area. Figure 9.3 shows the locations of the settlements studied.

! Figure 9.3: Location of settlements included in the South Bucks Townscape Character Study

9.2.17 The study identified 11 character typologies within the area:

• Tightly formed centres; • Clustered centres; • Woodland roads; • Green suburban roads; • Suburban roads; • Open plan suburban; • Formal suburban; • Inconsistent suburban; • Park edge; • Town centre fringes; • Out of town commercial; and • William King Mill !

9.2.18 Areas of special character are located within Stoke Poges and Richings Park, and have distinctive characteristics that make them different from any of the identified typologies. These distinctive areas are vulnerable to insensitive development, defined by a combination of characteristics such as architectural value, and landscape and townscape. Townscape characteristics typical of these areas include where building set backs, rhythm and gaps create distinctiveness and areas with a homogeneous townscape and layout.

9.2.19 The Chiltern Townscape Character Assessment (2011) provides a townscape assessment for each settlement within the area. The settlements contrast in terms of size and diversity, ranging from the larger historic towns of Amersham and Chesham, with considerable suburban residential development, to smaller villages such as Seer Green and Heath End. Several of the settlements have distinctive historic cores surrounded by residential areas with contrasting street patterns, densities and architectural styles. Other settlements are characterised by distinctive 1920s/30s ‘metroland’ housing associated with the extension of the Metropolitan Line from central London.

9.2.20 The Townscape Character Assessment has identified that increased intensification through higher density infill development, backland development and plot redevelopment has altered the character of some settlements in the District in recent years.

9.2.21 Table 9.2 identifies the Townscape Character Types within the Chiltern District.

Table 9.2: Townscape Character Types identified within Chiltern District

9.2.22 The overall assessment findings demonstrate that there are residential Townscape Character Areas within many of the settlements with an established character, which exhibit sensitive townscape qualities that are considered desirable to safeguard. These Townscape Character Areas are typically characterised by low density detached ‘villa’ style houses laid out within large and spacious garden plots with an established ‘green’ streetscape.

Box 9.1: Key Historic Environment Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan area

• Development in the Districts may have the potential to lead to effects on historic landscapes and cause direct damage to archaeological sites, monuments and buildings and / or their settings.

• Archaeological remains, both seen and unseen have the potential to be affected by new development areas.

• There are three listed buildings on the Heritage at Risk Register in the Plan area.

! !

10 Housing

10.1 Summary of policy and plan review

10.1.1 National and sub-regional objectives for housing include improvements in housing affordability; high quality housing; a more stable housing market; improved choice; location of housing supply which supports accessibility and patterns of economic development; and an adequate supply of publicly-funded housing for those who need it. In addition, new homes should meet the government target of zero carbon emissions by 2016.

10.1.2 Local plans and strategies focus on the affordability of housing, the quality of housing, access to services, and meeting the housing needs of vulnerable people. The housing needs of elderly people, disabled people and gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople are also considered by relevant policies.

10.2 Baseline data Housing stock

10.2.1 The housing stock of Chiltern was 38,352 dwellings in the 2011 census and there were 23 statutory homeless households. 87.3% of the housing stock were owner-occupied or private rented and 12.7% were public sector dwelling stock36.

10.2.2 The housing stock of South Bucks was 27,641 dwellings in the 2011 census and there were 15 statutory homeless households. 87.4% of the housing stock were owner-occupied or private rented and 12.6% were public sector dwelling stock37.

House prices and affordable housing

10.2.3 The average house price in Chiltern was £499,434 from April to June 2013. House prices in Chiltern increase by 11.2% from the previous year. The average house price in South Bucks was £530,427 from April to June 2013. House prices in South Bucks decreased by 5.8% from the previous year38. Whilst house prices have fallen in real terms since the peak of the market in 2007, there remains a significant demand for affordable housing (both to buy and rent) in the Districts.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 36 ONS (2013), Key Housing Statistics for Chiltern 37 ONS (2013), Key Housing Statistics for South Bucks 38 BBC News (2013) UK house prices: April to June 2013!

10.2.4 Average house prices in Chiltern and South Bucks are higher than the average across the UK, which is £242,41539.

10.2.5 The Buckinghamshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) (2008) suggests that the county is more prosperous than average due to its proximity to London. In particular, Chiltern and South Bucks have a much higher than average proportion of detached houses, at approximately 45% compared to the England average of approximately 23%. Despite this, 2% of households in Buckinghamshire are overcrowded and 1% are designated ‘unfit’. The SHMA (2008) also suggests that high house prices make it difficult for those without existing equity in a home to buy their first house.

Population

10.2.6 Approximately a third of house moves in Chiltern are within the District and approximately a fifth of house moves in South Bucks are within the District. Interactions regarding house moves are primarily with London. Commuting is generally more contained within the Districts, although many people commute to London from Chiltern and South Bucks40.

10.2.7 The average weekly earnings of residents in Chiltern and South Bucks are discussed in Section 7.2.8. Residents tend to be higher qualified and higher paid than average, with Chiltern and South Bucks having over 40% residents in the top two categories of employment, compared to 27% for the UK41.

10.2.8 Approximately 11% of the population of Buckinghamshire is Black and Minority Ethnic (BME), the majority of which is concentrated in Chiltern and South Bucks. This group tends to have higher household size and higher overcrowding levels, leading to an implied degree of disadvantage in the housing market and the group is expected to grow. About 26% of households in Buckinghamshire contain a person with a limiting long term illness, which equates to about 13% of the population. Both these figures are below national averages. Approximately 26% households in Chiltern and South Bucks are pensioner only households, which is higher than the rest of the county. About 32% of Buckinghamshire households contain dependent children, although this is lowest in South Bucks. About 35% of the county’s households are rural, compared to the national average of 20%42.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 39 Ibid 40 Fordham Research (2008) Buckinghamshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment: Final Report 41 Ibid 42 Ibid

Box 10.1: Key Housing Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan area

• The high cost of housing in Chiltern and South Bucks presents a barrier to first-time buyers.

• There are a number of homes in Buckinghamshire that are considered overcrowded and unfit. Overcrowding may be exacerbated by the growing BME population.

• Chiltern and South Bucks do not have a well-contained housing market, as there is a lot of movement to and from London.

• The area’s ageing population is likely to create a demand for different types of housing, such as extra care and lifetime homes.

11 Landscape and townscape

11.1 Summary of policy and plan review

11.1.1 At the EU, national, regional and local levels emphasis is placed on the protection of landscape as an essential component of people’s surroundings and sense of place. The PPPs seek to increase recognition of the linkages and interplay between the different aspects and roles of landscape, including: local distinctiveness; the historic environment; natural resources; farming, forestry and food; educational, leisure and recreation opportunities; transport and infrastructure; settlements and nature conservation.

11.1.2 The link between landscapes and a range of other aspects is provided with a close focus by the PPPs’ focus on green infrastructure provision. In this respect policies advocate the provision of open space, green networks and woodland as opportunities for sport and recreation, creating healthier communities, supporting and enhancing biodiversity, reducing temperatures in built up areas in summer, reducing the impact of noise and air pollution, and limiting the risk of flooding.

11.2 Baseline data: Chiltern

11.2.1 The Chiltern District’s accessible location in the Green Belt, and around Greater London, makes it a highly valued landscape of national importance.

Landscape character

11.2.2 The Districts are fortunate in that their countryside is mostly well maintained in productive use. It is attractive, and appreciated by both residents and visitors for recreation.

11.2.3 South Bucks lies primarily within National Character Area (NCA) 115, Thames Valley. A small part of South Bucks, north of Beaconsfield, and the entirety of Chiltern District, lie within NCA 110, Chilterns43. NCAs divide the country into a broad range of landscape types. A National Character Area Profile has been created for each NCA, which details key features of each NCA and trends in, and divers in, landscape change.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 43 Natural England (2013) NE406: NCA Profile:110 Chilterns Natural England (2015) NE379: NCA Profile:115 Thames Valley!

11.2.4 Thames Valley NCA is characterized as being much more urban than the Chilterns NCA, as the Chilterns NCA consists largely of the AONB. Both NCAs contain numerous hydrological features. Woodlands characterize the north-western area of Thames Valley NCA, extending up to the Chiltern Hills. The Chilterns is one of the most wooded lowland landscapes in England.

11.2.5 Key characteristics of the Thames Valley NCA include flat, low-lying land rising to low, river-terraced hills, limited farming, pockets of woodland, open grassland, parkland, wetlands and small but biologically important areas of lowland heathland.

11.2.6 Key characteristics of the Chilterns NCA include enclosed views within branching valleys, sunken routeways and extensive woodland and hedgerow-enclosed fields, a mixture of arable, grassland and woodland, rich and diverse habitats and archeology related to remnants of various historic land use types and nucleated settlements of medieval origin along with dispersed farmsteads dating from the medieval period and mid-19th Century.

11.2.7 Land Use Consultants carried out landscape character assessments for both Chiltern District and South Bucks District in 2011. These assessments divided the Districts into a number of Landscape Character Areas (LCAs), which identify landscape character types at a local level, which is more detailed than the NCAs.

! Figure 11.1:!Landscape Character Areas in Chiltern District (LUC, 2011a)

Figure 11.2:!Landscape Character Areas in South Bucks District (LUC, 2011b)

11.2.8 Both Chiltern and South Bucks contain the following LCAs:

• 18. Rolling Farmland • 19. Settled River Valley • 20. Undulating Farmland • 22. Mixed Use Terrace

11.2.9 Chiltern contains the following additional LCAs:

• 13. Chalk River Valley • 15. Undulating Plateau • 16. Settled Plateau • 17. Dipslope with Dry Valleys

11.2.10 South Bucks has the following additional LCAs:

• 24. Wooded Terrace • 25. Lowland Fringe • 26. Floodplain

11.2.11 Details of each of these LCAs can be found in the respective Landscape Character Assessments44.

Landscape designations

11.2.12 Colne Valley Regional Park lies partially within South Bucks District and within Chiltern District. The Colne Valley Park is considered the first substantial areas of countryside to the west of London. The Valley consists of a mosaic of farmland, woodland, rivers and lakes. The Colne Valley Park is an important landscape feature. The location of the Colne Valley Park, and the proposed route of HS2 through the Park, is shown on Figure 11.3.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 44 LUC (2011a) South Bucks District Landscape Character Assessment LUC (2011b) Chiltern District Landscape Character Assessment!

Figure 11.3:!Colne Valley Regional Park, showing proposed route of HS2 (Colnebrook views, 2015)!

11.2.13 Much of the countryside is also exceptionally high quality landscape of national reputation forming part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chilterns AONB includes the majority of Chiltern and a small part of South Bucks, north of Beaconsfield. Areas of Chiltern excluded from the AONB include:

• Holmer Green; • Knotty Green; • Chalfont Common; • Little Chalfont; • Amersham; • The centre of Chesham; and • From Chesham northeast to Lye Green and Whelpley Hill.

11.2.14 AONBs were designated under the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 to protect high quality landscapes and to secure their permanent protection against development that would damage their special qualities. AONBs are designated solely for their landscape qualities, for the purpose of conserving and enhancing their natural beauty (which includes landform and geology, plants and animals, landscape features and the history of human settlement over the centuries).

11.2.15 The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act) strengthened the profile and protection of AONBs. In particular, the Act:

• Placed a duty on all public bodies and statutory undertakers to ‘have regard’ to the purposes of AONBs; • Established a process for creating AONB conservation boards, where this is supported locally; and • Created a statutory responsibility for local authorities and conservation boards to produce and regularly review AONB Management Plans.

11.2.16 The Chilterns AONB was designated in 1965 to ensure the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the Chilterns.

11.2.17 There are no local landscape designations in Chiltern or South Bucks.

Green Belt

11.2.18 A large proportion of the Districts are included in the metropolitan green belt, as shown in Figure 11.4. Arup are currently reviewing the Buckinghamshire Green Belt in the Buckinghamshire Green Belt Assessment.

11.2.19 Whilst the green belt is not a statutory landscape designation, it is a significant element of landscape protection in the area. Green Belts are intended to45:

• Check the unrestricted sprawl of larger built-up areas; • Prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another; • Assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment; • Preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and • Assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 45 NPPF, (2012), Chapter 9: Protecting Green Belt land, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/6077/2116950.pdf

Figure 11.4:!Green Belt in the south of Buckinghamshire (Arup, 2015)!

Tranquility

11.2.20 New employment, residential and retail growth in the Districts can have significant effects on landscape quality, including through impacts of noise pollution, light pollution and broader effects on people’s perceptions of tranquility.

11.2.21 Figure 11.5 presents a map of tranquillity in southern Buckinghamshire. The map highlights that South Bucks is less tranquil than Chiltern, particularly around larger towns, such as Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross. However there are variations in tranquillity around the rest of the Districts. The LTP3 identifies noise from the M25, M40 and M4 as a potential issue, particularly in proximity of the designated AQMAs in South Bucks.

Figure 11.5: Tranquillity in Southern Buckinghamshire (LUC, 2011)

HS2

11.2.22 The proposed route of HS2 passes through both the Colne Valley Regional Park and the Chilterns AONB. The proposed route of HS2 is shown in Figure 11.6. This could affect both visual amenity and tranquility in these sensitive areas. The planning and construction of HS2 is separate to the development of the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan, and is likely to go ahead.

Figure 11.6: Proposed route of HS2 through Chiltern and South Bucks (HS2, 2015)

Box 11.1: Key Landscape Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan area

• Part of the Districts lies in the London Metropolitan Green Belt. • The Districts include part of GI Priority Action Area 3. • Parts of the Districts are distinctive and highly sensitive landscapes, including the Colne Valley Regional Park and the Chilterns AONB.

• South Bucks is less tranquil than Chiltern and development in the north of South Bucks may impact the Chilterns AONB.

• HS2 may impact the setting, visual amenity and tranquillity of Colne Valley Regional Park and the Chilterns AONB.

12 Material Assets

12.1 Summary of policy and plan review

12.1.1 The material assets sustainability theme covers a range of policy areas, including waste management, minerals, energy production and previously developed land.

12.1.2 National level PPPs seek to the protect minerals resources and promote appropriate after uses for minerals workings. PPPs at all levels seek to promote the ‘waste hierarchy’. The waste hierarchy seeks to prioritise waste management in the following order: reduction; reuse; recycling and composting; energy recovery; and disposal. National and regional PPPs also support the use of previously developed land.

12.1.3 The Buckinghamshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy (MWCS) Development Plan Document, adopted in November 2012, sets a framework for considering planning applications for waste development in the County until 2026. Additional policies to regulate Minerals and Waste management in the County have been saved from the Buckinghamshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (2004 – 2016); these will be replaced by the forthcoming Replacement Minerals and Waste Local Plans. The MWCS addresses issues, such as how much minerals extraction is required and how much additional waste management capacity will be required by 2026.

12.1.4 An expansion of renewable energy production is strongly promoted by European and national PPPs. Under EU Directive 2001/77/EC, member states were jointly required to achieve 22% of electricity production from renewable energies by 2010; with a UK-specific target of 10%. This has been reinforced by the UK’s recent Renewable Energy Strategy, which seeks to produce 15% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

12.2 Baseline data

Energy consumption

12.2.1 The average domestic energy consumption in Chiltern is approximately 25.1 Tonnes of oil equivalent (MWh), compared to an average of 18.2 Tonnes of oil equivalent (MWh) in the South East and 17.9 Tonnes of oil equivalent (MWh) for Great Britain. South Bucks average domestic energy consumption is 25.3 Tonnes of oil equivalent (MWh).

12.2.2 Energy consumption from industry and commercial sources in Chiltern was 395.6 GWh, and in South Bucks was 417.3 GWh in 2013. The average energy consumption from industry and commercial sources for the South East was 931.7 GWh, which is much higher than that from Chiltern and South Bucks.

12.2.3 Energy consumption of the transport sector in Chiltern was 515.6 GWh and in South Bucks was 1,757.6 GWh in 2013. This compares to average energy consumption of the transport sector in the South East of 1027.4 GWh.46

12.2.4 Buckinghamshire generally has low levels of fuel poverty. 7.4% of households in Chiltern are fuel poor and 6.8% of households in South Bucks are fuel poor47. The percentage of households in fuel poverty is shown in Figure 12.1. The higher percentage of households in fuel poverty in the parishes of Hedgerley and Fulmer in South Bucks, and Ashley Green, Latimer and Ley Hill and Chenies in Chiltern, may be due to the fact that 0.26% to 0.75% of homes in these areas are off the mains gas network (Figure 12.2).

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 46 DECC (2013) Sub-national total final energy consumption in the United Kingdom 2005-2013 47 Buckinghamshire County Council (2015) Fuel Poverty in Buckinghamshire, 2013

Figure 12.1: Percentage of households in fuel poverty (Fuel Poverty in Buckinghamshire, 2013)!

! Figure 12.2: Percentage of dwellings without a mains gas connection (Buckinghamshire County Fuel Poverty Strategy 2009-2014)!

Renewable energy

12.2.5 Renewable energy accounts for 3.2% of Buckinghamshire’s energy needs, which is below the Government’s national target of 15% by 2020.

12.2.6 There are no commercial renewable energy generation schemes in Chiltern. South Bucks has an energy from waste plant, located on Oxford Road at Gerrards cross48.

Waste and minerals

12.2.7 The MWCS identifies two main challenges for Buckinghamshire, which are to:

• Provide sufficient gravel for housing and construction; and • Move away from over-reliance on landfill for disposal of waste.

12.2.8 Buckinghamshire is self-sufficient in supply for sand and gravel, important construction aggregates and materials used to produce bricks for a local market. Other materials, such as crushed rock, must be imported from neighbouring areas.

12.2.9 Buckinghamshire is generally a net importer of waste, with net inward flows of waste from Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead and Somerset. The largest inward flow of waste is from London, although this is declining year on year. Buckinghamshire exports some waste to the South Coast, primarily Cardiff49.

12.2.10 The south west of Chiltern District lies within a minerals safeguarding area and the entirety of South Bucks District is in the same minerals safeguarding area (see Figure 12.3). The minerals safeguarding area has a large area of sand and gravel deposits. There are widespread deposits of brick clay and chalk in Chiltern District and some chalk deposits in South Bucks District.

12.2.11 There is a relatively high concentration of landfill and recycling sites in South Bucks District. There are three active mineral sites in Chiltern and one is South Bucks. The locations of these are shown on Figure 12.3.

12.2.12 More than 50% of household waste is sent for recycling, reuse or composting in Chiltern, but only about a third of household waste collected is sent for recycling in South Bucks. Recycling rates in Chiltern are above the national average, whereas recycling rates in South Bucks are lower than the national average (see Table 12.1). !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 48 www.renewables-map.co.uk 49 Authority’s Monitoring Report (2011/12) Buckinghamshire County Council

Table 12.1: Waste arisings and recycling rates for local authority collected and household waste in Chiltern and south Bucks in 2013/1450

Tonnes of Tonnes of Tonnes of non- Tonnes of non- household waste household waste household household Year collected sent for reuse, waste waste sent for recycling or reuse, recycling composting or compost

Chiltern 31,816 16,963 243 2

South 21,708 7,256 284 0 Bucks

England 21,939,000 9,756,000 Data not available !

12.2.13 There are two Household Waste Recycling Centres in Chiltern and one in South Bucks.

Box 12.1: Key Material Assets Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan area

• Both Districts have relatively high levels of domestic energy consumption. • South Bucks has high energy consumption in the transport sector. • Some areas of the Districts struggle with fuel poverty and lack of connection to the gas network.

• There is a need to manage the extraction of gravel to ensure future supply.

• There is a need to increase the proportion of waste recycled, move away from the use of landfill for waste disposal and to reduce the in-flow of waste from London.

• Identify and support opportunities for renewable energy provision locally.

! ! !

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 50 DEFRA (2014) ENV18 - Local authority collected waste: annual results tables

Figure 12.3:!Mineral deposits in Buckinghamshire (MWCS (2012))!

! !

13 Population and Quality of life

13.1 Summary of policy and plan review

13.1.1 PPPs on population include a range of different objectives, including tackling social exclusion; improving human rights and public participation; improving health; and ensuring every child has the chance to fulfill their potential by reducing levels of education failure, ill health, substance misuse, crime and anti-social behaviour. At the regional and local levels, support for cultural diversity and young people are key aims.

13.1.2 A wide range of objectives exist within policies and plans from an European to a local level with regards to quality of life. In particular these focus on improving social progress and social inclusion; reducing poverty; improving housing quality; preventing crime, anti-social behaviour and truancy; improving skill levels and employability; and regenerating communities.

13.1.3 The Equality Act 2006 sets out that people should not be disadvantaged on the basis of age; disability; gender; proposed, commenced or completed gender reassignment; race; religion or belief and sexual orientation.

13.2 Baseline data: Chiltern District

Population size and migration

13.2.1 From 1981 to 2011, the population of the Chiltern District grew from 90,600 to 92,700, according to the ONS census data51. Figure 13.1 shows the fluctuation in the districts population over these years, and it is seen that the population has been steadily increasing since 2001. 2010 to 2011 has seen the largest population growth of over 1,000 for the year.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 51 Office for National Statistics (2011) Registrar General’s population estimates for mid-2011: Chiltern District

! Figure 13.1 Population estimates for Chiltern District 1981-2011

Table 13.1!Mid 2011 Population Estimates: Quinary age groups and sex for local authorities in England and Wales based on the results of the 2011 Census!

All 0 1 - 4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 ages 53,107. 2,649. 3,067. England 2 697.1 6 2990.1 4 3,324.3 3,596.3 3,657.2 3,529.2 3,522.4 South East 8,652.8 107.8 428.2 490.8 511.2 541.1 535.3 527.3 540.4 573.7 Bucking- hamshire 506.6 6.3 25.6 31.0 32.5 31.6 26.0 27.4 30.0 33.5 Chiltern 92.7 1.0 4.5 5.8 6.4 5.7 3.7 3.6 4.4 5.6 South 67.1 0.7 3.2 3.9 4.1 4.0 3.1 3.4 3.5 4.0 Bucks

40 - 45- 50- 55- 60- 65- 70- 75- 80- 85- 90+ 44 59 54 59 64 69 74 79 84 89 3,881. 3,892. 3,422. 3,003. 3,162. 2,557. 2,034. 1,678. 1,265. England 5 1 6 5 3 6 6 3 8 778.9 414.4 South East 644.1 655.6 182.0 161.3 168.5 130.7 110.0 90.3 65.2 37.8 18.4 Bucking- hamshire 39.5 40.6 35.9 30.5 31.1 25.2 19.8 16.5 12.0 7.4 4.0 Chiltern 7.0 7.8 7.1 5.8 6.2 5.2 4.2 3.6 2.6 1.7 0.9 South Bucks 4.0 5.2 5.0 4.2 4.2 3.5 3.1 2.5 2.0 1.2 0.7

13.2.2 Table 13.1 shows ONS data for quinary age groups. Persons aged 45-49 hold the largest amount of the Chiltern population, at 7,800, followed by persons ages 40-44, of which there are 7,000 in Chiltern. This is high compared to South Bucks where there are only 5,200 residents ages 40- 44, and 5,400 aged 45-49.

13.2.3 Chiltern and South Bucks District both have a larger population density than England (3.77), at 4.54 people per hectare for Chiltern, and 4.7 for South Bucks.

Age Structure

Figure 13.2: Age structure of Chiltern, South Bucks and Surrounding Local Authorities (Buckinghamshire County Council, 2008)

13.2.4 The age structure of the Chiltern and South Bucks District’s population can be seen in Figure 13.252. In terms of age structure South Bucks has a slightly older population than many of the surrounding districts, with more people over 65 years old (16.5%) than the surrounding areas, and a relatively large proportion of people in the 45-64 age bracket, as shown in Figure 13.2. This figure also shows that South Bucks has a relatively low proportion of people in the 20-44 age bracket, but a broadly similar number of children and young people aged 19 and under to the neighboring local authorities. Chiltern’s population is extremely similar to that of South Bucks, as seen in Figure 13.2, having a high proportion of people in the 45-64-age bracket and a low proportion aged 20-44.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 52 Land Use Consultants for South Bucks District Council (2008) South Bucks District Council Open Space, Sports and Recreational Facilities Strategy Volume 1 – Strategy Report

Ethnicity

13.2.5 Census data (ONS, 2011) shows that 85.9% of Chiltern District’s residents and 77.1% of South Bucks District’s residents are White British. Chiltern therefore has a higher percentage of White British residents than the South East (85.2%) and England (79.8%), where as the South Bucks District does not.

13.2.6 63.2% of residents in Chiltern are of Christian religion. Following this, the most common religion in the District is no religion (23.6%), followed by Muslim (2.5%). This is similar in South Bucks District, where 62.3% of residents are of Christian religion. Following this, the most common religion in the District is no religion (19.8%), followed by Sikh (4.7%).

Deprivation

Figure 13.3: Overall Index of Multiple Deprivation, Chiltern District (DCLG, 2010)

13.2.7 The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2010 comprises seven aspects of deprivation and disadvantage, each containing a number of component indicators – income, employment, health, education & skills, barriers to housing & services, crime and living environment. These domains are weighted and combined to create the overall IMD 2010. (DCLG, 2010) is a nationally recognised measure of deprivation at lower layer Super-Output Area level (LSOA). LSOAs have on average, a population of around 1,500 people. They are smaller than wards, thus allowing the identification of small pockets of deprivation. There are 57 LSOAs in the Chiltern District and 40 in the South Bucks District.

13.2.8 Within the Chiltern district, 27 LSOAs fell within the 10% least deprived overall IMD rankings. These are shown in white in Figure 13.3. The ranking for the overall IMD shows that two LSOAs in Chiltern fall within the most 31% - 40% deprived areas in England (shown in red in Figure 13.3), and a five fell within the most 41% to 50% deprived areas in England (shown in pink on Figure 13.3). The main factors influencing deprivation within Chiltern were Barriers to Housing and Services and Crime. Barriers to Housing and Services reflects the high cost of housing and the rural aspect of the District with 80% of land being Green Belt.

Figure 13.4:!Overall Index of Multiple Deprivation, South Bucks District (Buckinghamshire County Council, 2011b)!

13.2.9 The ranking for the overall IMD shows that four LSOAs in South Bucks fell within the most 41% to 50% deprived areas in England (shown in pink on Figure 13.4), with none falling within the 40% most deprived areas. The main factors influencing deprivation within South Bucks were Barriers to Housing and Services and Crime. Barriers to Housing and Services reflect the high cost of housing and the rural aspect of the District with 87% of land being Green Belt.

13.2.10 37.1% of households in South Bucks have one or two cars/vans, with 10.2% not owning a vehicle. 38.5% of households in Chiltern have one or two cars/vans, with 10.9% not owning a vehicle.

13.2.11 In terms of education, 41.0% of Chiltern residents have level 4 qualifications and above and 14.7% have no qualifications. 78.6% males aged 16-74 are economically active and 65.4% of females in the same age group are economically active.

13.2.12 36.9% of South Bucks residents have level 4 qualifications and above and 16.5% have no qualifications. 79.8% males aged 16-74 are economically active and 65.2% of females in the same age group are economically active.

Crime

13.2.13 Crime in Chiltern decreased by 9% from 2012/3 to 2013/14 and crime in South Bucks decreased by 2% from 2012/13 to 2013/14.

Table 13.2: Crime Statistics for Chiltern and District (ONS, 2011)

Offence Number Number South England (Chiltern) (South East Bucks) Domestic burglary 298 331 24,504 219,205 Robbery 22 41 3,843 63,888 Theft from the Person 43 46 9,463 98,142 Vehicle crime 431 723 46,796 368,222 Criminal damage and Arson 605 494 77,557 493,620 Violent crime 539 428 84,186 563,384 Other offences 576 616 66,562 461,235 !

13.2.14 The most common type of crime in Chiltern is criminal damage and arson, whereas the most common type of crime in South Bucks is vehicle crime (Table 13.2).

Box 13.1: Key Population and Quality of Life Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan

• An ageing population and an increased dependency ratio in the Districts has the potential to lead to implications for service provision. • South Bucks has a relatively high population density. • Barriers to housing and crime are the greatest sources of deprivation in both Districts. • The most common types of crime in the Districts are criminal damage and arson and vehicle crime.

! !

14 Water and Soil

14.1 Summary of policy and plan review

14.1.1 National water policies are primarily driven by the aims of the EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, as translated into national law by the Water Framework Regulations 2003. Key objectives include improving the quality of rivers and other water bodies to 'good ecological status' by 2015; considering flood risk at all stages of the plan and development process in order to reduce future damage to property and loss of life; and incorporating water efficiency measures into new developments. The Water Framework Directive also requires groundwater to reach ‘good status’ in terms of quality and quantity by 2015.

14.1.2 National and regional strategies also have a focus on maintaining and protecting the availability of water. Thames Water’s Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP) and Affinity Water’s WRMP provides the means of enabling water to be supplied and treated in the area. Water supply and use is guided by Environment Agency’s Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS). The Districts are covered by the Colne and the Thames CAMS. Setting out how water quality can be improved, the River Basin Management Plans for the Thames and Colne basins also has been prepared by the Environment Agency under the Water Framework Directive.

14.1.3 The NPPF seeks to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding, and to direct development away from areas of highest risk.

14.1.4 National and regional policies and strategies on soil seek to: prevent soil pollution; reduce soil erosion from wind and water; maintain soil diversity; improve the quality of soil, including through the remediation of contaminated land and through promoting an increase in organic matter in soil; protect and enhance stores of soil carbon and water; recognise soils’ role for natural systems; and increase the resilience of soils to a changing climate.

14.1.5 The PPPs also have a focus on protecting the quality and availability of agricultural land, through reducing soil degradation, maintaining soil productivity, limiting compaction and range of other approaches.

14.2 Baseline data

Soil

14.2.1 As highlighted by the Soil Strategy for England53, soil is a vital natural resource, with a range of key functions. These include:

• Support of food, fuel and fibre production; • Environmental interaction functions (e.g. regulating the flow of and filtering substances from water, emitting and removing atmospheric gases, storing carbon); • Support of habitats and biodiversity; • Protection of cultural heritage and archaeology; • Providing a platform for construction; and • Providing raw materials.

14.2.2 The Plan area has a diverse soil resource, which has developed since the last ice age 10,000 years ago. This encompasses a range of soils types which reflect complex interactions between underlying geology, landform, past and existing land use and climate.

14.2.3 The protection of soil is crucial for future sustainability, since it plays a vital role in food and timber production, in the maintenance of our biodiversity, as a reservoir for water and as a buffer and filter for pollutants. In recent decades agricultural intensification, afforestation and increased pollution from industrial sources has resulted in some loss of soil function and structure in localised areas.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 53 DEFRA (2009) Soil Strategy for England: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/land/soil/sap/

14.2.4 Soil quality has a strong influence on the quality of agricultural land. The Agricultural Land Classification system provides a method for assessing the quality of farmland to enable informed choices to be made about its future use within the planning system. The Agricultural Land Classification system classifies land into five grades, with Grade 3 subdivided into Subgrades 3a and 3b. The best and most versatile land is defined as Grades 1, 2 and 3a, which is deemed to be the land which is most flexible, productive and efficient in response to inputs and which can best deliver future crops for food and non food uses such as biomass, fibres and pharmaceuticals54. The Districts consists mainly of Grade 3 agricultural land, with a small amount of Grade 2 land (See Figure 14.1). The Natural England ALC map (Figure 14.1) does not distinguish between Grade 3a agricultural land, which is considered to be best and most versatile, and Grade 3b, which is not. The Magic55 map application shows some areas of Grade 3a and Grade 3b agricultural land, but this is only mapped in very small areas around the Districts.

Figure 14.1:!Agricultural Land Quality across Chiltern and South Bucks (Natural England, 2011)56!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 54 NPPF, (2012), Paragraph 143, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/6077/2116950.pdf 55 Natural England (2015) Magic, available at: http://www.magic.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx! 56 Natural England (2011) ALC map London and the South East

Rivers, Streams and Canals

14.2.5 The plan area contains two main river catchments, the Colne and the Thames. The Colne catchment straddles both Chiltern and South Bucks, whereas only South Bucks is part of the Thames catchment. Chiltern contains two main rivers; the River Misbourne and the River Chess. These are typical chalk streams and their sources are subject to seasonal and climatic variations.

14.2.6 The River Thames delineates the southwestern boundary of South Bucks and the River Jubilee passes through the District. The River Colne delineates the eastern boundary of South Bucks. The Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal passes through the eastern part of South Bucks.

14.2.7 Areas at risk of flooding in the Districts are shown in Figures 6.2 and 6.3. The maps show that areas of high flood risk are generally located in close proximity to watercourses.

Water resources

14.2.8 Catchment Area Management Strategies (CAMS) are six-year strategies developed by the Environment Agency for managing water resources at the local level. CAMS are to be produced for every river catchment area in England and Wales. Chiltern and South Bucks are included in the Colne catchment area. The southwest of South Bucks is also included in the Thames catchment area.

14.2.9 There is no water available for licensing in either the Colne or the Thames catchment area57. Flows of the rivers in this catchment are likely to be below the requirement to meet Good Ecological Status. Both the Colne catchment and the Thames catchment have low resources reliability, with consumptive resource available less than 30% of the time.

14.2.10 Due to the limited water resource of the River Colne, the Environment Agency are investigating abstraction licenses within these waterbodies. This will lead to a series of actions to improve sustainability of water abstraction and to increase the ecological status of waterbodies.

14.2.11 The Thames Abstraction Licensing Strategy states that no reductions in abstraction are required and that other cost-efficient methods can be used to tackle the impacts of abstraction. The Environment Agency proposes to define the ‘hands off flow (HOF)’ (the reduction in flow below which abstraction must stop) depending on the level of abstraction required, the perceived level of risk to the waterbody and any local features in need of additional protection.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 57 Environment Agency (2013) Colne Abstraction Licensing Strategy Environment Agency (2014) Thames Abstraction Licensing Strategy!

14.2.12 Chiltern and South Bucks are supplied with water by Thames Water and Affinity Water. Sewerage services are provided by Thames Water across the Districts. Thames Water states that household water use is expected to increase by over 250 Ml/d until 2040, whereas non-household water use is forecast to stay approximately the same. Drivers of increased water demand include increase in population, decrease in household occupancy and climate change. Thames Water plan to manage and meet future demand through encouraging water use efficiency, for example by installing water meters, and reducing leakage58.

14.2.13 The Affinity Water Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP)59 predicts a deficit of more than 10 Ml/d by 2020. Affinity water plans to manage and meet this demand by reducing leakage, encouraging water use efficiency and buying water from neighbouring water companies.

Water quality

14.2.14 The vulnerability of groundwater to pollution is determined by the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil and rocks, which control the ease with which an unprotected hazard can affect groundwater. Groundwater Source Protection Zones (SPZs) indicate the risk to groundwater supplies from potentially polluting activities and accidental releases of pollutants. Designed to protect individual groundwater sources, these zones show the risk of contamination from any activities that might cause pollution in the area. In this context they are used to inform pollution prevention measures in areas which are at a higher risk, and to monitor the activities of potential polluting activities nearby. SPZs are present across the plan area. This has been shown on Figure 14.2; areas in Zone 1 (shown in red) are most vulnerable to contamination.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 58 Thames Water (2014) Final Water Resources Management Plan 2015 - 2040 59 Affinity Water (2014) Our Plan for Customers & Communities: Final Water Resources Management Plan!

Figure 14.2:!Source Protection Zones in Chiltern and South Bucks (Environment Agency, 2015)

Box 14.1: Key Water and Soil Issues for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan area

• Some areas of high grade quality agricultural land (Grades 2 and 3a) may be under threat from new growth areas and associated infrastructure.

• The development of new and improved infrastructure to accompany growth has the potential to lead to an increase in soil erosion and soil loss.

• Both Districts have no water available for Licensing.

• Both Districts have large Source Protection Zones.

15 SA Framework

15.1 The purpose of the SA Framework

15.1.1 The Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan will be assessed through an SA Framework of objectives, decision-making criteria and indicators. The full SA Framework for the Local Plan is presented in Appendix A.

15.1.2 The SA Framework provides a way in which sustainability effects can be described, analysed and compared. The SA Framework consists of SA objectives, which where practicable, the achievement of which is measurable using indicators. SA objectives and indicators can be revised as further baseline information is collected and sustainability issues and challenges are identified, and are used in monitoring the implementation of the plan.

15.1.3 To expand on the central focus of each SA Objective (as they are high- level and potentially open-ended) the SA Framework includes a series of questions or ‘decision making criteria’ for use when applying the SA Framework to the assessment of proposed policies. These are accompanied by the indicators and targets for each SA Objective.

15.2 Sustainability Appraisal objectives

15.2.1 The purpose of the SA objectives is to provide a way of ensuring the proposed policies consider the needs of the Districts in terms of their environmental and socio-economic effects. The SA topics identified in Annex I (f) of the SEA Directive are one of the key determinants when considering which SA Objectives should be used for the environmental criteria. Consequently, the SA Objectives seek to reflect all subject areas to ensure the assessment process is transparent, robust and thorough.

15.2.2 The SA objectives have drawn on the baseline information, the key issues and other plans and programmes of particular interest discussed earlier in this Scoping Report (see Chapters 3 to 14). It should be noted that the ordering of the SA objectives do not infer any prioritisation.

Table 15.1: SEA Objectives.

Relevance to sustainability SA Objectives theme

Cultural heritage: Protect, enhance and manage 1 sites, features and areas of archaeological, Historic environment historical and cultural heritage importance. Landscape: Protect, enhance and manage the character and appearance of the landscape and Landscape, historic 2 townscape, maintaining and strengthening environment distinctiveness and its special qualities. Biodiversity and geodiversity: Protect, enhance Biodiversity and geodiversity 3 and manage biodiversity and geodiversity. Climate change adaptation: Minimise the Water, climate change 4 district's contribution to climate change. Climate change mitigation: Plan for the Climate change, water 5 anticipated levels of climate change. Natural resources: Protect and conserve natural Climate change, water. 6 resources. Material assets, air soil, water. 7 Pollution: Reduce air, soil and water pollution.

Waste: Reduce waste generation and disposal, Material assets, air, soil, water. 8 and achieve the sustainable management of waste. Transport: Improve the efficiency of transport Accessibility, material assets networks by increasing the proportion of travel and climate change 9 by sustainable modes and by promoting policies which reduce the need to travel. Housing: Provide affordable, environmentally Housing, population and 10 sound and good quality housing for all. quality of life. Health: Safeguard and improve community Population and quality of life 11 health, safety and well being. Economy: Develop a dynamic, diverse and Economic factors knowledge-based economy that excels in 12 innovation with higher value, lower impact activities. ! !

16 Subsequent stages to be carried out

16.1 Introduction

16.1.1 This chapter summarises the stages of, and approach to, the processes that will be carried out for the plan following consultation at the scoping stage. This has been presented through the stages set out in DCLG Plan Making Manual. Where appropriate, the assessment methods to be used have been included.

16.2 Refining options and assessing effects

16.2.1 The assessment of options (or alternatives) is an important requirement of the SEA Directive, which requires that the Environmental Report includes the following information about reasonable alternatives:

“an outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt with, and a description of how the assessment was undertaken including any difficulties (such as technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered in compiling the required information”

16.2.2 Reasonable alternatives will be assessed through the SA process, and the assessment of alternatives will take place following consultation on the Scoping Report. This will enable options for the plan to be explored. Whilst this report would not be a requisite of the SEA Directive, a report of this nature can help demonstrate iteration between the plan making process and the SA, and provide a coherent story of the plan’s evolution and choice of options.

16.3 Sustainability Appraisal and Publication/Submission

16.3.1 The next stage of the SA will involve assessing successive drafts of the plan. Whilst assessment work will have been undertaken in the previous stage (Refining options and assessing effects), the information that is prepared during this stage is more detailed.

16.3.2 In terms of the assessment methodology an assessment of all policies and proposals presented in the Plan will be undertaken. Findings from the assessment will be presented in a single-line matrix format. The high- level matrix is not a conclusive tool or model. Its main function is to identify at a strategic level whether or not the assessment requires a more detailed examination or whether satisfactory conclusions may be drawn from the high-level assessment without the need for further (time consuming) detailed analysis of a particular policy.

16.3.3 The assessment of policies and options will include:

• A description of the predicted effect; • The duration of the effect: whether the effect is long, medium or short term; • The frequency of the effect: will it be ongoing? • Whether the effect is temporary or permanent; • The geographic significance: whether the effect is of localised, regional, national or international significance; • The magnitude of effect; • The severity of significance; and • Whether mitigation is required/possible to reduce the effect.

16.3.4 As required by the SEA Directive, cumulative, synergistic and indirect effects will also be identified and evaluated during the assessment. An explanation of these is as follows:

• Indirect effects are effects that are not a direct result of the plan, but occur away from the original effect or as a result of a complex pathway. • Cumulative effects arise where several developments each have insignificant effects but together have a significant effect, or where several individual effects of the plan have a combined effect. • Synergistic effects interact to produce a total effect greater than the sum of the individual effects.

16.3.5 The assessment of these effects will be presented in tabular format and show where the different effects arise when two or more draft policies operate together.

16.3.6 Wherever possible, throughout the appraisal process, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) will be used as an analytical tool to examine the spatial distribution of identified effects.

16.3.7 Following consultation on the SA Report, any amendments that are made to the plan will be appraised before preparing the final version of the SA Report to accompany the Submission version of the plan.

17 Consultation on the Scoping Report

17.1 Purpose of Consultation

17.1.1 The SEA Regulations state that a Scoping Report shall be prepared which will be the subject of consultation with statutory consultation bodies for a minimum period of five weeks.

17.1.2 Public involvement through consultation is a key element of the SA process. The SEA Regulations require consultation with statutory consultation bodies but not full consultation with the public at the scoping stage. Regulation 12 (5) of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (SI 1633) states that:

“When deciding on the scope and level of detail of the information that must be included in the report the responsible authority shall consult the consultation bodies.”

17.1.3 The statutory consultation bodies are Historic England, the Environment Agency and Natural England.

17.2 Consultation Details

17.2.1 This Scoping Report will be published by Chiltern District Council and South Bucks District Council for consultation from 27th November 2015 and close on 8th January 2016.

17.2.2 All responses on this consultation exercise should be sent to [email protected] or to the following address:

Lepus Consulting Ltd, 1 Bath Street, Cheltenham. GL50 1YE

17.2.3 All comments received on the Scoping Report will be reviewed and will influence the SA/SEA process for the plan.

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Appendix A: Full SA Framework

Decision making criteria: Will the SEA Objective Indicators (this list is not exhaustive) option/proposal…

Will it preserve features of architectural or historic interest Q1a and, where necessary, encourage their conservation • Number and type of features and and renewal? areas of historic designations in the Cultural heritage: Protect, district enhance and manage sites, 1 features and areas of Will it preserve or enhance • Statutory and non-statutory sites in Q1b archaeological, historical and archaeological sites/remains? the Historic Environment Record (HER) cultural heritage importance. • Number of historic assets on the Will it preserve or enhance the Heritage at Risk register Q1c setting of cultural heritage assets?

Will it safeguard and enhance the character of the landscape Q2a and local distinctiveness and identity? Will it protect and enhance • Chiltern and South Bucks Landscape Q2b visual amenity, including light Character Assessment profiles Landscape: Protect, enhance and noise pollution? and manage the character and • Tranquility rating of area Will it reuse degraded appearance of the landscape Q2c 2 and townscape, maintaining landscape/townscape? • Re-use of derelict buildings or re-use and strengthening of buildings in a prominent location distinctiveness and its special Will it compromise the purpose qualities. of the Green Belt e.g. will it lead • Impact of development on areas Q2d to coalescence of settlements within the Green Belt, AONB and/or and/or urban sprawl? Colne Valley Regional Park Will it protect and enhance the characteristics and setting of Q2e the Chilterns AONB and/or Colne Valley Regional Park? Biodiversity and geodiversity: Will it protect and enhance Q3a • Number and diversity of European Protect, enhance and manage biodiversity? Protected Species, BAP species and biodiversity and geodiversity. Will it contribute to habitat Q3b Section 41 species in the area. connectivity? • Area and condition of BAP priority 3 habitats

• Area and condition of sites designated for biological and geological interest, particularly Burnham Beches SAC Appendix A, SEA Framework Page 1 Biodiversity and geodiversity: • Number and diversity of European Decision making criteria: Will the Protect, enhanceSEA Objective and manage ProtectedIndicators Species, (this list BAP is not species exhaustive) and biodiversity and geodiversity. option/proposal… Section 41 species in the area.

• Area and condition of BAP priority 3 Will it maintain and enhance habitats sites designated for their Q3c biodiversity or geodiversity • Area and condition of sites designated interest and increase their area? for biological and geological interest, particularly Burnham Beches SAC

• Proximity to public transport links Will it help reduce the per Q4a capita carbon footprint of • Frequency of nearby public transport Chiltern and South Bucks? services Climate change mitigation: • Distance to local services and 4 Minimise the district's amenities contribution to climate change. Will it encourage renewable • Energy efficiency of buildings and energy generation or use of Q4b transport energy from renewable sources? • Percentage of energy in the area generated from renewable sources

Will it avoid development in • Number of properties at risk of Q5a areas at high risk of flooding? flooding

• Area of new greenspace created per Climate change adaptation: Will it increase the area and capita 5 Plan for the anticipated levels Q5b connectivity of Green of climate change. Infrastructure? • Connectivity of GI

Will it promote use of • Implementation of adaptive technologies and techniques to Q5c techniques, such as SUDS and passive adapt to the impacts of climate heating/cooling change?

Will it utilise previously • Re-use of previously developed land Q6a developed, degraded and under-used land? • Area of best and most versatile agricultural land lost to development Natural resources: Protect and 6 conserve natural resources. Will it lead to the loss of the Q6b best and most versatile agricultural land?

• Area of Mineral Safeguarding Area(s) developed Appendix A, SEA Framework Page 2 • Re-use of previously developed land

• Area of best and most versatile agricultural land lost to development Natural resources: Protect and 6 Decision making criteria: Will the conserveSEA natural Objective resources. Indicators (this list is not exhaustive) option/proposal…

Will it help to protect mineral • Area of Mineral Safeguarding Area(s) Q6c deposits in the district, developed particularly sand and gravel? • Proximity to an AQMA Will it maintain and improve air Q7a quality? • Provision of Green Infrastructure Pollution: Reduce air, soil and • Remediation of contaminated land 7 Will it maintain and enhance water pollution. Q7b soil quality? • Proximity to watercourses with poor Will it maintain and improve quality status Q7c water quality? • Percentage change in pollution Will it encourage recycling of Waste: Reduce waste Q8a • Number and capacity of waste waste? generation and disposal, and management facilities 8 achieve the sustainable Will it minimise and where management of waste. Q8b possible eliminate generation of • Reuse of recycled materials waste?

Will it reduce the need to • Distance to place of work Q9a travel? • Distance to local amenities and key Transport and accessibility: services Improve the efficiency of transport networks by • Distance to existing or proposed bus increasing the proportion of routes 9 travel by sustainable modes Will it provide adequate means and by promoting policies of access by a range of • Frequency of bus services which reduce the need to Q9b sustainable transport modes travel. (i.e. walking/cycling/public • Proximityand connectivity of walking transport)? and cycling links

• Distance to train station

Will it provide a mix of good- quality housing, including Q10a homes that are suitable for first- • Varied housing mix time buyers?

Housing: Provide affordable, • Percentage of dwellings delivered as 10 environmentally sound and affordable housing good quality housing for all. • Number of extra care homes

• Number of homes meeting Lifetime Appendix A, SEA Framework Page 3 Homes design criteria Decision making criteria: Will the SEA Objective Indicators (this list is not exhaustive) option/proposal… • Varied housing mix

Housing: Provide affordable, • Percentage of dwellings delivered as 10 environmentally sound and Will it provide housing suitable affordable housing good quality housing for all. Q10b for the growing elderly population? • Number of extra care homes

Will it provide decent, • Number of homes meeting Lifetime Q10c affordable homes? Homes design criteria

• Travel time by public transport to Will it improve access for all to nearest health centre and sports Q11a health, leisure and recreational facilities facilities? • Provision of and accessibility of open Health: Safeguard and improve accessible greenspace and GI 11 community health, safety and well being. Will it improve and enhance the • Accessibility to sports facilities e.g. Q11b district's green infrastructure football pitches, playing fields, tennis network? courts and leisure centres

• Number of residents working within Will it increase accessibility of Chiltern and South Bucks Economy: Develop a dynamic, Q12a suitable employment within diverse and knowledge-based Chiltern and South Bucks? • Number of employment opportunities 12 economy that excels in in professional occupations innovation with higher value, lower impact activities. • Number of new business start-ups as Will it encourage business start- Q12b a result of the development ups in the area?

Appendix A, SEA Framework Page 4

Appendix B: Plan, Policy and Programme Review

Appendix B

Appendix B: Plan, Policy and Programme Review

Title of PPP Main objectives and environmental / socio-economic requirements of PPP

Biodiversity, flora and fauna

Nature and biodiversity (including soil communities) has been identified as one of four priority areas EC Sixth Environmental Action for Europe. The EAP requires specific action to counteract pressures arising notably from pollution, Programme 2002-2012 (2002) the introduction of non-native species, and potential risks from releasing genetically modified organisms.

The EU biodiversity strategy follows on from the EU Biodiversity Action Plan (2006). It aims to halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services across the EU by 2020. The strategy contains six targets and 20 actions. The six targets cover:

Our life insurance, our natural • Full implementation of EU nature legislation to protect biodiversity; capital: an EU biodiversity strategy • Better protection for ecosystems, and more use of green infrastructure; to 2020 (2011) • More sustainable agriculture and forestry;

• Better management of fish stocks; • Tighter controls on invasive alien species; and • A bigger EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss. The Pan-European Biological and The strategy aims to stop and reverse the degradation of biological and landscape diversity values in Landscape Diversity Strategy Europe. (1995)

The aims of the Convention include the conservation of biological diversity (including a commitment UN Convention on Biological to significantly reduce the current rate of biodiversity loss), the sustainable use of its components and Diversity (1992) the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

Bern Convention on the The Convention seeks to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats, and to monitor and Conservation of European Wildlife control endangered and vulnerable species. and Natural Habitats (1979) Appendix B

The main aim of the Habitats Directive is to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by requiring Member States to take measures to maintain or restore natural habitats and wild species listed on the Annexes to the Directive at a favourable conservation status, introducing robust protection for those habitats and species of European importance. In applying these measures Member States are required to take account of economic, social and cultural requirements, as well as regional and local characteristics. The provisions of the Directive require Member States to introduce a range of measures, including: • Maintain or restore European protected habitats and species listed in the Annexes at a favourable conservation status as defined in Articles 1 and 2; • Contribute to a coherent European ecological network of protected sites by designating Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for habitats listed on Annex I and for species listed on Directive on the Conservation of Annex II. These measures are also to be applied to Special Protection Areas (SPAs) classified Natural Habitats and of Wild under Article 4 of the Birds Directive. Together SACs and SPAs make up the Natura 2000 Fauna and Flora 1992 (the Habitats network (Article 3); Directive) • Ensure conservation measures are in place to appropriately manage SACs and ensure appropriate assessment of plans and projects likely to have a significant effect on the integrity of an SAC. Projects may still be permitted if there are no alternatives, and there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest. In such cases compensatory measures are necessary to ensure the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network (Article 6); • Member States shall also endeavour to encourage the management of features of the landscape that support the Natura 2000 network (Articles 3 and 10); • Undertake surveillance of habitats and species (Article 11); • Ensure strict protection of species listed on Annex IV (Article 12 for animals and Article 13 for plants). • Report on the implementation of the Directive every six years (Article 17), including assessment of the conservation status of species and habitats listed on the Annexes to the Directive. The Birds Directive requires Member States to take measures to preserve a sufficient diversity of habitats for all species of wild birds and that special measures are taken to conserve the habitat of Directive on the Conservation of certain particularly rare species and of migratory birds. Wild Birds 2009 (the Birds The provisions of the Directive require Member States to introduce a range of measures, including: Directive) • Contribute to a coherent European ecological network of protected sites by designating Special Protection Areas (SPAs) classified under Article 4 of the Birds Directive. These Appendix B

measures are also to be applied to Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for habitats listed on Annex I and for species listed on Annex II. Together SACs and SPAs make up the Natura 2000 network. The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action The Convention on Wetlands and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. This includes the designated of wetlands of international importance as Ramsar sites, which also contribute (Ramsar Convention) to the Natura 2000 network.

The Conservation of Habitats and This transposes into national law the Habitats Directive and also consolidates all amendments that have been made to the previous 1994 Regulations. This means that competent authorities have a Species Regulations 2010 general duty in the exercise of any of their functions to have regard to the Directive. (Habitats regulations)

The Act provides for public access on foot to certain types of land, amends the law relating to public The Countryside and Rights of rights of way, increases measures for the management and protection for Sites of Special Scientific Way Act 2000 Interest (SSSI) and strengthens wildlife enforcement legislation, and provides for better management of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

The Act makes provision in respect of biodiversity, pesticides harmful to wildlife and the protection of birds, and in respect of invasive non-native species. It alters enforcement powers in connection with The Natural Environment and wildlife protection, and extends time limits for prosecuting certain wildlife offences. It addresses a Rural Communities Act 2006 small number of gaps and uncertainties which have been identified in relation to the law on sites of special scientific interest. And it amends the functions and constitution of National Park authorities, the functions of the Broads Authority and the law on rights of way.

DEFRA Wildlife and Countryside The principle mechanism for the legislative protection of wildlife in Great Britain. Act (1981, as amended)

The England biodiversity strategy 2020 ties in with the EU biodiversity strategy in addition to drawing links to the concept of ecosystem services. The strategy’s vision for England is; “By 2050 our land and seas will be rich in wildlife, our biodiversity will be valued, conserved, restored, DEFRA. Biodiversity 2020: A managed sustainably and be more resilient and able to adapt to change, providing essential services strategy for England’s wildlife and and delivering benefits for everyone”. ecosystem services (2011)

The Strategies overall mission is to: “to halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy well-functioning ecosystems and establish coherent Appendix B

ecological networks, with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people”.

DoE Biodiversity: The UK Action Government’s strategy for protection and enhancement of biodiversity, from 1992 convention on Plan (1994) Biodiversity commitments. Advises on opportunities and threats for biodiversity.

TCPA: Biodiversity by Design: A The development process should consider ecological potential of all areas including both greenfield Guide for Sustainable and brownfield sites. Local authorities and developers have a responsibility to mitigate impacts of Communities (2004) development on designated sites and priority habitats and species and avoid damage to ecosystems.

The recently released NPPF seeks to streamline the planning system and sets out the Governments planning policies and how these should be applied. At the heart of the NPPF is presumption in favour of sustainable development. The NPPF includes guidance on promoting the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment. It requires the planning system to contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: • protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, geological conservation interests and soils; • recognising the wider benefits of ecosystem services; National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012) • minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures; • preventing both new and existing development from contributing to or being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability; and • remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate

Natural England: Securing The guide sets out a framework which has been developed to enhance the recovery of priority Biodiversity: A New Framework habitats and species in England (published under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural for Delivering Priority Species and Communities (NERC) Act 2006). Habitats in England Appendix B

The Strategy seeks to: • encourage the adoption of an ecosystem approach and better embed climate change adaptation principles in conservation action; • achieve biodiversity enhancements across whole landscapes and seascapes; • achieve our priority habitat targets through greater collective emphasis on habitat restoration and expansion; • enhance the recovery of priority species by better integrating their needs into habitat-based work where possible, and through targeted species recovery work where necessary; • support the restoration of designated sites, including by enhancing the wider countryside in which they sit; • support the conservation of marine biodiversity, inside and outside of designated sites; • establish and implement a delivery programme, with agreed accountabilities, for priority species and habitats in England; • improve the integration of national, regional and local levels of delivery; • improve the links between relevant policy-makers and biodiversity practitioners; strengthen biodiversity partnerships by clarifying roles at England, regional and local levels.

The Making Space for Nature report, which investigated the resilience of England’s ecological network to multiple pressures, concluded that England’s wildlife sites do not comprise of a coherent and resilient ecological network. The report advocates the need for a step change in conservation of England’s wildlife sites to ensure they are able to adapt and become part of a strong and resilient network. The report summarises what needs to be done to improve England’s wildlife sites to enhance Making Space for Nature: a review the resilience and coherence of England’s ecological network in four words; more, bigger, better, and of England’s wildlife sites and joined. There are five key approaches which encompass these, which also take into account of the land ecological network (2010) around the ecological network: (i) Improve the quality of current sites by better habitat management. (ii) Increase the size of current wildlife sites. (iii) Enhance connections between, or join up, sites, either through physical corridors, or through ‘stepping stones’. Appendix B

(iv) Create new sites. (v) Reduce the pressures on wildlife by improving the wider environment, including through buffering wildlife sites. To establish a coherent ecological network 24 wide ranging recommendations have been made which are united under five key themes: (vi) There is a need to continue the recent progress in improving the management and condition of wildlife sites, particularly our SSSIs. We also make recommendations for how these should be designated and managed in ways that enhance their resilience to climate change. (vii) There is a need to properly plan ecological networks, including restoration areas. Restoration needs to take place throughout England. However, in some areas, both the scale of what can be delivered to enhance the network, and the ensuing benefits for wildlife and people, will be very high. These large areas should be formally recognised as Ecological Restoration Zones. (viii) There are a large number of surviving patches of important wildlife habitat scattered across England outside of SSSIs, for example in Local Wildlife Sites. We need to take steps to improve the protection and management of these remaining wildlife habitats. ‘Protection’ will usually be best achieved through incentive-based mechanisms, but at times may require designation. (ix) There is a need to become better at deriving multiple benefits from the ways we use and interact with our environment. There are many things that society has to do that may seem to have rather little to do with nature conservation, but could have, or even should have if we embrace more radical thinking; flood management by creating wetlands is an obvious example. We need to exploit these ‘win-win’ opportunities to the full. Being better at valuing a wider range of ecosystem services would help this process. (x) It will not be possible to achieve a step-change in nature conservation in England without society accepting it to be necessary, desirable, and achievable. This will require strong leadership from government and significant improvements in collaboration between local authorities, local communities, statutory agencies, the voluntary and private sectors, farmers, landowners and other land-managers and individual citizens

The England’s Trees, Woods, and Forest Strategy (2007) aims to: DEFRA England's Trees, Woods (i) provide, in England, a resource of trees, woods and forests in places where they can contribute and Forests Strategy (2007) most in terms of environmental, economic and social benefits now and for future generations (ii) ensure that existing and newly planted trees, woods and forests are resilient to the impacts of climate change and also contribute to the way in which biodiversity and natural resources adjust Appendix B

to a changing climate (iii) protect and enhance the environmental resources of water, soil, air, biodiversity and landscapes (both woodland and non-woodland), and the cultural and amenity values of trees and woodland (iv) increase the contribution that trees, woods and forests make to the quality of life for those living in, working in or visiting England (v) improve the competitiveness of woodland businesses and promote the development of new or improved markets for sustainable woodland products and ecosystem services where this will deliver identify able public benefits, nationally or locally, including the reduction of carbon emissions.

Published in June 2011, the Natural Environment White paper sets out the Government’s plans to ensure the natural environment is protected and fully integrated into society and economic growth. The White Paper sets out four key aims: (i) Protecting and improving our natural environment There is a need to improve the quality of our natural environment across England, moving to a net gain in the value of nature. It aims to arrest the decline in habitats and species and the degradation of landscapes. It will protect priority habitats and safeguard vulnerable non-renewable resources for future generations. It will support natural systems to function more effectively in town, in the country and at sea. It will achieve this through joined-up action at local and national levels to The Natural Choice: Securing the create an ecological network which is resilient to changing pressures. Value of Nature. The Natural (ii) Growing a green economy Environment White Paper. (HM The ambition is for a green and growing economy which not only uses natural capital in a Government 2011) responsible and fair way but also contributes to improving it. It will properly value the stocks and flows of natural capital. Growth will be green because it is intrinsically linked to the health of the country’s natural resources. The economy will capture the value of nature. It will encourage businesses to use natural capital sustainably, protecting and improving it through their day-to-day operations and the management of their supply chains. (iii) Reconnecting people and nature The ambition is to strengthen the connections between people and nature. It wants more people to enjoy the benefits of nature by giving them freedom to connect with it. Everyone should have fair access to a good-quality natural environment. It wants to see every child in England given the opportunity to experience and learn about the natural environment. It wants to help people take Appendix B

more responsibility for their environment, putting local communities in control and making it easier for people to take positive action. (iv) International and EU leadership The global ambitions are: • internationally, to achieve environmentally and socially sustainable economic growth, together with food, water, climate and energy security; and • to put the EU on a path towards environmentally sustainable, low-carbon and resource-efficient growth, which is resilient to climate change, provides jobs and supports the wellbeing of citizens.

The UK National Ecosystem Assessment is the first analysis of the UK’s natural environment and the benefits it provides to society and economic prosperity. The assessment leads on from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) and analyses services provided by ecosystem set against eight broad habitat types. The ecosystem services provided by these habitat types have been assessed to find their overall condition. The assessment sought to answer ten key questions: 1) What are the status and trends of the UK’s ecosystems and the services they provide to society? 2) What are the drivers causing changes in the UK’s ecosystems and their services? 3) How do ecosystem services affect human well-being, who and where are the beneficiaries, and UK National Ecosystem how does this affect how they are valued and managed? Assessment (2011) 4) Which vital UK provisioning services are not provided by UK ecosystems? 5) What is the current public understanding of ecosystem services and the benefits they provide? 6) Why should we incorporate the economic values of ecosystem services into decision-making? 7) How might ecosystems and their services change in the UK under plausible future scenarios? 8) What are the economic implications of different plausible futures? 9) How can we secure and improve the continued delivery of ecosystem services? How have we advanced our understanding of the influence of ecosystem services on human wellbeing and what are the knowledge constraints on more informed decision making? Appendix B

The Duty is set out in Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) DEFRA Guidance for Local 2006, and states that: “Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is Authorities on Implementing consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity”. Biodiversity Duty (2007) Particular areas of focus include: Policy, Strategy and Procurement; Management of Public Land and Buildings; Planning, Infrastructure and Development; and Education, Advice and Awareness.

CABE Making Contracts Work for Advises on how to make the most of the potential for biodiversity in urban parks and it shows how the Wildlife: How to Encourage commitment of individuals and employers can make the difference between failure and inspiring Biodiversity in Urban Parks (2006) success.

Forestry and Woodlands This document outlines what woods can do for the region and what the region must do for its woods Framework Steering Group in order to protect and enhance them. (2004) Seeing the Wood for the The framework aims to realise the vision of “woods making an increasing contribution to the Trees: A forestry and woodlands sustainable development of the South East region, in both rural and urban areas” by inspiring and framework for South East England informing those involved in planning and development as well as those involved in forest management.

South East England Biodiversity Provides a basis for creation of policies and actions to protect and enhance biodiversity in the region Forum (2009) South East by setting out the best way forward and setting out a framework for sustainable development and Biodiversity Strategy environmental protection.

Buckinghamshire and Milton The UK’s Action Plan was published in January 1994, with the expectation that regional and local Keynes Biodiversity Action Plan Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) would be produced. The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes (2009) Biodiversity Action Plan picks up this local requirement. It describes how the wildlife of Bucks & Milton Keynes is going to be enhanced and protected over a ten year period (2000-2010).

The BAP is divided into sections called Habitat Action Plans - each one details a specific habitat that is found in the county. Each Habitat Action Plan contains Targets which are designed to contribute towards Targets in the UK Biodiversity Plan.

These Targets fall into 4 broad categories

1) Maintaining Extent 2) Achieving Condition 3) Restoration of degraded habitat 4) Creation of new habitat Appendix B

The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Biodiversity Partnership also identifies a number of Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (23 across Buckinghamshire). These areas are identified due to their nature conservation importance and are areas of opportunity for enhancement, expansion and buffering. The 23 areas are included in the South East Biodiversity Strategy.

Chilterns Area of Outstanding The Management Plan sets out the following broad aims for biodiversity: Natural Beauty Management Plan Conserve and enhance the wildlife value of all habitats; 2014 - 2019 • • Enhance ecological networks so that they are bigger, better, more resilient, joined up and dynamic; • Ensure that the wider benefits of the natural environment are understood and recognised; and • Encourage more people to develop a greater understanding of and involvement in wildlife conservation.

Population and human health

EC Together for Health: A Building on current work, this Strategy aims to provide an overarching strategic framework spanning Strategic Approach for the EU core issues in health as well as health in all policies and global health issues. 2008-2013 (2007)

National Planning Policy • opportunities for meetings between members of the community who might not otherwise Framework (DCLG, 2012) come into contact with each other, including through mixed-use developments, strong neighbourhood centres and active street frontages which bring together those who work, live and play in the vicinity; • safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion; and • safe and accessible developments, containing clear and legible pedestrian routes, and high quality public space, which encourage the active and continual use of public areas.

Appendix B

In order to deliver the social, recreational and cultural facilities and services the community needs, planning policies and decisions should: • plan positively for the provision and use of shared space, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments; • guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs; • ensure that established shops, facilities and services are able to develop and modernise in a way that is sustainable, and retained for the benefit of the community; and ensure an integrated approach to considering the location of housing, economic uses and community facilities and services. The Government's vision for sport and physical activity for 2012 and beyond is to increase significantly levels of sport and physical activity for people of all ages and to achieve sustained levels of success in DCMS: Playing to win: a new era international competition. for sport. (2008) The ambition is for England to become –a truly world leading sporting nation. The vision is to give more people of all ages the opportunity to participate in high quality competitive sport.

Sets out the Governments approach to tackling threats to public health and dealing with health inequalities. It sets out an approach that will: 1) protect the population from health threats – led by central government, with a strong system to the frontline; 2) empower local leadership and encourage wide responsibility across society to improve DoH: Healthy Lives, Healthy everyone’s health and wellbeing, and tackle the wider factors that influence it; People: Our strategy for public health in England White Paper 3) focus on key outcomes, doing what works to deliver them, with transparency of outcomes to (2010) enable accountability through a proposed new public health outcomes framework; 4) reflect the Government’s core values of freedom, fairness and responsibility by strengthening self-esteem, confidence and personal responsibility; positively promoting healthy behaviours and lifestyles; and adapting the environment to make healthy choices easier; and 5) balance the freedoms of individuals and organisations with the need to avoid harm to others, use a ‘ladder’ of interventions to determine the least intrusive approach necessary to achieve Appendix B

the desired effect and aim to make voluntary approaches work before resorting to regulation.

This sets out the Governments response to a review into the health of Britain’s working age population conducted by Dame Carol Black. The vision is to: “create a society where the positive links between work and health are recognised by DoH & Department for Work and all, where everyone aspires to a healthy and fulfilling working life and where health conditions and Pensions. Improving health and disabilities are not a bar to enjoying the benefits of work”. work: changing lives: The Government's Response to Dame To achieve the vision three key aspirations have been identified: Carol Black's Review of the health 1. creating new perspectives on health and work; of Britain's working-age 2. improving work and workplaces; and population (2008) 3. supporting people to work. Through these three aspirations Britain’s working population will fulfil their full potential, create stronger communities and help relive the financial burden of health problems on the economy.

DoH: Our health, our care, our say: Puts emphasis on moving healthcare into the community and will therefore have an impact on a new direction for community sustainable development considerations, including supporting local economies and how people travel services (2005) to healthcare facilities.

Forestry Commission: Trees and Provides detailed examples of how the Woodland Sector (trees, woodlands and green spaces) can Woodlands - Nature's Health significantly contribute to people’s health, well-being (physical, psychological and social) and quality Service (2005) of life. Increasing levels of physical activity is a particular priority.

Countryside Agency: The A vision for the landscape of urban/rural fringe environments and how to better manage these areas Countryside in and Around Towns and make improvements. Key functions for the environment include: a bridge to the country; a – A vision for connecting town and gateway to the town; a health centre; a classroom; a recycling and renewable energy centre; a country in the pursuit of productive landscape; a cultural legacy; a place for sustainable living; an engine for regeneration; and a sustainable development (2005) nature reserve. Appendix B

Aims to help Local Authorities develop policies which acknowledge, protect and enhance the English Nature: Accessible Natural contribution natural spaces make to local sustainability. Three aspects of natural space in cities and Green Space Standards in Towns towns are discussed: their biodiversity; their ability to cope with urban pollution; ensuring natural and Cities: A Review and Toolkit spaces are accessible to everyone. The report aims to show how size and distance criteria can be used for their Implementation (2003) to identify the natural spaces which contribute most to local sustainability.

This Strategy identifies key priorities for an enlarged Europe. This includes health, social inclusion and fighting global poverty. It aims to achieve better policy integration in addressing these challenges, and to ensure that Europe looks beyond its boundaries in making informed decisions about sustainability. The sustainable Development Strategy was review in 2009 and “underlined that in recent years the EU EU Sustainable Development has mainstreamed sustainable development into a broad range of its policies. In particular, the EU has Strategy (2006) taken the lead in the fight against climate change and the promotion of a low-carbon economy. At the same time, unsustainable trends persist in many areas and the efforts need to be intensified”. Sustainable development is a key focus of the EU and the strategy continues to be monitored and reviewed.

Links environmental rights and human rights. It establishes that sustainable development can be UN The Aarhus Convention (1998) achieved only through the involvement of all stakeholders and links government accountability and environmental protection.

The primary aims are to prevent social exclusion, and reintegrate people who have become excluded. Social Exclusion Unit: Preventing Improvement is required in the areas of truancy, rough sleeping, teenage pregnancy, youth at risk and Social Exclusion (2001) deprived neighbourhoods.

The Housing Green Paper outlines plans for delivering homes; new ways of identifying and using land DCLG Homes for the future: more for development; more social housing- ensuring that a decent home at an affordable price is for the affordable, more sustainable many; building homes more quickly; more affordable homes; and greener homes - with high (2007) environmental standards and flagship developments leading the way.

Practical guide to designs and layouts that may help with crime prevention and community safety, ODPM & Home Office: Safer including well-defined routes, places structured so that different uses do not cause conflict, places Places: The Planning System and designed to include natural surveillance and places designed with management and maintenance in Crime Prevention (2004) mind.

Sets out an action plan to improve the life chances of those who suffer, or may suffer in the future, Cabinet Office: Reaching Out: An from disadvantage. Guiding principles for action include: better identification and earlier intervention; Action Plan on Social Exclusion systematically identifying ‘what works’; promoting multi-agency working; personalisation, rights and Appendix B

(2006) responsibilities; and supporting achievement and managing underperformance.

Buckinghamshire Rights of Way The RoWIP is the County Council’s strategic document, setting out its aspirations and priorities for the Improvement Plan (RoWIP) 2008- public rights of way and countryside access network. The Plan sets out a vision for rights of way, to: 2018 (2008) “Expand, manage and promote the network of routes and open spaces, recognising its historical and ecological significance whilst providing real economic benefits to the rural communities and health benefits to local people, to create safe and sustainable access provision for all.” The Plan also sets out 8 themes for improving rights of way including mapping, creating new links, and improving access.

Chiltern and South Bucks This Plan serves as a strategy for the reduction of crime and disorder under the 1998 Crime and Community and Safety Partnership Disorder Act. This Plan identifies the following priorities: Plan 2014 – 2017 • Reduce house burglary, non-dwelling burglary, theft from vehicles, and violent behaviour in our communities; • Continue to invest work to prevent and tackle anti-social behaviour in our communities; • Protect vulnerable individuals and communities; and • Reduce the fear of crime and perception of anti-social behaviour.

Bucks Home Choice Allocation This document sets out how applicants for affordable housing are prioritised fairly and transparently. Policy (2014) The policy describes who qualifies for affordable housing and how applicants are prioritised based on need.

Chiltern District Council Housing Chiltern District Council have prepared a range Housing Strategies, which are design to support the Strategies delivery of housing services and ensure sound, good quality homes for all. These are as follows: • Strategic Housing Framework 2013 - 2014 • Homelessness Strategy 2009 – 2011 • Empty Homes Strategy • Private Sector Housing Strategy • Buckinghamshire Tenancy Strategy January 2013.

Updated - Chiltern Open Space The purpose of Chiltern's Open Space and Recreational Strategy is to bring together key community and Recreation Strategy (2015 – organisations and develop a co-ordinated approach to managing recreational facilities and open space 2018) provision identifying any shortfalls in provision. The strategy has three aims, which are to: Appendix B

• Increase participation in recreational activities; • Achieve a joined up strategy with localised priorities to develop sustainable facilities that support increased participation; and • Support community groups and others to access external funding. Appendix 4 of this report presents an audit of open space and recreational facilities for each of the main settlements in Chiltern. Amersham Old Town has no or very limited provision of youth facilities and equipped play areas, Chesham Bois has no or very limited provision of equipped play areas, Little Chalfont has no or very limited provision of allotments and Prestwood has no or very limited provision of youth facilities.

South Bucks District Council This report was based on an audit of the extent of open space, sport and facilities within the District. (2008) Open Space, Sports and The strategy includes policies for the maintenance and improvement of existing or creation of new Recreational Facilities Strategy open spaces for public access, based on the findings of the audit.

Soil, water and air

Aims to improve air quality throughout Europe by controlling the level of certain pollutants and monitoring their concentrations. In particular the Directive aims to establish levels for different air EC Air Quality Directive (1996) pollutants; draw up common methods for assessing air quality; methods to improve air quality; and make sure that information on air quality is easily accessible to Member States and the public.

DEFRA: The Air Quality Strategy The Strategy provides specific UK targets for reducing air pollution and sets out local authority for England, Scotland, Wales, and responsibilities for achieving most of these. It states that land use planning has a key role to play in Northern Ireland (2007). contributing to these targets.

The Soil Strategy for England outlines the Government’s approach to safeguarding our soils for the long term. It provides a vision to guide future policy development across a range of areas and sets out the practical steps that are needed to take to prevent further degradation of our soils, enhance, DEFRA: Safeguarding our Soils: A restore and ensure their resilience, and improve understanding of the threats to soil and best practice Strategy for England (2009) in responding to them. Key objectives of the strategy include: • Better protection for agricultural soils; Appendix B

• Protecting and enhancing stores of soil carbon; • Building the resilience of soils to a changing climate; • Preventing soil pollution; • Effective soil protection during construction and development; and • Dealing with our legacy of contaminated land This document sets out the Soils Lead Coordination Network’s vision for soil conservation. Soils Lead Coordination Network: The “desired outcomes” of the vision are as follows: Soils and the Natural Heritage: a (i) Maintaining the diversity and biodiversity of UK soils; Vision by the Soils LCN for the Protection of the UK Soil Resource (ii) Controlling and when appropriate reversing loss of soil carbon and water-holding capacity; and Sustainable Use of Soils (iii) Reducing accelerated soil erosion and sediment transport into watercourses; and (2007) (iv) Ensuring appropriate status of soils in mitigation and remediation scenarios to control the impact of climate change.

This provides an overarching strategy, including a requirement for EU Member States to ensure that Water Framework Directive they achieve 'good ecological status' by 2015. River Basin Management Plans were defined as the key 2000/60/EC means of achieving this. They contain the main issues for the water environment and the actions we all need to take to deal with them.

HM Government Strategy for Encourages the construction industry to adopt a more sustainable approach towards development; Sustainable Construction (2008) identifies eleven Themes for targeting Action, which includes conserving water resources.

Requires all inland and coastal waters to reach “good status” by 2015. It mandates that: development must not cause a deterioration in status of a waterbody; and DEFRA The Water Environment • (Water Framework Directive) • development must not prevent future attainment of ‘good status’, hence it is not acceptable to (England and Wales) Regulations allow an impact to occur just because other impacts are causing the status of a water body to (2003) already be less than good This is being done by establishing a river basin district structure within which demanding environmental objectives are being set, including ecological targets for surface waters. Appendix B

Environment Agency: Building a Guidance on addressing key environmental issues through the development process (focusing mainly Better Environment: A Guide for on the issues dealt with by the Agency), including managing flood risk, surface water management, Developers (2006) use of water resources, preventing pollution.

The NPPF states that plans should prevent development from contributing to, or being put at risk of, air or water pollution. Plans should consider the presence of Air Quality Management Areas and National Planning Policy cumulative impacts on air quality from individual sites in local areas. Framework (DCLG, 2012) The NPPF states that planning should protect and enhance soils, particularly those recognized as best and most versatile agricultural land (Grades 1, 2 and 3a). River Basin Management Plans are prepared under the Water Framework Directive in order to identify the pressures facing the water environment and identify actions to address these pressures. Within The Thames River Basin District, South Bucks and Chiltern lie within both the Thames (Maidenhead to Sunbury) catchment and the Colne catchment.

Key actions for the Colne catchment include:

Improving flows in the River Misbourne; DEFRA (2009) Water for Life and • Promoting soil and nutrient management plans to local farmers; and Livelihoods: River Basin • Management Plan, Thames River • Assess improvements to fish passage on the River Colne at Denham Country Park. Basin District Key actions for the Thames (Maidenhead to Sunbury) catchment include: • Investiage improvements to sewage treatment works; • Assess the impact of abstraction on the ecology, recreation and navigation of the Lower Thames; and Carry out further monitoring and investigation ot allow targeting of additional measures to improve the status of this catchment. Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS) set out how water resources are to be Environment Agency (2013) Colne managed, particularly in terms of water abstraction and guide decisions regarding granting abstraction Abstraction Licensing Strategy licenses. There is no water available for licensing in the Colne catchment.

Environment Agency (2014) Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS) set out how water resources are to be managed, particularly in terms of water abstraction and guide decisions regarding granting abstraction Thames Abstraction Licensing licenses. There is no water available for licensing in the Thames catchment. Strategy Appendix B

Thames Water (2014) Water Thames Water provides Sewage services across the plan are and provides water supply to most of the plan area. This WRMP states that household water demand is expected to increase over the plan Resources Management Plan 2015 period, but this will be managed through reducing leaks and increasing water use efficiency. - 2040

Affinity Water (2014) Our Plan for Affinity Water provides water to part of the plan area. This WRMP states that household water Customers & Communities: Final demand is expected to increase over the plan period, but this will be managed through reducing leaks, Water Resources Management increasing water use efficiency and buying water from neighbouring water companies. Plan 2015 - 2020

Climatic factors

UN Framework Convention on Sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate Climate Change (1992) change.

IPCC Kyoto Protocol to the United Commits member nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, or Nations Framework Convention on engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases. Climate Change (1997)

Climate change has been identified as one of four priority areas for Europe. The EAP's main objective EC Sixth Environmental Action is a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases without a reduction in levels of growth and prosperity, Programme 2002-2012 (2002) as well as adaptation and preparation for the effects of climate change.

Requires Local Authorities to feed in to the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (already completed), as EU Floods Directive (2007) well as the Local Flood Risk Strategy (already completed), and ensure that objectives within Local Plans compliment the objectives of the Directive. Appendix B

The 2008 Climate Change Act seeks to manage and respond to climate change in the UK, by: • Setting ambitious, legally binding targets; • Taking powers to help meet those targets;

UK Climate Change Act 2008 • Strengthening the institutional framework; (2008) • Enhancing the UK’s ability to adapt to the impact of climate change; and • Establishing clear and regular accountability to the UK Parliament and to the devolved legislatures. Significantly, the Act sets a legally binding target of at least an 80 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and at least a 34 per cent cut by 2020. These targets are against a 1990 baseline.

The UK has committed to sourcing 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 – an increase in the share of renewables from about 2.25% in 2008. The Renewable Energy Strategy sets out how the UK Renewable Energy Strategy Government will achieve this target through utilising a variety of mechanisms to encourage Renewable (2009) Energy provision in the UK. This includes streamlining the planning system, increasing investment in technologies as well as improving funding for advice and awareness raising.

The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan sets out how the UK will meet the Climate Change Act’s legally binding target of 34 per cent cut in emissions on 1990 levels by 2020. It also seeks to deliver emissions cuts of 18% on 2008 levels. The main aims of the Transition Plan include the following: The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan (2009) • Producing 30% of energy from renewables by 2020; • Improving the energy efficiency of existing housing; • Increasing the number of people in ‘green jobs’; and • Supporting the use and development of clean technologies. The recently released NPPF seeks to streamline the planning system and sets out the Governments planning policies and how these should be applied. At the heart of the NPPF is presumption in favour National Planning Policy of sustainable development. Framework (DCLG, 2012) The NPPF includes guidance on climate change, flooding, and coastal change. Plans should take account of climate change over the longer term, including factors such as flood risk, coastal change, Appendix B

water supply and changes to biodiversity and landscape. New development should be planned to avoid increased vulnerability to the range of impacts arising from climate change. When new development is brought forward in areas which are vulnerable, care should be taken to ensure that risks can be managed through suitable adaptation measures, including through the planning of green infrastructure. To support the move to a low carbon future, local planning authorities should: • plan for new development in locations and ways which reduce greenhouse gas emissions; • actively support energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings; and • when setting any local requirement for a building’s sustainability, do so in a way consistent with the Government’s zero carbon buildings policy and adopt nationally described standards. Local Plans should apply a sequential, risk-based approach to the location of development to avoid where possible flood risk to people and property and manage any residual risk, taking account of the impacts of climate change, by: • applying the Sequential Test; • if necessary, applying the Exception Test; • safeguarding land from development that is required for current and future flood management; • using opportunities offered by new development to reduce the causes and impacts of flooding; and • where climate change is expected to increase flood risk so that some existing development may not be sustainable in the long-term, seeking opportunities to facilitate the relocation of development, including housing, to more sustainable locations. Local planning authorities should reduce risk from coastal change by avoiding inappropriate development in vulnerable areas or adding to the impacts of physical changes to the coast. They should identify as a Coastal Change Management Area any area likely to be affected by physical changes to the coast, and: • be clear as to what development will be appropriate in such areas and in what circumstances; and • make provision for development and infrastructure that needs to be relocated away from Coastal Change Management Areas. Appendix B

DfT An Evidence Base Review of Public Attitudes to Climate Summary report of the findings of an evidence base review investigating the research base on public Change and Transport Behaviour attitudes towards climate change and transport behaviour. (2006)

Carbon Trust: The Climate Change This report summarises the nature of the climate change issue. It explains the fundamental science and Challenge: Scientific Evidence and the accumulating evidence that climate change is real and needs to be addressed. It also explains the Implications (2005) future potential impacts, including the outstanding uncertainties.

Energy Saving Trust: Renewable Provides information about the integration of renewable energy sources into new and existing Energy Sources for Homes in dwellings in urban environments. It covers the basic principles, benefits, limitations, costs and Urban Environments (2005) suitability of various technologies.

Environment Agency, Adapting to The document contains a checklist and guidance for new developments to adapt to climate change. Climate Change: A Checklist for The main actions are summarised in a checklist. Development (2005)

Floods & Water Management Act Seeks to “localise” responsibility for flood risk, particularly from ordinary watercourses. Key policies within the act include: (2010) • providing the Environment Agency with an overview of all flood and coastal erosion risk management and unitary and county councils to lead in managing the risk of all local floods; • encouraging the uptake of sustainable drainage systems and providing for unitary and county councils to adopt SUDS for new developments and redevelopments; • introduce an improved risk based approach to reservoir safety; • widen the list of uses of water that water companies can control during periods of water shortage; • enabling water and sewerage companies to operate concessionary schemes for community groups on surface water drainage charges; • amending the Water Industry Act 1991 to provide a named customer and clarify who is responsible for paying the water bill; make it easier for water and sewerage companies to develop and implement social tariffs where companies consider there is a good cause to do so.

Buckinghamshire Strategic Green The Bucks Green Infrastructure Strategy develops the vision and objectives for establishing strategic Infrastructure Strategy (2009) green infrastructure networks in Buckinghamshire. Part of Priority Action Area 3, as identified in the Strategy, lies within South Bucks District. The main Appendix B

strategic opportunities identified for this Priority Action Area include: • Enhance the management, presentation accessibility and interpretation of historic environment for royal ancient hunting forest, common lands and designed landscapes; • River corridor habitat management, restoration and creation with a focus on the Colne Valley, the lower reaches of the Central Chilterns Chalk Rivers and the Thames Valley; and • Landscape-scale habitat management, restoration and creation, focusing on wood pasture/parkland.

Buckinghamshire Green The Buckinghamshire Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan was published in 2013 to build on the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (2013) Buckinghamshire GI Strategy (2009). This plan identifies a suite of area-specific GI proposals and projects and guidance on how these can be achieved. Area specific proposals are available for:

• Amersham – Chesham – Chalfont; • Burham – Farnham; and • Chalfont – Gerrards Cross – Colne Valley Regional Park.

Chiltern District Council (2009) This document sets out Chiltern District Council’s priorities to address climate change within the Chiltern Climate Change Strategy Council’s operations, following on from the Chiltern climate Change Audit in 2007. The aim of the strategy is to reduce the current carbon footprint and climate change impact of operations of Chiltern District Council and to assess requirement for adaptations to future climate change.

South Bucks District Council The aims of this strategy are to: (2008) Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy 2008-11 1. Integrate sustainability and carbon reduction in to the planning and delivery of the council’s aims 2. Reduce the authorities carbon footprint until we become a carbon neutral organisation 3. Demonstrate leadership in tackling climate change and sustainability issues, including reducing the overall carbon footprint of the District.

Actions to achieve these aims includes enforcing and encouraging sustainability best practice in development, sustainability awareness training for the Council, write and deliver a Green Travel Plan and increase the Council’s recycling policy. Material Assets Appendix B

Natural resources and waste (in particular recycling) has been identified as one of four priority areas EC Sixth Environmental Action for Europe. The EAP requires member states to achieve 22% of electricity production from renewable Programme 2002-2012 (2002) energies by 2010; to significantly reduce the volumes of waste generated and the quantity going to disposal; and to give preference to waste recovery and especially to recycling.

Objective is the protection of human health and the environment against harmful effects caused by the EC Waste Framework Directive collection, transport, treatment, storage and tipping of waste. Particular focus is placed on the re-use (1975, updated 2006) of recovered materials as raw materials; restricting the production of waste; promoting clean technologies; and the drawing up of waste management plans.

Aims to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment, in particular the pollution of surface water, groundwater, soil and air, and on the global environment, including the EC Landfill Directive (1999) greenhouse effect, as well as any resulting risk to human health, from the landfilling of waste, during the whole lifecycle of the landfill.

Cabinet Office: Waste Not, Want A study into how England’s current waste management practices could be improved to reduce the Not, A Strategy for tackling the current, and growing, waste problem. waste problem (2002)

Sets out legislative provisions for waste (including waste sent to landfill, waste management in DEFRA Waste and Emissions England and Wales, and recycling plans), and about penalties for non-compliance with schemes for the Trading Act (2003) trading of emissions quotas.

Aims are to reduce waste by making products with fewer natural resources; break the link between DEFRA Waste Strategy for economic growth and waste growth; re-use products or recycle their materials; and recover energy England (2007) from other wastes where possible. Notes that for a small amount of residual material, landfill will be necessary.

Waste Strategy for All parties agree to embrace the following protocol, aims and objectives: Buckinghamshire 2001-2021 • aim to improve waste minimisation, recovery, recycling and composting from Buckinghamshire household waste in line with the Government’s national targets and local Best Value targets; • where appropriate jointly research, fund, develop and implement detailed proposals for this purpose and develop, implement, support and continue to enhance, such schemes as are decided upon; • explore other partnership opportunities in the pursuit of these aims and objectives; Appendix B

• work within a common framework and approach to waste related education and awareness issues; • to develop and promote existing joint initiatives such as real nappies, home composters and the glass recycling consortium.

Sets out Government’s long term energy policy, including requirements for cleaner, smarter energy; improved energy efficiency; reduced carbon emissions; and reliable, competitive and affordable supplies. The White Paper sets out the UK’s international and domestic energy strategy, in the shape of four policy goals: DECC Energy White Paper:

Meeting the Energy Challenge 1) aiming to cut CO2 emissions by some 60% by about 2050, with real progress by 2020; (2007) 2) maintaining the reliability of energy supplies; 3) promoting competitive markets in the UK and beyond; and 4) ensuring every home is heated adequately and affordably. Aims include increasing the use of renewable energy; cutting the UK’s carbon emissions; maintaining DECC Sustainable Energy Act the reliability of the UK’s energy supplies; promoting competitive energy markets in the UK; and (2010) reducing the number of people living in fuel poverty.

DTI Micro Generation Strategy Acknowledges that local authorities can be pro-active in promoting small-scale, local renewable (2006) energy generation schemes through “sensible use of planning policies”.

EU Transport White Paper. The white paper sets out a European vision for a competitive and sustainable transport system for the Roadmap to a Single European EU. The white paper sets out an aim to achieve a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the Transport Area – Towards a European transport system whilst growing transport systems and supporting mobility. The White competitive and resource efficient paper sets out ten strategic goals. transport system (2011)

The recently released NPPF seeks to streamline the planning system and sets out the Governments planning policies and how these should be applied. At the heart of the NPPF is presumption in favour of sustainable development. The NPPF includes guidance on promoting sustainable transport. The NPPF requires development plans to seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and congestion, reduce the and to travel, and exploit opportunities for the sustainable movement of people and good. Developments should be located and designed where practical to: National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG, 2012) • accommodate the efficient delivery of goods and supplies; • give priority to pedestrian and cycle movements, and have access to high quality public transport facilities; • create safe and secure layouts which minimise conflicts between traffic and cyclists or pedestrians, avoiding street clutter and where appropriate establishing home zones; incorporate facilities for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles; and consider the needs of people with disabilities by all modes of transport.

Department for Transport: Sets out factors that will shape transport in the UK over the next thirty years. Also sets out how the Transport White Paper: The Future Government will respond to the increasing demand for travel, while minimising the negative impact on of Transport – A Network for 2030 people and the environment. (2004)

Outlines five national goals for transport, focusing on the challenge of delivering strong economic Department for Transport: growth while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It outlines the key components of Towards a Sustainable Transport national infrastructure, discusses the difficulties of planning over the long term in the context of System: Supporting Economic uncertain future demand and describes the substantial investments we are making to tackle Growth in a Low Carbon World congestion and crowding on transport networks. (November 2008) The National Goals for Transport are as follows: Appendix B

Goal 1: To reduce transport’s emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, with the desired outcome of tackling climate change. Goal 2: To support economic competitiveness and growth, by delivering reliable and efficient transport networks. Goal 3: To promote greater equality of opportunity for all citizens, with the desired outcome of achieving a fairer society. Goal 4: To contribute to better safety, security and health and longer life expectancy by reducing the risk of death, injury or illness arising from transport, and by promoting travel modes that are beneficial to health. Goal 5: To improve quality of life for transport users and non-transport users, and to promote a healthy natural environment.

Sets out a blueprint for a new streamlined structure for Britain's Railway. The proposals aim to Department for Transport: The provide a single point of accountability for the network's performance, allow closer working Future of Rail White Paper (2004) between track and train and provide for greater devolution of decision-making.

Department for Transport: An Evidence Base Review of Public Summary report of the findings of an evidence base review investigating the research base on public Attitudes to Climate Change and attitudes towards climate change and transport behaviour. Transport Behaviour (2006)

Department for Transport: The National Cycling Strategy aims to increase cycle use for all types of journey. The Review focuses National Cycling Strategy and on the mechanisms established for the delivery of cycling and the effect these have had on increasing Review (1996, reviewed 2005) cycling rates.

HS2 (High Speed 2) In February 2011 the government published proposals for a new high speed rail route that would initially link London to Birmingham and ultimately extend to Manchester, Leeds and Scotland. The preferred consultation route would come up from Amersham, crossing the southern and western edge of Wendover, Stoke Mandeville and entire western flank of Aylesbury, then running east of Waddesdon before picking up the path of the disused railway line past Quainton, Calvert and proceeding up to the edge of Brackley. The proposed route was consulted on in July 2011 setting out the proposed route and alternative, its Sustainability Appraisal and project timeline A Safeguarding Direction is now in operation, where on average 60m either side of the proposed route is safeguarded. Appendix B

A Bill for the construction of Phase I of HS2 has been committed to a select committee with construction expected to commence in 2017.

Buckinghamshire Local Transport The Local Transport Plan 3 sets out transport strategy and policies for the period 2011-2016. The Plan is Plan 3 (LTP3) (April 2011) accompanied by an implementation and sets out five key themes (taken from the Sustainable Communities Strategy): Thriving Economy; Sustainable Environment; Safe Communities; Health and Wellbeing; and Cohesive and Strong Communities. For each of the above themes, the Local Transport Plan 3 has a number of objectives: Thriving Economy • Maintain or improve reliability of journey times on key routes; • Improve connectivity and access between key centres; • Deliver transport improvements to support and facilitate sustainable housing and employment growth; • Ensure local transport networks are resilient and adaptable to shocks and impacts. Sustainable Environment • Reduce the need to travel; • Increase the proportion of people travelling by low emission modes of transport; • Protect, improve and maintain the local environment; • Reduce carbon emissions and waste associated with the Transport Authority; Safe Communities • Reduce the risk of death or injury on the county’s roads; • Reduce crime, fear of crime and anti-social behaviour on the transport network; Health and Well-Being • Improve health by encouraging walking and cycling; • Reduce the negative impact of poor air quality; Cohesive and Strong Communities • Enable disadvantaged people to access employment sites and opportunities; • Enable disadvantaged people to access key services and facilities; • Encourage and support the delivery and planning of local transport services by local groups, communities and individuals. As transport authorities the County Council identify five broad categories to meet the above objectives: Maintenance; Behaviour Change; Management and Tackling Congestion; New Infrastructure; and Partnership Working. Appendix B

The Local Transport Plan is also accompanied by Local Area Strategies, including Chiltern and South Bucks. Key challenges identified in Chiltern are:

• Accessibility for vulnerable user groups; • Freight traffic and rat-running; • High out-commuting; • High carbon footprint per capita; • Congestion hotspots; • AQMA at Broad Street, Chesham; • Road and Footway maintenance; • Ageing Population; • High car ownership; and • Conserve and enhance the Chilterns AONB.

Key challenges identified for South Bucks are: • Road and footway maintenance; • Freight traffic, particularly affected Iver & Richings Park & rat-running; • High in- and out-commuting; • 87% designated as Green Belt; • Conserve and enhance the Chilterns AONB and Burnham Beeches SAC; • Ageing population; • Pockets of deprivation; • Accessibility for vulnerable user groups; • Inconsiderate speeding and parking; • AQMAs on M25, M40 and M4 and associated noise; and • Congestion hotspots on the A40 at Beaconsfield and Denham and the A412 at Iver. Environment Agency: Water for Looks at the steps needed, in the face of climate change, to manage water resources to the 2040s and people and the environment: A beyond, with the overall aim of improving the environment while allowing enough water for human Strategy for England and Wales uses. (2009) Appendix B

"Themes for Action" include: re-use existing built assets; design for minimum waste; aim for lean DTI Draft Strategy for Sustainable construction; minimise energy in construction; minimise energy in building use; avoid polluting the Construction (2006) environment; preserve and enhance bio-diversity; conserve water resources; respect people and their local environment; and set targets (benchmarks & performance indicators).

HM Treasury: Barker Review of Government objectives include: to achieve improvements in housing affordability in the market sector; Housing Supply, Delivering a more stable housing market; location of housing supply which supports patterns of economic Stability: Securing our Future development; and an adequate supply of publicly-funded housing for those who need it. Housing Needs (2004)

Planning for Town Centres: This practice guidance was intended to support the implementation of town centre policies set out in Practice guidance on need, impact Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (PPS4) (now replaced by and the sequential approach PPG). It is aimed at helping those involved in preparing or reviewing need, impact and sequential site (December 2009) assessments.

Buckinghamshire Minerals and This provides the strategic policy framework for minerals and waste planning within Buckinghamshire. Waste Core Strategy This includes setting out how much minerals extraction will be needed, how this can be managed and Development Plan Document: where this will come from. In terms of waste, the plan considers how much additional waste capacity Minerals and Waste Local in needed, how to minimise this and how to manage this. The Strategy addresses two main challenges; Development Framework providing sufficient sand and gravel to allow for house building and construction needs and to move quickly from the current over-reliance on landfill in managing waste.

Buckinghamshire Sustainable The Sustainable Community Strategy for Buckinghamshire sets out an overarching framework and Community Strategy 2009 – 2026 vision for delivering a thriving economy, a sustainable environment, safe communities, health and wellbeing and cohesive and strong communities. Appendix B

Chiltern & South Bucks Joint This strategy draws together the work of the public sector, business and voluntary partners Strategic Partnership (2014) to deliver agreed priorities for the Districts, in order to improve quality of life. This includes a Sustainable Community Strategy for Chiltern and South Bucks prosperous and diverse economy, high quality education, a range of quality housing, Districts 2013 - 2026 attractive places, equality, safety, high quality transport, good health and wellbeing and a wealth of opportunities for all residents. The strategy provides guidance on the use of resources and co-ordination of the work of partners to deliver outcomes for sustainable communities.

Buckinghamshire Strategic This Plan aims to deliver increased prosperity and jobs for Buckinghamshire by putting any available Economic Plan (2014) funds to work, by focusing on better transport connectivity, helping businesses to grow faster, and bringing business and education together more fruitfully.

Historic Environment

Aims for signatories to protect their architectural heritage by means of identifying monuments, buildings and sites to be protected; preventing the disfigurement, dilapidation or demolition of Council of Europe: Convention on protected properties; providing financial support by the public authorities for maintaining and the Protection of the Architectural restoring the architectural heritage on its territory; and supporting scientific research for identifying Heritage of Europe (1985) and analysing the harmful effects of pollution and for defining ways and means to reduce or eradicate these effects.

Council of Europe: The Convention The convention defines archaeological heritage and identifies measures for its protection. Aims include on the Protection of integrated conservation of the archaeological heritage and financing of archaeological research and Archaeological Heritage (Revised) conservation. (Valetta Convention) (1992)

An act to consolidate and amend the law retain to ancient monuments, to make provision of matters of DCMS Ancient Monuments and archaeological or historic interest, and to provide grants by secretary of state to the Architectural Archaeological Areas Act (1979) Heritage fund.

The recently released NPPF seeks to streamline the planning system and sets out the Governments planning policies and how these should be applied. At the heart of the NPPF is presumption in favour National Planning Policy of sustainable development. Framework (DCLG, 2012) The NPPF includes guidance on conserving and enhancing the historic environment. It seeks to ensure local authorities plan recognise heritage assets as an irreplaceable resource and conserve them in a Appendix B

manner that reflects their significance. Local planning authorities should take into account: • the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation; • the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can bring; • the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness; and opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of a place. An act to consolidate certain enactments relating to special controls in respect of buildings and areas Planning (Listed Buildings and of special architectural or historic interest with amendments to give effect to recommendations to give Conservation Areas) Act (1990) effect to recommendations of the Law Commissions.

The purpose of this circular, which applies only to England, is to provide updated policy guidance on Circular on the Protection of the level of protection and management required for World Heritage Sites. World Heritage Sites, CLG The circular explains the national context and the Government’s objectives for the protection of World 07/2009 2 Heritage Sites, the principles which underpin those objectives, and the actions necessary to achieve them.

English Heritage and CABE: Aims to stimulate a high standard of design when development takes place in historically sensitive Buildings in Context: New contexts by showing 15 case studies in which achievement is far above the ordinary and trying to draw Development in Historic Areas some lessons both about design and about the development and planning process, particularly (2002) regarding building in sensitive locations.

Office of the Deputy Prime Amends the Building act, and others, with regard to sustainable construction practices and minister (ODPM) Secure and conservation of historic buildings. Also states the general nature of security provisions which should be Sustainable Buildings Act (2004) in place at the construction stage and beyond.

This English Heritage document sets out the framework for the sustainable management of the historic English Heritage: Conservation environment. This is presented under the following six headline ‘principles’: Principles for the Sustainable Principle 1: The historic environment is a shared resource Management of the Historic Environment Principle 2: Everyone should be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment Principle 3: Understanding the significance of places is vital Appendix B

Principle 4: Significant places should be managed to sustain their values Principle 5: Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent Principle 6: Documenting and learning from decisions is essential.

This document sets out English Heritage guidance on managing change within the settings of heritage assets, including archaeological remains and historic buildings, sites, areas, and landscapes. It provides English Heritage Guidance on detailed advice intended to assist implementation of Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Setting of Heritage Assets (2011) Historic Environment and its supporting Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide, together with the historic environment provisions of the National Policy Statements for nationally significant infrastructure projects.

Buckinghamshire County Council This project involved surveying 30 historic settlements in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes to (2014) From Markets to Metroland: establish their historic evolution and inform their future management. This resulted in a series of data The Buckinghamshire & Milton for each settlement, including historic and current land use. Keynes Historic Towns Project

Landscape

Council of Europe: European Aims to promote the protection, management and planning (including active design and creation of Landscape Convention (2006) Europe's landscapes, both rural and urban, and to foster European co-operation on landscape issues.

Provides advice and guidance on good practice in relation to tall buildings in the planning process and English Heritage and CABE: to highlight other related issues, which need to be taken into account, i.e. where tall buildings would Guidance on Tall Buildings (2007) and would not be appropriate.

The NPPF sates that development could seek to promote or reinforce local distinctiveness; both National Planning Policy aesthetic considerations and connections between people and places should be considered. The NPPF Framework (DCLG, 2012) also promotes the protection and enhancements of valued landscapes, giving greatest weight to National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chilterns Area of Outstanding The Management Plan sets out a Vision for the Chilterns AONB. The Plan includes an engagement plan Natural Beauty (AONB) and details of how the plan will be implemented and monitored. The Management Plan consists of Management Plan 2014-2019 descriptions and aims for the following:

• Conserving and enhancing natural beauty; • Landscape; Appendix B

• Farming, forestry and other land management; • Biodiversity; • Water environment; • Historic environment; • Development; • Understanding and enjoyment; • Social and economic well-being; and The plan also considers integration of cross-cutting themes with Management Plan policies.

This plan provides a comprehensive countywide framework for landscape, including protection of Buckinghamshire County Council historic landscapes, landscape enhancement, the promotion of public awareness, education, the co- (date not available) The ordination of policies and the prioritisation of resources. Landscape Plan for Buckinghamshire The plan consists of a Landscape Character Assessment and a document on Landscape Conservation and Management.

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