Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2010

SEA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – COVER NOTE

PART 1

To: SEA.gateway@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

SEA Gateway Scottish Executive Area 1 H (Bridge) Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

PART 2

An Environmental Report is attached for [name of PPS]:

Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan

The Responsible Authority is:

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

PART 3

Contact name Diane McPherson

Job Title Principal Policy Officer (Planning)

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Contact address Balivanich Isle of Benbecula HS7 5LA

Contact tel no 01870 602425

[email protected] Contact email

PART 4 Signature (electronic signature is acceptable)

Date 25th February 2010

CONTENTS Page

1. NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY 4 Introduction and Purpose of Strategic Environmental Assessment 4 How to comment on the Environmental Report 4 Summary of SEA and Local Development Plan Stages 5 SEA Process 6 Likely Evolution of the Environment in the absence of the LDP 6 Summary of the Likely Significant Effects of the LDP 7

2. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT - INTRODUCTION 8 Purpose of this Environmental Report 8 Local Development Plan Key Facts 9 SEA Activities to Date 10

3. OUTER HEBRIDES LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND ITS CONTEXT 11 Outline of the Plan 11 Objectives of the Plan 11 Relationship with other Plans, Programmes and Environmental Objectives 11 Relevant Aspects of Current State of the Environment 12 Environmental Baseline 13 Gaps in Baseline Information 19 Significant Environmental Issues 19 Evolution of the Environment in the absence of the LDP 22

4. ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS & PROPOSED MITIGATION 24 SEA Methodology 24 Alternatives Considered 27 Assessment Outcomes 27 Key Findings and Proposed Mitigation Measures 29 Conclusion 31

5. MONITORING 31

6. NEXT STEPS 32

Appendices 33 Appendix A Links to other Plans, Programmes & Strategies and environmental objective 33 Appendix B Environmental Description 37 Appendix C SEA Assessment Tables (available separately)

List of Diagrams

Diagram 1 Map: Outer Hebrides Context Diagram 2 Map: International Environmental Designations Diagram 3 Map: National Environmental Designations Diagram 4 Map: Historic Environment Diagram 5 Map: Landscape Character Assessment Areas Diagram 6 Map: Settlements Diagram 7 Map: Areas at Significant Risk of Flooding

List of Tables

Table 1 Summary of LDP & SEA Activities Table 2 LDP Key Facts Table 3 Summary of SEA Activities Table 4 Summary of Environmental Baseline Table 5 Significant Environmental Issues relevant to the LDP Table 6 Framework used to assess the Local Development Plan Table 7 Assessment Outcomes

1. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

1.1 Introduction and Purpose of SEA

1.1.1 This Environmental Report (ER) is part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan (LDP). This first section is a non-technical summary of the ER which can be read on its own or as part of the full SEA Environmental Report. It explains what SEA is, why it has been done and what effects the absence of the LDP would be likely to have on the environment

1.1.2 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a requirement of Scottish legislation to implement a European Directive. The European Union SEA Directive 2001/24/EC was transposed into Scots law in 2004 by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. The objective of the Directive is:

“to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation of and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development”*1.

1.1.3 The legislation places a responsibility on public agencies to assess the environmental impacts of certain plans and programmes and is a way of ensuring that environmental issues are carefully considered during preparation of a Plan.

1.2 How to comment on the Environmental Report

1.2.1 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is carrying out SEA of the Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan in accordance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005.

1.2.2 The Environmental Report (ER) of the Local Development Plan SEA is available for public comment along with the Main Issues Report (current stage of the LDP) and other associated documents. It can also be accessed on the Comhairle’s web page at: www.cne- siar.gov.uk/planningservice/localdevplan.asp and is available to view in hard copy at deposit locations throughout the islands.

1.2.3 Comments on the Environmental Report should be sent by Friday 23rd April 2010 to: Director of Development Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Council Offices Balivanich Isle of Benbecula HS7 5LA FAO Angusina MacDonald email: [email protected]

1 * Directive 2001/42/EC: Article 1

1.3 Summary of SEA & LDP Stages

1.3.1 To be effective, the SEA process has to run in parallel with preparation of the LDP to which it relates. The various stages of the SEA and LDP process are set out below:

Table 1 Summary of LDP and SEA Activities (Development Plan Scheme February 2010) Local Development Plan Consultation Environmental Indicative including Assessment Programme # stage if/as required statutory periods Stage 1 Development Plan Scheme & Participation Statement March 2009 Submit to Scottish Ministers. This stage is complete (revise annually) Stage 2 Main Issues Report (MIR) Gather information. Engage key Prepare Scoping Monitoring of Plans/Strategies. agencies/stakeholders Report. Submit to Consultation/workshops. Planning workshops. Gateway/consultation April 2009 – Notify site authorities. Jan 2010 Publish MIR & Monitoring Statement. owners/neighbours Publish Environmental Comhairle approval (Dec 2009). MIR Consultation Report (ER) Submit to Scottish Ministers. (8 weeks) ER consultation Feb – April Public consultation. 2010 Stage 3 Proposed Local Development Plan Engage key April 2010 – Discuss MIR consultation outcomes agencies/stakeholders April 2011 with key agencies/stakeholders. Notify site Revise ER Prepare Proposed Plan & Action owners/neighbours Programme. Members workshops Revised ER Comhairle approval (Dec 2010). Proposed Plan consultation Feb - April Submit to Scottish Ministers. consultation (8 2011 Public consultation. weeks) Stage 4 Modified Plan# Consider representations prepare Contact key agencies, Review ER if Plan April - August Response & Statement of Conformity representations and modifications necessary 2011 with Participation Statement notify site Consider representations & modify owners/neighbours Plan. Comhairle approval (June 2011). Submit to Scottish Ministers. Stage 5 Examination of Plan# (for any unresolved representations) Aug 2011 – Submit Proposed Plan, Statement of March 2012 Conformity, Participation Statement, Publicise, contact key and Representations. agencies, Publicise. representations & site Reporter to refer to ER Scottish Ministers appoint Examiner. owners/neighbours as Examination held and necessary Examination Report produced. Stage 6 – adopt LDP Comhairle approve Plan (June 2012 – Oct 2011 if no examination). March – Aug Publish Proposed Plan (as modified). Publicise. Publish revised ER (& 2012 Advertise intention to adopt. Inform key agencies/ Appropriate Send Plan & Action Programme to representations & site Assessment) if Scottish Ministers. owners/neighbours. necessary*

Planning Authority adopts LDP Publish post adoption Aug 2012 (min 4 weeks after submission to SEA statement (Feb 2012 if no Scottish Ministers) examination) Stage 7 Monitor & Review Plan Engage as necessary Ongoing SEA Sept 2012+ monitoring and review ongoing during Plan life

1.4 SEA process

1.4.1 The environmental baseline for the Plan area has been established using information already available to the Comhairle along with additional information gathered from a variety of sources including SEPA and SNH. A number of gaps in information have been highlighted and the Comhairle is working with other appropriate agencies to address this. Assessment of the Plan has also been considered within the framework of other relevant international, national and local plans and policies.

1.4.2 The major environmental issues affecting the Plan area were identified in the Scoping Report. These include: • the threat of coastal flooding; • the impact on the environment arising from constrained water and wastewater infrastructure; • the impact of land use activities on the landscape and the natural environment; • the impacts on soils/peat and carbon storage; • the need to accommodate growth in Greater Stornoway; and • declining and ageing population.

1.5 Likely Evolution of the Environment in the absence of the Local Development Plan

1.5.1 The SEA process involves an assessment of the significant environmental effects of implementing the plan and an assessment of the evolution of the environment without the plan. It is not practical to anticipate every environmental change that may occur if the LDP is not implemented. This section identifies those changes that would be the most significant and likely in the event of non-implementation of the LDP and those aspects of the environment that are most likely to be impacted upon by the plan.

1.5.2 The current Development Plan comprises the Structure Plan (approved 2003) and the Local Plan (adopted June 2008) and provides a focused interrelated framework to guide development across the Outer Hebrides. While much of the current Local Plan approach may still be applicable in the future, subject to modification and updating, monitoring of the current Development Plan has indicated that several policy approaches have been less effective and there are gaps and new issues that need to be assessed. There is also a need to take account of impacts arising from the recent Planning Act; Climate Change Act; Flood Risk Management Act; Land Reform Act and other related regulations and policies. A new Plan will provide a clearer, more relevant and up to date policy framework to effectively manage change and better secure appropriate development in appropriate locations and thus improved environmental impacts.

1.5.3 The following potential consequences may result in the absence of a new LDP for the Outer Hebrides: • lack of a clear settlement spatial strategy may result in potentially inappropriate or unsympathetic development; • potentially lower quality of development outcome, particularly in terms of appropriate siting, respect for character/setting and building design and materials; • lack of clear guidance approach to isolated development out with settlements could have detrimental environmental impacts; • incremental and cumulative development would potentially have detrimental environmental impacts; • undesired coalescence of settlements would occur resulting in the loss of community identity and local distinctiveness;

• lack of identification of effective strategic proposal sites across islands may lead to uncoordinated development and concentration of development within areas of demand leading to decline in the more remote areas; • development likely to impact on available infrastructure resources and an inability to maximise benefits of a structured approach to service delivery; • lack of effective development guidance and management could lead to detrimental impacts to landscape and natural heritage interests as well as valued cultural and built environment assets; • potential loss of recreational green spaces and lack of open space provision for new development; • pressures for inappropriate development in areas of high risk from flooding; • increased air pollution in the absence of effective land use and transport planning; • an increase in water pollution in the absence of effective approaches and guidance, for instance to control discharges and facilitate sustainable drainage systems. . 1.5.4 Additional commentary on the environment is provided in Appendix B which gives an in- depth description of the Outer Hebrides environment by SEA topic.

1.6 Summary of the Likely Significant Effects of the Local Development Plan

1.6.1 Following assessment against 10 SEA objectives, it is anticipated that the majority of the Plan (i.e. the vision/objectives, preferred and any alternative approaches to main issues as well as proposals) will either have a neutral impact, a minor positive impact or a significantly positive impact on the environment.

1.6.2 Potentially significant negative impacts were recorded in assessing both the preferred and the alternative approaches to minerals. Given the very nature of minerals extraction this is not unexpected and the preferred option has been amended to include mitigating measures i.e. requirement for restoration plans. In assessing site allocations potentially significant negative impacts were identified primarily in relation to the consumption of non-renewable resources, in particular during the construction phase. The Plan policies will seek to address this.

1.6.3 The findings of the SEA assessment have informed and suggested some changes to the Main Issues Report. In response to negative impacts identified by this assessment, a range of amendments, additions or deletions to the Main Issues Report text have been proposed to ameliorate negative impacts arising.

1.6.4 Some amendments, additions or deletions to text have also been proposed to increase the scope for positive impacts arising from the options. This has involved text changes to either strengthen or clarify preferred or alternative options.

1.6.5 The changes do not however propose that any preferred options are replaced by an alternative option. Whilst in some cases one of the alternative options may have offered a marginally better environmental approach the wider benefits and minimal or neutral environmental impact of the preferred option do not justify it being replaced by the alternative.

1.6.6 The impacts that have been predicted are set out in Table 7: Assessment Outcomes and section 4.4. Appendix C which is available separately on request to this document includes the full individual assessment tables. In some cases the full environmental effect the Plan will have is unknown e.g. until the details of specific development proposals emerge. It is anticipated that such potential impacts can be addressed by detailed policies in the Plan.

2 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT - INTRODUCTION

2.1 Purpose of this Environmental Report

2.1.1 As part of the preparation of Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is carrying out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). SEA is a systematic method for considering the likely environmental effects of certain Plans, Policies & Strategies (PPS). SEA aims to: • integrate environmental factors into PPS preparation and decision-making; • improve PPS and enhance environmental protection; • increase public participation in decision making, and; • facilitate openness and transparency of decision-making.

2.1.2 SEA is required by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. The key stages:

Screening determining whether the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects and whether an SEA is required.

Scoping deciding on the scope and level of detail of the Environmental Report, and the consultation period for the report – this is done in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage, The Scottish Ministers (Historic Scotland) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Environmental Report publishing an Environmental Report on the PPS and its effects, and consulting on that report.

Adoption providing information on: the adopted PPS; how consultation comments have been taken into account; and methods for monitoring the significant environmental effects of the plan implementation.

Monitoring monitoring significant environmental effects in such a manner so as to also enable the Responsible Authority to identify any unforeseen adverse effects at an early stage and undertake remedial action.

2.1.3 The purpose of an environmental report is to identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant impacts on the environment as a result of implementing the Plan and the reasonable alternatives to the Plan, taking account of the objectives and geographical scope of the plan.

2.1.4 Section 14 (3) of the Act requires the environmental report to include the information specified in Schedule 3 of the Act and to take account of the following: • current knowledge and methods of assessment of environmental matters; • the contents of, and level of detail in, the Local Development Plan; • the stage of the Local Development Plan in the decision-making process; and • the extent to which any matters to which the report relates would be more appropriately assessed at different levels in that process in order to avoid duplication of assessment.

2.1.5 The structure of the environmental report has been informed by the guidance contained in the Scottish Government’s SEA Toolkit and the requirements for the environmental report as set out in Schedule 3 of the Act. It has been written in an easy to read and transparent way to enable the public to understand the assessment, to foster early and effective public participation in the Local Development Plan and environmental assessment process and to allow the public to comment on the environmental report and its findings.

2.2 Local Development Plan Key Facts

The key facts relating to Local Development Plan are set out in Table 2 below.

Table 2 LDP Key Facts

Responsible Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council). Authority

Title of the Plan Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan

What Prompted The Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006. the Plan? Town and Country Planning (Development Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2008.

Plan Subject Land use and development management

Period Covered 10 - 20 years from adoption. (Latter provisionally indicated August by the Plan 2012)

Frequency of Five yearly Plan Updates

Plan Area Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Boundary (entire area of the Outer Hebrides, approximately 3,071 sq km).

Purpose of the To provide development guidance and manage land use change to Plan/ Plan help deliver following vision and objectives. Objectives Vision: To enable realistic economic growth and help facilitate strong thriving communities, the Plan should provide a sustainable land use strategy to accommodate development in a manner that respects the characteristics of the islands’ settlement patterns and has regard for the environment. Objectives: The Plan should help make our islands: - A good place to live with a range of housing, supported by accessible services and facilities. - A successful place for working in with a supportive planning framework, including well connected infrastructure, to encourage long term economic regeneration and growth. - An attractive place enjoyed by residents and visitors where our outstanding natural and cultural heritage is valued.

Diane McPherson, Principal Policy Officer (Planning) Contact Point 01870 602425

[email protected]

2.3 SEA Activities to Date

2.3.1 The process of preparing a new Local Development Plan (LDP) commenced in March 2009. As part of the SEA of the LDP a scoping report was prepared and submitted to the consultation authorities via the SEA Gateway in July 2009. Assessment of the Main Issues Report has been carried out in-house to identify any significant impacts on the environment, and where appropriate take mitigating action or identify alternative approaches. An environmental report (enclosed herein) has been prepared and is published along with the Main Issues Report and other associated document in February 2010. An 8 week formal consultation is proposed for both the ER and Main Issues Report commencing in February 2010.

2.3.2 SEA activities in relation to Local Development Plan are summarised in Table 3 below:

Table 3 Summary of SEA Activities

SEA Activities to Date

April - July 2009 Scoping Report prepared

July 2009 Scoping Report submitted to SEA Gateway

Aug 2009 Responses received from Consultation Authorities to Scoping Report via SEA Gateway

Aug - Nov 2009 Assessment of LDP Main Issues Report carried out in-house and preparation of environmental report (ER)

Consultation Timetable

Feb 2010 Publish ER and Main Issues Report (MIR)

Feb - Apr 2010 Public consultation on ER and MIR for minimum 8 week period

3 OUTER HEBRIDES LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND ITS CONTEXT

3.1 Outline of the Plan

3.1.1 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is the authority responsible for the preparation of the Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan, which is required to comply with the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006.

3.2 Objectives of the Plan

3.2.1 The Local Development Plan aims: • To enable realistic economic growth and help facilitate strong thriving communities, the Plan should provide a sustainable land use strategy to accommodate development in a manner that respects the characteristics of the islands’ settlement patterns and has regard for the environment. 3.2.2 The Key Objectives of the Local Development Plan are to: The Plan should help make our islands: • A good place to live with a range of housing, supported by accessible services and facilities. • A successful place for working in with a supportive planning framework, including well connected infrastructure, to encourage long term economic regeneration and growth. • An attractive place enjoyed by residents and visitors where our outstanding natural and cultural heritage is valued.

3.3 Relationship with Other Plans, Programmes and Environmental Objectives

3.3.1 Schedule 3 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires the Environmental Report to identify the Plan’s relationship with other relevant Plans and Programmes containing environmental objectives relevant to the Plan. Appendix A contains a detailed list of those plans, together with a summary of their relationship with the Plan and how it has responded to them. This is summarised in the following paragraphs.

3.3.2 The plans, programmes and strategies that have an influence on the Plan vary in their importance dependent upon the level at which they are prepared. At international level, the EU Habitats and Birds Directive, that allows for the establishment of the Natura 2000 network of sites (SPA and SAC) has the most significant influence, given the extent of the land and water in the Outer Hebrides designated as such.

3.3.3 At national level, the National Planning Framework, Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)/ National Planning Policy Guidelines (NPPG) and Planning Advice Notes (PAN) inform plan preparation and provide guidance for the development of land on a wide range of uses. National policy indicates Plans should: • facilitate sustainable development of an area, supporting increasing sustainable economic growth; • contribute to high quality sustainable places; and • protect and enhance environmental quality as an asset for that growth.

3.3.4 From a local perspective the Single Outcome Agreement for 2009-10 between Scottish Government and the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership has critically informed Local Development Plan preparation.

3.3.5 The SOA aims to create a prosperous and healthy community living in a quality environment with improved transport links and access to good facilities based on the principles of sustainable development through respect for the natural environment and the cultural traditions of the Outer Hebrides. The Plan has a key part to play in helping deliver the land use development elements of the SOA for the Outer Hebrides.

3.4 Relevant Aspects of Current State of the Environment

3.4.1 The following section briefly describes the area of the Outer Hebrides. For a more detailed description see Appendix B – Environmental Description.

3.4.2 Geography & Geology The Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, is an archipelago of islands lying off the north-west coast of mainland Scotland. They are situated at the most north- westerly point in Europe. These islands are separated from the Scottish Mainland by the Minch, the Little Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides. The map below illustrates the geographical extent of the Outer Hebrides and the position relative to the mainland. Diagram 1 Outer Hebrides context

3.4.3 Habitats and Species The Outer Hebrides has a high quality environment, rich in biodiversity and with a large percentage of land, areas of inland waters and marine sites designated for nature conservation purposes. The renowned natural beauty and relative remoteness of the islands bestows on them a unique environmental sensitivity. From a European perspective, the key habitat types are: Marine; Vegetated sea-cliffs; Machair; Peatland; Uplands; Freshwater lochs

3.4.5 Designated sites The following conservation designations are in place in the Outer Hebrides (further details in Appendix B): • 1 World Heritage Site • Natura 2000 network • 4 RAMSAR • 1 Biosphere Reserve • 7 Marine Consultation Areas • 3 National Scenic Area • 55 Sites of Special Scientific Interest • 4 National Nature Reserves • 1 Local Nature Reserve • 1 Designed Landscape & Historic Garden • 4 Conservation Areas • 465 Scheduled Ancient Monuments • 256 Listed Buildings http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/gisdl.html *some buildings have multiple listings e.g. gatepiers

3.5 Environmental baseline

3.5.1 In accordance with Schedule 2 of the Regulations, this section aims to describe the environmental context within which the Local Development Plan operates and the constraints and targets that this context imposes on the plan. The baseline data referred to in this assessment is therefore relevant to environmental considerations, although for the purposes of Local Development Plan preparation, socio-economic indicators are also taken into account.

3.5.2 A dataset entitled ‘Outer Hebrides Baseline Environment’ has been created for the purpose of recording environmental information of specific relevance to the Local Development Plan. The sources and agreed targets (where available) are contained within this dataset which is held by the Strategic Planning and Projects team in the Comhairle Offices, Stornoway. In addition, the Outer Hebrides Archaeology Service holds the Sites and Monuments Record, a historic environment dataset. This can be viewed online at www.cne-siar.gov.uk/smr.

3.5.3 In line with the agreed Scoping Report, Table 4 provides a summary of key environmental baseline information for the Outer Hebrides. A more detailed account is provided in Appendix B “Environmental Baseline Description” where current constraints and future trends are discussed.

Table 4 Summary of environmental baseline Topics Key Facts Biodiversity, Flora • 306,916 ha in total land and water area; and 2687 km coastline; and Fauna • Over 70 named islands (11 inhabited) and over 100 beaches; • 1.2% of UK land mass & 15% of UK’s freshwater surface area; • Important Habitat types include: marine; vegetated sea-cliffs; machair; peatland; uplands; freshwater lochs; offshore islands; and salt marshes; • Western Isles Biodiversity Audit (SAC 2002) found: 18 priority, 14 broad and 4 locally important habitats; 189 species (60 were priority; 72 were of conservation concern and 57 were locally important); • LBAP habitats: native woodland (diagram 6); cereal fields and margins; saline (coastal) lagoons (diagram 7); • LBAP species: Great Yellow Bumblebee; Dunlin; Corncrake; Corn Bunting, and; Irish Lady’s Tresses Orchid; • Native woodland is extremely fragmented; restricted to areas that are protected from grazing, approximately 50-70 hectares; • Western Isles Native Woodland Survey Report produced in 2008; • Loch nam Madadh SAC: important extensive fjardic sea loch systems; • Species with SAC protection are: grey seal; common seal; otter; Atlantic salmon; freshwater pearl mussel; slender naiad (aquatic plant); • 10% of Outer Hebrides is made up of rare ‘machair’ habitat– largest and richest example of cultivated machair in the world; • St Kilda: the most important sea bird breeding station in NW Europe. Water • Scottish Water oversee 177 small Waste Water Treatment Works and 3 medium waste water Treatment Works and 1 large Waste Water Treatment works; • Scottish Water oversee 1 large Water Treatment Works, 18 medium/small Water Treatment works and 2 very small Water Treatment Works; • 21 public drinking water supplies; all water supplies are treated to produce drinking water to the national standard; • Infiltration device and permeable surface SUDs incorporated into all new significant developments; non infiltration SuDs widely used; • The majority of the Outer Hebrides coastline (2,700 km at the high water mark) is considered to be ‘undeveloped’ except for Stornoway (‘developed’) and the stretches of ‘isolated’ coastline (includes uninhabited islands); • In 2009, there were an estimated 16 aquaculture production companies employing 178 fte with the production of 22,500t Atlantic Salmon, 500t C.Mussel; • In 2009 freshwater fisheries supported 260 fte jobs with 7,500 visiting anglers reflecting expenditure in the sector of £5.6m (2000). Soil • Underlying rocks range from the ancient Lewisian Gneiss (oldest rock formation in Britain) to some of the youngest sedimentary strata found in Scotland; • Lewis Peatlands is one of the largest blanket bogs in Europe; • Soils formed on three parent materials: peat; windblown shelly sand and drifts derived from Lewisian Gneisses; • High proportion of undisturbed soils; • 20% of total municipal waste (to Comhairle sites) recycled in 2008/09; • 54 recycling bring site facilities; • Total quantity of municipal waste managed by or on behalf of Comhairle during 2008/2009 was 23,647 tonnes; • 25 operational mineral workings (safeguarded for mineral extraction: rocks, moraine, boulder clay and sand); • High to moderate risk of soil erosion in organic soils.

Air and Climatic • High quality - No AQMA (Air Quality Management Areas); very low levels of pollutants in Factors the atmosphere; • Nitrogen Dioxide has been monitored using passive diffusion tubes at sites in the Outer Hebrides since 1993; • Greater likelihood of residents using a car to get to work as opposed to foot or bike than Scottish average. Higher rates of car ownership and greater propensity to have multiple cars; • In 2001, the average distance travelled to place of work/study in the Outer Hebrides was 25.81 km (Scottish average 12.58 km); • A number of major improvements to the road network along Spinal Route and to remote communities in recent years; • Public Transport Improvement Initiative introduced to promote integration of bus and ferry timetables; • Roads: 33 km ‘A’; 182 km ‘B’; 174 km ‘C’; 502 km ‘unclassified’; • 309 Wind Turbine Planning applications received in total since 2000; one 85 ha area safeguarded in the current Local Plan for renewable energy resources. Population and • Ageing and declining population with skewed age profile showing higher concentration in Human Health older age groups; • Census: 2001 = 26,502; 1991 = 29,600; 1981 = 30,702; • GROS Estimates: 2008 = 26,200; Projections: 2031 = 24,892; • Low birth rate (9.7 per 1,000 popn) and high death rate (13.2) in 2008; • Number of annual births projected to fall by 23% (2008 to 2033); • Below average life expectancy for males and above for females; • 2008: Households: = 11,816; Household Size = 2.2 persons; • 317 new private housing starts and 371 completions 2006-08; • 6027 crofts (69 owned, 666 absentee); • Housing Association Development Completions since 2000 = 328 units, projected 43 units by 2010; • 1294 applications on Housing Waiting List in June 2009 (approximately 400 people on two waiting lists as allowed by HHP allocations policy); • 49% in Fuel Poverty (SHCS 2004-07); LA Housing surveys estimate fuel poverty 60% by Dec 2008; • 60 road accident casualties recorded in 2008 (provisional); • 12 noise complaints received by Comhairle in 2007/08; • 6 sites (10 ha) of ‘vacant land’ in 2008; 4 sites (1 ha) of ‘derelict land’ in 2008 and approx 518 ‘potentially’ contaminated sites. Material Assets and • St Kilda World Heritage Site (natural and cultural status); Cultural Heritage • Stornoway Townscape Heritage Initiative – 5 year project jointly funded by local agencies & Heritage Lottery Fund; • 4 Conservation Areas: Stornoway, Lewis; Gearrannan, Lewis; Ruisgarry, Berneray; Howmore, South Uist; • 256 listed buildings recorded in the Outer Hebrides in March 2009, some buildings have multiple listings; • 213 Scheduled Ancient Monument designations (recorded as legal entities), covering 465 monuments; • Over 13,000 known archaeological sites and monuments recorded in SMR; • 1 designated Historic Garden and Designed Landscape – Lews Castle Grounds (238 ha); • Large, undeveloped areas of land where archaeological interest is uncertain but potentially significant; particularly the moorland and below the high tide level; • Concentrations of cultural heritage interests in Callanish area of international importance; • Two ongoing major community-led archaeological research projects. Landscape • Distinctive and unique man-made landscape: valued landscapes are identified under the designation of the 3 National Scenic Areas; • Western Isles Landscape Character Assessment (J. Richards, SNH, 1997) identifies the following major landscape types: Crofting One; Crofting Two; Crofting Three; Crofting Four; Machair; Boggy Moorland; Rocky Moorland; Knock and Lochan; Rock and Lochan; Mountain Massif One; Mountain Massif Two.

Diagram 2: International Environmental Designations Diagram 3: National Environmental Designations

Diagram 4 Historic Environment Diagram 5 Landscape Character Assessment Areas

Diagram 6 Settlements Diagram 7 Areas at Significant Risk of flooding

3.6 Gaps in the baseline information

3.6.1 The following summarises the likely gaps and/or unreliability of the SEA baseline data.

3.6.2 The environmental baseline information is generally adequate for the purposes of the assessment of the Local Development Plan preferred options for development and allocations at the plan-wide level but inevitably gaps in information exist. Current and accurate information on the level of damage reported to designated sites and the net change in priority and protected species (identified in Biodiversity Action Plans) has been difficult to obtain at a local level, due to their mobile, evolving and dynamic nature, and infrequent and variable survey methods.

3.6.3 It is difficult to accurately quantify the true number of recent developments that have utilised Sustainable Drainage Techniques as this is currently not recorded on the Development Management database. However in general, larger scale developments have employed SDS. Areas of coastal flood risk are inherently difficult to predict due to the unpredictable and extreme climatic conditions the islands experience, however the SEPA Indicative Flood Risk Map assists future development planning.

3.6.4 The archaeological potential of the islands is very high, due to relatively extensive land management in the past. However, much of the land is undeveloped and, by its very nature, archaeology is often a concealed resource. There are particular gaps in the baseline information about moorland and hill areas and archaeology below the high water mark.

3.6.5 Working with others, the Comhairle will address these gaps as part of the monitoring process.

3.7 Significant Environmental Issues affecting the Outer Hebrides

3.7.1 The purpose of this section is to explain how existing environmental problems will affect or be affected by the Local Development Plan and whether the plan is likely to aggravate, reduce or otherwise affect existing environmental problems.

3.7.2 Environmental problems were identified through discussions with the Consultation Authorities as part of the Scoping exercise. The significant environmental issues to be addressed in the preparation of the Local Development Plan are set out in Table 5.

Table 5 Significant environmental issues relevant to the Local Development Plan Issue Supporting data Implications for LDP The impact on the The 2001 census figures show a The LDP will seek to environment of seeking to decline of 10.5% in the population identify land use solutions address a declining and since the 1991 census; that respond to the ageing population Current figures show an imbalance in challenge arising from the current imbalance in the One of the main issues the age structure of the Outer population and the need facing the islands is the Hebrides (low % in younger age to retain young people on declining and ageing groups and high % in older age the islands. population, with out- groups) in comparison to other areas migration in the 16-29 year in Scotland; age group being of particular GROS 2008 projections show the concern. The Community population of the Outer Hebrides will Planning Partnership agreed decline by 4.1%, and annual births by strategy to address this 23% from 2008-2033; issue focuses mainly on the GROS population and household expansion of the jobs market projections and estimates; vital and the provision of events; affordable housing. Outer Hebrides Migration Study.

The impact on the National Planning Framework The current Development environment of Creating Communities of the Future Plan approach to this topic encouraging economic is considered appropriate 2003 Outer Hebrides Regional development in assisting with Accounts. increasing economic To encourage economic activity while taking development often includes account of the the provision of new environment. The business premises or the recently prepared development of renewable Supplementary Guidance energy proposals. The for large wind farms will impact on the environment be incorporated in the depends greatly on how LDP. these are developed. The impact on the Draft Local Housing Strategy Need for policies to environment of Housing Needs Assessment 2009 accommodate and direct accommodating growth in growth within Greater Creating Communities of the Future Greater Stornoway Stornoway primarily Stornoway Regeneration: Vision, addressing pressure for The demand for housing, Objectives & Actions housing sites while particularly affordable Stornoway Townscape Heritage respecting the existing housing, is greater in the Initiative character of the town and Stornoway area than minimising any anywhere else on the Stornoway Conservation Area detrimental impact on islands. Management Plan. other areas of Outer Hebrides. Addressing the threat of SEPA flood maps. Information is also The current Development coastal flooding being gathered through joint Plan approach to the initiatives with SNH and with the EU issue of coastal flooding is Outer Hebrides have a Corepoint project considered appropriate. coastline extending to The LDP will adopt this approx 2,700km. Much of No of applications for planning approach with any the west coast is particularly consent within areas ‘at risk’ from necessary policy low lying. flooding. refinement. • The impact on the • SW Settlement Wastewater The current Development environment arising from Constraints list; Plan approach to this constrained water and • SW Investment Growth Programme issue is generally wastewater 2006-14; considered appropriate in infrastructure addressing constraints on • SW/CnES Wastewater Flow/Load development arising from Development demands may Study (due Spring 2006) create issues in settlements need to upgrade where public wastewater • No. of new house applications in infrastructure. However systems are close to constrained areas there are specific capacity. • Scottish Water Asset Capacity & cumulative impacts arising Development Plan 2006. in ‘hotspot’ areas where If sufficient future capacity no public wastewater for connection is not systems exist. The LDP provided, demand builds for will adopt the current individual private systems approach with any which are less easy to necessary policy regulate and may cause refinement to address environmental problems. environmental problems arising from Development demands can overconcentration of also create issues in certain private systems. settlements which have no public wastewater systems. This is particularly so where further development may result in overconcentration of private systems which can

potentially cause environmental problems.

Impact of development on Area of natural heritage designations The current Development the natural environment LBAP Habitat and Species Actions Plan approach is considered appropriate. 50% of the Outer Hebrides Plans The LDP will adopt this land mass lies under MLURI Land Use Classification approach however national or international Scottish Biodiversity List - habitats & development of a spatial nature conservation species approach to aquaculture designation. A balance State of UK BAP Priority Species & and wind farm has to be sought Habitats in the Outer Hebrides. development will improve between meeting the the current approach. socio/ economic needs Outer Hebrides Biodiversity Audit of local communities and protecting natural resources. Impact of development on No. of designated conservation areas The current Development the built environment No. of listed buildings Plan approach to safeguarding and A balance has to be sought No. of archaeological sites and enhancing the built between monuments accommodating environment is considered CnES Design Guidance development and appropriate. The LDP will protecting historic and Stornoway Conservation Area adopt this approach and cultural resources. Management Plan. the preparation of conservation area management plans will enhance the policy approach. Impact of development on NSAs The current Development the landscape Landscape Character Assessment for Plan approach to safeguarding and Approx one-third of the Western Isles enhancing the landscape Outer Hebrides lies within CnES Design Guidance. is considered appropriate. areas designated as There is an opportunity to National Scenic Areas. A enhance this approach balance has to be sought through development of between accommodating the LDP spatial strategy. development, seeking a satisfactory/ sympathetic quality of development and protecting the landscape. Impact of development on Area of natural heritage designations The current Development the natural environment LBAP Habitat and Species Actions Plan approach is considered appropriate. 50% of the Outer Hebrides Plans The LDP will adopt this land mass lies under MLURI Land Use Classification approach however national or international Scottish Biodiversity List - habitats & development of a spatial nature conservation species approach to aquaculture designation. A balance has State of UK BAP Priority Species & and wind farm to be sought between Habitats in the Outer Hebrides. development will improve meeting the socio/ economic the current approach. needs of local communities Outer Hebrides Biodiversity Audit and protecting natural resources. Impact of development on No. of designated conservation areas The current Development the built environment No. of listed buildings Plan approach to safeguarding and A balance has to be sought No. of archaeological sites and enhancing the built between accommodating monuments environment is considered

development and protecting CnES Design Guidance appropriate. The LDP will historic and cultural Stornoway Conservation Area adopt this approach and resources. Management Plan. the preparation of conservation area management plans will enhance the policy approach. Impact of development on NSAs The current Development the landscape Landscape Character Assessment for Plan approach to safeguarding and Approx one-third of the Western Isles enhancing the landscape Outer Hebrides lies within CnES Design Guidance. is considered appropriate. areas designated as There is an opportunity to National Scenic Areas. A enhance this approach balance has to be sought through development of between accommodating the LDP spatial strategy. development, seeking a satisfactory/ sympathetic quality of development and protecting the landscape.

3.8 Likely Evolution of the Environment in the absence of the LDP

3.8.1 The SEA process involves an assessment of the significant environmental effects of implementing the plan and an assessment of the evolution of the environment without the plan. It is not practical to anticipate every environmental change that may occur if the Local Development Plan is not implemented. This section identifies those changes that would be the most significant and likely in the event of non-implementation and those aspects of the environment that are most likely to be impacted upon by the plan.

3.8.2 The current Development Plan comprises the Structure Plan (approved 2003) and the Local Plan (adopted June 2008) and provides a focused interrelated framework to guide development across the Outer Hebrides. While much of the current Local Plan approach may still be applicable in the future, subject to modification and updating, monitoring of the current Development Plan has indicated that several policy approaches have been less than effective and there are gaps and new issues that need to be assessed. There is also a need to take account of impacts arising from the recent Planning Act; Climate Change Act; Flood Risk Management Act; Land Reform Act and other related regulations and policies. A new Plan will provide a clearer, more relevant and up to date policy framework to effectively manage change and better secure appropriate development in appropriate locations and thus improved environmental impacts.

3.8.3 The following potential consequences may result in the absence of a new LDP for the Outer Hebrides: • lack of a clear settlement spatial strategy may result in potentially inappropriate or unsympathetic development; • potentially lower quality of development outcome, particularly in terms of appropriate siting, respect for character/setting and building design and materials; • lack of clear guidance approach to isolated development out with settlements could have detrimental environmental impacts; • incremental and cumulative development would potentially have detrimental environmental impacts; • undesirable coalescence of settlements would occur resulting in the loss of community identity and local distinctiveness;

• lack of identification of effective strategic proposal sites across islands may lead to uncoordinated development and concentration of development within areas of demand leading to decline in the more remote areas; • development likely to impact on available infrastructure resources and an inability to maximise benefits of a structured approach to service delivery; • lack of effective development guidance and management could lead to detrimental impacts to landscape and natural heritage interests as well as valued cultural and built environment assets. • potential loss of recreational green spaces and lack of open space provision for new development; • pressures for inappropriate development in areas of high risk from flooding; • increased air pollution in the absence of effective land use and transport planning; • an increase in water pollution in the absence of effective approaches and guidance, for instance to control discharges and facilitate sustainable drainage systems.

3.8.4 Additional commentary on the environment is provided in Appendix B which gives an in- depth description of the Outer Hebrides environment by SEA topic.

4 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT & PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES

4.1 SEA Methodology

4.1.1 Strategic environmental assessment of the Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan draft Main Issues Report (MIR) was aligned with the preparation of the MIR, with the issues’ and proposals’ assessments carried out primarily during October and November 2009. The assessment process was undertaken in-house by planning, housing and technical staff within the Development Department and precluded involvement by the officer leading the preparation of the MIR to optimise impartiality.

4.1.2 The new Local Development Plan requires SEA assessment to be carried out at the early Main Issues Report stage. The MIR focuses on identifying the major land use changes occurring since the previous development plan and suggests a preferred option and any alternative approaches to dealing with these matters. The MIR also identifies the main site allocations to be included in the LDP.

4.1.3 Unless otherwise identified in the MIR the policy approaches contained in the current Development Plan are considered to be fit for purpose and it is intended that they are taken forward (with minor modification and updating) into the new LDP. The current Local Plan (which drew down and detailed a number of Structure Plan topic approaches) was adopted in 2008 and was subject to SEA assessment. Accordingly the Local Plan policy topic approaches that may be incorporated into the new LDP have not been subject to the current SEA assessment process.

4.1.4 The Structure Plan was approved in 2003 prior to SEA legislation. Consequently, it has not been subject to the SEA process. In order to address any policy approaches likely to be brought forward into the new LDP, assessment has been undertaken of the overall Structure Plan topic policy aims to ensure no potential significant negative effects are likely to arise. This approach has been developed following discussion with Scottish Government. Site allocations being brought forward from the current Development Plan have also been subject to assessment specifically to consider any potential cumulative impact.

4.1.5 The Vision and Objectives of the MIR, preferred and alternative options for dealing with the main issues, along with Structure Plan topic policy aims have been individually assessed. Business, community and minerals sites have been assessed collectively under their respective topic heading while housing proposals and search area sites are grouped geographically to be assessed. These are assessed against 10 SEA Objectives each with specific environmental criteria to identify potential for environmental impact.

4.1.6 The environmental objectives and associated criteria used in assessing the MIR stage of the LDP (see Table 6 below) follow those recommended in national planning advice, adapted to reflect local circumstances and priorities. Guidance provided by the Consultation Authorities in their responses to the Scoping Report has also informed the assessment process.

Table 6 Framework used to assess the Local Development Plan (Environmental Objectives and Criteria) No SEA Objectives Environmental Criterion SEA topics 1 Maintain the Is the aim/policy/proposal likely to: Population, material quality of the • promote sustainable development on the assets, cultural Outer Hebrides islands; heritage, landscape, as a place to human health, climatic • provide infrastructure and locally accessible live, work and factors water, air, soils, facilities and services: visit biodiversity, fauna, and • improve the natural and built environment in flora. urban and rural areas or is it likely to have significant adverse effects on them? 2 Promote safe Is the aim/policy/proposal likely to significantly help Human health, climatic and healthy to: factors water, air, soils, living in the • provide local health facilities and services; biodiversity, fauna, Outer Hebrides flora. • encourage healthy activities; • maintain the quality of the local environment (air, land and water); • promote a safe and secure environment or is it likely to have significant adverse effects on them? 3 Improve the Is the aim/policy/proposal likely to significantly help Population, human quality and to: health, material assets, liveability of • respect aspects of urban form, settlement cultural heritage, settlements pattern and identity in ways that contribute to biodiversity, landscape. sustainable development; • promote good building design; • enhance the quality and range of open space in the main settlements; • limit sporadic housing development beyond settlements; • promote the re-use of redundant buildings and land; • regenerate degraded environments; • lessen the impact of coastal erosion or is it likely to significantly damage or diminish building character or townscape or its enjoyment and understanding? 4 Safeguard Is the aim/policy/proposal likely to significantly help Landscape, general to: biodiversity, material landscape • enhance general landscape character; assets, cultural character and heritage • safeguard locally important views and the visual visual amenity amenity of areas or is it likely to have significant adverse effects on them?

5 Enhance & Is the aim/policy/proposal likely to significantly help Population, material promote the to: assets, cultural historic & cultural • protect, promote and where appropriate enhance heritage. environment the historic and cultural environments a) scheduled or is it likely to have significant adverse effects on monuments them? b) listed buildings c) designed landscapes d) conservation areas e) unscheduled archaeology 6 Achieve effective Is the aim/policy/proposal likely to significantly help Biodiversity / flora / stewardship of to protect, safeguard, enhance or restore: fauna, landscape, water the Islands’ • sites designated internationally, nationally, ecology regionally and locally; • Natura 2000 sites; • European protected species and other nationally protected species; • the Outer Hebrides biodiversity; • priority habitats and species as defined in the LBAP; or is it likely to significantly damage or diminish their enjoyment? 7 Protect and Is the aim/policy/proposal likely to significantly help; Water, biodiversity enhance the • reduce pollution; fauna / flora; human water • improve drinking water quality; health; population; environment • conserve groundwater/surface water resources; material assets; • ensure appropriate drainage infrastructure in landscape. place; • avoid flood risk; • protect the marine and coastal environment; or is it likely to have significant adverse effects on them?

8 Protect the Is the aim/policy/proposal likely to significantly help Population, human environment to: health, water, air, from pollution • maintain air quality; climatic factors, soils, • avoid and reduce harmful pollutants; biodiversity, flora, fauna, material • reduce emissions from transport and industry; assets. • minimise noise pollution; • contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in line with the national targets; or is it likely to significantly exacerbate risks from them? 9 Reduce energy Does the aim/policy/proposal significantly help to: Air, climatic factors, consumption and • increase the use of renewable sources of water, biodiversity, the contribution energy; population, human to climate • reduce energy inputs into the building process ; health, material assets. change or is it likely to significantly increase energy use? 10 Promote Is the aim/policy/proposal likely to significantly: Human health, water, sustainable • reduce the consumption of material assets e.g. air, soils, material resource use and fossil fuels, land, minerals, building materials; assets. waste • increase reuse and recycling; minimisation or is it likely to increase waste arising?

4.2 Alternatives Considered

4.2.1 The SEA Directive and the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act require the Environmental Report to consider the impacts of alternatives to the proposed plan as part of the SEA. There is no alternative to producing the Local Development Plan as this is a statutory requirement under the Planning (Scotland) Act 2006.

4.2.2 The LDP Main Issues Report stage sets out an approach to deal with the main planning issues and identifies a preferred option together with any reasonable alternatives. The SEA process has assessed both the preferred and alternative options and informed the alternative responses to these issues. While providing comment and suggesting changes on both preferred and alternative options in the plan the SEA assessment process did not identify any additional new alternative options and has not concluded that the preferred options be replaced with any of the alternatives.

4.3 Assessment Outcomes

Table 7 summarises the SEA assessment scoring outcomes:

Table 7: Assessment Outcomes

ASSESSED ITEMS SEA OBJECTIVE (Vision, Main Issue preferred approach and alternatives, Structure Plan (SP) Policy Aims, Collective Proposals Sites) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 MIR Plan Vision & Objectives + + + 0/+ 0 0/+ 0 0 0 0 Spatial Strategy Preferred Option + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spatial Strategy Alternative Option 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spatial Strategy Alternative Option 2 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 Siting & Design Preferred Option 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Siting & Design Alternative Option 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Siting & Design Alternative Option 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + + Croftland Preferred Option 0 0 0/+ 0/+ 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 Croftland Alternative Option 0 + 0 + 0/+ 0 0 0 N/A 0 Minerals Preferred Option 0 0 - - 0/- - 0 0 - - Minerals Alternative Options 1 & 2 - 0 - - 0/- - 0 - - - Aquaculture Preferred Option 0 0/+ N/A - 0 0/+ 0/+ 0 N/A 0 Aquaculture Alternative Options 1 & 2 0 0/+ N/A - 0 0/+ 0/+ 0 N/A 0 Heritage Preferred Option 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 Heritage Alternative Option 0 0/+ 0 0 0/+ + 0 0 0 0 SP Development Management DM 4 + + + + + 0 0 0 0 0 Policy Aims SP Policy Resource Management Aims + 0/+ 0 0/+ + + 0 N/A N/A N/A SP Economic Development Policy Aims 0/+ 0/+ 0 0 0/+ 0 N/A N/A N/A 0 SP Housing Policy Aims + 0 + 0/+ 0/+ 0 0/+ N/A N/A + SP Transportation Policy Aims 0/+ 0/+ 0 0 0 0 N/A + N/A N/A Business Proposal Sites (Collectively) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Community Proposal Sites (Collectively) + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mineral Proposal Sites (Collectively) 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 Housing Proposal Sites (Uist) + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - Housing Proposal Sites (Barra) + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - Housing Proposal Sites (Harris) + 0 + + 0 0 0 0 0 - Housing Proposal Sites (Rural Lewis) + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - Housing Proposal Sites (Broadbay) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Housing Proposal Sites (Greater + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - Stornoway) Housing Proposal Sites (Stornoway) + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - Housing Proposal Sites (Unspecified) 0/+ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

Key: + significant positive impact 0 neutral or minimal positive /negative impact - significant negative impact N/A not applicable

4.4 Key Findings and Proposed Mitigation Measures

4.4.1 Assessment of the vision/objectives, preferred and alternative approaches to main issues as well as proposals have achieved either neutral (0), neutral positive (0/+), or significantly positive (+) scoring against the 10 SEA environmental objectives, based on the original draft MIR text.

4.4.2 Potentially significant negative impacts were recorded in assessing both the preferred and the alternative approaches to minerals. Given the nature of minerals extraction this is not unexpected and the preferred option has been amended to include mitigating measures e.g. requirement for restoration plans.

4.4.3 In assessing site allocations potentially significant negative impacts were identified primarily in relation to the consumption of non-renewable resources, in particular during the construction phase. The Plan policies will seek to address this and promote good practice.

4.4.4 The findings of the SEA assessment have informed and suggested some changes to the Main Issues Report. In response to negative impacts identified by this assessment, a range of amendments, additions or deletions to the Main Issues Report text have been proposed to ameliorate negative impacts arising.

4.4.5 Some amendments, additions or deletions to text have also been proposed to increase the scope for positive impacts arising from the options. This has involved text changes to either strengthen or clarify preferred or alternative options.

4.4.6 The changes do not however propose that any preferred options are replaced by an alternative option. Whilst in some cases one of the alternative options may have offered a marginally better environmental approach the wider benefits and minimal or neutral environmental impact of the preferred option do not justify it being replaced by the alternative.

4.4.7 In some cases the full environmental effect that particular plan aspects, for instance specific proposals, will have is unknown until the details of the proposed development emerge. In most cases detailed polices in the Plan will address these potential impacts.

4.4.8 The details of the individual assessments and any proposed amendments or mitigating measures are outlined below.

4.4.9 Plan Vision and Objectives The proposed LDP Vision and Objectives were informed by contextual information, informal consultation and land use elements of the local Single Outcome Agreement. The draft LDP vision was amended partly in response to the assessment and the final plan vision and objectives scored positively on several SEA objectives due to its cognisance of the value and need to respect the environment in facilitating development in a sustainable manner. No further amendments or mitigations are proposed.

4.4.10 Issue 1 Spatial Strategy & Alternatives The preparation of an actual spatial strategy should effectively guide or steer development. The preferred option has been assessed as having the most positive environmental impact. However how significant this impact might be depends on the detailed strategy and how it takes accounts of environmental factors. The preferred option had no negative impacts, however one of the alternative options scores negatively against a SEA objective due to the ‘ad hoc’ nature cited.

4.4.11 Issue 2 Siting & Design & Alternatives The preferred option has a neutral impact overall with one significantly positive score against a single SEA objective. The potential positive impact could be strengthened through text amendments that seek to achieve better design practices and quality. One alternative option does have significantly positive impacts against two SEA objectives. However the alternatives are not proposed as they may overly constrain development and are not considered appropriate for the islands development context.

4.4.12 Issue 3 Croft Land & Alternatives Overall the preferred and alternative approaches score neutrally with tendency to positive impacts. While the alternative has potential for slightly more positive environmental impact it is overly constraining through its ‘blanket approach’ and does not recognise the variance of our crofting townships and development context.

4.4.13 Issue 4 Minerals & Alternatives Both the Minerals preferred and alternative approaches show some negative impacts. While this is possibly inevitable, extraction activity is required to support development and building on the islands. The preferred option adopts a sequential approach and is designed to meet only local demand. The alternatives score more significantly negatively as they allow for exportation potential or ad-hoc development with no specified sites identified. It is proposed that the preferred option (local demand led) is retained and mitigated through requirement for and enforcement of restoration plans post development.

4.4.14 Issue 5 Aquaculture & Alternatives The preferred and alternative options for Aquaculture score similarly however it is proposed that the preferred option is retained, as the proposed spatial approach better guides development and takes cognisance of cumulative impact. The alternatives are considered either too general in approach or not appropriate for the local development context in comparison to the preferred option.

4.4.15 Issue 6 Natural and Built Heritage The preferred and alternative options for Built and Natural Heritage both score neutral overall with scope for positive impacts. However it is proposed that the preferred option is retained as it is more collaborative and proactive, as opposed to the more reactive approach outlined in the alternative approach.

4.4.16 Proposal Sites The different proposal site types were assessed collectively by topic with the housing proposal sites further grouped geographically to aid assessment. It is worth noting that many of these individual proposal sites are drawn from the current Local Plan and as such have previously been individually assessed as part of the SEA process undertaken for the Local Plan.

Housing Proposal Sites Generally the grouped housing proposal sites have an overall neutral score; though a limited number of SEA objectives score significantly positively or negatively. These significant scores arise through the positive action of identifying actual sites for developments with associated service and infrastructure provisions, OR site specific characteristics such as regeneration of derelict or brownfield sites. Generally negative impacts can potentially arise from the material and energy asset use during construction though this should be short-term.

Site specific issues including cumulative impacts and flood risk can also result in negative impacts but appropriate detailed policy (e.g. Siting and Design) in the new LDP should mitigate these concerns. The potential for more significant cumulative impact is greatest for some of the larger proposal sites in and around Greater

Stornoway. Again effective Plan policies and design approaches should help mitigate against the most acute cumulative impacts with regard to settlement pattern, coalescence of and edge of settlement, and pressure on services and infrastructure.

Business Proposal Sites Assessment indicates neutral or minimal positive/negative impacts overall. This could be strengthened towards more positive impacts through effective development management policies balanced against the need for development.

Minerals Proposal Sites As with Issue 4 Minerals above, overall the proposal sites score neutral, with one negative score against a specific SEA objective. However specific mitigation measures are suggested to seek effective site post development restoration. As with the other proposal site groups by identifying sites for development the potential for wider significant negative impacts is mitigated.

Community Proposal Sites Overall this category largely has neutral impacts, although one SEA objective scores a significant positive impact as it promotes sustainable development and provides accessible services and facilities. As with the other Proposal site groups by identifying sites for development the potential for wider significant negative impacts is mitigated.

4.4.17 The grouped sites for Business, Minerals and Community are all proposal sites already identified in the existing Development Plan and no significant cumulative impact has been identified as a result of the current SEA assessment process.

4.4.18 Structure Plan Policy Aims Following assessment, the current Structure Plan topic policy aims generally have either significantly positive or neutral environmental impacts, with several specific SEA objectives not applicable to these policy aims.

4.4.19 As previously set out, the current Local Plan has been subject to SEA assessment. Accordingly the current Local Plan policy topic approaches that may be incorporated into the new LDP have not been included in the current assessment process.

4.5 Conclusion

4.5.1 The findings of the SEA assessment have informed and suggested changes to the options contained in the LDP Main Issues Report. This has involved textual changes to either strengthen or clarify preferred or alternative options as well as increasing the scope for positive impacts arising from the options. The assessment has not however resulted in any preferred option being replaced by an alternative option. Whilst in some cases one of the alternative options may have offered a marginally better environmental approach the wider benefits and minimal or neutral environmental impact of the preferred option do not justify it being replaced by the alternative.

5 Monitoring

5.1 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that significant environmental effects of implementing the Plan must be closely monitored in order to minimise potentially adverse impacts.

5.2 Monitoring is also an essential part of the development planning process. The monitoring process established for this SEA will be operating alongside the LPD process and the findings will inform any future review of the plan. This continual process will ensure that

policy development and the decision making process incorporates the available environmental information and considers the likely environmental impacts.

5.3 Monitoring enables decision-makers to answer such questions as: • Were the assessment predictions of environmental effects accurate? • Is the plan benefiting the environment? • Is the plan contributing to the achievement of desired environmental objectives and targets? • Has implementation changed the environmental focus of the plan? • Are mitigation measures performing as well as expected? • Are there any adverse effects? Are these within acceptable limits, or is remedial action desirable?

5.4 To be effective, monitoring should be based explicitly on specific indicators and targets that may help to inform the understanding of environmental change in the area and the inter- relationships of policies and cross compliance.

6 Next Steps

6.1 Following consultation on the Environmental Report, the Comhairle will consider any comments received and revise the report as appropriate. The future milestones in the development of the LDP and the associated SEA together with the expected stage completion dates are detailed in Table 1 in Section 1.3.1. Further information will be posted online on the Comhairle’s Local Development Plan web page (http://www.cne- siar.gov.uk/planningservice/localdevplan.asp) as and when this is progressed and updated.

APPENDIX A – LINKS TO OTHER PPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES

PLAN/ PROGRAMME/ Objectives or requirements of the PPS How objectives might be STRATEGY Environmental Protection objectives addressed in LDP 1. International & European Including EC SEA Taken into account and delivered through Compliance with existing Directive; LA21; Kyoto national legislation / policy legislation/policies. Agreement; EU Habitats & Birds Directives; EC Water Framework Directive; EC Shellfish Directives; RAMSAR Convention. 2. National UK Biodiversity Action Aims to conserve and enhance biological Will be taken into account in Plan 1994 diversity within the UK. LDP policies, particularly any relevant aspects of local BAP. Wildlife and Countryside Act setting out the principle mechanisms for Work with SNH and others. Act (1981) protection of wildlife in the UK LDP will comply. MIR issue UK Energy White Paper The White Paper sets out the Government’s Will be taken into account in (2003) international and domestic energy strategy to LDP policies, particularly via respond to changing energy circumstances; appropriate sustainable addressing the long term energy challenges development/design with energy policy goals. approaches. National Planning Guidance for the spatial development of Will inform LDP preparation. Framework Scotland to 2025 MIR context. SPPs/NPPGs/PANs and Policy guidance, good practice advice notes, Compliance with regulations associated statutory and guidance on policy implementation and and guidance will closely instruments procedure on planning issues of importance at inform LDP preparation. (Regulations, & a national level. MIR context. Circulars) Land Reform (Scotland) An Act of the Scottish Parliament to establish Will be taken into account in Act 2003 statutory public rights of access to land for LDP, particularly with recreational and other purposes. reference to Core Path network. Nature Conservation The Act imposes a wide-ranging duty on General liaison with SNH. (Scotland) Act 2004 Scotland’s public sector to conserve biodiversity LDP will comply. and protect the nation’s natural heritage MIR context/issue. Scottish Biodiversity Strategy for conservation and enhancement of Will be taken into account in Strategy biodiversity in Scotland LDP policies, particularly any relevant aspects of local BAP. Scotland’s National Aims to provide an efficient transport system Will appropriately inform Transport Strategy including reducing the need to travel. LDP. Scotland’s National Objectives of the strategy include: increase Will appropriately inform Cycle Strategy (1996) cycle use; improve safety and integration with LDP, noting encouragement other modes of travel of cycle/foot journeys. Scottish Biodiversity List List of Species and Habitats considered to be of LDP will take account, 2006 Principal Importance for the purpose of particularly any relevant Biodiversity Conservation in Scotland aspects of local BAP.

Disability Discrimination An Act to make it unlawful to discriminate LDP policies will promote all Act (1995) against disabled persons in connection with abilities access wherever employment, the provision of goods, facilities possible. and services or the disposal or management of premises; to make provision about the employment of disabled persons; and to establish a National Disability Council. UK National Air Quality Sets out health-based objectives for ambient air Appropriately inform LDP and Strategy pollutants in the UK. other related strategies/ guidance. Developing an Indicator A set of practical indicators of the state of Appropriately inform LDP and Set (Report – May 2004) Scotland's biodiversity, for which information is other related strategies/ already available, and being updated on a guidance, local BAP. regular basis. SEPA Policy 19 Groundwater Protection policy for Scotland Will be taken into account in LDP policies. SEPA Policy 26 Policy on Culverting of Watercourses Will be taken into account in LDP policies. The Ancient Monuments This is the main legislation concerning Work with Historic Scotland and Archaeological archaeology in the UK. This Act, building on and others to ensure LDP Areas Act 1979 legislation dating back to 1882, provides for compliance as appropriate. nationally important archaeological sites to be MIR objectives and issue statutorily protected as Scheduled Ancient approach on heritage. Monuments. Scottish Historic Scotland’s Historic Environment – this is a Work with Historic Scotland Environmental Policy 1. reduced version of the original SHEP 1, and others, LDP will take Scotland’s Historic updated to take account of the policy framework appropriate account. Environment of the Scottish Government. MIR objectives and issue approach on heritage. Scottish Historic Designations –incorporates previously Work with Historic Scotland Environmental Policy 2. published policy on Scheduling and Gardens & and others, LDP will take Scheduling: Protecting Designed Landscapes; newly published policy appropriate account. Scotland’s nationally in Listing; a redacted version of policy on MIR objectives and issue important monuments Conservation Area designation previously approach on heritage published in the Memorandum of Guidance. Scottish Historic Consents – incorporates previously published Work with Historic Scotland Environment Policy 4 policy on Scheduled Monument Consent, and others, LDP will take Scheduled Monument Gardens & Designed Landscapes; newly appropriate account. Consent published policy on Listed Building Consent; a MIR objectives and issue redacted version of policy on Conservation Area approach on heritage Consent previously published in the Memorandum of Guidance. Scottish Historic Policy previously published on Properties in the Work with Historic Scotland Environment Policy 5: Care of Scottish Ministers. and others, LDP will take Properties in the Care of appropriate account. Scottish Ministers MIR objectives and issue approach on heritage

3. Local Outer Hebrides Based around: integrated service delivery; LDP will take appropriate Community Plan sustainable population; community account. engagement; & shared planning information. MIR vision and objectives. Outer Hebrides Single A joint approach to planning and future delivery LDP will take appropriate Outcome Agreement of Comhairle and other agencies services account. (SOA) outlining a shared vision, priority actions and Importantly informs MIR strategic objectives. vision and objectives. Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership action plan LDP policies will seek land Sustainable Population (and sub set of the Outer Hebrides SOA) to use solutions to address Enabling Plan tackle the challenges of securing a sustainable population decline and population in the Outer Hebrides imbalance. Outer Hebrides Tourism Action plan for the development of tourism LDP will take appropriate Partnership Plan which works within the national framework account, including any land use aspects to improve tourism delivery. Western Isles Structure A strategic vision for long term development of Monitor and appropriately Plan (2003) land within the Outer Hebrides and the inform/incorporate into LDP. framework for the Local Plan. Informed work on MIR vision and issues. The main topic aims are being assessed as part of this SEA process. Western Isles Local Plan The Local Plan (in conjunction with the Monitor and appropriately (2008) Structure Plan) forms the Development Plan for inform/incorporate into LDP. the area and sets out detailed land use policies Informed work on MIR vision and proposals to help guide future development and issues. and land use change in the islands. Outer Hebrides Core Statutory requirement for a network of paths to Incorporate core path Paths Plan provide ‘reasonable access’ throughout the network and appropriate islands. aspects re countryside access in LDP. Stornoway Conservation A plan for the management of the conservation Review and incorporate into Area Management Plan area and guidelines for development LDP 2006 MIR issue Draft Local Design Setting out design guidance on detailed matters Review and incorporate into Advice such as scale, form, setting in the landscape LDP, ensuring more and the use of materials. sympathetic siting in terms of landscape character. MIR siting & design issue Supplementary A spatial framework to assist the assessment Will inform LDP policy and be Guidance on large scale and determination of renewable energy incorporated as onshore wind farms development proposals in the Outer Hebrides supplementary guidance. Local Transport Strategy Provides an integrated framework for the LDP will take appropriate delivery of local transport policies and account. proposals. Draft Local Housing Sets the context for the delivery of housing Aligned with LDP preparation Strategy needs in the Outer Hebrides informs policy approach to housing and site selection. MIR issue Draft Housing Land Shows housing completions and progress of Will inform LDP site Audit sites through the planning process and helps selection. demonstrate whether there is an adequate 35

supply of land for housing across the islands for Informed background at least the next five years. Monitoring Statement and MIR Outdoor Access Provides the framework for the development of LDP will incorporate core Strategy (2006) a Core Paths Plan. path network. Outer Hebrides Cultural A framework for heritage, the arts, creative LDP will take appropriate Strategy industries and Gaelic in the Islands account Contaminated Land The identification of contaminated land within LDP will take appropriate Strategy Outer Hebrides account, particular in identifying sites and any remedial works required. Local Air Quality Updates the findings of a previous report and Will appropriately inform Updating and Screening assesses whether any of the air quality LDP. Assessment 2003 objectives will be exceeded in the Outer Hebrides by 2010 Local Biodiversity Action Identification of habitats and species of value in LDP will link to LBAP and Plan the area. take into account where appropriate. Western Isles Woodland The strategy provides the key objectives for the LDP will link to Woodland Strategy (November maintenance, enhancement and development Strategy and take into 2004) of woodland in the Outer Hebrides. account where appropriate. Western Isles An illustrated description and analysis of the LDP will take account of LCA Landscape Character landscape character of the Outer Hebrides particularly to ensure Assessment sympathetic development in terms of landscaped setting. MIR issues SSSI Management Management Plans for each individual SSSI Liaison with SNH to ensure Plans compliance and to minimise any effect on habitats and species Stornoway Regeneration Identification of detailed aims, objectives and LDP will take appropriate Action Plan June 2008 proposals for tackling the regeneration of the account and link to main town in the Outer Hebrides. policies/proposals. Stornoway Townscape An initiative that seeks to use conservation of LDP will take appropriate Heritage Initiative 2006- the built environment to secure the economic account and link to 2011 regeneration of an area. policies/proposals. MIR issues Langavat SAC Outlines the European importance of the site LDP will take appropriate Management Plan and how it will be managed to maintain its account. integrity Loch Stiapabhat LNR Sets out why the site is important and details LDP will take appropriate Management Plan actions and projects which will contribute account. towards the LNR objectives

APPENDIX B: OUTER HEBRIDES ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION

Geography The Outer Hebrides chain runs roughly north to south and has an area of approximately 306,916 ha (289,798 ha excluding freshwater and inter-tidal areas) and an extensive coastline of approximately 2,700 km at the high water mark (the result of numerous sea lochs, bays and inlets). The islands extend 210 km in length and are 60 km at the widest point. There are over 70 named islands spread throughout the chain, most of which have been temporarily or permanently inhabited in the past. 11 islands are now inhabited: Vatersay (953 ha); Barra (6,173 ha); Eriskay (754 ha); South Uist (32,094 ha); Benbecula (8,498 ha); Grimsay (1,146 ha); North Uist (35,479 ha); Berneray (1,056 ha); Scalpay (702 ha); Lewis and Harris (217,820 ha); and Great Bernera (2,240 ha). The largest island in the Outer Hebrides is ‘Lewis and Harris’. Although considered separate as if two distinct islands, they are in fact connected by a strip of land. Northern Lewis and the southern Island chain (comprising the Uists, Benbecula and Barra) are relatively flat, covered by lochs, peat bog and machair. However, the central land mass of North Harris and South Lewis provides relief in the landscape with the majority of the higher land. The Clisham in the North Harris hills is the highest peak at 799 metres. Geology The islands are composed almost entirely of Pre-Cambrian basement rocks, known collectively as ‘Lewisian’. Geologists have dated Lewisian Gneiss at nearly 3,000 million years, making it the oldest rock formation in Britain. Unaltered sedimentary rocks are limited to an area north and east by Stornoway and are mainly sandstones and conglomerates from Triassic times. Much of the Atlantic coast is characterised by a series of blown sand landforms, known collectively as ‘machair’. They are best developed along the western coasts of the Uists and consist of a mixture of siliceous and calcareous fractions in varying proportions. The British Geological Survey (BSG) estimates that 10% of land area in the Outer Hebrides is composed of these ‘low-lying windswept, coastal sandy plains (machairs) together with sand dunes and hillocks’. One distinctive characteristic of machair in the Outer Hebrides is the high shell content of the sand. In general, the shell sand content of Hebridean beaches, dunes and machair is the highest in Britain. There is only one major aquifer in the Outer Hebrides, the Stornoway Beds, and this has been classified as highly permeable. This formation is capable of yielding good quality groundwater and a number of wells are indicated on the 1:25,000 ordnance survey maps. The ground water vulnerability map of Scotland classifies the Lewisian as weakly permeable, the Stornoway Beds as highly permeable and the machair lands as moderately permeable. Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna The Outer Hebrides has a high quality environment, rich in biodiversity and with a large percentage of land, areas of inland waters and marine sites designated for nature conservation purposes. The islands are home to an array of internationally important species and habitat types.

Designations The following conservation designations are in place in the Outer Hebrides: o 1 World Heritage Site - the Islands & surrounding waters of St Kilda - the only site in the UK to have dual natural & cultural status (853 ha); www.kilda.org.uk o Natura 2000 network - consisting of 15 Special Protection Areas (90,475 ha) and 13 Special Areas of Conservation (84,947 ha), including marine SACs; and 1 pSAC(diagrams 2 & 3)

o 4 RAMSAR sites - Lewis Peatlands, Loch an Duin (N.Uist), North Uist Machair and Islands, South Uist Machair and Lochs, (71,329 ha); (diagram 2) o 1 Biosphere Reserve - Loch Druidibeg (1677ha) www.jncc.gov.uk o 7 Marine Consultation Areas - (27,557 ha); www.jncc.gov.uk o 3 National Scenic Area designations - covering over one-third of the Outer Hebrides land area; South Lewis, Harris and North Uist; South Uist Machair; St Kilda (119454 ha in total); (diagram 3) o 55 Sites of Special Scientific Interest - (37,417 ha); (diagram 3) o 4 National Nature Reserves - Loch Druidibeg; Monach Isles; North Rona and Sula Sgeir; St Kilda (3,277 ha); (diagram 3) o 1 Local Nature Reserve - Loch Stiapabhat, Lewis; (Local Plan proposal map 1) o 1 Designed Landscape & Historic Garden - (Lews Castle Grounds, Stornoway); o 4 Conservation Areas - Stornoway in Lewis; Ruisgarry, Berneray in North Uist; Howmore in South Uist and; Gearrannan in Lewis (Local Plan maps) o 465 Scheduled Ancient Monuments;(individual entities; 213 actual legal entities but some designations cover multiple monuments) http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/archaeology o 256 Listed Buildings http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/gisdl.html * some buildings have multiple listings e.g. gatepiers

Key species found in the Outer Hebrides within European SAC designated areas include the grey seal, common seal, otter, Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel and slender naiad (an aquatic plant). SPA designations provide protection for the seabird assemblages of the offshore islands; the waders breeding and wintering on the machairs and breeding on the peatlands; breeding divers (black throated and red throated); golden eagle, and; corncrakes. The Western Isles Local Biodiversity Action Plan has been produced in two phases. In phase 1 action plans have been developed for 3 habitats and species: Native Woodlands Habitat, Saline Lagoons Habitat, and Great Yellow Bumblebee Species. Phase 2 comprises of 5 species and habitat action plans: Cereal Fields Habitat, Corn Bunting Species, Corncrake Species, Dunlin Species and Irish Lady Tresses Orchid Species. The flora of the Outer Hebrides is restricted by the geology, climate and geographical position; although in early summer the machair flowers explode in a riot of colour. Formerly covered by discontinuous woodland (including pine forest and birch scrub), the islands are now devoid of natural woods except for areas inaccessible to grazing such as gullies, freshwater islets, crags and cliffs. This valuable source of biodiversity is at present reduced to approximately 50-70 hectares in total for the Outer Hebrides. The most significant mixed woodland is that around Lews Castle by Stornoway. The importance of the natural environment extends beyond the land to the seas around the islands. Deep kelp forests and coral reefs have formed in the waters around St Kilda, while the coastal waters surrounding the archipelago represent rich feeding grounds and migratory routes for a huge variety of fish, shellfish and species such as killer whale, basking shark, risso dolphin and minke whale.

From a European perspective, the key habitat types within the Outer Hebrides are marine, vegetated sea cliffs, machair, peatland, upland and freshwater lochs (see Table below). These habitats are represented by the suite of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) which form part of the Natura 2000 network. Additional habitats of note are offshore islands and salt marshes. Key species found in the Outer Hebrides include the grey seal, common seal, otter, Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel and slender naiad (an aquatic plant). Table Outer Hebrides Key Habitat Types Habitat Description Outer Hebrides Context marine shallow inlets and bays Loch nam Madadh lagoons form the underwater reefs and most extensive and diverse saline caves, saline lagoons lagoon system in the UK; dense kelp and sub-tidal sandbanks forests occur at depths of up to 35 m around St Kilda vegetated steep slopes fringing hard the sea cliffs of Hirta (St Kilda) are the sea-cliffs or soft coasts supporting highest in the UK, reaching 426m; a wide diversity of these island have some of the most vegetation extensive and best examples of types extreme Atlantic maritime vegetation in Europe machair (and associated dune the islands support the largest and communities) richest examples of cultivated machair in Scotland peatland active blanket bog the Lewis Peatlands represent the second-largest expanse of blanket bog in the UK and one of the largest in Europe; the Lewis Peatlands are probably the most extremely ‘Atlantic’ of all the blanket mires in Europe uplands wet / dry / alpine heath, North Harris represents Northern alpine grassland Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix in the Outer Hebrides and provides examples of the most extreme oceanic forms of wet heath in the UK and possibly Europe freshwater oligotrophic; The Outer Hebrides is home to lochs oligo-mesotrophic; approximately 15% of the UKs’ total natural eutrophic freshwater surface area but only & dystrophic constitutes 1.2% of the UKs’ total land mass NB: Additional habitats of note are ‘offshore islands’ and ‘salt marshes’.

Looking at the ornithological interest of the area, the suite of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) that have been classified to date provides protection for the following species / groups of species: the seabird assemblages of the offshore islands; the waders breeding and wintering on the machairs; the waders breeding on the peatlands; breeding divers (both black-throated and red-throated); golden eagle and corncrake. All are found in internationally important concentrations within the Outer Hebrides. In 2002, the Comhairle and Scottish Natural Heritage commissioned the Scottish Agricultural College to undertake a biodiversity audit. The audit was compiled using existing information and is not a full account of all habitats and species found in the area (as it focuses on UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats and species). This audit identified that the Outer Hebrides contained: 18 priority habitats; 14 broad habitats; 4 locally important habitats, and;

189 species (of which 60 were ‘priority’, 72 were of ‘conservation concern’ and 57 were ‘locally important). Local Habitat and Species Action Plans for the Western Isles to date are: Habitats: Native Woodlands (50-70 ha); Cereal Fields and Margins (362 ha); Saline (Coastal) Lagoons (73 lagoons; 2303 ha; 44% UK total). Species: Great Yellow Bumblebee (UK concentration); Dunlin (4267 breeding pairs; 47% UK total); Corncrake (432 calling males; 38% UK total); Irish Lady’s Tresses Orchid (very scarce), and; Corn Bunting (estimated 117 territorial males). There are only two native land mammals in the Outer Hebrides (red deer and otter), although the rabbit, blue hare, hedgehog, brown and black rat, American mink, feral cat and polecat have been introduced by man. Three hundred and twenty seven species of birds have been recorded in the Outer Hebrides and more than 100 of these breed; including the majority of Britain’s corncrakes (which breed on coastal croftlands). The flora of the Outer Hebrides is restricted by the geology, climate and geographical position, although in early summer, machair flowers explode in a riot of colour. Formerly covered by discontinuous scrub woodland, the islands are now devoid of natural woods except for areas inaccessible to grazing such as gullies, freshwater islets, crags and cliffs. This valuable source of biodiversity is at present reduced to approximately 50-70 hectares in total for the Outer Hebrides. The most significant mixed woodland is that around Lews Castle at Stornoway. Native woodland habitats in the Outer Hebrides which have been given National Vegetation Classifications (NVC’s) dependent on their species composition include: W1 Salix cinerea; Galium palustre woodland; W4 Betulka pubescens – Molinia caerulea woodland; W11 Quercus petraea – Betula pubescens – Oxalis acetosella woodland; and W17 Quercus petraea – Betula pubescens – Dicranum majus woodland. Most woodland habitats consist of a mixture of the following: Aspen; Creeping Willow; Downy or White Birch; Eared Willow; Goat Willow; Grey Willow; Grey Sallow Willlow; Hazel; Holly; Juniper; Rowan or Mountain Ash. Much of the surviving woodland cover is represented by two or three trees in close proximity or stands of Aspen that spread via root suckers but are essentially one single organism. These small isolated trees or groups of trees are perhaps the most valuable sources of genetic material available in the Outer Hebrides and should be protected where possible. The Western Isles Native Woodland Restoration Survey Report was published in 2008. The survey and report production was undertaken during 2007. The survey provides baseline information for future actions and to identify key areas for protection and expansion. A list of 50 sites has been prioritised for more detailed survey. Fourteen key sites within these core areas are described in detail in the report along with recommendations for regeneration and enhancement. It is estimated that approximately two thirds of the land in the Outer Hebrides is in crofting tenure, with around 6,000 crofts spread throughout the island chain. There are many environmental benefits associated with this system of land tenure. Crofting practices have traditionally helped to maintain the unique and abundant biodiversity which exists within the Outer Hebrides. The uninhabited offshore islands host internationally important sea-bird breeding stations for species such as puffin, gannet and fulmar. These islands are also home to over 40% of the world’s grey seal concentration and the inlets and harbours of the Outer Hebrides host 10% of the European concentration of Scottish common seals. The importance of the environment extends beyond the land to the seas around the islands. Deep kelp forests and coral reefs have formed in the waters of St Kilda, while the coastal waters surrounding the archipelago represent rich feeding grounds and migratory routes for a huge variety of marine life such as fish including basking shark, shellfish and cetaceans e.g. killer whale, risso dolphin and minke whale.

The archipelago of St Kilda is the remotest part of the British Isles, lying 41 miles (66 kilometres) west of Benbecula. Its islands, with their exceptional cliffs and sea stacs, form the most important seabird breeding station in north-west Europe. These islands are estimated to have over one million birds. Its residents include: 60,000 pairs of gannets (the largest colony in the world); 62,000 pairs of fulmars (the oldest and largest colony in Britain); 140,000 pairs of puffins (the largest colony in Britain); and two unique species (the St Kilda wren and the Soay sheep). St Kilda World Heritage site, declared under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, is the only site in the UK to have the dual award of both cultural and natural (including marine) significance. Under the Natura 2000 network, the Scottish Government has designated the Outer Hebrides with: 13 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) extending to 84,947ha (including one pSAC) under the provision of the ‘EC Habitats Directive’ and 15 Special Protection Areas (SPA) extending to 90,475 ha under the provision of the ‘EC Birds Directive’. There are 4 RAMSAR sites in the Outer Hebrides (Lewis Peatlands, Loch an Duin (N.Uist), North Uist Machair and Islands, South Uist Machair and Lochs) listed under the ‘International Convention on the Conservation of Wetlands of International Importance’ extending to 71,329 ha. Loch Druidibeg in South Uist (1677 ha) is the only Biosphere reserve in the islands as designated by UNESCO under the ‘International Conservation Programme on Man and the Biosphere’ (MAB). There are three National Scenic Areas (South Lewis, Harris and North Uist NSA, South Uist Machair NSA, St Kilda NSA) extending to 119,454 ha, and four National Nature Reserves (Loch Druidibeg; Monach Isles; North Rona and Sula Sgeir; St Kilda) extending to 3277 ha. Within the Outer Hebrides, 55 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (37,417 ha) have been notified by Scottish Natural Heritage for their special interests of flora, fauna, geology or geomorphologic interests. The islands are also host to 7 marine consultation areas (27,557 ha) as designated by the former Nature Conservation Council (now SNH in Scotland). In addition to these nationally and internationally designated sites, a Local Nature Reserve was declared at Loch Stiapabhat in Lewis in 2005. This reserve was designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in consultation with SNH, RSPB and local community groups. Loch Stiapabhat is renowned for attracting a great variety of migrant birds, being situated on the main flyway from and to the Arctic. No other ‘Lewis’ loch has had a wider range of rarities recorded or possesses such as diversity of common wetland birds that can be so easily observed. Many other features in the landscape are of importance for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of plant and animal species. Existing problems (especially in designated areas) relate mainly to: the effective management of the natural heritage for nature conservation, and: protecting the sites from development pressures and changes in crofting and aquaculture practices. Specific development pressures include renewable energy developments; growth around the town of Stornoway; constrained water and waste water infrastructure; settlement expansion and infrastructure improvements. Coastal flooding and accelerated erosion due to changing climatic conditions are natural issues affecting the environment of the Outer Hebrides. The effects of the Local Development Plan on the Outer Hebrides biodiversity (of the areas most likely to be affected by it) have been considered as part of the assessment process. Water

The Outer Hebrides has a considerable freshwater resource with over 2000 lochs providing an estimated 15% of the UK's freshwater surface area, and an extensive indented coastline of fjardic sea lochs, lagoons and mudflats stretching over 2680 km. Separated from the mainland by the Minch, the Little Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides, with the North Atlantic Ocean along the western shores, the coastal waters surrounding these islands represent rich feeding grounds and migratory routes for a huge variety of marine life.

There is only one major aquifer in the Outer Hebrides, the Stornoway Beds and this has been classified as highly permeable. This formation is capable of yielding good quality groundwater. The ground water vulnerability map of Scotland classifies the ‘Lewisian’ as weakly permeable, the ‘Stornoway Beds’ as highly permeable and the ‘Machair Lands’ as moderately permeable. The Outer Hebrides has a relatively high rainfall and large catchment areas, ensuring adequate supply for people, community services and industry in the area. There are 21 public drinking water supplies sourced mainly from surface water with the exception of two river extractions and one borehole and all supplies are treated to produce drinking water to national standard. 12 supplies receive full chemical treatment and serve 95% of the population, while the remainder are served by 3 carbon filters and one borehole. Water quality in coastal waters, seas and freshwater is generally high but locally there are waters polluted with effluents and other discharges from: the aquaculture industry (specifically fish farming and processing); sewage discharge and debris; other industry (such as harbour wastes/oil and yard spills) and waste water treatment plants. The Scottish Government National Planning Framework seeks to promote sustainable rural development and indicates that the problems of rural peripherality are at their most acute in the Outer Hebrides. Historically several public wastewater systems in the Outer Hebrides had capacity issues and Scottish Water is seeking to address the situation on a prioritised basis across Scotland as funding becomes available. Investing in water supply and wastewater is a key Scottish Government priority, noting that the lack of capacity in water/waste infrastructure is a significant development constraint. The Comhairle is particularly keen to resolve infrastructure issues and has worked with Scottish Water to inform its future investment plans to enable development and allow for future growth priorities, as well as maintaining and enhancing the environmental quality. In recent years sustainable drainage systems have been adopted into large scale developments such as the Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais (infiltration device) and the Creed Park Recycling Centre and Newvalley housing development (permeable surface). In 2009, there was estimated to be 16 aquaculture production companies employing 178 fte. This resulted in the production of 22,500t Atlantic Salmon and 500t of Common Mussel. In terms of aquaculture processing, there were 5 companies employing 46 fte. Freshwater fisheries support over 260fte jobs with 7,500 visiting anglers reflecting expenditure in the sector of £5.6M (2000)

The majority of coastline in the Outer Hebrides is considered to be ‘underdeveloped’ except for Stornoway which is ‘developed’ and the ‘isolated’ stretches of: uninhabited islands; west coast Lewis to North Harris (Mealista to Husinis); Park area to Lewis (Loch Seaforth to Loch Sealg); and the east side of South Uist (Loch Sgiopoirt to Loch Boisdale). Proposals for development will be encouraged on developed coastline or within existing settlements. Estimations of ‘sea level change’ commonly exhibit a high degree of short and long term variability, making the evaluation of overall trends difficult and subject to regular revisions. The SEPA Flood Risk Map for Scotland (2008) are an important strategic tool which help to inform the Comhairle’s planning decisions.

Soils

The islands that make up the Outer Hebrides are composed almost entirely of pre-cambrian basement rocks, known collectively as Lewisian (the oldest exposed rock in Britain). Unaltered sedimentary rocks are limited to an area north and east by Stornoway and are mainly sandstones and conglomerates from Triassic times. Using the MLURI 1982 land classification map it can be ascertained that Classes 1-3 (land capable of producing a very wide to moderate range of crops) does not occur in the Outer 42

Hebrides due to climatic constraints. There is adequate warmth and a sufficiently high potential soil moisture deficit for Class 3.2 to be attained at Stornoway and on Benbecula but exposure is so severe that the land is downgraded to Class 4 which therefore forms the best land of the area. However, crofting is the principal agricultural land use in this area and good crofting management can be relatively intensive (because of the small areas of land involved) and crop yields or crop ranges can be greater than those expected from farming. Class 4 land in the Outer Hebrides is marginal for the economic production of crops and is usually confined to types suitable for winter feeding to livestock. Year-to-year variability in the yield of crops is large with a high risk of poor weather interfering with harvests. There is a high proportion of undisturbed soils in the islands. The British Geological Society estimates that the rare sandy soil habitat of ‘Machair’ accounts for 10% of land area in the Outer Hebrides while the Lewis Peatlands is one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Europe (595 km sq of peatland in Lewis alone). The SNH Soil Erosion Map (developed by MLURI) estimates that the majority of land in the Outer Hebrides has a high to moderate risk of soil erosion in its organic soils (based on soil erosion by overland flow of water only). The Outer Hebrides currently recycles around 20% of its municipal waste. Current provision includes: a Waste Management Facility at Creed Park, near Stornoway, with processing equipment for organic waste (by Anaerobic Digestion) and a small Materials Recycling Facility for glass, plastics cans and paper. There is also a Waste Transfer Station at Market Stance on Benbecula which compacts organic and residual waste and sorts bulky wastes before they are transported to Lewis for recycling or landfill disposal. It also has facilities to process dry recyclates, some of which are shipped directly to the mainland. A fortnightly kerbside recycling collection service is available to 3,338 households in an around Stornoway; 54 recycling bring site facilities are located throughout the islands; one community recycling kerbside collection service is operated by voluntary sector; and a commercial recycling collection for cans, glass and paper is available in some area. There are around 25 operational mineral workings spread throughout the islands which the Structure Plan policy ED8 safeguards for extraction. Land use and settlement patterns in the islands are distinctly different from Scotland in general and it is estimated that 77% of land area is in crofting tenure (approximately 6000 crofts). Crofting is intrinsic to the cultural and historical identity of the islands and its non intensive methods of farming actually promote biodiversity on fragile machair plains. Many of the designations on these lands (such as SSSIs) seek to promote the practice of crofting in order to sustain the habitat of many rare and important species. However, the total number of sheep and cattle in the islands is falling steadily as the practice of crofting diminishes. Air and Climatic Factors

Air quality in the Outer Hebrides is generally very good which is reflective of the islands low population density (9 persons per sq km), large expanses of undeveloped land and the lack of locations with significant traffic flow and congestion. There are no Air Quality Management Zones in the islands, as the presence of key pollutants in the atmosphere is relatively low and therefore National Air Quality Objectives are met. However the landfill sites at Bennadrove and Rueval have at times exceeded thresholds of Toluene and Methane emissions. The dispersed and remote nature of settlements, infrequent public transport, adverse weather conditions and concentration of services and employment in Stornoway has led to the Outer Hebrides having above average car ownership. In 2001, there were 11,241 cars or vans in the islands with only 29% of households having no car (compared to a Scottish average of 34%). Car ownership is increasing and the islands in general have more cars per household than the Scottish average. The average distance travelled to place of work or study is 25.81km compared to a Scottish average of 12.58km and islanders are less likely to travel by bus, bike or on foot to work and more likely to travel by car. Many residents face multiple journey types to work, although the

recent development of a number of strategic causeways and bridges, coupled with improvements to roads and transport services, has increased access and reduced travel times to many remote communities. However, despite these improvements, the percentage of roads in the Outer Hebrides that should be considered for maintenance increased from 36.1% in 2003/04 to 47.3% in 2007/08 and 12% of bridges currently fail to meet European Standards. A number of further transport issues persist, including: high fuel costs; single track on sections of the spinal route south of Tarbert, Harris as well as sections in Uist and Barra; over capacity car parking facilities in Stornoway and restrictions to transport services (e.g. daylight sailing). Policies encouraging renewable energy developments can help to increase the proportion of energy produced from renewable sources. The Outer Hebrides has been identified as having exceptionally high potential for generating renewable energy from wind and wave sources. Population and Human Health In 2008, the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) estimated the population of the Outer Hebrides to be 26,200. Lewis, the largest of the Islands was the most populous with around 18,554 residents, while the other five main island areas (Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra) each had populations ranging from 1,148 to 1,884. The only large ‘town’ in the Outer Hebrides which can be described as having 'urban' characteristics is Stornoway, with approximately 5,740 residents. Almost 30% of the total population, some 7,000 people, live within Stornoway or the immediate vicinity encompassing Laxdale and Sandwick. The remaining population is scattered over 280 small townships spread throughout 11 inhabited island. The long term demographic trend is one of an ageing and declining population. Within the period of the two last censuses (1991-2001), the Outer Hebrides lost 10.5% of its population; the greatest decline of any local authority area in Scotland. Looking back further, the population can be seen to have declined by 43% over the last century (1901-2001). Demographic imbalance is a persistent concern for service providers in the Isles, affecting the future provision of education, housing and social care services. Future projections from GROS estimate that the islands are set to see a further decline of 4.1% over the next twenty five years to 25,136 residents in 2033. The 2008 projections predict a less severe decline in the population of the Outer Hebrides than was previously forecast in 2002 (-17%) and 2004 (- 15%) and 2006 (-5.5%). The Outer Hebrides Migration Study, which was completed in February 2007, identified a number of further trends, including: a widening gender imbalance as more young women leave compared to men and fewer return; a shift in population towards larger settlements particularly Stornoway; a school roll which is declining faster than the population as a whole; more short stay or commuters moving to the islands; an increase in employers looking to employ overseas economic migrants; and an upturn in people choosing to live in the Outer Hebrides for quality of life reasons. The birth rate in the Outer Hebrides is generally one of the lowest in Scotland while the death rate is consistently the highest. The Outer Hebrides is projected to see a 23% decline in the number of annual births from 261 in 2008/09 to 201 in 2032/33; an improvement on previous 2006 based projections of -38%. Contrary to previous projections, the Outer Hebrides is estimated to have experienced positive net migration in recent years (more people moving here than leaving) although 2008 has seen this revert to negative net migration; thus the anticipated population decline is due to more deaths than births (negative natural change), the result of a skewed age profile. Life expectancy for males is below the national average at 73.5 years (2006-2008), a ranking of 28 out of all 32 Scottish areas, while for females it is higher at 81.4 years (2006-2008), a ranking of 7. Life expectancy at birth has improved over the last ten years, but Scotland still has one of the lowest life expectancy rates in Western Europe.

In 2008, the Outer Hebrides had the highest percentage of vacant and second homes of any local authority area in Scotland at 7.1% compared to a Scottish average of 2.8%. The Scottish House Condition Survey for 2004-07 showed that the Outer Hebrides has the highest level of 44

fuel poverty of all the Local Authorities at 49%. In Scotland the figure is 22%. A recent local authority survey estimated that by December 2008 60% of island households in the Outer Hebrides would be suffering fuel poverty due to increases in electricity prices.

Approximately 40% of social rented accommodation in the islands does not comply with Scottish Housing Quality Standards, and approximately 10% of all occupied private sector dwellings are BTS (below tolerable standards). There were 58 Housing Association Development Completions in 2008/09 and projected figure of 51 in 2009/2010. In the private housing sector there were 70 new starts and 157 completions in 2008 and long term trends show a steady increase over the last ten years. Although the population is projected to decline long term, decreasing household size will mean that the number of actual ‘households’ in the islands is projected to increase in the near future, with a projection of 13,230 households in 2031. Escalating property prices, a unique land tenure system, a legacy of empty and second houses and increasing demand for housing within key areas (such as Stornoway and the surround) has lead to the high number of applications on the social housing waiting list. There were 1294 people on the Hebridean Housing Partnership waiting list (as at June 2009). The Outer Hebrides is part of the Gaelic heartland and has a rich and diverse Hebridean culture with more Gaelic speakers than any other local authority area in Scotland (in 2001, 72% of the population had some Gaelic language ability compared to only 1.9% for Scotland). The Outer Hebrides has one of the lowest crime rates in Scotland at 330 per 10,000 of the population in 2008/09, compared to a Scottish average of 730 per 10,000. Accompanying a reduction in crime was a detection rate of 75% across Group 1-5 crimes in comparison to the Scottish average of 49%. In 1997/98 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar recorded a peak of 26 noise complaints, falling to zero complaints from 2004-2006. 6 complaints were received in 2006/07 and 12 complaints were received in 2007/2008. Much of the economic and social activity is generated from within the islands but it relies heavily on connections with the mainland for essential supplies and the export of goods. In 2003, Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) was estimated to be £263.02m (66% of the UK equivalent) with an external trade deficit of £163.4m; island households were estimated to spend £100.1m alone on imported goods that year. A declining and ageing population can affect ‘health’ in a number of ways particularly influencing the need for major investment in public service infrastructure, such as: public water supplies; waste water treatment works; waste management facilities; safer roads; better transport links between the islands and along the ‘spinal route’, and; community facilities such as health care and education availability within the islands. According to the 2003 Scottish Health Survey, the Outer Hebrides has the lowest percentage of residents in Scotland achieving recommended levels of physical exercise at 28%. Although the area has outstanding natural environment, human health can be adversely affected by rural poverty, caused by a range of factors including lack of affordable housing, long term unemployment, isolation from main service centres and difficulties in travelling to a range of health and educational facilities. Rural poverty also exacerbates the effects of inequality and social exclusion which have implications for human health. Material Assets and Cultural Heritage

The Outer Hebrides has an exceptional cultural heritage of archaeological sites and features many buildings and areas of outstanding architectural and amenity value. There are four designated Conservation Areas in the islands, (Stornoway, Lewis; Ruisgarry, North Uist; Howmore, South Uist, and; Gearrannan, Lewis). Approval for a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) for Stornoway has been secured through the Heritage Lottery Fund. The £2.2m project will focus on an area of the town centre/Lews Castle grounds which is part of the Outstanding Conservation Area. In addition to building repairs grant scheme and public realm 45

projects, the programme will provide funding for two major (critical) projects, the Town Hall and Lady Matheson's Seminary to bring them back into full use. There is one nationally important ‘Historic Garden and Designated Landscape’ on the inventory complied by Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage and this is the Lews Castle Grounds by Stornoway.

There are 256 listed buildings scattered throughout the islands, approximately 20% of which are classified ‘at risk’ and are largely composed of dilapidated croft/thatch houses and historic estate/operational buildings. Some buildings have multiple listings e.g. gatepiers. Listed Buildings in the Outer Hebrides are made up of:

Islands Category A Category B Category C Total Lewis 6 87 33 126 Harris 2 27 13 42 Barra 1 4 5 10 North Uist 4 19 10 33 South Uist 3 32 10 45 Totals 16 169 71 256

There is a vast resource of archaeological and other historic monuments found throughout the Outer Hebrides. Over 13,000 sites are recorded on the Sites and Monuments Record, including amongst others: standing stones; brochs; wheelhouses; coastal fortifications; castles; churches; chambered burial cairns and long houses. There are 213 Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) within the islands, covering 465 single monuments (a Scheduled Ancient Monument may consist of two or more identifiable monuments covered by the one designation). Evidence of archaeological remains stretching back as far as the Mesolithic period (c.7000bc) can be found within the Outer Hebrides (inc. Neolithic, Bronze, Iron, Viking, Medieval, post Medieval). As much of the land area of the Outer Hebrides is undeveloped and has not been surveyed, the potential for archaeological interest in these areas remains significant. This includes large areas below high tide mark where rising sea levels throughout pre-history have concealed large amounts of settlement evidence; in addition to the multitude of known coastal shipwrecks. The relatively high proportion of Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) reflects the islands’ historical importance in Scotland. Crofting communities are generally dispersed and remote from large settlements / services and there is a fairly strong network of arts, cultural and community facilities to support them. The Local Development Plan supports the development of a number of strategic community facilities which in turn helps to support the population of these communities. The Local Development Plan will seek to protect all material heritage and cultural assets. If it was not implemented, it is likely that locally, regionally and potentially nationally and internationally important archaeological resources would remain unknown and unvisited. The Local Development Plan will encourage local communities to value and understand their Historic Environment, and will increase the level of monitoring of sites and monuments.

Landscape

The landscape of the Outer Hebrides is a product of the interaction of humanity and the natural environment over the 8,000 years of human occupation in the islands. Little sign is now left of the original woodland cover of the islands, and the open boggy moor, which now characterises large areas, is the product of systematic clearance and grazing during past millennia.

The Landscape Character Assessment of the Western Isles (J.Richards, SNH, 1997) identifies 11 major landscape character types within the Islands, including some that are rare in

Scotland or particularly unique and distinctive to the Outer Hebrides. Peat bog is the most common habitat in the islands, forming characteristic smooth blanket bogs studded with numerous water bodies. At higher altitudes, the peatlands give way to montane areas which support a limited range of plants and animal species. On the western windblown coasts lies the flat and fertile coastal plains known as ‘machair’ – the machair habitat of the Outer Hebrides is considered ‘rare’ in terms of the bird and plant life it sustains. The traditional grazing and low intensity cropping of the machair areas creates a mosaic of habitats, ranging from distinctive patterns of cropped and fallow land on the drier machair, to wet meadows on the edge of the lochs. One habitat that is notable for its near absence is native woodland, although the island did at one time have a discontinuous native tree cover (although there was probably never the extensive tree cover that existed on the Scottish mainland). The landscapes of the Outer Hebrides taken together are uniquely ‘Hebridean’ and help to give this area and its community, a sense of place and identity. There are three designated National Scenic Areas in the islands, comprising of South Lewis, Harris and North Uist NSA; South Uist Machair NSA and St Kilda NSA. (NSAs are Scotland’s only national landscape designation). The designated areas have been selected for their characteristic features of scenery. The islands have one designated Historic Designed Landscape in the Lews Castle Grounds as classified by Historic Scotland and SNH. The only open area in the Outer Hebrides where development is restricted in order to retain ‘distinctive setting’, is the area around the War Memorial in Stornoway (hill of Cnoc Nan Uan). The coastline of the Outer Hebrides stretches 2687 km at the high water mark and has an impressive and dramatic range of coastal landscapes, such as machair plains, inter-tidal mud and sand flats, saline lagoons, fjordic sea lochs, cliffs and sea stacs. For planning purposes it is identified as developed, underdeveloped or isolated. It is estimated that over two thirds of the Outer Hebrides is in crofting tenure (approximately over 6,000 crofts). Crofting townships traditionally form linear settlement patterns of long narrow strips of land called ‘crofts’, where low intensity farming is practiced and sheep / cattle may be grazed. As an agricultural activity, crofting is in decline. Pressure for housing and a buoyant housing market have meant that an increasing number of house sites have been de- crofted in the last few years. The total number of part croft de-crofting has trebled in the period from 2004 – 2007/08. Inter-relationship between these factors The Outer Hebrides has a unique and distinctive environment where a complex and variable inter-relationship between environmental factors (as described above) exists. Sparse but distinctive settlement patterns intersperse large areas of undeveloped land (e.g. upland, moorland and coastal machair plains) which in turn are shaped by the varied coastal geomorphology and inland freshwater resources. There is a long history of human settlement in the islands and many archaeological features of the past (although relatively under- exploited) are still visible in the landscape today. Population decline threatens the sustainability of remote communities, as numbers fall and services become untenable. In turn, a reduction in the use of traditional methods of working the land threatens fragile habitats that, in part, support the unique biodiversity of the area. In contrast, there is pressure on land for development (particularly for housing) in the service, employment and retail capital of Stornoway. Pressures to sustain a falling population, diversify the economy and protect the natural environment ensure a balance is continually sought between the differing objectives.

Image Credits: Donald Iain Campbell Chris Harris Steve Liddle

Design: Strategic Planning & Projects, CnES, February 2010

The Planning Service Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Council Offices, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, HS1 2BW Tel: 01851 703773 Fax: 01851 705349 Email: [email protected] www.cne-siar.gov.uk/planningservice/localdevplan.asp