Eastleigh Borough Local Plan 2016-2036 Borough Local Plan 2016-2036

the Water Framework Directive. PUSH Source Reference/ title are working closely with Natural England and the Environment Agency on the PUSH Green Infrastructure emerging IWMS to ensure that it meets Strategy the requirements for the Local Plan Solent Disturbance and (‘programme level’) habitats regulations Mitigation Project assessment and to continue research where needed to ensure that longer term Solent Waders and development remains compliant. Until Brent Goose Strategy the IWMS is adopted, proposals will be 2010 (and emerging considered against policies DM2 and DM3 updates) and relevant site specific policies. Biodiversity Hampshire Biodiversity 5.55 The Council will work with Southern Water Partnership/ Action Plan Hampshire Biodiversity to ensure that any constraints at waste Biodiversity Information Centre water treatment works can be addressed, Opportunity Areas there is sufcient capacity to ensure Environment Agency River Basin water supply and to improve utilities Management Plan infrastructure to meet the needs of existing JNCC and Defra A Green Future: Our communities. Developers should contact 25 Year Environment utilities providers to establish requirements Plan to Improve the in respect of all the proposed site Environment allocations. Development should include SUDS to reduce surface water entering UK Post 2010 the sewage system (see policy DM6 Biodiversity Framework Sustainable surface water management Defra Biodiversity 2020: A and watercourse management). Strategy for England’s Wildlife and ecosystem services 2011 Nature conservation NPPF Paragraphs 17, 117-119 Relevant issues and objectives 5.56 The Borough contains areas of Issues (Chapter 2): G2, G3, G4 international, European and national conservation interest, focused mainly Objectives (Chapter 3): II, iv, vii on the rivers and coast. A network of locally designated sites contains ancient Related local and national strategies/policies and wet woodlands, wetland, species- (see Appendix B) rich meadows and remaining or former heathland. Development in the Borough Source Reference/ title could have efects on these and other Economic Development sites beyond its boundaries, for example Strategy 2010 through recreational pressures, surface Eastleigh Borough water run- of and trafc emissions. The Council Integrated Water Management Strategy potential impact of the Local Plan and

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its policies on European sites is assessed and Priority Biodiversity Links. Priority in the Local Plan’s Habitats Regulations biodiversity areas include the Biodiversity Assessment (HRA). Developments may Opportunity Areas in the Borough also require bespoke HRAs to address identified by the South East Biodiversity their specific impacts. Areas of particular Forum and other areas, including some sensitivity outside but within reach of that are subject to various forms of nature the Borough include other parts of the conservation designation. They cover areas Solent coastline and the . In which hold the greatest concentrations of relation to development proposals in south priority habitats, species and land where Hampshire, there are concerns about the there is potential to enhance or restore impact on migrating and over-wintering priority habitats. Priority biodiversity links birds on the Solent shores and the New include land where there is an opportunity Forest due to increases in recreational to enhance, restore or create areas, pressure from new development. PUSH has corridors or stepping stones of habitat to worked with Natural England and others facilitate the movement of priority species. as part of the ‘Solent Recreation Mitigation They can join or link priority biodiversity Partnership’ which has developed a areas. The importance of connecting sites definitive strategy to implement mitigation is also recognised in the Local Nature measures to address this impact jointly Partnership’s work on a strategic approach across south Hampshire. The Council to the delivery and enhancement of a Local will contribute as required to the Ecological Network (LEN) for the county. implementation of the SRMP’s proposals, and will also implement any measures 5.59 All the sites subject to nature conservation identified as part of its own interim project designations are identified at in Policy proposals which are not incorporated into DM11 and shown on the policies maps. the wider SRMP scheme. The Council will The priority biodiversity areas and links also continue to work with partners on are shown in the Eastleigh Borough the forthcoming Solent Waders and Brent Biodiversity Action Plan 2012 - 2022. Goose Strategy. Policy DM11, Nature 5.57 In respect of the New Forest, the Council will conservation continue to work together with partners to assess the impact of development proposals The Borough Council will work with on protected areas and measures to mitigate statutory and voluntary agencies and any impacts as necessary. Eastleigh will also developers to: continue to work in partnership with Council to help to deliver the i. Protect, conserve and enhance Green Halo. areas subject to international, national and local nature 5.58 The Borough Council has produced a conservation designations; Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document which explains the nature ii. Assist in achieving national, county conservation interest and site designations and local biodiversity targets as in the Borough and the ways in which the set out in Biodiversity Action Plans Council will protect and enhance them. The (BAPs); Council has also produced a Biodiversity iii. Protect, conserve and enhance Action Plan (BAP), revised in 2012, networks of natural habitats and which defines Priority Biodiversity Areas

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features, including the Priority d. contributing to major elements Biodiversity Areas and Priority of the PUSH Green Infrastructure Biodiversity Links identified in the Strategy and other strategies for Eastleigh Borough Biodiversity Action the provision and enhancement Plan 2012-2022, and watercourses of multifunctional green and wetland complexes, woodland infrastructure including green trees and hedgerows important to routes, ecological networks and biodiversity and local character; and biodiversity enhancements(see policy S10). iv. On new development sites seek enhancement of biodiversity Development which is likely to through the protection and adversely afect the integrity of an connection of existing and international or European nature provision of new habitats and conservation site will not be permitted. features compatible with the native Development which is likely to have biodiversity characteristics of the a direct or indirect adverse efect on Borough. a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) will not be permitted, unless the The Council will work with PUSH, Borough Council is satisfied that there Natural England, the Environment are no alternative solutions and the Agency and other wildlife reasons for the development clearly organisations to develop and outweigh the harm to the nature implement a strategic approach to conservation value of the site. the protection of European sites from the direct and indirect efects of Development will not be permitted if development including recreational it is likely to have a direct or indirect disturbance. Within Eastleigh Borough adverse efect on a Site of Importance this will include: for Nature Conservation (SINC) or Local Nature Reserve as shown on the a. implementing the Solent policies map (or on a more recent plan Recreation Mitigation Strategy provided by the Hampshire Biodiversity and contributions to recreation Information Centre), unless it can be mitigation for the New Forest or demonstrated to the satisfaction of the alternative agreed approaches if Borough Council that: required; i. the benefits of the development b. preserving the water quality clearly outweigh the adverse efects and flows within the Itchen and on the nature conservation value of Hamble; the site;

c. protection of the River Itchen ii. the adverse impacts are SAC including water quality and unavoidable; the southern damselfly from the impacts of nitrogen deposition; and iii. measures are taken to mitigate or, if this is not possible, compensate for the adverse efects, such that

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the development will result in at b. have regard to the need to protect, least no net loss of biodiversity; and opportunities to enhance the and Priority Biodiversity Areas and the Priority Biodiversity Links set out iv. bufers free from development are in the Council’s Biodiversity Action provided to Locally designated sites Plan45; and within or adjacent to developments to alleviate recreational impact and c. for residential developments impacts on edge habitats and to within 5.6 km of the Solent Special maintain dark skies. Protection Areas (SPAs), require contributions to the Solent Impacts on priority habitats and Recreation Mitigation Strategy or protected and priority species will not site specific measures to address be permitted unless the applicant can recreational disturbance as evidence that; agreed by the Council and Natural England. • there has been thorough habitat and species surveys; International and National nature conservation designation • there is an overall biodiversity gain; and 5.60 Where mitigatory provision is needed, the over-riding principle is that as a minimum, • protected species impacts have no net loss should occur to biodiversity been avoided or mitigated and and a net gain should be secured where their needs taken into consideration possible. This should factor in the within the development design; uncertainty around achieving the requisite • the great crested newt strategic habitat quality and the loss of biodiversity survey and strategy have been value for the period before the requisite considered in all developments value has been attained for European within 500m of a great crested sites. Compensatory provision can only be newt pond; considered where there are no alternative solutions and if ‘imperative reasons of • the strategic bat trapping overriding public interest’ (IROPI) for the survey has been considered in all project to proceed can be demonstrated. developments within the locality of a woodland surveyed or connected 5.61 The Borough contains parts of four habitat networks. European/ international nature conservation sites as follows: In determining planning applications, the Borough Council will: • River Itchen Special Area of Conservation (SAC) a. seek opportunities to create or enhance habitats and features • Solent Maritime Special Area of of nature conservation interest, Conservation having regard to local geodiversity and soils;

45 Eastleigh Borough Council Biodiversity Action Plan 2012-2022 or updated versions

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• Solent and Water • Lee-on-the-Solent to Itchen Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) Solent and Ramsar site. • River Itchen

(The Solent Maritime SAC and the Solent These sites are of natonal importance and and Southampton Water SPA and Ramsar protected from damaging activities by site together comprise the Solent the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and European marine sites). the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. 5.62 Development in the Borough has the potential to afect sites of European and Local Nature Conservation national nature conservation value within Designations and beyond the Borough’s boundaries, as 5.64 In addition to the statutorily designated recognised in the Eastleigh Borough Local nature conservation sites there are others Plan 2016 – 2036 Habitats Regulations that are of local nature conservation Assessment. Under the E.U. Habitats value. Sites of Importance for Nature Directive, the E.U. Birds Directive and the Conservation (SINC) are identified on Ramsar convention as transmuted into the policies maps during the Local Plan British law within the Conservation of process, and are monitored and reviewed Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 frequently. On-going surveys can reveal (as amended) the Borough Council has new areas that warrant such protection. a duty to give these areas the strongest Policy DM11 will be applied to any new protection against damaging development. sites or extensions to existing sites until If a development proposal is likely to the policies maps can be updated in have a significant efect on one of these the next review of the Local Plan. Up- sites, either alone or in combination with to-date information about SINCs within other projects, the Council will carry out the Borough should be sought from an appropriate assessment to establish Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre. the implications of the scheme for the The appropriate size of bufers free from identified nature conservation interests of development will be considered on a site the site. The Council will seek to avoid any by site basis and informed by the results damage to the integrity of these areas and of surveys undertaken for each proposed the species they support. This may entail development. the negotiation of mitigation measures or contributions to such measures from new 5.65 Local Nature Reserves protect habitats development. of local significance. There are currently six Local Nature Reserves (LNR) in the 5.63 There are also five Sites of Special Scientific Borough: Interest (SSSIs) in the Borough at: • Local Nature Reserve • Moorgreen Meadows (Chandler’s Ford) • Lincegrove and Hacketts Marshes • Mercury Marshes Local Nature • Upper Hamble Estuary and Woods Reserve (Bursledon)

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• Hackett’s Marsh Local Nature Reserve 5.68 Declining habitats and species, known (Bursledon) as Habitats and Species of Principal Importance have been identified within • Local Nature s41 lists within the Natural Environment Reserve (near Thornhill) and Rural Communities Act 2006. S40 states that Local Authorities and a number • Westwood Woodland Park Local of other public bodies have a duty to Nature Reserve (Netley Abbey) conserve biodiversity and must have regard • Manor Farm Local Nature Reserve to these lists. (Botley/ Bursledon) 5.69 Habitats and features that are important 5.66 The Borough Council will consider the for wildlife but outside designated nature designation of further Local Nature conservation sites are also necessary to Reserves on sites in the Borough in the maintain the biodiversity of the Borough. Council’s ownership or legal control if The revised Eastleigh Borough Biodiversity the land is already being managed as Action Plan (July 201246) sets out ways in a nature reserve, and is of sufcient which the Borough’s biodiversity can be nature conservation interest to provide conserved and enhanced, and defines beneficial opportunities for environmental Priority Biodiversity Areas and Priority education/ research and/or enjoyment by Biodiversity Links. These are areas with the the public. Local Nature Reserves can also greatest concentrations of priority habitats be designated by the County Council - also and species or potential to enhance or by town/parish Councils if powers are restore priority habitats and links where delegated to them for this purpose. there is opportunity to enhance, restore or create areas, corridors or stepping stones Other species and habitats of habitat to facilitate the movement of priority species. 5.67 The protection of certain species, and often the habitat and other features 5.70 There are ten priority biodiversity areas in that sustain them, is a legal obligation the Borough at: Flexford and Hocombe, under Conservation of Habitats and Chilworth, Allbrook, Lakeside and Fleming Species Regulations 2017 (the Habitats Park, Itchen Valley, Wyvern, Stoke Park, Regulations), the Wildlife and Countryside Moorgreen, Netley and Bursledon Act 1981 as amended, the Countryside and Commons, Solent Coast, Hamble Estuary Rights of Way Act 2000 and The Protection and Ford Lake. Priority biodiversity links of Badgers Act 1992. The presence of have been defined at the Hampshire such species is a material consideration Corporate Business Park (Chandler’s Ford), in dealing with planning applications, Monks Brook, the M3 and M27 corridors, all and the Council will follow all Natural the rail corridors, Bowlake (Bishopstoke), England guidance and standing advice Knowle Park (Fair Oak), Chalcroft (Horton or recognised best practice guidance Heath), Moorgreen Stream (West End), Where protected species could be present Cricket Ground (adjoining the Ageas Bowl), applicants will be required to undertake Wildern (Hedge End), Marks Farm (Botley), survey work, assessment and propose Old Netley, Tickleford Gully (Netley), and mitigation before their proposals can be Hamble Airfield. considered.

46 The revised Eastleigh Biodiversity Action Plan updated in July 2012 can be seen at: www.eastleigh.gov.uk/biodiversity

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5.71 In accordance with the Biodiversity Action and mitigation of efects on European Plan 2012-2022 and the NPPF, the Borough sites. It will respond to the findings of Council will through the planning process new evidence where necessary in order to (including financial contributions through preserve the integrity of European sites. CIL or other mechanisms) secure the enhancement of existing and the creation of new areas of nature conservation Heritage assets value- for example as part of landscape schemes, environmental improvements Relevant issues and objectives and countryside management schemes Issues (Chapter 2): G1, G7 associated with new development. Such enhancement and creation of biodiversity Objectives (Chapter 3): iv, v interest will be sought particularly within the Eastleigh Biodiversity Priority Areas and Related local and national strategies/policies (see Priority Links. The Council will also have Appendix B) regard to opportunities to manage wetland habitats in ways that assist delivery of Source Reference/ title the Environment Agency’s River Basin Supplementary Management Plan47. Eastleigh Borough Planning Documents48: Council 5.72 All applications afecting greenfield sites - Urban Character Area or known biodiversity interests should be Appraisals accompanied by a Biodiversity Mitigation and Enhancement Plan (BMEP), agreed by - Conservation Area the Council Ecologist at an early stage in Appraisals the planning process. This will demonstrate PUSH Sustainability policy how the proposal delivers a net gain in framework49, and biodiversity. Quality Places initiative 5.73 Other policies in this Local Plan, for which includes a example those seeking to limit the use Quality Places Charter of the private car and those relating to and a Cultural climate change and sustainable drainage Strategy50 will also assist with the mitigation of Hampshire County Historic Environment impacts on biodiversity interests. Council Record51 5.74 Through its Annual Monitoring Report the NPPF Paragraphs 17, 126 - 141, Council will monitor, the efectiveness of 156 - 157 the joint strategic approach to avoidance

47 www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/124978.aspx

48 www.eastleigh.gov.uk/supplementaryplanningdocuments 49 www.push.gov.uk/pjc-080318-r03-abi.pdf 50 www.push.gov.uk/work/qualityplaces.htm 51 www3.hants.gov.uk/landscape-and-heritage/historic-environment/historic-buildings-register.htm

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