Somerset Minerals and Waste Development Framework Sustainability Appraisal & Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report February 2011
Somerset County Council Somerset Minerals and Waste Development Framework
Revision Schedule
Scoping Report Somerset MWDF February 2011
Rev Date Details Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by
01 Aug 2007 Draft J. Boca/K .Ricards Colin Bush Colin Bush
02 Sept 2007 Revised draft A. Gauldie/ K Ricards J. Boca Colin Bush
03 Sept 2007 Final Report K. Ricards J. Boca Colin Bush
04 Oct 2008 Final Report K. Ricards J. Boca Colin Bush
05 Oct 2009 Draft Tracy Horsted J. Boca Colin Bush
06 Oct 2010 Revised draft Tracy Horsted J. Boca Colin Bush
07 Oct 2010 Final Report Tracy Horsted Colin Bush Colin Bush
08 Jan 2011 Final Report Jennifer Boca Colin Bush Colin Bush
URS/Scott Wilson Scott House Alencon Link Basingstoke
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Somerset County Council Somerset Minerals and Waste Development Framework
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ...... 1 Introduction...... 1 Strategic Environmental Assessment /Sustainability Appraisal ...... 1 Scoping Report...... 1 Introduction...... 2 Background...... 2 SEA/SA ...... 2 The Somerset Minerals and Waste Development Framework ...... 4 Compliance with the SEA Regulations...... 5 The SA Scoping Report...... 6 Report structure...... 6 Task A1 – Review of Relevant Plans and Programmes...... 7 Introduction...... 7 Key messages from the review...... 10 Task A2 - Baseline Information ...... 12 Introduction...... 12 Somerset Overview ...... 13 Waste and Minerals Baseline Overview...... 20 Key Messages...... 25 Data Gaps...... 26 Future Trends...... 26 Task A3 – Sustainability Issues and Problems...... 28 Introduction...... 28 Task A4 – The SA Framework ...... 31 Introduction...... 31 Consultation and Next Steps...... 38 Introduction...... 38 Next Steps...... 38 Glossary...... 40 Appendix 1 - Plans and Programmes Considered...... 45 Appendix 2 - Reviewed Relevant Plans and Programmes ...... 50 Appendix 3 - Baseline Indicators ...... 77
Somerset County Council Somerset Minerals and Waste Development Framework
Appendix 4 – Maps...... 87 Appendix 5 – Consultation Responses ...... 98
Somerset County Council Somerset Minerals and Waste Development Framework
1 Executive Summary 1.1 Introduction Somerset County Council is preparing a Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF) which will set the overall framework for minerals and waste planning for the area. The MWDF will consist of a series of documents including Development Plan Documents (DPDs) which will contain minerals and waste core strategies, site allocations and policies. The Framework will:
• Establish what waste facilities are needed to manage Somerset’s waste in the future and where these should be located; • Identify where minerals could be worked in Somerset in order to meet society’s needs, and • Show how both of those activities can be accommodated without compromising the unique environment of Somerset. 1.2 Strategic Environmental Assessment /Sustainability Appraisal Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) involves the systematic identification and evaluation of the environmental impacts of plans and programmes and stems from the EU SEA Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment. Sustainability Appraisal (SA) broadens the concept of SEA to encompass economic and social impacts and is required under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Government guidance requires that all DPDs are subject to both SEA and SA.
Throughout this report, where reference is made to Sustainability Appraisal, it should be taken to include the requirements of the SEA Directive. 1.3 Scoping Report A Scoping report documenting the initial stages of the SA/SEA process was prepared in October 2007. To ensure that the Scoping report is still relevant and up-to-date, a revision has been undertaken and this report comprises the revised Scoping report. The draft Scoping Report made available for comment and also sent to the three SEA statutory bodies (Natural England, English Heritage and the Environment Agency) in October 2010. The responses received have been addressed and incorporated in this final Scoping Report.
The report focuses primarily on the following tasks of the SA process:
• The review of relevant plans and programmes; • Baseline review; • Identification of key Sustainability Issues; and • The SA framework (objectives against which the MWDF policies and proposals will be assessed).
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2 Introduction 2.1 Background Scott Wilson was commissioned by Somerset County Council to undertake the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of its Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF), preparing the scoping report for the MWDF and undertaking SA work on the waste development plan documents (DPDs). In October 2007, a Scoping report documenting the initial stages of the SA/SEA process was prepared. This report has now been updated to reflect changes that have occurred since the publication of the initial Scoping report. It incorporates recommendations provided in the Scoping report verification work undertaken for SCC by Land Use Consultants as well as comments received from statutory consultees (the Environment Agency and Natural England) and others in the October 2010 Scoping stage consultation. 2.2 SEA/SA SEA is required by European and by English law. It involves the systematic identification and evaluation of the environmental impacts of a strategic action (e.g. a plan or programme). In 2001, the EU legislated for SEA with the adoption of Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (the ‘SEA Directive’). The aim of the SEA 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 and adoption of plans and programmes, with a view to promoting sustainable development”.
The Directive was transposed into English legislation by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (the ‘SEA Regulations’) 1 , which came into force on 21st July 2004. The SEA Regulations apply (with some specific exceptions) to plans and programmes subject to preparation and / or adoption by a national, regional or local authority or those prepared by an authority for adoption through a legislative procedure by Parliament or Government and are required by legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions.
SA extends the concept of SEA to encompass economic and social concerns. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (PCPA) requires local planning authorities to undertake SA for each of their DPDs. SA (along with SEA) is therefore, a statutory requirement for LDFs, including MWDFs.
The Government’s approach is to incorporate the requirements of the SEA Directive into a wider SA process that considers economic and social, as well as environmental effects. To this end, in November 2005, the Government published guidance on undertaking SA of LDFs 2 that incorporates the requirements of the SEA Directive (‘the Guidance’) 3. The combined SA / SEA process is referred to in this document as Sustainability Appraisal (SA).
The Guidance advocates a five-stage approach to undertaking SA (see Figure 1.1). Stage A involves gathering the evidence base and defining SA Objectives. The findings of this stage are documented in a Scoping report. The appraisal is conducted at Stage B and outcomes recorded in the SA report during Stage C. Following statutory consultation (Stage D) the SA report may require updating to reflect changes made in response to representations. Stage E concerns ongoing monitoring of significant effects of implementation of the DPDs.
1 The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004, 12 (6) 2 General term for plans developed by the Local Authorities – Somerset County Council is calling its LDF the Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF) to clearly identify the subject matter for the plans. 3 ODPM (2005) Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents and CLG Plan Making Manual – www.pas.gov.uk
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Figure 1.1 Five-stage approach to SA
Stage A: Setting the context, establishing the Evidence Gathering baseline and defining SA Objectives (Scoping)
Issues and Options Stage B: Predicting and assessing the impacts of the plan or programme
Preferred Options/ (Pre -submission DPD) Stage C: Documenting the findings of the Appraisal in the Sustainability Appraisal Report
Stage D: Consulting on the draft Local Development Document and the Sustainability Appraisal Report
Submission DPD
Stage E: Monitoring implementation of the Local Development Document
The Planning White Paper 2007 recommended the streamlining of the LDF process. The Town and Country Planning (Local Development)(England)(Amendment) Regulations 2008 put in place the proposals made in the Planning White Paper to help streamline the LDF process and came in to force on 27 June 2008. Key changes to the LDF process include improved consultation arrangements reducing the number of formal consultation stages as well as revising the procedure of plan making. Changes to the SA process include the requirement for formal consultation at the pre-submission stage only, along-side the draft DPD. This effectively removes the need for preparing an ‘Initial SA Report’ at the Issues and Options Stage.
The main purpose of removing reference to the 'Initial SA Report' was to improve integration of the plan making and SA processes. The work required at the 'Initial SA Report Stage', will however still need to be undertaken on testing the objectives against the sustainability appraisal framework, developing and appraising options, predicting the effects, assessing the effects, mitigating effects and developing proposals for monitoring in parallel with the development of the plan. The five-stage approach to SA advocated in Figure 1.1 above is therefore still valid but without the need to formally publish and consult on the Initial SA Report.
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2.3 The Somerset Minerals and Waste Development Framework Somerset County Council (SCC) is the local planning authority for all minerals and waste matters within Somerset (excluding Exmoor National Park). It is therefore required to develop a Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF) under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. The MWDF is a series of documents that guide minerals and waste planning in Somerset. These documents are required to be subjected to the formal process of SA. Details of the production programme for these documents are provided below. Further information on the Local Development Scheme can be found at: www.somerset.gov.uk/mineralsandwaste .
Table 1.1 MWDF Timetable
Minerals core strategy DPD timetable Production timetable Dates Regulation 25 (continuous engagement) - Ongoing Regulation 27 (pre submission) - January 2012 Regulation 30 (submission) - May 2012 Pre examination -June 2012 Examination in Public - October 2012 Adoption - Mid 2013
Waste core strategy DPD timetable Production timetable Dates Regulation 25 (continuous engagement) - Ongoing Regulation 27 (pre submission) – August 2011 Regulation 30 (submission) – December 2011 Pre examination – February 2012 Examination in Public – May 2012 Adoption – Autumn 2012
Waste site allocations DPD timetable Production timetable Dates Regulation 27 (pre submission) - Mid 2013 Regulation 30 (submission) - Late 2013 Adoption – 2014
This Scoping report is to inform the preparation of both the minerals and waste DPDs. Separate SA reports will however be prepared for minerals DPD and for the waste DPDs.
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2.4 Compliance with the SEA Regulations The SEA Regulations set out the process that must be followed. An outline of the key SEA Directive requirement is shown in Table 1.2 below and sections where addressed in this report provided.
Table 1.2 SEA Directive requirements checklist
Environmental Report requirements 4 Where covered • an outline of the contents, main objectives of the plan Chapter 4 or programme and relationship with other relevant plans and programmes; • the relevant aspects of the current state of the Chapter 5 environment and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the plan or programme; • the environmental characteristics of areas likely to be Chapter 5 significantly affected; • any existing environmental problems which are relevant Chapter 6 to the plan or programme including, in particular, those relating to any areas of a particular environmental importance, such as areas designated pursuant to Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC; • the environmental protection objectives, established at Chapter 4 international, Community or Member State level, which are relevant to the plan or programme and the way those objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation; • the likely significant effects 5 on the environment, To be included in the final SA including on issues such as biodiversity, population, report human health, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage including architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the interrelationship between the above factors; • the measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and as fully To be included in the final SA as possible offset any significant adverse effects on the report environment of implementing the plan or programme; • an outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives To be included in the final SA dealt with, and a description of how the assessment report was undertaken including any difficulties (such as technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered in compiling the required information; • a description of the measures envisaged concerning To be included in the final SA monitoring in accordance with Article 10; report • a non-technical summary of the information provided Chapter 1 and to be under the above headings. incorporated in the final SA report
4 As listed in Annex I of the SEA Directive (Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment). 5 These effects should include secondary, cumulative, synergistic, short, medium and long-term permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects.
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2.5 The SA Scoping Report This Scoping report is the first of two formal reports to be produced as part of the SA process and focuses on Stage A of the SA process. Stage A involves establishing the context within which the MWDF is being prepared and involves the following key tasks:
A1 – Identify other relevant plans, programmes and sustainability objectives that will influence the MWDF
A2 – Collect relevant social, environmental and economic baseline information
A3 – Identify key sustainability issues for the SA / MWDF to address
A4 – Develop the S A framework , consisting of the SA objectives and sub-objectives
A5 – Produce a Scoping Report and consult relevant authorities, the public and other key stakeholders on the scope of the appraisal
This report documents the findings from Stage A as well as what happens next in the process. It primarily focuses on tasks A1-A. Copies of the Scoping Report can be obtained from the Council and will be made available on the Council’s website. 2.6 Report structure This report is structured as follows:
• Section 3 – Review of Relevant Plans and Programmes • Section 4 – Baseline Information • Section 5 – Identification of Key Sustainability Issues • Section 6 – The SA Framework • Section 7 – Consulting on the Scope and Next Steps
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3 Task A1 – Review of Relevant Plans and Programmes 3.1 Introduction The requirement to undertake a review of relevant plans and programmes (context review) arises from the SEA Directive:
The ‘Environmental Report’ required under the SEA Directive should include:
“an outline of the contents, main objectives of the plan or programme and relationship with other relevant plans and programmes” (Annex 1(a))
The Somerset minerals and waste DPDs may be influenced in various ways by other plans and programmes and by external sustainability objectives such as those laid down in policies or legislation. The context review enables these relationships to be identified and potential synergies and any inconsistencies and constraints to be addressed. In addition, the reviewed plans may contain objectives and targets that can inform the SA process.
According to the SA Guidance 6:
“The review should consider guidance at the international, EU or national level on sustainable development, as well as other policy documents such as Planning Policy Statements. Note should be made of any targets or specific requirements included within them, and what these relate to”.
Many of these plans and programmes also set out environmental and wider sustainability objectives. Under the SEA Directive, reference must be made to environmental objectives. The context review satisfies this requirement.
The ‘Environmental Report’ required under the SEA Directive should include:
“the environmental protection objectives, established at international, Community or Member State level, which are relevant to the plan or programme…”
(Annex 1(e))
An initial list of all the relevant plans, policies and programmes (hereby referred to as ‘plans’) considered is contained in Appendix 1 of this document. This initial list was assessed and discussed with the Council and a final list drawn up for further assessment (see Table 3.1 below). The detailed assessment of these plans is contained in Appendix 2.
In July 2010, the Secretary of State (SoS) issued the Chief Planning Officer 7 Letter announcing the revocation of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS). However, a case brought up in the High Court considered that the powers used to revoke the RSS could not revoke RSS in their entirety. In November 2010, the SoS issued a Chief Planning Officer letter confirming re- establishment of the RSS as part of the development plan. However, the letter also stated that
6 ODPM (2005) Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents 7 Chief Planning Officer Letter: Revocation of Regional Strategies, July 6, 2010
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it is the Government’s intention to abolish the RSS and that planning authorities should have regard to this as a material consideration in planning.
Guidance issued with the Chief Planning Officer Letter of July 2010 states that planning data and research currently held by Regional Local Authorities Leaders’ Boards will still be available to planning authorities for the preparation of their local plans. Further, the guidance states that, in reference to the waste development plan preparation process:
“Data and information prepared by partners will continue to assist in this process. For the transitional period this will continue to be the data and information which has been collated by the local authority and industry and other public bodies who currently form the Regional Waste Technical Advisory Bodies”.
With regard to minerals planning, the letter states that planning authorities are required to continue planning for aggregate minerals based on the long standing arrangements with technical advice provided by the Aggregates Working Parties, including their current work in sub-apportioning of the CLG guidelines for 2005-2020.
The list of relevant plans and programmes below has been revised to take into account the above changes as well as including new plans that have come on stream since the previous revision. The RSS has been retained in the list as it currently forms part of Somerset’s development framework. In progressing the MWDF work, the Council will have regard to the Chief Planning Officer letters described above.
Table 3.1 Relevant Plans and Programs
Relevant plan/programmes
International Policies and EU Directives
EU Landfill Waste Directive (99/31/EC) EU Framework Waste Directive (75/442/EEC, as amended) EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (1971) EU Council Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) EU Renewed Sustainable Development Strategy June 2006 EU Water Framework Directive (2006/60/EC)
National Legislation and Policy Documents
Waste Strategy for England 2007 Securing the Future-UK Sustainable Development Strategy (2005) PPS1 Delivering Sustainable Development (2005) Planning for a Low Carbon Future in a changing Climate Consultation (to replace Supplement to PPS1) and Renewable energy PPS22) PPS9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (2005) PPS 10 Planning for Sustainable Waste Management (and accompanying guidance) (2005) PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment PPS12 Local Spatial Planning (2008) PPS25 Development and Flood Risk (2006) Planning and Climate Change (Supplement to PPS1) Consultation draft) (2006) A Policy for the Long-term Management of Solid Low Level Radioactive Waste in the UK (2007) MPS1 Planning and Minerals (2006)
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Relevant plan/programmes MPS2 Controlling and Mitigating the environmental effects of minerals extraction in the UK (2005) MPG 7 Reclamation of Mineral Workings (1996) MPG13 Guidelines for Peat Provision in England (1995) Managing Water Abstraction: the Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy Process. (July 2002) Climate Change Act 2008 The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan 2009
Regional Policy
South West of England Regional Spatial Strategy (Revised Draft Incorporating the Secretary of States Proposed Changes) July 2008 National and regional guidelines for aggregates provision in England 2005-2020 Regional Economic Strategy 2006-2015 From Rubbish to Resource (Regional Waste Strategy), 2004-2020 Regional Environmental Strategy – Our Environment Our Future 2004-2014 South West Biodiversity Implementation Plan, July 2004 The Regional Sustainable Development Framework for the South West of England (2001) Just Connect: An Integrated Regional Strategy for the South West (2004-2026) South West Regional Flood Risk Appraisal (2007)
Local Policy
Somerset Mineral Local Plan 1997-2011(Adopted April 2004) Somerset Waste Local Plan 2001-2011 (Adopted February 2005) Somerset & Exmoor National Park Joint Structure Plan Review 1991-2011 Somerset Economic Strategy, Somerset County Council 2005 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (MWDF) Level 1 April 2010 The Somerset Municipal Waste Management Strategy, December 2003 Somerset: A Landscape for the Future. Sustainable Community Strategy 2008 - 2026 – Somerset Strategic Partnership Renewable Energy Strategy, Somerset County Council, 2003. Somerset Local Transport Plan 2: 2006 – 2011 Local Biodiversity Action Plans – West Somerset, Taunton and Deane, South Somerset, Mendip and Sedgemoor Somerset Sustainable Community Strategy 2009-2026 (2009) Wild Somerset – The Somerset Biodiversity Strategy 2008-2018 (2008) Responding to Climate Change in Somerset (2008)
The following factors were considered when drawing up the list of plans above:
• No list or review of relevant plans can ever be exhaustive . The context review seeks to identify the key plans and distil the key messages from these; • Plans often exist in a hierarchy. Generally speaking, as the hierarchy is descended from international and European plans to local plans, the implications for the MWDF become more specific and precise. To minimise duplication, where different plans duplicate key objectives, only the plan considered most relevant or up to date has been reviewed in detail; • The context is dynamic and new or revised relevant plans emerge on a regular basis . Of particular relevance is the gradual replacement of Policy Planning Guidance Notes
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(PPGs) and Mineral Planning Guidance Notes (MPGs) with Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) and Mineral Planning Statements (MPSs). The Government has also indicated that there will be radical reform to the planning system8 including proposals for a simple and consolidated national framework and introduced the Localism Bill in Parliament in December 2010. The Council and the Consultants will keep abreast of any significant changes and the relevant plans and programmes will be checked and revised as appropriate in the future. 3.2 Key messages from the review A number of key messages that should be taken into account in developing the Somerset MWDF have been identified following the context review. These messages are intended as guidance for the MWDF and the SA to inform the decision making process. This list of messages is not necessarily exhaustive and no priority should be inferred from the ordering.
Table 3.2 Relevant Plans and Programs
Key messages the MWDF should seek to Evidence Source achieve Waste Reduce the level of biodegradable waste going to EU Landfill Directive, Waste Strategy landfill, meet and exceed the Landfill Directive 2007 targets for biodegradable municipal waste Prevent and reduce the adverse effects of landfill EU Landfill Directive of waste on the environment Drive waste management up the waste hierarchy PPS10, PPS1, Waste Strategy 2007, UK and ensure it is managed in a way that protects Sustainable Development Strategy human health Ensure sufficient and timely waste management facilities and where possible seek opportunities PPS10 for onsite waste management and co-location of facilities Identify suitable sites/areas for waste management facilities taking account of physical and environmental constraints as well as PPS10 cumulative effects of previous waste management activities EU Framework Waste Directive, Waste Reduce waste arisings and increase re- Strategy 2007, Somerset Municipal use/recycling and recovery of waste Waste Management Strategy Waste management decisions should engage the community, consider a variety of options and Waste Strategy 2007 assess their environmental implications Minerals Ensure an adequate and stable supply of minerals MPS1 to meet society’s needs
8 www.communities.gov.uk
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Key messages the MWDF should seek to Evidence Source achieve The Council should make provision for the sub- regional apportionment for land won aggregates MPS1 in the form of preferred sites/areas and/or areas of search Adopt a hierarchical approach to minerals supply – reduce as far as practicable the quantity of material used and waste generated, then to use MPS1 as much recycled and secondary material as possible before securing new supplies through primary extraction To safeguard mineral resources as far as possible, safeguarding primary extraction and also wharves, rail depots, aggregate recycling, MPS1 primary and secondary processing plants associated with primary or secondary mineral provision To secure working practices which prevent or reduce as far as possible, impacts on the MPS2 environment and human health Promote and safeguard sustainable transportation of minerals by rail and water based transport MPS1 systems Secure high levels of restoration and after care once extraction has ceased and safeguard the MPG7 long term potential of land for a wide range of after-uses The MWDF should recognise that the minerals industry is a prominent feature of working life in Somerset and continues to provide a major Somerset Minerals Local Plan 1997 - source of employment and its policies should 2001 support this in a way that safeguards the environment Somerset should make an appropriate contribution to the local, regional and national Somerset Minerals Local Plan 1997 - need for minerals which does not compromise the 2001 achievement of sustainable development and actively supports recycling of material
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4 Task A2 - Baseline Information 4.1 Introduction The collection of baseline information is a key component of the SA process and a legal requirement under the SEA Directive. The Directive’s requirements in relation to baseline information are:
The ‘Environmental Report’ required under the SEA Directive should include:
“the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the plan or programme”
“the environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected”
(Annex 1(b) and (c))
Baseline information helps to provide a basis for predicting and monitoring effects and to identify sustainability issues for the SA to consider. When collecting baseline data, the aim is to assemble sufficient data on the current and likely future state of the area to enable the DPDs’ effects to be adequately predicted.
A key aim is to ensure that, where possible, each of the SA objectives will be ‘underwritten’ with comprehensive and up-to-date baseline information. Baseline information also provides the basis for monitoring effects and helps to identify sustainability problems and alternative ways of dealing with them.
In presenting Somerset’s baseline data, a general overview of the County has been provided covering social, environmental and economic issues. In order to aid future monitoring and updating of data relevant baseline indicators have been identified and these are presented in a spreadsheet in Appendix 3.
In order to gauge the County’s performance, various comparators have been identified (see Appendix 3). These take the form of:
• Past data for the same indicator – showing the extent of change in Somerset over time; • Data for a wider geographical area – showing Somerset’s performance compared with that of the South West region and the UK; and • An agreed target – showing how well Somerset is performing in relation to a certain goal.
In some instances an appropriate comparator is not available and indicator status is therefore classified as uncertain.
Spatial data is particularly useful for identifying constraints and opportunities regarding the location of future development. Where possible this data has been mapped using Geographical Information System (GIS).
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4.2 Somerset Overview 4.2.1 Demographic Profile
Somerset’s population is growing and this is forecast to continue. The County’s population, as recorded by the mid 2010 estimates, is 540,701 compared with 525,800 in 2008 and 518,000 in mid 2006 9 . The age structure of Somerset’s population is significantly different to the national age structure, and to a lesser extent that of the South West, with a higher population of persons aged over 60 years and a lower proportion of 25 to 59 year olds compared to both the regional and national averages.
Somerset is a predominantly rural county with a dispersed settlement pattern. It has the following towns: Bridgewater, Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, Chard, Frome, Glastonbury, Illminster, Minehead, Shepton Mallet, Street, Taunton, Wellington, Wells, Wincaton and Yeovil. The population density of Somerset is 1.44 persons per square hectare. Outside of the towns, the population densities are low.
Somerset enjoys a relatively low level of deprivation – a reflection of a growing economy and high levels of employment. There are however, 14 Super Output Areas in the top 20% deprived areas in England 10 with the highest concentrations of deprivation experienced in parts of Taunton and Bridgewater.
4.2.2 Environmental Profile
Somerset has a high environmental quality and environmental assets including areas of national importance designated for nature and landscape conservation.
There are 127 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) including 25sq kms of the Quantock hills. The percentage of land designated as SSSI in favourable condition is 21.15% (1.26sq kms). Somerset has 11 National Nature Reserves: Barrington Hill, Bridgwater Bay, Ebbor Gorge, Hardington Moor, Rodney Stoke, Shapwick Heath, Somerset Levels, Dunkery & Horner Woods, Ham Wall, Westhay Moor, and Huntspill River. There are also 33 designated Local Nature Reserves across the County. Map 4.1 in Appendix 4 shows Somerset’s nature conservation designations.
Somerset hosts 7 SACs and 2 SPAs:
• SAC - Hestercombe House (.08 ha); • SAC - Holme Moor and Clean Moor (7.58 ha); • SAC - Mells Valley (28.22 ha); • SAC - Mendip Woodlands (253.92 ha); • SAC - Quants (20.29 ha); • SAC- Exmoor Heath • SAC- Exmoor and Quantocks Oak Woodlands • SPA - Somerset Levels and Moors (6388.49 ha); and • SPA - Severn Estuary (24662.98 ha).
9 Somerset County Council MWDF Annual Monitoring Report 2009/10 10 Somerset Economic Digest, October 2009
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Much of the Severn Estuary (including the area within Somerset) has also been listed under the Ramsar convention, as have the Somerset Levels and Moors.
Seven Local Biodiversity Action Plans exist within Somerset, including district-wide LBAPs for Taunton Deane Borough, South Somerset, Mendip, West Somerset, and Sedgemoor. BAPs are also in place for the Quantocks AONB and Exmoor National Park.
There are 41 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales, four of which are in Somerset. The Blackdown Hills are a group of hills covering 336 sq km lying on the border of Devon and Somerset and were designated in 1991. The Mendip Hills (198 sq km) were designated in 1972. With its dramatic limestone gorges, coombs and caves, the area is recognised as being of national importance for the beauty of its landscape. The Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB is part of the extensive belt of chalk land that covers Southern England and parts of it lie in Somerset. Finally the Quantocks Hills AONB covers 99 square kilometres running north west from the vale of Taunton Deane to the Bristol Channel Coast. The Quantock Hills was England’s first AONB being designated in 1956 (confirmed in 1957) and consists of large amounts of heathland, oak woodlands, ancient parklands and agricultural land. A small part of the Dorset AONB lies within Somerset. Map 4.2 in Appendix 4 shows Somerset’s AONBs.
In 2004 there were 2052 Local Wildlife Sites designated. Local Wildlife Sites are selected at the county level by SERC on behalf of a partnership of local authorities, agencies and NGOs. They are of at least county importance for their nature conservation value. Map 4.3 in Appendix 4 illustrates the extent of Local Wildlife Sites.
The county is home to seven species threatened on a global scale, including the UK’s strongest site for the large blue butterfly, and over 200 species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan list of “priority species”, including the otter, water vole and hairy click beetle. There are many important species found in the wider countryside that are not within designated areas. The planning strategy should therefore incorporate an ecosystem approach to planning to consider biodiversity as a whole and not just the designated sites to ensure that the value of habitats not designated is not lost.
Figure 4.1 shows the distribution of UK priority habitats in Somerset in hectares as shown in the Somerset Biodiversity Strategy.
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Figure 4.1 Distribution of UK priority habitats in Somerset
Somerset has a relatively low percentage of woodland cover (7%) compared with similar areas elsewhere in England (average 9%). The Draft Woodland Strategy for Somerset (currently in development) will set a target for increasing the woodland cover from 7% to 8% over a 20 year period. The action plan will encourage the establishment of new woodland in those areas of the County where tree cover is presently low and near existing settlements where they can be community woodlands.
Relatively high percentages of the existing woodlands (50%) are semi-natural ancient woodlands and therefore are important in terms of conserving biodiversity as well as in landscape terms. Much of the woodland in the plan area is located on Exmoor, the Brendons, Quantocks and the Blackdown Hills. The Mendip Hills has a significant area of high quality Ancient Woodland and woodland SSSIs.
Somerset has approximately 660 Scheduled Ancient Monuments with a further 12,000 sites or features recorded on the County Sites and Monuments Record as being of archaeological importance. Map 4.4 in Appendix 4 shows the extent of archaeological designations in Somerset.
Air quality is generally good in the South West, although there are pockets of poor quality associated with the large urban and industrial areas. Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) are primarily designated in urban areas and, in the South West, the vast majority are as a result of traffic emissions. AQMAs have been declared in two local authorities in Somerset: Taunton
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Deane BC (East Reach and Henlade) and South Somerset DC (Yeovil). An AQMA existed in Sedgemoor DC (Bridgwater) for sulphur dioxide, but has since been revoked as a result of the closure of an industrial process. The existing AQMAs are declared for nitrogen dioxide only 11 .
Much of Somerset is low-lying and therefore at risk from flooding. The Parret Catchment which covers half the County (1,690 sq.km) and includes the tributaries of the Tone, Yeo, Cary and Isle is particularly vulnerable to flooding with the lower part of the Catchment subject to regular flooding - the catchment experienced devastating flooding in 1999/2000, and six major flooding events in five years 12 . Map 4.5 in Appendix 4 shows areas at risk from flooding in the County.
A Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) for the MWDF was undertaken in 2008/09. This report was updated in April 201013 and included reviewing the Environment Agency’s flood map updates to identify changes in extent. It identifies minor changes that reduce the extent of flood zones within the peat production areas; all other mineral areas remain unaffected. The majority of flood map changes have resulted in minor decrease of flood extent in terms of potential waste sites. There has been a reduction in extent in Watchet, Doniford and Williton. The refinement of the flood zone within these settlements may alter the location of potential sites due to changes in Flood Risk Vulnerability associated with change in flood zone.
For the most up to date flood risk information refer to the Environment Agency website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk .
Somerset has a number of groundwater protection designations. Source Protection Zones (SPZs) indicate some of the most sensitive areas and these require particular protection against polluting activities. They may be a constraint to developments related to minerals and waste management. Map 4.6 in Appendix 4 shows the extent of SPZ designations in Somerset.
Climate change is arguably the most significant pressure on the South West’s environment. Sea level rise could be higher in the SW than in any other region according to UK Climate Impacts Programme 14 . During the last 100 years average annual temperature in the region has increased by about 0.8°C - 0.9°C, in line with global temperature trends. During this time the region is predicted to experience an increase of extreme events, such as storminess, flooding, heat waves and drought, such as those seen during 2006 and 2007.
With over 235 square miles (60,700 hectares) of land located at, or a few metres above sea level, the impacts of climate change are potentially the greatest challenge currently facing Somerset 15 . The Council published a Climate Change Strategy in February 2008 which provides details of key climate change issues facing the County. The combination of higher winter rainfall and greater storm activity will produce an increase in the likelihood of flooding. Flooding is identified as the most urgent of the challenges likely to affect Somerset and areas liable to flooding are shown in map 4.5.
Waste management contributes to emissions of greenhouse gases, in particular methane from landfills (currently about 3% of UK emissions 16 ). Methane is 23 times as damaging a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide. Other forms of waste management, for example recycling or energy recovery can result in net reductions of greenhouse gases through preservation of virgin materials and reduced use of fossil fuels. According to the Somerset Minerals and Waste Annual Monitoring Report 17 methane is being collected from all landfill sites currently receiving
11 Somerset Air Quality Strategy 2008 12 http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/ete/pcp 13 Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework Level Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Update, Scott Wilson, April 2010. 14 http://www.ukcip.org.uk/resources/location/default.asp?region_id=3 15 http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/ete/sustdev/climatechange/ 16 Defra, Waste Strategy for England, 2007. 17 Somerset County Council Minerals and Waste Development Framework Annual Monitoring report, 2008/09.
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municipal waste in the County. Somerset Waste Partnership operates a food waste collection service and in 2006, 13,089 tonnes of waste food was composted saving green house gas emissions and returning useful nutrients to the soil as compost.18
Nationally, understanding of the effects of climate change on waste management is at a very early stage. A report for the Environment Agency on the Potential Impacts of Climate change on Waste Management 19 concluded that the effects are likely to include: increased disruption to facilities and their supporting infrastructure, for example roads, rail, weighbridges and gas and leachate collection systems, from increased flooding; changes in site hydrology and temperature; increased site disamenity including from odour, vermin and litter; and inundation of low lying coastal facilities, among other effects.
The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy for the South West sets a target of 11-15% new renewable electricity generation capacity in the South West. A sub-regional target for Somerset was set of 61-81 MW 20 . The 2010 electricity targets showed that Somerset’s total Accessible Economic Resource (A E R) for all Renewable Energy Resources was 213 (MW electricity generating capacity) and the A E R with landscape assessment is 136 (MW). With the proposed target of 61-81 (MW installed capacity by 2010), it is clear that the renewable energy potential for Somerset is more than adequate for achieving the County target for new renewable electricity generation capacity. Waste management has potential to contribute to Somerset’s renewable targets especially from waste thermal treatment and landfill gas.
The Strategic Road Network of the County is comprised of the routes illustrated by Map 4.7 in Appendix 4. Somerset’s largest centres – Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater are well connected by road and enjoy good external accessibility. The dispersed geography of the County however means that transport accessibility is a key issue in rural areas as there is a relatively limited local road network – Mendip, central and western Somerset are particularly constrained 21 .
As far as possible, heavy goods traffic should be encouraged to use the primary route network. The Joint Structure Plan Review 22 identifies East Mendip as having acute problems with regard to freight movement due to a high number of limestone quarries generating heavy concentrations of HGV traffic. The Council sees, as a long-term national aim, the need to confine the use of lorries over an agreed Gross Vehicle Weight (perhaps 17 tonnes) and an agreed length (perhaps 12 metres) to suitably classified roads. These will be generally motorways and principal Category A roads.
A recent study 23 on the impact of the traffic generated by the local peat and quarry industries on the unique environment of the Levels of Moors found that historical construction of the highways on to the peat substrate has resulted in road subsidence, poor road surface and riding qualities. HGV movements have also had negative effects on the local community including accessibility problems and traffic congestion leading to a magnified negative perception of HGV movements in the area. The study recommends mitigating the impacts of HGV movements on the local community while recognising that the peat industry has an important role to play on the economy of the Levels. In the context of freight movements, the Somerset Local Transport Plan 24 designates the following routes as national, regional or county routes. National and regional routes are promoted for use by HGVs rather than county roads or other roads of a lesser standard.
18 Responding to Climate Change in Somerset, February 2008. Somerset County Council. 19 Entec UK (for the Environment Agency), Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Waste Management, 2003 20 Revision 2010 / Renewable Energy Strategy, Somerset County Council, undated 21 Somerset County Council Somerset Economic Strategy. 22 http://www.somerset.gov.uk/enprop/strucplan/review7.htm 23 Somerset County Council Somerset Levels HGV Management Study (Draft report). 24 Somerset Local Transport Plan, 2006-2011.
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The National Routes are defined as:
• Bristol to Exeter M5 • London to Exeter A303/A358
The defined Regional Routes are:
• A37 – Bristol to South Coast • A39 – Glastonbury to Bristol • A39/ A361 – Somerset/ Wiltshire border to M5
The County Roads are:
• A38 Wellington/ Taunton/ Bridgwater/ Burham • Taunton and Bridgwater/ M5 to Minehead (A358/ A39) • Taunton/ M5 to West Somerset and Exmoor (B3224) • Shepton Mallet to Cheddar/ M5 (A371) • A303 Podimore to Bridgwater (A372)
Currently, all the waste produced in Somerset is transported by road 25 . There is need to explore use of alternative modes of transporting waste that are more sustainable as well as reducing the distances waste is moved. In 2007/08, household waste was transported an average of 12.9 miles for landfilling and, according to the Annual Monitoring Report (2008/09), the distance waste travels to disposal at landfill had generally stayed the same for Districts and Somerset as a whole; this is not anticipated to change in the foreseeable future 26 .
A long-standing policy of the Joint Structure Plan 27 has been to encourage the transport of minerals and heavy goods by rail. This policy encourages rail side firms and activities to provide direct access to the rail network. It also provides for the safeguarding of the existing rail infrastructure including sidings, cuttings, embankments and bridges that could feasibly be re- used. The map below shows the rail network in Somerset. Two of the largest aggregate quarries in the Mendips, Whatley and Torr Works, are rail-linked. These quarries have planning conditions imposed which restrict their output by road. They supply significant quantities of aggregate by rail 28 .
4.2.3 Economic Profile
Somerset’s economy is dependent on a small number of relatively low productivity sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture. As in other areas of the country, however, these sectors have tended to be in decline during the last decade. At the same time, there has been limited growth in higher value added businesses within Somerset. Key and emerging sectors in Somerset have been identified as: Food and drink; tourism; aerospace and advanced engineering; environmental technologies and creative industries.
A feature of the Somerset economy is that employment levels generally rose over the decade between 1998 and 2008. This was consistent with regional trends. Employment was 211,500 in 2008, a 20% increase compared with ten years before. The main driver of this employment
25 Somerset County Council Minerals and Waste Development Framework Annual Monitoring report, 2008/09. 26 Somerset County Council Minerals and Waste Development Framework Annual Monitoring report, 2008/09 27 http://www.somerset.gov.uk/enprop/strucplan/review7.htm 28 Somerset Minerals Local Plan, 2004.
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growth was the significant increase in population over the same period with the main component of inward migration being working age people 29 .
Employment growth between 1998 and 2008 occurred mainly in the public sector (an increase of 16,664), financial and business services (net growth in Somerset of 13,076), and distribution, hotels and restaurants (up 12,007). Job growth also occurred in the construction sector (2,011). The only sector to have seen notable decline is manufacturing which saw its employment base shrink by just over 12,000.
Between 1998 and 2008, the GVA of Somerset grew by 62%, from £5.25 billion to £8.53 billion. This was below the level of growth achieved by the wider South West Region (66%) and Great Britain (71%). Some care should be taken when using these figures as they are prior to the effects of the recession truly kicking in. These figures therefore will in all likelihood, overstate the current value of the Somerset economy 30 .
The working age population of Somerset (16-64yrs) is 318,000 of which 157,000 are male and 161,000 are female 31 . The employment levels of the Somerset population indicate that 35% are employed in part time jobs and 65% are in full time employment. Self employment stands at 9.5% of the working population and unemployment is 6.6%, which is below the national average 32 .
The table below shows the various employment sectors in Somerset. The mining and quarrying sector directly employs 0.4% of the total number of people in employment in the County. The majority of these jobs are located in Mendip and in 1993 the quarrying industry provided 20% of male semi-skilled and unskilled employment in the Mendip Hills 33 .
Table 4.1 Somerset’s Employment Sectors
Somerset Total in Employment % Agriculture, forestry and fishing 8,610 3.7 Mining and quarrying 934 0.4 Manufacturing 38,252 16.6 Utilities 1,896 0.8 Construction 17,710 7.7 Wholesale/retail trade, mechanics 42,751 18.5 Hotels and catering 11,734 5.1 Transport, storage and communication 12,110 5.2 Finance 5,262 2.3 Public administration and defence 14,332 9.8 Education 18,174 6.2 Health and social work 25,760 7.9 Other 10,543 11.2
29 Somerset Economic Assessment 2010 30 Somerset Economic Assessment 2010 31 Nomis 2009 32 Nomis 2009 33 Somerset Minerals Local Plan, 2004
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4.3 Waste and Minerals Baseline Overview 4.3.1 Municipal Waste
According to figures provided by the Somerset Waste Partnership 256,063 tonnes of household waste were produced in Somerset during 2009/2010. This is a reduction of 4,047 tonnes when compared with the figures for 2008/2009. Future growth projections 34 (see fig 4.2 below) estimate that almost 290,000 tonnes of MSW will be produced in Somerset by 2028.
MSW Growth Projections
290,000
285,000
280,000
Tonnes 275,000
270,000
265,000
260,000 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26 26/27 27/28 Year
Figure 4.2 Somerset’s MSW Growth Projections
Around 49% of household waste produced in 2009/10 was either recycled or composted with the rest going to landfill, which was consistent with the amount recycled or composted the previous year. Figures provided in the Somerset MWDF Annual Monitoring Report 2008/09 show that there has been no decrease in the ’per person’ amount of household waste sent to landfill when compared with the previous year. This is in comparison with reductions of 25kg recorded in 2007/08, 33kg recorded in 2006/07 and 54kg recorded in 2005/06. Previous decreases were primarily the result of increased diversion to recycling and composting along with tighter monitoring of trade waste entering Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). The AMR states that the lack of a decrease in the amount of household waste sent to landfill in 2008/09 is to be expected since it will be harder to improve year on year because of the large proportion of waste which is already diverted to recycling and composting.
The Somerset Waste Partnership is rolling out a new Sort-It-Plus collections to all districts in Somerset 35 with aim of increasing recycling. This will provide a weekly kerbside service for food waste, paper, card, glass bottles and jars, plastics, drinks and food cans, foil, clothing, shoes and car batteries.
Somerset’s Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) allowance for landfilling of biodegradable waste for 2008/9 was 135,286 tonnes, declining to 117,929 in 2010, 78,549 in
34 Projections are based on data provided by Somerset Waste Services on Municipal Waste Projections (14/07/10 Data) 35 http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/pages/Plastic%20&%20card%20trials.asp
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2013 and 54,963 in 2020. The Council currently has surplus allowances as only 132,728 tonnes of biodegradable waste was landfilled in 2008/09.
4.3.2 Commercial and Industrial Waste
In 2007, the Council undertook a review of Commercial and Industrial (C&I) waste arisings across Somerset. The aim of the survey was to calculate how much waste of types comparable to waste produced by households is produced by the C&I sector. The survey found that approximately 425,000tonnes of household-equivalent C&I was produced in 2006 with industrial accounting for 41% and commerce waste making up the remaining 59%. The breakdown of arisings by type and management methods used is shown in the tables 4.2 and 4.3 below:
Table 4.2 C&I Waste produced in Somerset
Waste type Industry Commerce Total Mixed waste 54,254 148, 046 202,300 Metal waste 25,935 5,957 31,892 Non metallic waste 46,455 78,404 124,859 Animal and vegetal 46,600 18,131 64,731 waste Somerset County 173,244 250,538 423,783 Council Totals 287,998
Table 4.3 C&I Waste Management method
Waste Management method Industry Commerce 36 Landfill 31% 45% Recycle/re-use 62% 39% Treatment/transfer 7% 6%
The study split the County into three zones in order to understand the distribution of the different types of C&I waste arisings across the County. The findings reveal that for the most part the three zones are very similar with mixed waste making up around 47% of all waste and non-metallic waste averaging 28% but with some slight variations.
The principal disposal method for C&I waste was landfill in the South West region with 2.4 million tonnes landfilled in 1998/99 37 . National data on C&I waste collected by the Environment Agency in 2002/3 shows that the reliance on landfill has declined and reuse and recycling has increased. It also shows that industry landfills relatively less than commerce although the management methods applied to the different waste types are similar. The majority of landfilled waste by industry is from sectors with high quantities of mineral wastes while for commerce general mixed waste forms the largest proportion of waste that is landfilled.
The amount of C&I waste managed in the County is influenced by imports and exports and this is likely to remain the case in the future. There is currently limited data on the movement of C&I waste to and from Somerset. The Council’s C&I survey helps in addressing this issue to a limited extent, along with data from the Environment Agency. The EA's Strategic Waste Management Assessment (2000) indicated that 37% of Somerset’s C&I waste was exported out of the County.
36 10% of C&I waste is not accounted for in Table 4.3. The Council will ascertain how this proportion of C&I was managed and data updated in future review of Scoping report. 37 The Regional Waste Strategy for the South West 2004-2020
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Waste Strategy 2007 requires Local Authorities to support Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with better management of their waste. A key issue likely to face SMEs is for those businesses whose waste is currently collected unsorted and sent to landfill, the requirement for the ‘pre-treatment’ of non-hazardous waste which comes into force in October 2007. In making future provision, the WDF should ensure that enough capacity is provided to meet the needs of businesses and industry. In November 2010, Defra published interim estimates of C&I waste arisings (in 2009) covering eight English regions (excluding the north west). Regional breakdowns and more detailed analyses will be provided in the final report. The findings for the south west region will inform the preparation of the Somerset MWDF.
4.3.3 Construction and Demolition Waste
The South West generated 12.6 million tonnes of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste in 2001 accounting for 62% of the total waste arising in the region 38 . Currently there are relatively little reliable data on Somerset’s C&D waste arisings; however, work is being undertaken by Somerset County Council to verify and, if possible, improve on the estimate referred to in the Somerset Waste Local Plan (approximately 670,000 tonnes in 1998/1999), which was taken from Environment Agency data.
Following the introduction of Landfill Tax, C&D waste has increasingly been recycled across the country and this is expected to be the case across the SW region and in Somerset. The Regional Waste Strategy sets waste management capacity targets for the treatment, transfer and landfilling of C&D waste. Somerset is expected to plan for transfer capacity of 150,000 tonnes per year by 2010 and 180,000 tonnes per year of inert landfill.
4.3.4 Other wastes
In 2001, Somerset produced 23,086 tonnes of hazardous waste according to the Regional Waste Strategy 2004. The requirement of the landfill Directive to classify sites as either hazardous or non-hazardous has had a significant impact on the disposal of hazardous waste across the South West region and the whole of the UK. The Council should review the capacity requirements for hazardous waste in Somerset to ensure sufficient capacity exists to deal with hazardous waste arising in the area. There is one hazardous landfill site in Somerset, Southwood Landfill site, and this is permitted to accept asbestos only. Other hazardous wastes requiring landfill are transported primarily to Gloucestershire or Wiltshire.
4.3.5 Existing Waste Management Sites
The following landfill sites are identified as currently operational in Somerset. They include those taking non-hazardous household waste as well as inert materials.
Table 4.4 Operational Landfill Sites
Name Type Dimmer Landfill Non-hazardous landfill with hazardous waste cells for asbestos Lime Kiln Hill Quarry Landfill Site Inert Landfill Walpole Landfill Site Co-Disposal Landfill Site Whiscombe Hill Transfer Station & Landfill Non Hazardous Landfill Whiteball Quarry Landfill Site Inert Landfill
38 The Regional Waste Strategy for the South West 2004-2020
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The Council currently provides and manages 18 HWRCs for the recycling and disposal of household waste including fridges and freezers and there are over 200 Mini-Recycling centres, which are run by the District authorities (e.g. in supermarket car parks) throughout Somerset. Map 4.9 in Appendix 4 shows the existing network of waste management sites in Somerset. The Council is proposing the closure of some HWRCs as part of its cost-saving measures.
The County Council is undertaking further research on waste arisings and projections that will inform its waste core strategy evidence base.
4.3.6 Minerals
A range of minerals are found and exploited in Somerset including:
Crushed Rock Aggregates – This is mainly composed of Carboniferous limestone of the Mendip Hills and forms an important supply source nationally 39 . Crushed rock makes a significant contribution to the local economy and it was estimated that the total revenue of the Mendip Hills quarrying industry was around £150 million in 1993 supporting 2,580 jobs. The MWDF AMR 2008/09 states that 10.57 million tonnes of land won aggregates were produced in Somerset in 2008.
The Draft RSS for the South West set a sub-regional apportionment for the extraction of aggregates and had allocated 226.18 million tonnes (14.14 million tonnes per year) for Somerset. For the south west, the CLG 2005-2020 apportionment figures are slightly reduced compared to those presented in the Draft RSS based on the 2001-2016 report (the South West provision has been reduced by 9% for hard rock and 21% for sand and gravel 40 ).
The South West Councils commissioned a study looking at the options for apportionment. The options considered were:
• Sub-regional apportionment in the same ratio as applied to the 2001 -2016 figures; • Sub-regional apportionment based on environmental capacity assessment of each area • Sub-regional apportionment based on supply and demand and proximity to markets and alternative supply for markets in area of shortfall.
SWRAWP provided technical advice to the CLG in respect of the sub regional apportionments for the South West region. It recommends that CLG refers the apportionments to the South West Mineral Planning Authorities (MPAs) for testing at the local level through the Local Development Framework process. The apportionments were taken from Scenario 1 of the report prepared by South West Councils and were based on historic proportional contributions to supplies averaged over the period 2004 – 2008.
Mendip Hills is the only geological resource of significance for maintaining an adequate and steady supply of crushed rock aggregate production in Somerset with East Mendip being responsible for most of the production. Future working is likely to continue in this area and in making future provision; the MWDF should ensure that key environmental issues are taken into consideration and especially with regard to transport, restoration, nature conservation, groundwater and landscape (Mendip AONB) and visual impacts. It should be noted that the quarrying of limestone from below the water table has the potential to damage both biological and geological (cave) sites. Cumulative effects on the environment and neighbouring communities should also be considered.
39 Somerset County Council comments on draft SA Scoping Report 40 Somerset Aggregates Paper – issues consultation for Minerals Core Strategy, January 2010
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Road surfacing stone (a type of crushed rock aggregate) – Two areas in Somerset are known to contain relatively high quality road stone. Andesite in the Mendip Hills (extraction is ongoing at Moons Hill Quarry) and Devonian sandstone located in the Quantock Hills AONB which is not currently worked. Exmoor and the Brendons have significant exploitable resources of the Hangman Grits, also found on the Quantocks. As with other crushed rock quarries environmental issues need to be carefully considered.
Building Stones – Somerset has a range of building stones including Blue Lias, oolitic limestone and Triassic sandstone. These stones are in demand due to the need for locally distinctive stone for new development and the maintenance of historic buildings. These are mainly worked through very small scale operations and are unlikely to have significant effects on the environment due to the size of operations. However, the quarries are often located close to settlements and the impact of these workings on such settlements can be high.
Peat – Peat extraction is well established in Somerset and the Council has limited extraction to areas identified as Peat Production Zones for many years to ensure it is extracted efficiently. According to the Somerset Minerals Local Plan, Somerset supplied approximately 176,000m3 of locally extracted peat making a contribution of 9% to the 2Mm3 UK extracted peat. Based on this supply rate and extant permissions for 2.15Mm3 saleable peat in October 1999, the Plan predicted that the MPA might be expected to allocate 90 hectares to the year 2015. Ecological and archaeological issues are key constraints to peat extraction and in identifying suitable sites these issues need to be addressed adequately. More up to date data on annual production rates has been collected, which demonstrates that the annual output of peat in Somerset averaged over the 10 years was around 100,000cubic metres per year. By 2009 output had declined to approximately 60,000 cubic metres. This new data will inform the formulation of new policies. Another important aspect for peat extraction given its sensitive location is reclamation of site after working. Former peat sites have failed to meet high standards of reclamation and the Council has a policy aimed at securing proper site reclamation.
Replacing peat with alternative materials is encouraged through the Local Plan in order to meet targets set in MPG13 of meeting 40% of the total market peat requirements by non-peat materials. However, the import of peat and non-peat alternatives into the peat extraction areas is unlikely to be sustainable in transport terms. The MLP requires that in order to develop facilities where the primary purpose is the processing or storage of imported peat or peat alternative, industry should be looking to find sites which are close to the main ports or highway links.
Sand and Gravel – Somerset has relatively small amounts of sand and gravel by comparison with other aggregates. Small amounts of beach sand have been won in the past at Brean Down and Burnham-on-Sea and sand and gravel was previously worked at Whiteball, near Wellington 41 .
Clay, gypsum, iron, coal and oil have previously been worked in Somerset but extraction of these has now ceased and is unlikely to resume in the foreseeable future.
The MLP contains detailed information on the individual quarries and mineral sites in the County. There are currently 9 active aggregate quarries, 12 active building stone quarries and 1 active wharf for marine-dredged sand and gravel. In addition there are 2 inactive aggregate quarries which could commence working in the foreseeable future. Map 4.10 in Appendix 4 illustrates the location of existing (active and inactive) quarries in the County.
There are currently 12 dormant aggregate and building stone quarries in Somerset, some of which have not been operational for many years. New schemes of work would need to be
41 Somerset Minerals Local Plan, 2004.
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agreed with the Council before work can resume at these sites to ensure that adverse environmental effects are mitigated against. Where no future working is envisaged, reclamation of these sites should be sought.
Somerset County Council has defined Mineral Consultation Areas (MCAs). These are areas which are notified to the districts as areas in which development is likely to affect or be affected by the mining and working of materials.
There is no data on current use of secondary and recycled aggregates in Somerset. There is need for a better understanding of construction and demolition waste arisings and level of re- use to inform future policy development. 4.4 Key Messages Appendix 3 contains the baseline indicators investigated as part of the baseline review. Each indicator was classified as:
• Favourable performance (green) • Reasonable performance - needs action (yellow) • Poor performance – priority for action (red) • Uncertain or unclassifiable (grey)
Table 4.4 below highlights some of the indicators judged to be performing favourably, reasonably or poorly (more details are contained in Appendix 3). The MWDF may be able to address some of the issues especially those related to waste arisings and management while others are best addressed through partnership with other organisations for example the Local Strategic Partnership.
Table 4.4 Indicator Performance
Performance on Baseline Indicators
Favourable Performance Index of Multiple Deprivation GVA Recycling rates % of homes with kerbside recycling facilities % of electricity generated from landfill gas Number of non-inert landfill sites collecting methane Amount of household waste arising Reasonable Performance – needs action Unemployment rates Proportion of energy that is from renewable sources Condition of SSSIs (focusing on those affected or likely to be affected by minerals or waste operations) Proportion of minerals transported by rail Poor Performance – Priority for action Amount of waste landfilled High proportion of waste transported by road
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4.5 Data Gaps In collecting baseline data, ‘gaps’ in data coverage are inevitably encountered. The SA Guidance suggests that where baseline information is unavailable or unsatisfactory, planning authorities should consider how they could improve it for use in assessments of future plans. The SA Guidance urges a pragmatic approach to the collection of baseline information:
“In theory, collection of baseline data could go on indefinitely and a practical approach is essential. Where there are gaps, it will be important to record any resulting uncertainties or risks in the appraisal. Provisions should also be made to fill any major gaps for future plans or reviews”.
Appendix 3 highlights areas where data gaps exist. The key areas lacking in data are highlighted below:
• Up to date data is required on C&D waste in terms of both arising and re-use rates in order to better understand the amount that is disposed and that is re-used. A better understanding on the current use of secondary and recycled aggregates in Somerset will also help understand how much provision is required for the management of C&D waste as well as to help in formulating an effective re-use policy. • There is need for information on import and export of all waste streams to aid in understanding whether Somerset is meeting self-sufficiency in managing its waste. 4.6 Future Trends The SEA Directive requires plan or programme proponents to identify:
“The relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the plan or programme”
The baseline spreadsheet (Appendix 3) identifies, using available data, the current state of Somerset (in economic, social and environmental terms). The spreadsheet also includes trend data (where available) and the extrapolation of this data can provide clues as to the likely evolution of Somerset in the absence of the new MWDF and the policies and proposals it will include.
Predicting the nature of future trends is fraught with difficulty. These will depend on a wide range of factors including the global and national economic climate and decisions made at the national, regional and district level. Where there is sufficient data available to show a trend, it appears that the following trends are likely to continue:
• Somerset’s population is forecasted to continue growing; similarly MSW waste arisings are expected to continue growing reaching approximately 290,000 by 2028 • Climate change effects are likely to be increasingly felt in the future, especially that from flooding (more so in the Parret Catchment); • Most of Somerset’s waste is likely to continue being transported by road; • Distances household waste is transported has generally stayed the same for the period 2006-2008 for the whole of Somerset. Previous years had shown a small degree of variation in the average number of miles travelled from waste source to landfill due to the closure of Poole and Rydon landfills. Movements are likely to stay the same but will be affected by development of new waste management sites across Somerset;
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• Recycling rates are expected to continue increasing while landfilling of biodegradable waste decreases; • Crushed rock production will continue in the Mendip Hills area in the foreseeable future; and • Somerset’s economy is likely to continue performing well although more investment will be required if it is to meet its potential.
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5 Task A3 – Sustainability Issues and Problems 5.1 Introduction The identification of key sustainability issues facing Somerset with regard to waste and minerals planning provides an opportunity to define key issues for the MWDF and to develop sustainable plan objectives and options for resolving these. The identification of sustainability issues will also provide useful information to inform the SA / SEA process.
The requirement to identify sustainability problems arises from the SEA Directive:
The ‘Environmental Report’ required under the SEA Directive should include:
“any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the plan or programme including, in particular those relating to any areas of a particular environmental importance, such as areas designated pursuant to directives 79/409/EEC ‘the Birds Directive’ and 92/43/EEC the ‘Habitats Directive”
(Annex 1(d)
Key sustainability issues identified for Somerset are outlined below. These have been identified from the context review (Task A1) and the review of baseline data (Task A2).
Table 5.1 Key MWDF Issues
Key Sustainability Issues There is a need to provide a sustainable network of facilities to enable waste to be managed efficiently. In the immediate future, as landfills close and alternative facilities have not yet been provided, waste miles increase as the waste is transported to the next nearest landfill in Somerset or over the border. This is the case for all types of waste including inert, non-inert and hazardous. As pressure on land increases the conflict between housing, light industrial and less neighbourly land uses increases. There is a need to ensure sufficient land is available in appropriate locations to meet the need for waste management facilities and for the supply of primary and secondary minerals. There is need to increase the amount of waste recycled, re-used and recovered in order to meet the objectives of sustainable waste management. The delivery of waste facilities to meet future capacity is a major challenge and the MWDF will need to make adequate provision in a manner that respects the environment while balancing the need to attract investment. Much of Somerset is low lying and at risk from flooding. The location of future waste and minerals development should consider climate change effects and especially the need to locate development away from areas liable to flood risk. Climate change is predicted to affect future waste management operations including access and use of facilities, particularly through increased flooding, and the MWDF should seek to have policies that require development proposals to show how risks can be minimised in the future. Encourage sustainable transportation of minerals and waste – All of Somerset’s waste is transported by road and there is need to consider the potential for use of alternative transport including rail. Somerset has a rich natural environment with a high proportion of land designated
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Key Sustainability Issues for nature and landscape conservation. Minerals and waste planning will need to ensure designated sites are protected and that development does not adversely affect those sites or any European Protected Species (including bats). Employment prospects are in decline although economic growth remains fair. The MWDF should promote investment both in minerals and waste sectors while balancing the need to protect the environment. The Somerset Economic Strategy identifies 5 key emerging business sectors. Waste facilities need to be provided that enable these industries and others to have access to cost-effective waste management solutions that also meet the requirements to improve “green” business credentials and implementation of ISO14001, Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control etc. making Somerset commercially attractive. There is a history of poor restoration of older mineral sites across Somerset and a large number of disused or dormant quarries. Proper restoration of these quarries is required in order to enhance environmental quality in affected areas. There is need to promote increased use of alternative sources of aggregates in order to promote resource efficiency in the construction sector. Need to minimise the environmental and human health effects of mineral and waste operations and associated transportation impacts. The cumulative effect of continued working in the Mendip Hills area needs to be considered. Minerals working is an important industry in Somerset and unnecessary sterilisation of minerals should be avoided. On the other hand, there is need to balance the need for minerals with other developments e.g. housing. The MWDF needs to take account of local needs when defining Mineral Safeguarding Areas. With regard to mineral extraction there is an increasing need to protect water resources and careful management of the conflict between this and mineral extraction (peat and hard rock) will be required. Previously developed land should be re-used wherever possible in order to protect key green field land. Air quality is generally good across Somerset and the MWDF should seek to support this trend. Ancient woodland is significant in the County; consideration should be given to the establishment of new woodlands adjacent to ancient woodlands as buffer zones. There is a need to consider new woodland establishment where this does not conflict with existing wildlife interests. Peat resources should be protected and where working is permitted ecological and archaeological issues should be adequately considered. Use of alternative materials should be promoted to meet Government target for increased use of peat alternatives. HGV traffic associated with peat working in the Somerset Levels and Moors should be better managed to reduce the negative effects on the environment and local communities.
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The key sustainability issues will be further informed by discussions with planning officers and through consultation with the Consultation Bodies and other key stakeholders during the Scoping report consultation.
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6 Task A4 – The SA Framework 6.1 Introduction SA is fundamentally based on an objectives-led approach whereby the potential impacts of a plan are gauged in relation to a series of aspirational objectives for sustainable development. In other words, the objectives provide a methodological yardstick against which to assess the effects of the plan. The SA Framework – as the Guidance refers to it – consists of objectives and associated targets (where these exist) as well as indicators.
It should be noted that the SA objectives are distinct from the MWDF objectives though they may in some cases overlap. SA objectives should focus on outcomes (or ends), not on how the outcomes will be achieved (inputs or means). They are an assessment tool, that when taken as a whole, define the basis for sustainable development in Somerset, balancing economic, social and environmental needs.
Based on the issues identified through tasks A1, A2 and A3 above (review of relevant plans and programmes, baseline review and identification of key issues) and a review of other sustainability objectives developed at the regional and local level (SA objectives for the RSS and SA of LDDs), the following list of SA/SEA objectives has been developed against which Somerset’s MWDF will be assessed. The objectives cover the topics listed in the SEA Directive 42 and although broadly similar, they have been set out separately for minerals and for waste DPDs to facilitate effective appraisal of the two sets of DPDs.
The objectives are underlain by detailed sub-objectives (appraisal criteria) which amplify the broad objectives and allow for the appraisal to capture the different level of detail as appropriate. They are also accompanied by indicators to aid in future monitoring and testing MWDF performance against current baseline. These indicators are closely linked to those in Appendix 3.
The objectives will be subject to consultation with the Council and relevant stakeholders and will be revised to take on board comments made following the scoping report consultation.
42 Biodiversity, population, human health, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage and landscape
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Table 6.1 SA Objectives (Minerals)
SA Objective Appraisal Criteria/Sub-objectives Possible Indicators 1. To protect geodiversity and conserve • Will it maintain and enhance relevant BAP • Designated sites affected by minerals/waste and enhance biodiversity including natural Habitats and species? development (positively or adversely) habitats and protected species • Will it restore the full range of characteristic • BAP Habitats and Species affected by habitats and species to viable levels? minerals and waste development (positively Covers SEA Directive topics: • Will it protect and enhance habitat corridors or adversely) - Biodiversity and linking routes? • Protected species loosing or gaining - Flora • Will it help create new habitats? ‘Favourable Conservation Status’ as a result - Fauna • Is it near to an airfeld and likely to increase of minerals/waste development the chance of birdstrike? • No of permitted applications for mineral • Will it protect and conserve important development that includes a restoration geological sites? scheme that contributes to the development • Will it conserve and enhance the best sites of priority habitats (SWSR) that present the geological history of Somerset? • Will it create new geological exposures of education interest? 2. Protect and enhance landscape • Will it protect and enhance the diversity and • No of restored disused quarries (SWSR) character, local distinctiveness and distinctiveness of Somerset‘s landscape and • No of permitted applications close to 1km or historic built heritage protect it from the negative impacts of within landscape designations (SWSR) minerals development? • No of permitted applications affecting Covers SEA Directive topics: • Will it contribute to the proper restoration of archaeological resources (SWSR) - Cultural Heritage future and historical minerals sites, - Landscape maximising after-use potential for beneifcal use (e.g. agriculture, nature conservation, recreation, amenity, water storage, flood management) as appropriate? • Will it protect and further enhance the historic environment and archaeology? • Will it facilitate the supply and use of local building materials to protect local character? • Will it affect dark skies from light pollution? • Will it protect and enhance the transquillity of Somerset (e.g. by minimising noise arising
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SA Objective Appraisal Criteria/Sub-objectives Possible Indicators from minerals facilities and transport)? 3. To maintain and improve ground and • Will it affect groundwater resources through • No of sites affecting SPZs of major aquifers surface water quality for instance excavations below the water (within 200m )(SWSR) table? • No of sites close to (within 200m) Covers SEA Directive topics: • Will it impact on surface water quality and watercourses (SWSR) -Water cause disturbance to or removal of surface water features? • Will it improve water efficiency? • Will it cause disuption to hydrological systems? • Will it contaminate ground or surface water? 4.Maintain and improve air quality • Will it increase congestion? • Number of complaints on dust relating to • Will it increase dust production e.g. through minerals (SWSR) Covers SEA Directive topics: crushing and grading processes, haulage - Air and blasting? • Will it result in an increase in traffic pollution and other air pollution associated with all mineral development? • Will it lie within an Air Quality Management Area? 5. Address the causes of climate change • Will it reduce distances travelled by road for • Distances travelled by road for minerals through reducing greenhouse gas the transportation of minerals? (SWSR) emissions • Will energy consumption be minimised by • Proportion of aggregates transported by rail the processing of the resource? or water (SWSR) Covers SEA Directive topics: • Will green house gas emissions reduce if the • Average distances travel for mineral supply - Climatic Factors site lies close to its final destination – does (SWSR) the quarry supply a local area or are • No of sites with rail access/use (SWSR) supplies exported further afield? • No of sites with easy access to the strategic • Will extraction processes produce carbon routes (SWSR) dioxide, methane or other greenhouse gases? • Will there be potential for rail or water-based access to and from mineral sites? • Will there be potential for the efficent use of conveyors?
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SA Objective Appraisal Criteria/Sub-objectives Possible Indicators • Will there be an opportunity to increase backloading where appropriate? • Will it be well located in relation to surrounding markets for minerals? • Will the mineral operation serve local needs? • Will it encourage the use of renewable energy sources?
6. Limit vulnerability to flooding taking • Is the development with an area liable to • No of permitted sites for minerals account of climate change flooding (e.g. Flood Zones 2 or 3)? development within the floodplain (SWSR) • Will the development increase the risk of Covers SEA Directive topics: flooding in this or other areas? - Human Health • Will it help flood mangement, taking account - Water of climate change? - Material Assets - Climatic Factors 7.To minimise the risks to human health • Will it have harmful effects on human health • No of sites within 250m of sensitive derived from mineral extraction and and be sited close to sensitive receptor? receptors (SWSR) improve overall quality of life/amenity • Will it affect amenity through dust and noise • N1 047 People killed or seriously injured in e.g. through blasting/traffic or vibration? (NB road traffic accidents (SCC) Covers SEA Directive topics: the effects of dust are also considered • N1 137 Healthy life expectancy at age 65 - Human Health separately under Objective 4) (SCC) • Will it affect road safety? • Will it affect access (transport infrastructure – road, footpaths, bridleway and cyclepath) and use of public open space, country parks and/or Public Rights of Way? • Will it constrain access to services and facilities?
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SA Objective Appraisal Criteria/Sub-objectives Possible Indicators 8. Minimise consumption of natural • Will it reduce extraction of virgin materials? • Amount of recycled aggregate used (SWSR) resources, promote resource efficiency • Will it encourage the use of secondary and • Annual production of crushed rock, sand and avoid unnecessary sterilisation recycled aggregates through for instance and gravel and peat (SWSR) construction works and/or backfilling? Covers SEA Directive topics: • Will it avoid sterilising mineral resources by - Material Assets preventing unnecessary development on or near to mineral resources? • Will it require prior extraction if development that would sterilise mineral resources is to go ahead? • Will it encourage efficient use of land? • Will it encourage the minerals sector to take responsibility for the waste associated with their operations?
9. Contribute to economic growth and • Will it generate diverse new jobs the region? • N1 151 Overall employment rate (working- diversity • Will it support and encourage the growth of age) (SCC) small and medium size business? • No of direct jobs created in the minerals • Will it encourage the provision of more sector per year (SWSR) locally based skills and facilities? • No of new minerals permissions (SWSR)
10 To conserve and enhance soil quality • Will it reduce contamination? • Loss of best and most versatile agricultural • Will it minimise the loss of the best and most land Covers SEA Directive versatile agricultural land? - Soil
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Table 6.2 SA Objectives (Waste)
SA Objective Appraisal Criteria/Sub-objectives Possible Indicators 1. To conserve and enhance Somerset’s - Will it maintain and enhance relevant BAP - Number of permitted applications for waste biodiversity including natural habitats and Habitats and species? development within 1km of designated or protected species - Will itrestore the full range of characteristic locally important sites habitats and species to viable levels? - Number of permitted applications for waste - Will it protect and conserve important development that include a restoration geological sites? scheme that contributes to development of - Will it protect and enhance habitat corridors priority habitats and linking routes? 2. Protect and enhance landscape - Will it protect landscape from negative - Number of permitted applications close to character, local distinctiveness and impacts of waste development? (1km) or within landscape designations - Will it contribute to the proper restoration of historic built heritage - Number of permitted applications affecting future and historical waste sites? archaeological resources - Will it protect and further enhance the historic environment and archaeology? 3. To maintain and improve ground and - Will it affect groundwater resources? - Number of sites affecting SPZs or major surface water quality - Will it impact on surface water quality? aquifers (within 200m) - Will it improve water efficiency? - Number of sites close to (within 200m) watercourses? 4.Maintain and improve air quality - Will it increase congestion? - Number of complaints on dust/odour relating - Will it increase dust and/or odour? to waste. 5. Address the causes of climate change - Will it reduce distances travelled by road? - Distances travelled by road for waste through reducing greenhouse gas - Will it produce methane or other greenhouse management/ gases? emissions - Proportion of waste transported by rail or - Is there potential for rail access? water. - Is site well located close to strategic road network? - Average distances travelled for waste - Is the site well located in relation to management/ surrounding settlements (waste) - Number of sites with rail access/use - Is the facility to serve local needs? - Number of sites with easy access to the strategic routes 6. Limit vulnerability to flooding taking - Is the development within an area liable to - Number of permitted site waste development account of climate change flooding? within the flood plain
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SA Objective Appraisal Criteria/Sub-objectives Possible Indicators 7. To minimise the risks to human health - Will it have harmful effect on human health? - Number of sites within 250m of sensitive deriving from waste management/mineral - Will it affect amenity through noise, vibration, receptors (settlements) extraction and improve overall quality of traffic, etc? life/amenity. 8. Minimise consumption of natural - Will it promote sustainable construction - Amount of waste arising in Somerset resources, promote resource efficiency practices? - Number of waste facilities on brown-field sites and avoid unnecessary sterilisation. - Will it encourage and utilise renewable energy technologies? - Amount of waste recycled, recovered - Will it reduce the amount of waste produced? - Amount of waste landfilled/diverted from - Will it encourage re-use, recycling landfill /composting and recovery - Number of allocations developed for land use - Will it promote efficeint renewable energy other than waste? production? - Will it extend life of existing landfills and
reduce the need for new landfill sites by diverting waste to other waste management options? - Will it protect allocated and existing waste sites? - Will it encourage efficient use of land. 9. Contribute to economic growth and - Will it generate diverse new jobs for the - Number of direct jobs created in the diversity region? waste/mineral sector per year - Will it encourage innovation? - Number of new waste permissions - Will it support and encourage the growth of small and medium size business? - Average cost of waste disposal - Will it encourage the provision of more locally based skills and facilities?
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7 Consultation and Next Steps 7.1 Introduction The SA Guidance states that stakeholder consultation at Stage A is particularly important:
“Consultation at this stage helps to ensure that the SA will be comprehensive and robust enough to support the DPD during the later stages of full public consultation and examination”. In particular, the Guidance suggests, “Sustainability objectives and indicators and targets should be developed with input from key stakeholders and ideally should be open to wider comment and discussion”.
The initial Scoping report (2007) was sent to the three SEA consultation bodies for consultation - Natural England, English Heritage and the Environment Agency – and other key stakeholders for consultation. Comments were received from the following bodies:
• The Environment Agency • English Heritage • Natural England • The Council’s Ecology department • The Council’s Landscape Department • Somerset waste partnership • Mendip Council • Somerset County Council Renewable Energy officer
Their comments were taken into account and were incorporated in the Report produced in October 2007. This revised Scoping Report was also made available for comment by the statutory consultees and other interested stakeholders. Comments were received from:
• Natural England • Environment Agency • CPRE • The Council’s Ecology Department • The Council’s Head of Environment and Regeneration • South Somerset District Council
The comments have been taken in to account in this Scoping report and are shown in Appendix 5. 7.2 Next Steps The next stage of the SA process will involve appraising the Council’s emerging minerals and waste DPD policies against the agreed SA framework to ensure that the policies taken forward to adoption are the most sustainable options for Somerset.
Since publication of the initial Scoping Report, some work on Stage B of the appraisal process has been undertaken including the appraisal of the Waste Core Strategy Issues and Options and the appraisal of the Minerals Core Strategy leading to the publication of Initial SA reports
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for the Issues and Options. Further SA of the Waste Issues and Options is planned for early 2011.
Final Sustainability Appraisal Reports will be prepared to accompany the Submission DPDs. Further information on the Council’s timetable for the preparation of the Minerals and Waste DPDs can be obtained from Somerset County Council.
The changes made in this revised Scoping Report will be taken in to account in further appraisal work to ensure that the appraisal is based on the most up to date baseline data and appraisal objectives.
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Glossary Area Action Plan (AAP) A type of Development Plan Document focusing on implementation, providing an important mechanism for ensuring development of an appropriate scale, mix and quality for key areas of opportunity, change or conservation.
Adoption statement A statement prepared by the Local Planning Authority notifying the public that the Development Plan Document or Supplementary Planning Document has been adopted. This is required by Regulation 36 for Development Plan Documents and Regulation 19 for Supplementary Planning Document in the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004.
A statement on the main issues raised during the consultation on the sustainability appraisal and how these were taken into account in the development of the Development Plan Documents or Supplementary Planning Documents as required by the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive, is recommended to be included in the Adoption Statement
Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) Assesses the implementation of the Local Development Scheme and the extent to which policies in Local Development Documents are being achieved.
Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) Local Authorities are required to measure air pollution to monitor if the national air quality objectives are being achieved. If the objectives are not being met, the local authority must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). The local authority should then produce a Local Air Quality Action Plan, stating how air quality will be improved
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) A site with a statutory national landscape designation to provide special protection for the areas natural beauty of the landscape.
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Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Biodiversity Action Plans are produced at the national, regional and local level. The UK BAP defines national priorities and targets, setting UK habitats and species into an international context and defines international responsibilities. It represents the UK commitment to the Biodiversity Conservation signed in Rio in 1992 and provides political support and motivation to the wider local planning process. There are seven Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) that exist within Somerset
C&I Commercial and Industrial waste
C&D Construction and Demolition Waste
Consultation Body An authority which because of its environmental responsibilities is likely to be concerned by the effects of implementing plans and programmes and must be consulted under the SEA Directive. The Consultation Bodies in England are the Countryside Agency, English Heritage, English Nature and the Environment Agency
Consultation Statement A statement prepared by a Local Planning Authority for a Supplementary Planning Document under regulation 17 (1) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004
Core Strategy Should set out the key elements of the planning framework for the area. It should comprise: a spatial vision and strategic objectives for the area; a spatial strategy; core policies; and a monitoring and implementation framework with clear objectives for achieving delivery
Development Plan Documents (DPD) A type of Local Development Document. DPDs include the Core Strategy, site specific allocations of land and Area Action Plans (where needed)
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) A generic term used to describe environmental assessment as applied to projects. In this guide ‘EIA’ is used to refer to the type of assessment required under the European Directive 337/85/EEC
Indicator A measure of variables over time, often used to measure achievement of objectives
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Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) This is a measure of deprivation in England, for every local authority and super output area seven domains of deprivation are measured: (Income, Employment, Health deprivation and Disability, Education Skills and Training, Barriers to Housing and Services, Crime the Living Environment). This allows all 32,482 SOAs to be ranked according to how deprived they are relative to each other. This information is then brought together into one overall Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004
Output indicator An indicator that measures the direct output of the plan or programme. These indicators measure progress in achieving a plan objective, targets and policies.
Significant effects indicator An indicator that measures the significant effects of the plan.
Contextual indicator An indicator used in monitoring that measures changes in the context within which a plan is being implemented.
Local Development Document (LDD) There are two types of Local Development Document: Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents.
Local Development Framework (LDF) Sets out, in the form of a ‘portfolio’, the Local Development Documents which collectively deliver the spatial planning strategy for the area in question. The LDF also includes the Statement of Community Involvement, the Local Development Scheme and the Annual Monitoring Report.
Local Development Scheme (LDS) Sets out the local authority’s programme for preparing the Local Development Documents.
Local Development Regulations Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004.
Town and Country Planning (Transitional Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2004.
Mitigation Used in this guidance to refer to measures to avoid, reduce or offset significant adverse effects on the environment.
MSW Municipal Solid Waste
MWDPD Minerals and Waste Development plan Document
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Objective A statement of what is intended, specifying the desired direction of change in trends
Option For the purposes of this guidance option is synonymous with ‘alternative’ in the SEA Directive
Plan For the purposes of the SEA Directive this is used to refer to all of the documents to which this guidance applies, including Regional Spatial Strategy revisions and Development Plan Documents. Supplementary Planning Documents are not part of the statutory Development Plan but are required to have a sustainability appraisal.
PPS11 Planning Policy Statement 11: Regional Spatial Strategies
PPS12 Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks
Pre-submission consultation statement A statement prepared by a Local Planning Authority for a Development Plan Document pursuant to regulation 28(1) (c) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004.
Scoping The process of deciding the scope and level of detail of a Sustainability Appraisal.
Screening The process of deciding whether a document requires a SA.
SEA Directive European Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment
SEA Regulations The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (which transposed the SEA Directive into law).
Super Output Area (SOA) Super Output Areas (SOAs) are a new geographic hierarchy designed to improve the reporting of small area statistics in England and Wales. Three layer of SOA have been devised:
Lower Layer - Minimum population 1000; mean 1500. Built from groups of SOAs (typically 4 to 6) and constrained by the boundaries of the Standard Table (ST) wards used for 2001 Census outputs.
Middle Layer - Minimum population 5000; mean 7200. Built from groups of Lower Layer SOAs and constrained by the 2003 local authority boundaries
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used for 2001 Census outputs. Upper Layer - To be determined; minimum size c.25, 000.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) A statement setting out the consultation procedures for a Local Planning Authority. Explains to stakeholders and the community how and when they will be involved in the preparation of the Local Development Framework, and the steps that will be taken to facilitate this involvement
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Generic term used internationally to describe environmental assessment as applied to policies, plans and programmes. In the UK, SEA is increasingly used to refer to an environmental assessment in compliance with the ‘SEA Directive’
Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) A type of Local Development Document. Supplementary Planning Documents are intended to elaborate on DPD policies and proposals but do not have their statutory status.
Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Generic term used to describe a form of assessment which considers the economic, social and environmental effects of an initiative. SA, as applied to Local Development Documents, incorporates the requirements of the SEA Directive.
Sustainability issues The full cross-section of sustainability issues, including social, environmental and economic factors
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Appendix 1 - Initial List of Plans and Programmes Considered
Plans and Programmes Web link
EU Directives
EU- Framework Waste Directive (75/442/EEC, as http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/legi amended) slation/a.htm http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/land fill_index.htm EU- Landfill Waste Directive (99/31/EC) http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics /landfill-dir/index.htm http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/haz EU- Hazardous Waste Directive (91/689/EEC) ardous_index.htm http://eur- EU- Waste Electrical and Electronic Directive (2002/ lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CEL 96/EC and 2003/108/EC) EX:32003L0108:EN:HTML EU- Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ippc/index.htm Directive (96/61/EC) http://europa.eu.int/eur- EU-End of Life vehicles Directive (2000/53/EC) lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2000/l_269/l_26920001021en003 40042.pdf http://eur- EU- Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62 lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CEL EC) EX:31994L0062:EN:HTML http://eur- EU- Directive on Incineration of Waste (2000/76/EC) lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2000/l_332/l_ 33220001228en00910111.pdf http://eur- EU- Batteries Directive (2006/66/EC) lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_266/l_ 26620060926en00010014.pdf http://eur- lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!cel EU- European Waste Oil Directive (75/439/EC) explus!prod!DocNumber&lg=en&type_doc=Directi ve&an_doc=1975&nu_doc=439 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/nature_co EC- Conservation of Natural Habitats and of wild nservation/eu_nature_legislation/habitats_directiv fauna and flora Directive (92/43/EEC) e/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water- EC- Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) framework/index_en.html Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International http://www.ramsar.org/key_conv_e.htm Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (1971)
UK National Policy and Legislation
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/Ukpga_199 Environmental Protection Act 1990 00043_en_1.htm
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Plans and Programmes Web link http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1995/Ukpga_199 Environment Act 1995 50025_en_1.htm http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980044.h Waste Minimisation Act 1996 tm Agricultural Waste Regulations (2006) http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1996/Uksi_19960972 Special Waste Regulations 1996 _en_1.htm Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si2005/20050894.htm http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/strate Waste Strategy 2007 gy/ http://www.sustainable- Securing the Future-UK Sustainable Development development.gov.uk/publications/uk- Strategy (2005) strategy/index.htm http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 PPS1- Delivering Sustainable Development (2005) 3803 http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 PPG2 – Green Belt (1995, amended March 2001) 3926 PPS9 – Biodiversity and Geological Conservation http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 (2005) 3803 PPS 10 – Planning for Sustainable Waste http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 Management (and accompanying guidance) (2005) 3803 http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planni PPS12 – Local Spatial Planning (2008) ngandbuilding/pdf/pps12lsp.pdf http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 PPG13 – Transport (2001) 3926 http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 PPG15- Planning and Historic Environment (1994) 3926 http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 PPG16 – Planning and Archaeology (1990) 3926 PPG17- Planning for Open Space, Sport and http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 Recreation (2002) 3926 http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 PPS22 – Renewable Energy (2004) 3803 http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 PPS23 – Planning and Pollution Control (2004) 3803 http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 PPG24 - Planning and Noise (1994) 3926 http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 PPS 25 – Development and Flood Risk (2006) 3803 Sustainable Communities: Building for the future http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=116 (2003) 3452
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Plans and Programmes Web link http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/277/Minerals Minerals Policy Statement 1 – Planning and Minerals PolicyStatement1PlanningandMinerals_id150427 (2006) 7.pdf Minerals Policy Statement – 2: Controlling and http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/134/Minerals mitigating the environmental effects of minerals PolicyStatement2Controllingandmitigatingtheenvir extraction in the UK (2005) onmentaleffectsofminerad_id1144134.pdf http://www.planninghelp.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6BC Minerals Planning Guidance 6 – Guidelines for F4BE3-442D-4B4D-8378- aggregates provision in England 3E96EA945513/0/MPG6.pdf Minerals Planning Guidance 7 – Reclamation of http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 Minerals Workings (1996) 41 92 Minerals Planning Guidance 11 – The Control of http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=114 Noise at Surface Minerals Workings (1993) 4226 http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/162/Minerals Minerals Planning Guidance 13: Guidance for Peat PlanningGuidance13Guidelinesforpeatprovisionin provision in England (1995) England_id1507162.pdf Sustainable Communities in the South West: Building http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/459/Sustaina for the future (2003) bleCommunitiesintheSouthWest_id1163459.pdf A policy for the Long-term management of Solid Low http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/radioactivity/ level Radioactive waste in the UK (2007) waste/pdf/llw-policystatement070326.pdf A Guide to mineral safeguarding in England (2007) http://www.mineralsuk.com/britmin/0611_safeguar British Geological Society ding_minerals.pdf http://www.environment- Managing Water Abstraction: the Catchment agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/mwa_englis Abstraction Management Strategy Process. July 2002 h.pdf
Regional and Sub-Regional
http://www.southwest- The Regional Waste Strategy for the South West ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/Waste/SWRA_WasteStr_ 2004 – 2020 (2004) 1_9.pdf RPG10: Regional Planning for the South West of
England (2001) National and regional guidelines for aggregates http://www.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/pins/rss/s provision in England 2005-2020 outh_east_m/documents/2.9.pdf The Regional Sustainable Development Framework http://www.southwest- for the South West of England (2001) ra.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=671&tt=swra Just Connect: An Integrated Regional Strategy for the http://www.justconnect- South West (2004-2026) sw.co.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1666 Draft Revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the South http://gosw.limehouse.co.uk/portal/regional_strate West Incorporating the Secretary of States Proposed gies/drss?tab=files Changes South West of England Regional Spatial Strategy http://www.southwest- (Draft) Strategic Sustainability Assessment (March ra.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=836 2006)
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Plans and Programmes Web link http://www.southwest- ‘Our Environment, Our Future’ The Regional Strategy ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/Environment/ENV-strat- for the South West Environment 2004 – 2014 (2004) main.pdf http://www.southwest- ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/RSS%20Documents/Tec South West Regional Flood Risk Appraisal (Feb hnical%20Documents/Technical%20Work/Flood 2007) %20Risk/Final_Regional_Flood_Risk_Appraisal.p df
Somerset Strategies and Plans and Programmes
http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/ete/plannin Somerset Mineral Local Plan 1997-2011(Adopted g/strategicplanningandpolicy/index.cfm?override= April 2004) subtopic&infoid=5652 Somerset & Exmoor National Park Joint Structure http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/council/stru Plan Alteration 1996-2016 (Deposit Draft June 2004) cture/sea.cfm State of the County – Somerset Community Profile
(2003) http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/ete/transpo Somerset LTP2 (2006-2011) (2006) rt/localtransportplans/localtransportplan2/ http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/ete/plannin Somerset Waste Local Plan 2001-2011 (Adopted g/strategicplanningandpolicy/index.cfm?override= February 2005) subtopic&infoid=5656 http://www.somerset.gov.uk/media/F2D/96/Min_a Minerals and Waste AMR 2005/2006 (2006) nd_waste_AMR_2005_06_v4.pdf http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/ete/transpo Local Transport Plan 2: 2006 – 2011 rt/localtransportplans/localtransportplan2/ Somerset Draft Woodland Strategy N/A Somerset & Exmoor National Park Joint Structure http://www.somerset.gov.uk/enprop/strucplan/revi Plan Review 1991-2011 (adopted April 2000) ew0.htm Somerset Municipal Waste Management Strategy N/A (2003) http://www.mendip.gov.uk/Publication.asp?id=SX Mendip LDF Scoping Report (2006) 9452-A7816814 Sedgemoor Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid (2006) =2858
http://www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/template3. West Somerset LDF Scoping Report (2006) asp?parent=925&parent2=925&pid=1597&area=5
Somerset Sustainable Community Strategy 2009- http://www.somersetstrategicpartnership.org.uk/co 2026 (2009) mmunity/
Wild Somerset – The Somerset Biodiversity Strategy http://www.somerset.gov.uk/media/740/9E/Somer 2008-2018 (2008) set_biodiversity_strategy_final_version.pdf
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Plans and Programmes Web link
http://www.somerset.gov.uk/media/60E/4F/Respo Responding to Climate Change in Somerset (2008) nding_to_Climate_Change_in_Somerset.pdf
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Appendix 2 - Reviewed Relevant Plans and Programmes
Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond INTERNATIONAL POLICIES AND EU DIRECTIVES The EU is aiming for a significant cut in the The DPDs will need to adhere to the An objective in the SA amount of waste generated, through new targets set by the Directive to ensure the framework will need to be EU - Framework Waste waste prevention initiatives, better use of promotion of sustainable consumption developed to address the Directive (75/442/EEC, as resources, and encouraging a shift to more patterns. issue of resource efficiency amended) sustainable consumption patterns. It wants and sustainable waste to reduce the quantity of waste going to management including waste http://europa.eu.int/comm/envir ‘final disposal’ by 20% from 2000 to 2010, minimisation, recycling, onment/waste/index.htm and by 50% by 2050, with special recovery and disposal in the emphasis on cutting hazardous waste. county. The objective of the Directive is to Somerset has a large landfill uptake. Many The SA Framework should prevent or reduce as far as possible landfill sites are adjacent to areas of include an objective on waste negative effects on the environment from considerable nature value and are to be management and interrelate the landfilling of waste, by introducing developed for new natural habitats after this to waste; disposal, and stringent technical requirements for their closure. generation waste types and waste and landfills. relate this to an Objective on The Directive is intended to prevent or EU- Landfill Waste Directive Soil. Additionally, the SA reduce the adverse effects of the landfill (99/31/EC) should look, where possible of waste on the environment, in particular to encourage synergies on surface water, groundwater, soil, air http://europa.eu.int/comm/envir between waste disposal and and human health. onment/waste/landfill_index.ht energy production. It defines the different categories of waste m (municipal waste, hazardous waste, non- hazardous waste and inert waste) and applies to all landfills, defined as waste disposal sites for the deposit of waste onto or into land.
Conservation of Natural The Habitats Directive sets out the The Plan will need to demonstrate that plan The SA objectives should Habitats and of Wild Fauna and requirement to submit and subsequently policies will not lead to adverse effects on have regard for the
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond Flora Directive (Habitats adopt Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) important species and habitats including conservation and Directive) (92/43/EEC) under the Natura 2000 network. Article 6 of those set out in Annex 1 and II of the enhancement of important European Community the Directive sets out the requirements for Directive. species and habitats in line European Union Habitats protection, and compensation for loss of with the Habitats Directive Directive Site these sites. The Directive also requires authorities to ensure protection of ‘Favorable Conservation Status’ of species afforded European protection. Annex I of the Directive sets out a list of habitat types, Annex II sets out species types, Annex IV sets out those animal and plant species in need of strict protection. Ramsar is the first of the modern global There are 2 Ramsar sites in Somerset, the The Ramsar sites should be intergovernmental treaties on conservation Somerset Levels and Moors and Severn duly recognised in the SA and wise use of natural resources, its Estuary. Framework through provisions are relatively straightforward and Ramsar sites are also classified under the objectives highlighting the Ramsar Convention on general. Its original emphasis is on the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as SSSI protection and enhancement Wetlands of International conservation and wise use of wetlands and should be accorded the appropriate of protected / designated Importance especially as Primarily to provide habitat for water birds. protection through the MWDF. sites for biodiversity. It should Waterfowl Habitat (1971) Over time it has broadened its scope to also be included in the
cover all aspects of wetland conservation baseline information www.ramsar.org and wise use, recognizing wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the well-being of human communities. It requires all inland and coastal waters to The DPDs should ensure that the water The SA should have regard to reach "good status" by 2015. It will do this environment is considered through policies. the targets of the WFD, and EC – Water framework by establishing a river basin district The DPDs should ensure that pollution the requirements of the Directive (2000/60/EC) structure within which demanding does not harm the water environment. Directive. environmental objectives will be set, http://ec.europa.eu/environment including ecological targets for surface /water/water- waters. framework/index_en.html The WFD takes an inclusive approach to managing water as it flows through
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond catchments from lakes, rivers and groundwater to estuaries and the sea. One of the key overarching objectives of The DPD should respect both the The SA should highlight the the strategy, Environmental Protection, overarching principles as well as the importance of environmental includes respecting the limits of the planet’s relevant key challenges identified within the protection and encourage the natural resources, promoting sustainable SDS. reduction of waste consumption and breaking the link between production. economic growth and environmental This can be achieved through putting the degradation. reduction of waste production through resource efficiency as the priority action of Other key challenges of the strategy relevant policies and encouraging the include: production and use of secondary minerals EU Renewed Sustainable - Improving resource efficiency to reduce Development Strategy, June the overall use of non renewable natural 2006 resources; - Gaining and maintaining a competitive advantage by improving resource efficiency; - Halting the loss of biodiversity and contributing to a significant reduction in the worldwide rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. - Avoiding the generation of waste and enhancing efficient use of natural resources by applying the concept of life-cycle thinking and promoting reuse and recycling. This directive covers the protection, Ensuring that waste management facilities The SA should address the management and control of naturally or mineral operations are not located in importance of preserving occurring wild birds within Europe, applying areas known to be valuable as wild bird important wild bird habitat to all birds, eggs, nests and habitats. habitats. through objectives EU Council Directive on the highlighting the need to Conservation of Wild Birds In order to achieve this, it is each member protect and enhance (79/409/EEC) state’s responsibility to maintain/adapt designated sites for species population levels to ecological, biodiversity. scientific and cultural requirements. Particular conservation measures should
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond be made for species listed in Annex 1 of this directive.
NATIONAL LEGISLATION AND POLICY DOCUMENTS The aim of the strategy is to reduce waste The DPD should contribute to the delivery The SA should have regard to by making products with fewer natural of the key objectives of the strategy. the key objectives and targets resources within the strategy. Key objectives are: Waste Strategy for England -to decouple waste growth from economic 2007 growth
-meet and exceed the landfill diversion
targets for biodegradable and non-
municipal waste -secure investment in infrastructure needed to divert waste from landfill -Increase recycling and recovery of energy The overall objective of government policy Encouraging sustainable consumption, Minimisation of waste is key on waste is to protect human health and through reducing the amount of waste to achieving sustainable the environment by producing less waste produced and integrating the precautionary consumption. This can be and by using it as a resource wherever principle, can achieve this objective. achieved by following the Securing the Future – possible. guidance provided in this Delivering UK Sustainable In order to achieve sustainable New technologies and resource efficiency strategy. Development Strategy consumption a continued drive to improve should be encouraged to meet these resource efficiency and reduce waste and targets. HM Government, March 2005 harmful emissions across business sectors is encouraged. http://www.sustainable- New materials, energy technologies and development.gov.uk/publication product design to minimise waste will all be s/pdf/strategy/SecFut_complete important in the future. .pdf Encouraging waste minimisation and recycling through the landfill tax and the aggregates levy. Integrated pollution prevention and control in many sectors to improve management of
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond waste and emissions to air, land and waste. Integrating the precautionary principle – minimising the risk of harmful releases to the environment through better knowledge of potential impacts and better management. The Climate Change Act 2008 introduced a Planning makes a significant contribution to The SA objectives should statutory target of reducing carbon both mitigating and adapting to climate reflect the aims set in the emissions by 80 per cent below 1990 levels change through its ability to influence the Climate Change Act to by 2050, with an interim target of location, scale, mix and character of reduce carbon emissions. 34% by 2020. development. The Somerset MWDPDs Climate Change Act 2008 should include policies that contribute towards achieving lower carbon emissions and greater resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Plan plots how the UK will meet the 34 The Somerset MWDPDs should include The SA objectives should percent cut in emissions on 1990 levels by policies that contribute towards achieving reflect the aims set in the UK 2020.The Plan shows how reductions in the lower carbon emissions. Low Carbon Transition Plan. The UK Low Carbon Transition power sector and heavy industry; transport; Plan 2009 homes and communities; workplaces and jobs; and farming, land and waste sectors could enable carbon budgets to 2022 to be met
Development plan policies should take The DPD should be underpinned by the The SA objectives should account of environmental issues such as broad aims of the PPS. reflect the aims set in this the management of waste in ways that PPS1- Delivering Sustainable PPS. protect the environment and human health, Development including producing less waste and using it
as a resource wherever possible. ODPM, 2005 The broad aim should be to ensure that outputs are maximised whilst resources used are minimised. Planning and Climate Change, The Supplement to PPS1 requires plans to: The DPD should ensure that the carbon The SA objectives should
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond Supplement to PPS1 – make a full contribution to delivering the (and other greenhouse gas) emissions from address the importance of Government’s Climate Change Programme waste management facilities should be reducing emissions and and energy policies, and in doing so minimised where possible and that facilities coping with future climate contribute to global sustainability; are built to be resilient to future climatic change. – in providing for the homes, jobs, services changes. and infrastructure needed by communities, and in renewing and shaping the places where they live and work, secure the highest viable resource and energy efficiency and reduction in emissions; – deliver patterns of urban growth and sustainable rural developments that help secure the fullest possible use of sustainable transport for moving freight, public transport, cycling and walking; and, which overall, reduce the need to travel, especially by car; – secure new development and shape places that minimise vulnerability, and provide resilience, to climate change; and in ways that are consistent with social cohesion and inclusion; – conserve and enhance biodiversity, recognising that the distribution of habitats and species will be affected by climate change; – reflect the development needs and interests of communities and enable them to contribute effectively to tackling climate change; and – respond to the concerns of business and encourage competitiveness and technological innovation in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond This consultation seeks views on the The DPD policies should support and not The SA objectives should proposal to combine and update existing unreasonably restrict renewable and low reflects the aims of the planning policy on climate change carbon energy developments. finalised PPS supporting the (Supplement to PPS1) and renewable move to a low-carbon energy (PPS22) from two documents into Planning for a Low Carbon economy. one. It requires LDFs to support the move Future in a changing Climate to a low-carbon economy and secure low Consultation carbon living in a changing climate. This should be reflected in the vision for how the area and the places within it should develop and respond to local challenges and opportunities. PPS9 sets out planning policies on PPS9: Biodiversity and The DPD should ensure biodiversity and The SA objectives should protection of biodiversity and geological Geological Conservation geological conservation is respected reflect the aims set in this conservation through the planning system. through its policies and site allocations. PPS. In the context of this PPS, biodiversity is
the variety of life in all its forms as http://www.communities.gov.uk/ discussed in the UK Biodiversity Action pub/833/PlanningPolicyStateme Plan . Geological conservation relates to the nt9BiodiversityandGeologicalCo sites that are designated for their geology nservation_id1143833.pdf and/or geomorphological importance. The key planning objectives identified in Waste Planning Authorities should take the The SEA / SA objectives PPS 10 for all planning authorities include: policies in this PPS into account in the could include an objective on Planning Policy Statement 10 – ‘driving waste management up the waste preparation of Local Development waste minimisation and Planning for Sustainable Waste hierarchy, addressing waste as a resource’; Documents. They may also be material to appropriate waste Management -provide a framework for communities to decisions on individual planning management. Other take responsibility for their waste and to applications. objectives on pollution, DCLG ensure sufficient and timely waste The DPD is therefore required to take PPS biodiversity and transport will management facilities; 10 into consideration. The DPD should aim pick up other waste and http://www.communities.gov.uk/ - implement the national waste strategy; to to develop policy which will work towards planning issues pub/836/PlanningPolicyStateme -protect human health and the the key planning objectives outlined. nt10PlanningforSustainableWa environment; steManagement_id1143836.pdf -engage the community; -ensure new development supports sustainable waste management and
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond -protect greenbelts but appreciate the locational needs of some facilities. Every local planning authority should The Core Strategy should include the Sustainability Appraisal produce a core strategy which includes: overall vision and strategic objectives as should be prepared for each (1) an overall vision which sets out how the well as locations for strategic development of the DPDs and be the area and the places within it should in line with PPS 12. means for testing plan develop; (2) strategic objectives for the . alternatives and emerging area focussing on the key issues to be policies. addressed; (3) a delivery strategy for achieving these objectives. This should set out how much development is intended to happen where, when, and by what means it will be delivered. Locations for strategic development should be indicated on a key PPS12 – Local Spatial Planning diagram; and (4) clear arrangements for managing and monitoring the delivery of DCLG (2008) the strategy.
The Sustainability Appraisal should perform a key role in providing a sound evidence base for the plan and form an integrated part of the plan preparation process. Sustainability Assessment should inform the evaluation of alternatives and provide a powerful means of proving to decision makers, and the public, that the plan is the most appropriate given reasonable alternatives.
Sets out policies for planning authorities to: The DPD should have regard to flood risk The SA objectives should PPS25 issues and implications for minerals and reflect the aims set in this - ensure flood risk is properly taken into Planning Policy Statement 25: waste development sites. PPS account at all stages in the planning Flooding process; - prevent inappropriate development in
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond areas at high risk of flooding; - and direct development away from areas at highest risk. MPS 1 sets out the ‘Governments The DPD should be developed following The guidance could be used overarching policies and principles which the guidance outlined in MPS 1. The DPD to inform monitoring apply to all minerals’ . There are four could therefore use the guidance to inform programme development. Annexes relating to aggregates, brick clay, policies. The aims and objectives natural building and roofing stone and Minerals Policy Statement 1 – could be included into the onshore oil and gas. local planning Planning and Minerals SEA/SA objectives. authorities are required to
-consider carefully applications for minerals DCLG exploration;
-carry out surveys and assessments of http://www.communities.gov.uk/ reserves, material wastes and currently pub/277/MineralsPolicyStateme permitted sites within their boundaries; nt1PlanningandMinerals_id150 - safeguard resources and protect supply; 4277.pdf -protect the environment, heritage and the countryside; -ensure the efficient use and transportation of minerals; and ensure the restoration of sites. MPS 2 ‘states the principles to be followed The DPD should be developed taking into MPS 2 guidance could be Minerals Policy Statement – 2: in considering the environmental effects of account the impacts of mineral working used as part of a monitoring Controlling and mitigating the mineral working’. Appendices to the (e.g. visual, water, noise, dust and fine programme. environmental effects of document focus on the need for community particles etc.), the impacts on landscape, The aims and objectives minerals extraction in the UK. consultation and involvement and soils, agricultural land, ecology and could be included into the environmental management systems. Dust heritage, the positive economic benefits of SEA/SA objectives. DCLG and noise associated with minerals mineral supply and methods to control http://www.communities.gov.uk/ extraction are also dealt with in separate development through planning conditions pub/134/MineralsPolicyStateme technical Annexes. Under MPS 2, MPAs or agreements. nt2Controllingandmitigatingthee should aim to: nvironmentaleffectsofminerad_i - conserve minerals d1144134.pdf - ensure adequate supply to meet the needs of society,
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond -minimise the environmental impacts caused by minerals operations and transport -minimise waste generation. Protection of designated areas and of agricultural land and use of sensitive practices are also aims set in MPS2. The Government’s overarching aim is that The DPD should include measures to The SA objectives should the historic environment and its heritage conserve and enhance the historic cover conservation and assets should be conserved and enjoyed environment. enhancement of the historic for the quality of life they bring to this and environment. future generations. To achieve this, the Government’s objectives for planning for the historic environment are: • to deliver sustainable development by Planning for the Historic ensuring that policies and decisions Environment – PPS 5 concerning the historic environment: http://www.communities.gov.uk/ index.asp?id=1144192 Recognise that heritage assets are a non- renewable resource , take account of the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits of heritage conservation; and recognise that intelligently managed change may sometimes be necessary if heritage assets are to be maintained for the long term.
Minerals Planning Guidance 7 – MPG 7 addresses policies, consultations Local planning authorities are required to The Guidance could be Reclamation of Minerals and conditions which are important for take the contents of the MPG into account drawn on to develop a Workings achieving effective reclamation of mineral when preparing the DPD. The DPD should monitoring programme. workings. MPG 7 provides guidance on: therefore take reclamation, aftercare and Objectives of the SEA/SA DCLG after use considerations into account. could include aims to ensure -the scope of information to be provided successful reclamation, with applications for new minerals http://www.communities.gov.uk/ aftercare and after use of developments in order to enable conditions index.asp?id=1144192 minerals sites. to be drawn up to ensure site reclamation;
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond -the preparation of conditions to ensure restoration, aftercare and after use; -the importance of Development Control in monitoring and enforcing reclamation. Annexes to the MPG also contain additional information relating to soils, reclamation, after care and after use. MPG 13 provides advice on the exercise of The DPD should have regard to the The SA should use the planning control over the extraction of peat. guidance contained within this MPG to guidance to inform the Minerals Planning Guidance 13: The MPG aims to provide a clear provide a clear framework for the continued development of SA Guidance for Peat provision in framework within which mineral planning extraction and management of peat bogs in objectives. England. authorities can develop policies for peat in Somerset. DPDs should make provision for development plans and can carry out the conservation of peatland habitats and http://www.communities.gov.uk/ development control over peat extraction; for identification of specific sites or areas pub/162/MineralsPlanningGuid Also to provide guidance to local (including which meet the criteria for selection for ance13Guidelinesforpeatprovisi mineral) planning authorities to ensure future peat working. oninEngland_id1507162.pdf conservation of important peat habitats and archaeological deposits in development plans. A Policy for the Long-term LLW Management Plans are required to The MWDF should seek to ensure that if The SA should regard to Management of Solid Low ensure the correct management of required there is provision for the radioactive waste in the Level Radioactive Waste in the radioactive waste. management of and transportation of baseline data collection and UK radioactive waste within the County. in the development of objectives with regard to http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ The policies should ensure that the waste waste management. ment/radioactivity/waste/pdf/llw- hierarchy is applied to radioactive waste in policystatement070326.pdf accordance with the guidance. Managing Water Abstraction: The objectives for CAMS are: By providing an indication of the availability The SA will reference the the Catchment Abstraction • to make information publicly available of water resources within river catchments, water resource issues for Management Strategy Process. on water resources availability and CAMS highlight any areas where future Somerset and develop an July 2002 licensing within a catchment; resource development may take place. objective accordingly. • to provide a consistent and structured They also identify any areas where current levels of licensed abstraction exceed the http://www.environment- approach to local water resources
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond agency.gov.uk/commondata/acr management, recognizing both resources available. Where this is the case, obat/mwa_english.pdf abstractors’ reasonable needs for water CAMS allow the issue of how to regain a and environmental needs; sustainable level of abstraction to be • to provide the opportunity for greater discussed and to identify mechanisms for public involvement in the process of this to be achieved. managing abstraction at a catchment level; CAMS have been produced for Somerset. • to provide a framework for managing The following documents should be had time-limited licenses; regard to when developing the MWDF: • to facilitate license trading. West Somerset; Tone; Parrett; Brue; Axe and North Somerset Streams REGIONAL POLICY The waste policy of the RSS states that The DPD should deliver the county wide The SA should use the proposals for new waste management policies for all waste streams and be in targets in the monitoring capacity should take into account the need conformity with the RSS. In making framework. to meet national targets. Proposals should provision for aggregates, the guidance in also consider opportunities to provide MPS1 on making provision for a 10 year Draft Revised Regional Spatial treatment facilities for multiple waste landbank for crushed rock should also be Strategy for the South West streams and the need to accommodate considered. Incorporating the Secretary of new technologies. States Proposed Changes Capacity for Radioactive waste and http://gosw.limehouse.co.uk/por Hazardous waste should be provided. tal/regional_strategies/drss?tab =files This strategy states that Waste DPDs should include allocated sites or preferred areas for new waste management facilities, sufficient to accommodate the indicative capacity allocations.
Policies should be prepared that control re-
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond using and recycling waste in new development, both during construction and the lifetime of the development.
The minerals policy of the draft RSS requires MPAs to make provision for the supply of aggregates and other minerals to meet the south west’s contribution to national requirements. For the South West: The DPD should seek to ensure that the The Guidance could be Guidelines for land-won production: relevant apportionment for Somerset is drawn on to develop a Sand & Gravel – 85 million tonnes met. monitoring programme. Crushed Rock – 412 million tonnes
Assumptions: Marine Sand & Gravel – 12 million tonnes National and regional Alternative Materials – 142 million tonnes guidelines for aggregates Net imports to England – 5 million tonnes provision in England 2005-2020
Before the regional guidelines can be used http://www.planninginspectorate in the preparation of minerals development .gov.uk/pins/rss/south_east_m/ plans they need to be broken down, as far documents/2.9.pdf as possible, to mineral planning authority
areas. The apportionment of the regional guidelines is the responsibility of the regional assemblies, and in future responsible regional authorities, taking into account advice from the mineral planning authorities (MPAs) and the regional aggregates working party (RAWP). ‘From Rubbish to Resource’ The Region’s vision for waste ‘ minimum The DPD could seek to work towards the The SEA/SA could use data waste: maximum benefit’ in order to Regional Waste Strategy for the objectives identified in the Regional Waste that is included in the become a minimum waste producer by South West 2004 – 2020 Management Strategy and in particular Strategy to inform the 2030, with business and households seek to minimise waste and to manage baseline and to identify key http://www.southwest- maximising opportunities for reuse and waste sustainably. The Strategy also issues relating to waste in the
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/Waste/ recycling. requires Waste Plans to identify sites for area. The SEA/SA objectives SWRA_WasteStr_1_9.pdf new waste management facilities. could also include waste Strategic principles have been developed, minimisation and sustainable including the need for sub regional waste management. partnerships to have regard to the policies and guidelines for the amount of waste to be dealt with, also to seek to identify the combination of facilities and other waste management options which best meets environmental social and economic needs for their area based on the following general waste management materials: - the need to reduce the reliance on landfill - adoption of the waste hierarchy - sub-regional self-sufficiency - the proximity principle
This strategy requires a major shift away from the current reliance on landfill, so that by 2020 less than 20% of waste produced will be landfilled.
The vision states that infrastructure needs to be in place to enable waste to be reused or recycled before energy is recovered from the residue.
The plan contains the apportionment of waste for Somerset; these targets have to be delivered. The Regional Sustainable The vision for the South West contained The DPDs should promote sustainable The SA should be informed Development Framework for within the framework is “The South West waste management and encourage the by the vision and objectives the South West of England must remain a region with a beautiful and efficient use of minerals. of the framework. (2001) diverse environment. By working together,
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond applying the principles of sustainability we http://www.southwest- can achieve lasting economic prosperity ra.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id= and social justice, whilst protecting that 671&tt=swra environment. This approach will secure a higher quality of life now and for future generations.”
The framework, with regard to waste and minerals requires; waste to be minimised, and wherever possible, eliminated. The region should promote the wise use of waste resources whilst reducing waste production and disposal. Therefore it promotes the opportunity to encourage sustainable waste management and the efficient use of minerals. Mining and quarrying remains an important The DPDs will ensure that the key objective The SA should demonstrate primary industry in the region, particularly in of the strategy with regard to minerals and that waste is recognised as a Devon and Cornwall. The region is the waste is incorporated. resource, as well as minerals. fourth largest user of sand and gravel. It should ensure that the resources are managed The strategy recognises that waste must be sustainably with minimum ‘Our Environment, Our Future’ seen as a resource, and 19% of household environmental damage. The Regional Strategy for the waste in the region was recycled in South West Environment 2004 2001/2002, one of the highest rates in the – 2014 country. Around one-third of commercial http://www.southwest- and industrial waste produced in the region ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/Environ is also reused and recycled. ment/ENV-strat-main.pdf The key objective with regard to natural resources is: To ensure that our natural resources are used sustainably, with minimum environmental damage and waste generation, so as to reduce pollution and protect the quality of the region’s
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond environment. Its Economic Drivers are: Innovation, Skills The DPD should take into account the The SA should demonstrate Regional Economic Strategy and Environment. Strategic Objectives of the SW RES. that the objectives of the SW South West of England RES are not ignored, Regional Economic Strategy Its Strategic Objectives: successful and furthermore, that they are 2006-2015 (‘SW RES’) competitive businesses; strong and encouraged by taking into
inclusive communities; and an effective and account its Strategic Source: confident region. Objectives. http://download.southwestrda.or g.uk/res/general/RES2006- For each of these, strategic actions are 2015.pdf proposed. The SW BIP sets out a framework of policy, The DPD should take into account the five The SA should demonstrate priorities and actions to assist in a more specific sector programmes of the SW BIP that it contributes to the joined up approach to biodiversity delivery. and contribute to the ‘joined up’ approach it joined up approach the SW It updates those actions included in the seeks to obtain. BIP seeks towards SWBAP. The BIP is a contribution to the biodiversity strategies, ‘Biodiversity Strategy for England’ and South West Biodiversity seeks to contribute to regional strategies, Implementation Plan (SW BIP) plans and policies such as the Regional (July 2004) Spatial Strategy and regional agri- Source: environment scheme targeting. http://www.swbiodiversity.org.u The BIP identifies key programmes of work, k/framesets/Option1.htm under five specific sectors: - Farming and Food - Water and Wetlands - Woodlands and Forestry - Towns, Cities and Development - Coastal and Marine Environment
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond Just Connect encourages individuals, The MWDF should take into account the The SA should take into organisations and partnerships across the aims set in Just Connect and contribute to account the ‘agreed aims’ of South West to work together to address the economic growth as well as protecting the Just Connect and ensure its regions five key agreed aims: local environment. objectives address those aims to. - Just Connect: An Integrated To harness the benefits of population Regional Strategy for the South growth and manage the implications of West (2004 – 2026) population change; - (Source: http://www.southwest- To enhance our distinctive ra.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id= environments and the quality and 2331 ) and diversity of our cultural life; - http://www.justconnect- To enhance our economic prosperity sw.co.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1 and quality of employment opportunity; - 667&tt=strategies To address deprivation and disadvantage to reduce significant intra-regional inequalities; and - To make sure that people are treated fairly and can participate fully in society. South West Regional Flood Flood risk areas should be avoided as The SA should ensure that Risk Appraisal locations for waste facilities where possible Flood Risk is considered in The outcome of the regional FRA for in accordance with the sequential test of the SA objectives. Taunton and Bridgwater is: http://www.southwest- PPS25. “Severe tidal flooding events affecting ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/RSS%2 Bridgwater will become significantly more 0Documents/Technical%20Doc likely with sea level rise. The River Tone uments/Technical%20Work/Flo presents significant flood risk to the town of od%20Risk/Final_Regional_Flo Taunton.” od_Risk_Appraisal.pdf
LOCAL POLICY
Somerset Mineral Local Plan The Plan defines sustainable minerals The DPDs should use the use the Source of baseline data to 1997-2011(Adopted April 2004) development as: principles discussed within the plan to inform the SA.
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond http://www.somerset.gov.uk/som • primary mineral extraction taking develop upon with the DPD. erset/ete/planning/strategicplanni place only when there is no practical ngandpolicy/index.cfm?override= substitute material which can be subtopic&infoid=5652 provided at less environmental cost; • taking steps to minimise the production of waste, encourage the efficient use of materials, and ensure that the best use is made of minerals by supplying them for a use appropriate to their quality; • the extraction of minerals from nationally designated landscape, archaeological or nature conservation areas only taking place in exceptional circumstances; • the employment of sensitive working practices which ensure that the impacts of the development are kept to acceptable levels; and • leaving sites which have been the subject of mineral extraction in a condition which maintains or enhances their value to the immediate environment, local communities and the surrounding area. The vision of the Joint Structure Plan for The Structure Plan remains the The SA objectives must sustainable development for Somerset Somerset and Exmoor National development plan until the RSS is adopted ensure compliance with the and Exmoor may be defined by these Park Joint Structure Plan Review and the DPDs should be in conformity with vision of the Joint Structure principles: 1991-2011 (adopted April 2000) it and take into account its principles. Plan.
Source: -To integrate land use and transport http://www.somerset.gov.uk/enpr planning and to minimise the need to op/strucplan/default.htm travel by private car, -To maintain the rural character of
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond Somerset and Exmoor, -To safeguard and enhance the natural and built environment, -To accommodate necessary development in the most sustainable way, -To maintain a diverse and prosperous economy, -To maintain access to a wide range of services and facilities, -To enable efficient use to be made of resources. A commitment to support only the most The DPDs are required to progress the The SA should utilise the sustainable waste management practices commitment of the Waste local Plan, and baseline data within the plan in Somerset. deliver polices for sustainable waste and the monitoring management. framework. The plan states that the Somerset of the future will see less waste and more value being recovered from what is produced.
Somerset Waste Local Plan Objectives from plan: 2001-2011 (Adopted February • Effective protection of the 2005) environment and prudent use of http://www.somerset.gov.uk/som natural resources; erset/ete/planning/strategicplanni • To improve the provision of waste ngandpolicy/index.cfm?override= management facilities, applying subtopic&infoid=5656 the proximity principle and the best practicable environmental option (BPEO) in the selection of suitable sites; • To move away from landfilling towards greater recycling and composting; • To adopt cleaner, more sustainable technologies to
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond handle waste; • To provide guidance to the waste industry on waste related development e.g. the location of waste sorting and treatment facilities; and • For the plan to “serve as the principal means of testing the acceptability of all waste planning proposals” in Somerset. The plan sets out six strategic priorities, The DPD should reflect the aspirations The SA should have regard to for achieving the vision of a dynamic, reflected in the plan and should help to the priorities within the successful modern economy that supports deliver the six strategic priorities. strategy. respects and develops Somerset’s distinctive communities and unique environment. The priorities are • Image and influence - building an mage for the future Somerset: A Landscape for the • Business and industry - an Future/A vision for Somerset – enterprising environment Somerset Strategic Partnership • Skills and training - Investing in our future • Culture and leisure - Creating a lifestyle • Infrastructure, access and transport – creating sustainable foundations • Our communities - Sharing with each other a sense of belonging MWMS was written by the Somerset The DPD should reflect the aspirations set The SA should have regard to Somerset Municipal Waste Waste Partnership. It sets out how in the MWMS and help to deliver its targets the objectives within the Management Strategy, Somerset will manage municipal waste through making adequate provision for strategy. December 2003 arisings from 2004-2020, identifying key waste management. waste targets to be reached by 2020. The
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond MWMS will be reviewed every 5 years to monitor progress towards targets and amend plans as required.
The key objective: The overall objective of the MWMS is ‘to reduce the volume of waste arising in future years, and make the best use of the material which is generated.’ The aim of the SFRA is to assess and The DPD should take into account the The SA should have regard to map the different levels and types of flood SFRA findings in identifying areas for future issues relating to flood risk risk within the study area to be used in the minerals and waste development. and should include a relevant strategic minerals and waste land use objective. planning process. The aim of the SFRA is to provide an assessment of the impact of Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk all potential sources of flooding in Assessment – Somerset MWDF, accordance with PPS25 using available April 2010 information, including an assessment of any future impacts associated with climate change; enable planning policies to be identified to minimise and manage local flooding issues.
The plan sets out six strategic priorities, The DPD should reflect the aspirations The SA should have regard to for achieving the vision of a dynamic, reflected in the plan and should help to the priorities within the successful modern economy that supports deliver the six strategic priorities. strategy. respects and develops Somerset’s distinctive communities and unique Somerset Renewable Energy environment. The priorities are Strategy • Image and influence - building an mage for the future • Business and industry - an enterprising environment • Skills and training - Investing in our future
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond • Culture and leisure - Creating a lifestyle • Infrastructure, access and transport – creating sustainable foundations • Our communities - Sharing with each other a sense of belonging The Somerset Economic Strategy (SES) The DPD should take in to account the The SA objectives should builds on the Somerset Strategic objectives set in the SES and where encourage development in all Partnership Vision for Somerset, which practicable reflect the importance the SES the sectors identified by SES Somerset Economic Strategy places the future economic success of gives to ‘Environmental technologies’ as (launched November 2005) Somerset at its heart. The strategy sets one of the key and emerging economic SES the directions and priorities for the growth sectors in the area. Source: of Somerset’s and the South West http://www.somerset.gov.uk/som region’s economy in the future. erset/culturecommunity/ed/ed/str ategy/ Somerset’s key and emerging sectors are Food and drink; tourism; aerospace and advance engineering; environmental technologies; and creative industries. Sets out what transport-related The DPD should take into account the The SA should have regard to improvements the County are aiming to objectives set out in the Transport Plan and the objectives and priorities in achieve over a five-year period. The plan encourage the contribution of the DPD to the plan. sets out the following objectives: reducing the growth of congestion and pollution especially with relation to Local Transport Plan 2: 2006 – • Improve safety for all who travel; minimising the impact of waste 2011 • transportation. http://www.somerset.gov.uk/som Reduce social exclusion and erset/ete/transport/localtransport improve access to everyday plans/localtransportplan2/ facilities; • Reduce the growth of congestion and pollution and improve health; • Support sustainable economic growth in appropriate locations;
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond and • Protect and enhance the built and natural environment
Habitat and Species Action Plans relevant to Mendip District include: • Calcareous & Neutral Grassland • Field Boundaries (dry stone walls) Local Biodiversity Action Plans • Heathland Mendip • Purple Moor & Rush Pasture • Woodland • Adder • Long-eared Owl • Mendip Bats
Habitat and Species Action Plans relevant The DPD should reflect the aspirations in The SA objectives should to West Somerset include: the Action plans. support the aim of preserving Local Biodiversity Action Plans biodiversity. West Somerset • Coastal & Marine http://www.ukbap.org.uk/lbap.as • Long-eared Owl px?id=485 • Native Wildflowers of Arable Land • Waxcaps • Woodland Local Biodiversity Action Plans The DPD should reflect the aspirations in The SA objectives should Taunton Deane Habitat and Species Action Plans relevant the Action plans. support the aim of preserving to Taunton and Dean include: biodiversity. http://www.somerset.gov.uk/irj/go • Purple Moor Grass & Rush /km/docs/CouncilDocuments/SC Pasture C/Documents/Environment/Coun • Calcareous & Neutral Grassland tryside%20and%20Coast/Taunto • Heathlands n%20Deane%20LBAP.pdf • Woodland • Native Wildflowers of Arable Land • Wood White
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond Local Biodiversity Action Plans Habitat and Species Action Plans relevant The DPD should reflect the aspirations in The SA objectives should South Somerset to South Somerset include: the Action plans. support the aim of preserving http://www.somerset.gov.uk/irj/go • Native Wildflowers of Arable Land biodiversity. /km/docs/CouncilDocuments/SC • Woodland C/Documents/Environment/Coun • Heathlands tryside%20and%20Coast/South • Calcareous & Neutral Grasslands %20Somerset%20LBAP.pdf • Purple Moor Grass & Rush Pasture Local Biodiversity Action Plans The DPD should reflect the aspirations in The SA objectives should Sedgemoor Habitat and Species Action Plans relevant the Action plans. support the aim of preserving to Sedgemoor include: biodiversity. http://www.somerset.gov.uk/irj/go • Coastal & Marine /km/docs/CouncilDocuments/SC • Calcareous & Neutral Grassland C/Documents/Environment/Coun • tryside%20and%20Coast/Sedge Heathlands • moor%20LBAP.pdf Woodland
The Sustainable Community Strategy sets The DPD should reflect the aspirations in The SA should have regard to out the long term vision for Somerset in the Strategy. the priorities within the 2026. Its 6 aims are: Strategy. Somerset Sustainable • Aim 1: Making a positive Community Strategy 2009-2026 contribution (2009) • Aim 2: Living sustainably
• Aim 3: Ensuring economic http://www.somersetstrategicpart wellbeing nership.org.uk/community/ • Aim 4: Enjoying and achieving • Aim 5: Staying safe • Aim 6: Being healthy Wild Somerset – The Somerset Intended to represent a long term The DPD should reflect the aspirations in The SA objectives should Biodiversity Strategy 2008-2018 blueprint for successful biodiversity the Strategy. support the aim of preserving (2008) conservation in Somerset. It proposes a biodiversity. vision and long term goals for biodiversity http://www.somerset.gov.uk/medi conservation locally and sets out a series a/740/9E/Somerset_biodiversity_ of objectives and actions aimed at making
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond strategy_final_version.pdf significant progress towards achieving them. It also identifies those organisations that are best placed to drive through the actions, either through their own endeavours and/or working in partnership with and enabling others.
Objective 1: Implement the new Local Biodiversity Action Plans. Objective 2: Sustainable development through the land use planning system. Objective 3: Increase in wildlife-friendly farming, forestry and sustainable rural enterprises. Objective 4: Secure the future of all statutory and non statutory wildlife sites Objective 5: Implement landscape-scale biodiversity conservation. Objective 6: To collect and maintain biodiversity information and ensure its effective use. Objective 7: Develop the links between business and the environment. Objective 8: Enable community engagement with the natural environment and biodiversity conservation Objective 9: Make the most of the biodiversity value of wetlands. Objective 10: Sustainable coastal and marine habitat management. Objective 11: Achieve successful partnership working, increase the amount of funding available for conservation work and ensure best value. Responding to Climate Change Sets out a programme for development of The DPD should reflect the aspirations in The SA should have regard to
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond in Somerset (2008) a Climate Change Action Plan involving all the Strategy. the priorities within the Service Areas within Somerset County strategy. http://www.somerset.gov.uk/medi Council. a/60E/4F/Responding_to_Climat Implementation of the Action Plan will e_Change_in_Somerset.pdf enable the Authority to provide effective leadership, advice and encouragement to stakeholders and communities in tackling the causes and effects of climate change across the County. Commitment 1 - Somerset Council will provide strong strategic leadership to prepare the County for the effects of climate change and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Commitment 2 - Somerset County Council will engage with local communities, key stakeholders, government agencies and the business community to ensure success in dealing with the significant challenges presented by climate change in the County. Commitment 3 - All Somerset County Council service areas will assess potential impacts and opportunities of climate change on service delivery and prepare appropriate action plans. Commitment 4 - Somerset County Council will work to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions from local authority operations of 30% by 2015 relative to baseline emissions of 2008, and will support the County to achieve a similar reduction in carbon emissions per capita. Commitment 5 - Somerset County Council will publish an annual Climate Change
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Relevant PPP - Proponent Plan/Programme summary and key How could the Minerals and Waste Implications for the SA Body, Date, Status & Source objectives DPDs respond Action Plan detailing actions by all service areas with simple, measurable, achievable and realistic targets to deal with the causes and effects of climate change. The waste minimisation strategy The DPD should reflect the aspirations in The SA should have regard to considers the potential for reducing and the Strategy. the priorities within the reusing household waste in Somerset, strategy. primarily through actions undertaken by Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP). It includes an action plan outlining activities planned over a three-year period from 2009/10 to 2011/12. These actions Waste Minimisation Strategy primarily involve communications activities for Somerset, 2009/10 - 2011/12 to raise awareness and encourage action on waste minimisation.
The strategy sets a household waste minimisation target of 0.4% per household per annum over three years for Somerset and targets for a number of indicators to measure contributions and progress towards the achievement of the minimisation target.
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Appendix 3 - Baseline Indicators
Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status Index of Multiple 13 SOAs in the top 20% 3,226 SOAs in the region 32,482 SOAs in No target No local trend data Deprivation (IMD) deprived areas in England England identified available. IMD data Somerset has the (2006) 278 SOAs in the most is only collected lowest proportion of deprived 20% of SOAs in every 4 years super output areas in 327 SOAs in total England in the region the 20% most deprived, according 670 SOAs in the least to the latest figures deprived 20% in England (IMD 2004).
(2004) There are hidden 3,226 pockets of deprivation in Somerset which are not detected through the IMD. Unemployment 2006: 1.2% 2006: 1.6% 2006: 2.5% No target In 2006 there was Unemployment in the Rate identified a 0.1% increase in region has been unemployment rising over the last 5 levels. years but is still below the UK average GVA per capita (£ 13775 (2004) No target GVA has increased GVA for Somerset is per head) 12997 (2003) 16141 (2004) 17813 (2004) identified by an average of lower than both the 12528 (2002) 15019 (2003) 16356 (2003) 3.7% annually South West and UK 14286 (2002) 15553 (2002) figures. Number of Data to be filled by Permitted Minerals overlaying flood risk map and Waste with maps showing development in the existing minerals and flood plain waste management sites Proportion of total Mendip – 1.7% 0.5% (2002) 0.6% (2002) area that is derelict Sedgemoor 0.3% land and buildings South Somerset – 0.3% Taunton Deane – 0.6% West Somerset – 0.0%
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Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status (2004)
Previously Current data gap 1.1% (2002) 2.0% (2002) developed vacant land Area under ESAs: Blackdown Hills: 22 ESAs in England Environmentally 39,270 ha covering 10% of Sensitive Areas Somerset Levels and West Penwith: 9000+ ha agricultural land Moors: 29258.72 ha Avon Valley: 5,200 ha Exmoor: 80,615 ha South Wessex: 50, 714 ha Cotswold Hills: 85,000 ha % of SSSIs in 15,012ha (45.6%) 52.8% (December 2005) England: 58.3 % Bring into favourable condition (Compiled 2007) (2003) favourable (with particular condition 95% focus on those of all nationally affected by minerals important and waste wildlife sites development) (SSSIs) by 2010 Designated sites Current Data Gap Data to be affected by collected from minerals/waste development development control where (beneficial/adverse proposals affect effects) designated sites BAP Habitats and Current Data Gap Data to be Priority species collected from affected by minerals development waste development control where (beneficial/adverse proposals the effects) relevant habitats and species
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Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status Public concern over Current Data Gap noise/odour
Number of days of Current Data Gap 22 days of moderate or air pollution higher air pollution in urban areas and 40 days in rural areas in 2005 rd CO 2 emissions CO 2 emissions (Kt) Total Emissions 44 million 542 million tonnes 3 lowest total of the West Somerset: 101 tonnes (8% of UK in (2004) English regions Taunton Deane: 261 2004) Sedgemoor: 299 South Somerset: 452 8.9 tonnes per person Mendip: 269 (2004) (2004) AQMAs 1 AQMA in Somerset 30 AQMAs (2006) South West levels up from 24 AQMA’s in 2005 Rivers of Good or Mendip: 93.9 / 49.5% 99.0 / 97.2 % (2004) England and Wales: fair biological and Sedgemoor: 90.8 / 23.9% 95.4 / 93.5 % chemical water South Somerset: 92.2 / (2004) quality 47.9% Taunton Deane: 82.8 / 67.4% West Somerset: 100 / 94.3% (2004) Proportion of energy capacity of 137 4% from renewables EU wide target generated from megawatts (2007) (2006) of 20% by renewable sources 6.8 % of regions total 2020 capacity, 9.34MW 51.8% from landfill gas; 31.3% from wind power, South West 93.39% Landfill gas; 7.9% from sewage gas; target of 15% 3.93% hydro power; 6.2% from hydro power; or 597 1.82% sewage gas; 2.1% from waste megawatts of 0.16% wind power; 0.70% treatment; 0.6% from electricity to be solar PV photovoltaic solar electric produced by renewable (April 2007) sources by
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Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status 2010
Somerset target of 61-81 MWe installed electricity generating capacity Total Waste Household waste 13.2 million tonnes of 168 million tonnes of Reduce the The local trend The Council’s target Arisings 2004/05 – 275,905 waste (2004/5) waste deposited at production of shows a decrease is to reduce 2005/06 – 269,736 (-2%) waste all in waste arisings household waste 2006/07 – 274,892 (+2%) 5.3 million tonnes went to disposal, recovery waste by 1% a from 07/08 arising by 1% 2007/08 – 269,651 (-2%) Landfill and transfer facilities year 2008/09 – 261,000 (-3%) operating under 2009/10 – 256,000 (-2%) Environment Agency permits on 2004/5
77 million tonnes went to landfill
C&I waste arisings 425,000 tonnes of Industrial 2, 914,000 2009 – 55.8mt C&I 2nd lowest amount of household-equivalent tonnes; arising nationally, the English regions (2006) Commercial 2, 322,000 37% - Industrial, tonnes (1998/9) 63%- Commercial (59% Commercial / 41% Industrial) Industrial 2, 589,000 8% of the national of which tonnes; total, 73 million Commercial 2,967,000 tonnes (reduced from 202,000 tonnes mixed tonnes (2002/3) 75 million tonnes waste (mainly landfilled), 1998/9 – 2002/3) 32,000 tonnes metal, 126,000 tonnes non- metal, 65,000 tonnes animal / vegetable)
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Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status C&D waste arisings Approximately 673,893 10 million tonnes 91 million tonnes tonnes of C&D waste use/disposal of CDEW (2003) produced (1998/99) (2003)
12.5 million tonnes from C&D in 2001
Hazardous waste 23,086 (2001) tonnes 443,458 tonnes (2004) 5.3 million tonnes Risen by 0.4 million arisings (2004) tonnes from 2003
Special waste 22,354 tonnes (1998/99) Current data gap 4,991,000 tonnes in arisings 2003
Decrease from 5,370,000 in 2002 Agricultural waste Current data gap 12.8 million tonnes Total in 2002-2003: South West produced arisings (2002/3) 46,726,062 tonnes the most agricultural waste arisings in 2002/3
Amount of waste Current data gap imported
Waste management methods - % of arisings Landfilled Household waste - Just under 2.1 million 67% (19.9 million By 2020 less UK slightly down The proportion of 2004/05 – 188,631 tonnes tonnes (70%) tonnes) of all than 20% of from 78.5 million in waste disposed to 2005/06 – 160,594 tonnes of municipal waste was municipal waste sent waste 2000-1 and 12 landfill by Somerset 2006/07 – 144,927 tonnes sent to landfill in the to Landfill produced in percent down from decreased by 3% 2007/08 – 132,579 tonnes region in 2004/5 the region will 1998-9 (2009/10) compared 2008/09 – 132,728 tonnes Just under 5.8 million be landfilled 2008/09. 2009/10 – 152,284 tonnes 43% of C&I waste was tonnes of household sent to landfill in waste recycled in 2002/2003 2004/25, an increase of almost 3 million tonnes since
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Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status 2000/1 (proportionately from 11% to 22%) Amount of C&I landfilled reduced by almost 5 million tonnes to account for 40% 76 million tonnes landfilled Recycled Household waste Household Waste: Just Household Waste: Somerset 2004/05 – 21% under 27% of household English average of County 2005/06 – 24% waste was recycled in 22% Council have a 2006/07 – 26% 2004/ 5. statutory 2007/08 – 28% household 2008/09 – 27% Around 40% of all C&I Around 44% of all waste 2009/10 – 39% waste in the region was commercial and recycling recycled or re-used, an industrial waste was target of 28% increase of 8% re-used and recycled for 2003/04 (549,000 tonnes) on during 2002/3 and 36% by 1998/1999. 2005/06 Composted Household waste 2004/05 – 11% 2005/06 – 16% 2006/07 – 21% 2007/08 – 23% 2008/09 – 22% 2009/10 – 14%
C&I Management 2006 2009 – 58% C&I Commercial Recycled Landfill – 45% Recycling -38% 2002- 43% C&I Treatment/transfer – 6% Recycled
Industrial Landfill – 31%
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Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status Recycling -62% Treatment/transfer –7%
C&D Management Current data gap although expected that high proportion is re-used % of homes with 85% of Somerset 94 % (2006) Kerbside recycling residents are covered by facilities kerbside recycling services (2006) Waste capacity (in approximately 10 years of Landfill Capacity in the 686 million cubic Somerset) landfill left in Somerset South West = 53,113,000 metres of landfill void (2003) m3 space remained on permitted sites in Permitted landfill void Incineration capacity = England and Wales space of 8,700,000m 3 78,000 t on 31/3/2005; (2001) equivalent to 6 years disposal capacity at current tipping rates
Landfill Capacity in England and Wales = 686,012,000 m 3
Incineration capacity = 6,945,000 t Waste Mostly by road transportation - mode Production of Currently methane is methane – landfill collected from all non- sites inert landfill sites Amount of electricity 2% of total renewable or heat generated energy in the region from waste comes from the advanced combustion treatment of waste (2006) Employment in the Current data gap waste sector
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Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status 2006/07 Somerset and SW’s sub-regional apportionment for 2001-2016
Sand and gravel 21.80 Mt 105.99 Mt Annualised Production Annualised Production Rate: 1.36 Mt Rate: 6.62 (Included with Devon and Cornwall) Other minerals Crushed Rock: 226.18 Mt Crushed Rock: 452.95 Mt Annualised Production Annualised Production Rate: 14.14 Mt Rate: 28.31 Mt Minerals produced 1996 output of aggregate China Clay production Aggregates 236,302; per year by type: materials from the of which: Land-won Somerset aggregate sand & gravel quarries = 10.8 million 75,171; tonnes of which: Marine- dredged sand & gravel 19,495; of which: Crushed rock 141,636;
Amount/% Current data gap consumed locally/imported per year by type geological sites 208 County Geological (RIGS) Sites, equivalent to Regionally Important Geological and Geographical sites (2006/7) Safeguarded Current data gap There are about 106 resources in million tonnes (Mt) of Somerset and the land-won sand and South West gravel, and about 453 Mt of crushed rock, with assumptions of 9 Mt of marine sand and gravel and 121 Mt of
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Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status alternative (secondary and recycled) materials (Within the South West) Mineral Mainly by road apar t from transportation - two of the largest quarries mode in the Mendips which are rail linked Employment in the Mining and quarrying = 0.2 0.2 Minerals sector 0.4 Current use of Current data gap Provision will be mad e for Current data Gap secondary materials 121 Mt of secondary and – e.g. recycled recycled aggregates to be aggregates utilised over period to 2016 Land banks (years) 29 years (2005) based on Sand and Gravel: 12 Sand and Gravel: 11 Regional draft RSS allocation for years years apportionment: Somerset of sand and gravel 14.14Mt/annum Crushed Rock: 61 years Crushed Rock: 49 years Crushed rock (2004) supply 06/07 (2004) Permitted Reserves Crushed rock landbank Sand and Gravel: 55 England: 06/07 2005- 408Mt (active and million tonnes (2004) inactive quarries) Sand and Gravel: Crushed Rock reserves: 648 million tonnes 1,330 million tonnes (2004) (2004) Crushed Rock reserves: 4,247 million tonnes (2004) Sand and gravel Current data gap Sand and Gravel: 4 sales million tonnes per year to 06/07 just over 5.7 million tonnes per year since 1991
Crushed Rock: 20.06 million tonnes (2004)
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Indicator Somerset South West UK Target Local trend Indicator Commentary status Restoration – what Current data gap is the current split of restoration schemes for mineral sites? - Nature conservation - -Agricultural land - Other
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Appendix 4 – Maps
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Map 4.1 Nature Conservation designations in Somerset
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Map 4.2 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Somerset
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Map 4.3 Local Wildlife Sites
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Map 4.4 Archaeological Designations in Somerset
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Map 4.5 Somerset – Flood Risk Zones
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Map 4.6 Source Protection Zones in Somerset
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Map 4.7 Somerset’s Strategic Route Network
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Map 4.8 Somerset’s Rail Network
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Map 4.9 Existing Waste Management Sites
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Map 4.10 Location of existing quarries, Wharves and Peat Production zones
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Appendix 5 – Consultation Responses (Revised Scoping October 2010)
Consultee Comments and how there were taken on board
Paula Henning – Head of Looks like a well thought out approach Environment and Regeneration SCC How will any changes in policy as a result of the Defra waste review be accommodated into SA/SEA? I am thinking here of any shift in policy towards AD/energy recovery – Future policy changes to be incorporated in future revisions of Scoping report. However, changes affecting MWDF policies will be appraised as part of the SA of the emerging DPDs.
Environmental Profile - Designations - I believe Somerset also has a small part of the Dorset AONB - Added
Should the roll-out of Sort-it plus be mentioned in the Municipal Waste Section? As this is designed to drive up recycling/composting to about 60% - Added paragraph 4.4.9
Minerals - mention is made of past poor reclamation/restoration of peat sites but this is not mentioned in relation to aggregate quarries where there is an equally big issue with old sites – Mention is made with relation to poor reclamation of peat sites as this is highlighted as an issue in the Somerset Minerals Local Plan.
Sand and Gravel - is it correct to say we have not been subject to sub-regional apportionment? Was our apportionment not included in a single block with Devon – Paragraph revised
SA Framework - I would have expected to see something in here about protecting local communities – Covered through SA objective 7
Larry Burrows, Ecology Officer – The list of Natura 2000 sites hosted by Somerset is incorrect. Two SACs are missing. These are Exmoor Heaths SAC Spatial Planning, Somerset and Exmoor and Quantocks Oak Woodlands SAC. In addition, Chew Valley Lake SPA is not in Somerset. Revised County Council. accordingly
The BAP is for Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and not National Park as may be implied by the text. Revised accordingly
Local Wildlife Sites should be referred to, not County Wildlife Sites - Revised accordingly
No mention is made of the range of species present in Somerset, particularly those afforded protection under
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Consultee Comments and how there were taken on board
European legislation. This is an important consideration as most are present outside designated sites in the wider countryside . Paragraph 4.18 now states that county is home to 7 species threatened globally and over 200 species of priority species in line with the Somerset Biodiversity Strategy
Furthermore nothing is given on the presence of BAP priority habitats and their distribution in Somerset. Mapping in this section would be helpful not at the end. Distribution of Priority habitats shown figure 4.1
Table 4.4 - The baseline indicator of SSSI condition is not relevant as not all SSSIs would be affected by policies in the plan. If this is to be used those SSSIs potentially affected as a consequence of plan implementation would need to be adopted - Revised accordingly
Table 5.1 – Row commencing, ‘ Somerset has a rich natural environment …’ wording regarding European Protected Species should be preceded by ‘…populations of…’. Further text should then cover Somerset priority habitats and species – Inclusion of all priority species data considered too detailed – there is over 200 priority species in Somerset – distribution of priority habitats is now shown in fig 4.1
Table 6.1 ‘No of permitted applications for minerals development within 1km of designated or locally important sites – What does this indicate. Minerals applications within 1 kilometre of a site are virtually unavoidable in the Mendips. The indicator does not inform anything about the objective to protect conserve and enhance biodiversity and is therefore considered meaningless – Revised to include new indicators
‘No of permitted applications for mineral development that includes a restoration scheme that contributes to the development of priority habitats’ - Whilst laudable the indicator is for future enhancement in the long term – No change
Indicators need to be relevant to the potential effects of the plan on biodiversity. The biodiversity affected needs to be identified, for example the presence of sensitive lichens and bryophytes in the vicinity of minerals operations, which can easily be monitored.
Table 6.2 ‘No of permitted applications for minerals development within 1km of designated or locally important sites ’ – The indicator does not inform anything about the objective to protect conserve and enhance biodiversity and is therefore considered meaningless. This objective seeks to assess the overall effect of permitting development close to important designations. Revised to include assessment of risks and benefits
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Consultee Comments and how there were taken on board
‘No of permitted applications for mineral development that includes a restoration scheme that contributes to the development of priority habitats’ - Whilst laudable the indicator is for future enhancement in the long term. No change
Indicators need to be relevant to the potential effects of the plan on biodiversity. The biodiversity affected needs to be identified, for example the presence of a great crested newt population at Dimmer, which can easily be monitored. The potential effects of a development on priority species or habitats are a material planning consideration and are taken in to account when determining planning applications. The assessment of impact of specific species/habitats is therefore most effectively undertaken at the planning application stage.
Appendix 2 Table needs to be adjusted so that rows are not split over two pages.
Habitats Directive row Under ‘How could the Minerals and Waste DPDs respond’ column the text further omits the requirement for Somerset District Council for the ‘Favourable Conservation Status’ of European Protected Species (EPS) as defined in Article 1 of the Directive. Under Regulation 9 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (the ‘Habitats Regulations’), which transposes the Directive into UK law, local authorities must have regard for the provisions of the Habitats Directive. The plan will need demonstrate how populations of EPS are maintained including the habitat to support those populations. I can carry out this assessment but the requirement needs to be mentioned as part of the SEA. Revised accordingly
Under ‘Implications for SA’ column the other requirements of the Habitats Directive needs to be mentioned, i.e. the Favourable Conservation Status of populations of Annex IV species. Revised accordingly
Ramsar row There are 2 Ramsar sites in Somerset and includes the Severn Estuary. Ramsar sites in Somerset are also the same as the SPA site. Revised accordingly
Local Biodiversity Action Plans rows The lists of Action Plans given for each of the BAPs are out of date and were replaced in 2008 by the overarching ‘Wild Somerset – The Somerset Biodiversity Strategy’ (included in a following row) and new Local BAPs for each District/ Borough. Updated
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Consultee Comments and how there were taken on board
Baseline Indicators – Appendix 3
Indicator for ‘% of SSSIs in favourable condition’ is irrelevant as the majority will be unaffected by policies and site allocations in the plan. If this indicator is to be used SSSIs will need to be selected on the basis of potential for being effected by the plan. The indicator is also rather narrow given the importance of other biological considerations such as European Protected Species populations, and Somerset County Council’s obligation to have regard for the provisions of the Habitats Directive. Natura 2000 sites are covered through the Habitats Regulations Assessment process. Indicator considered relevant as the Somerset Biodiversity Strategy identifies achieving favourable or recovering condition in 95% of SSSIs as an action point. Wording revised to focus on those SSSIs affected by minerals and waste development. New indicators have also been added.
The ‘Population of wild birds in particular farmland, woodland and coastal birds’ indicator is also irrelevant Again there is no clear link between the indicator and the plan. The baseline indicator needs to be based on focal species, i.e. those that are most likely to be affected by implementation of policies and site allocations. Deleted
Therefore, biodiversity indicators need to be developed for the SA that is relevant to the plan – New indicators developed focusing on designated sites, BAP habitats and species
Appendix 5 No satisfactory response is given as to why suggested amendments are not adopted in the SA, particularly for the following pages listed in the table:
Table 6.1 SA Objectives Objective 1 Following this there should be an indicator for species (Focal Species), i.e. for those species that would be affected by the plan, such as the relevant bat species for minerals. I can help with this if necessary. No change – Revised – new indicators have been developed
Indicators % of SSSIs in favourable condition - this is not relevant to the plan as should be refined to include only those SSSIs that are potentially affected by actions arising out of plan policy. Revised accordingly
'Populations of wild birds...' - not relevant as before. This should be replaced for an indicator on identified 'focal species' (see above). Extent of priority habitats - data is available form SERC and again should be focussed on those habitats
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Consultee Comments and how there were taken on board
potentially affected by the plan. Deleted Keith Lane Policy Planner, South I have reviewed the Somerset MWDF updated SA Scoping Report and have the following comments: Somerset District Council - Should table 3.1 refer to the SEA Directive (2001) under international policies and EU Directives? –Table 1.2 shows how the SEA Directive requirements have been met.
- Table 3.1 should contain references to the district Local Plans and emerging district Core Strategies and other DPDs as relevant plans under the 'local policy' subheading in order to understand the spatial distribution of development in Somerset, and better highlight links between minerals/waste issues and housing/employment development - Not included in the Scoping Report – however, these will be considered as part of the MWDF process and SCC will consult with District Councils to inform the MWDF policies
- PPS5 should be in Appendix 1 – Now updated to include PPS5 - South Somerset's SA Scoping Report (2009) should be added to Appendix 1 – Not included - the review of relevant plans and programmes seeks to focus on those plans and programs with a direct influence on the MWDF Environment Agency Having reviewed the revised Scoping Report, we can confirm that we are essentially satisfied with the overall content.
Notwithstanding the above, the following comments should be noted:
With regard to the 'Commercial and Industrial Waste' section, further information will be available in 2011 when DEFRA's recent Commercial and Industrial Waste Survey is released.
4.58 Dimmer and Walpole should be labelled as Non-hazardous landfills with hazardous waste cells for asbestos. The use of the term 'co-disposal' could be viewed as mis-leading. Whiteball is an inert landfill . Revised accordingly
4.59 This paragraph needs to be updated to reflect the recent announcements to definitely close 4 HWRCs and the proposals to close another 4. Revised accordingly With regard to flood risk issues, the report would benefit from specific reference to the LPAs respective Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRAs), which should be used as the principal baseline document to inform the planning decision making process, at all levels (in respect of flood risk issues). It is recommended that reference to the Regional Flood Risk Appraisal, under 'Relevant Plans and Programmes' is revised to reflect the SFRAs role in the decision making process. Accordingly, it would be appropriate to ensure that the flood map (page 93) is informed by the relevant SFRAs, or simply that specific reference is made to the SFRAs, given the limited use of a map of the scale indicated. The April
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Consultee Comments and how there were taken on board
2010 Level 1 SFRA for the MWDF is referenced in Para 4.25. Appendix 2 has been revised and now includes SFRA and the role the assessment plays in the decision making process. Natural England Thank you for sending me this scoping report for comment. Having read the document I have the following comments to make. On pages 15 and 16 there is mention of the internationally designated wildlife sites. It should be noted that there are 8 SAC’s and 2 SPA’s in the county. The sites missing from the list are Mendip Limestone Grasslands, North Somerset and Mendip Bats and Severn Estuary SAC’s. Chew Valley Lake SPA is not in the county. Revised
In respect of the questions posed in paragraph1.6 I have the following comments to make.
Are the plans or projects reviewed appropriate? Yes, I consider the plans or projects reviewed appropriate in respect of our interests.
Is the baseline information relevant, accurate and in sufficient detail? Apart from the inaccuracy in respect of the international sites mentioned above I am happy with the baseline information.
Are the sustainability issues/problems the correct ones? I consider the key sustainability issues identified to be the correct ones. It should not be assumed however that an un- restored quarry has a negative impact on wildlife or landscape. Old quarries can rapidly become diverse habitats often without restoration/landscaping taking place.
Do you agree that the proposed SA objectives provide an appropriate framework for the Sustainability Appraisal of the MWDF?
Yes I do consider the SA objectives will provide an appropriate framework for the SA of the MWDF and do not feel that any of the objectives relating to wildlife and landscape need to be removed. CPRE Somerset - Mary De Viggiani CPRE applauds the Environmental Profile and is glad to note that it contains strong policy on the Natural Environment and Archaeological value of the County. We are concerned that there appears to be insufficient policy for the provision of Demolition and Waste recycling. This was one of the reasons for the application of an Aggregates Tax on producers . This is an issue for the MWDF to consider. The Scoping report (paragraph 4.80 highlights the lack of data on use of secondary and recycled aggregates).
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