Environmental Report November 2011

SES_environmentcover.indd 1 14/10/2011 11:58 CONTENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT

1. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY 3 Background 3 Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainable Development 4 Likely Environmental Impacts of the MIR 5 NPF 2 Environmental Impacts 8 Summary of the Current State of the Environment in the SESplan Area 12 Likely Evolution of the Environment Without SESplan 16 Environmental Issues for Policy Areas 17 Monitoring 18

2. INTRODUCTION 19 Purpose of this Environmental Report 19 Key Facts about SEA 21 Timeline for MIR & SEA 22

3. PLANNING CONTEXT 23 Outline and Objectives of Strategic Development Plan 23 SEA relationship with the Strategic Development Plan 23 Relationship with other Plans, Programmes & Strategies 24

4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT 57 Environmental baseline data 57 Environmental objectives of SEA 58

5. SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT FINDINGS FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH AREAS 61 Assessment findings 61 Summary of findings 62 Assessment of secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects 65 Actions from Assessment Findings and Environmental Report 68

6. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FOR POLICY AREAS 71 6.1 Environmental Implications for Strategic Development Plan Policy Areas 71 6.2 Environmental Implications for Local Plan Policy Areas 72

6. MONITORING 75

7. NEXT STEPS 75

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Baseline Report 76 Appendix B: Detailed Assessment of Strategic Growth Areas 120 Appendix C: Spatial Assessment of Strategic Growth Areas 176

Chapter 1: NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY This is the Non Technical Summary of the Environmental Report of the SESplan Main Issues Report. The Environmental Report and the Non Technical summary have been produced by SESplan staff in discussion with the Consultation Authorities.

Background 1.1 A Development Plan Scheme has been produced by SESplan, as required under the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006. The Scheme sets out the programme for preparing the SDP and will be updated annually. It also provides basic information on the content of the SDP itself, and its broader policy context.

1.2 The SDP will set out a long-term spatial planning strategy that broadly defines where development should be located, and how it should be delivered. The SDP will replace the three existing structure plans for the area: the Edinburgh and Lothians Structure Plan 2015, the Fife Structure Plan 2006-26 and the Scottish Borders Structure Plan 2001-18.

1.3 SDPs have an important role to play at the city region level, in terms of addressing strategic and cross boundary planning issues. They cover land use and strategic infrastructure issues that guide the future use of land. They should indicate where development, including regeneration, should happen and where it should not. There is a statutory duty on development plans to contribute to sustainable development. The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 requires SDPs to set out a vision for their areas, provide a spatial strategy, and to consider development alongside other issues including the principal social, economic, physical and environmental characteristics of the area, land use, population, infrastructure provision and use (including transport, communications, water and energy supplies and drainage) and any anticipated future changes to these matters.

1.4 More specifically, the SESplan SDP will: • cover an area with a population of 1.2 million and 521,000 households; • address forecast population growth; • facilitate and provide the steer for the future development and growth across the Edinburgh city region from 2012 to 2032; and • focus the development path for SE Scotland through a wide range of challenging issues including the economic downturn and climate change adaptation.

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainable Development 1.5. The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) aims to assist in promoting sustainable development through the integration of environmental objectives into the plan making process. Sustainable development is intended to enable a better quality of life without compromising the needs of future generations by balancing environmental, social and economic aspirations.

1.6 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 provides a new framework for SEA, establishing a methodology that aims to protect the environment and increase opportunities for public participation. This includes an assessment of the environmental effects of Plans, Programmes & Strategies and ensures consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Historic Scotland and the public. SESplan has determined that a SEA is required as an integral element of the proposed Strategic Development Plan for South East Scotland.

1.7. The 2005 Act sets out the requirements for environmental assessment in Part 1 Section 1 (2a-c) i.e.:

(2) In this Act, an environmental assessment is- (a) the preparation of an environmental report; (b) the carrying out of consultations; and (c) the taking into account of the Environmental Report and the result of the consultations in decision-making.

1.8 The SDP MIR includes two key sections on strategic growth direction and strategic policy approach. The SEA has identified those environmental issues relevant to the SDP, and assessed them in terms of potential impact using key spatial data related to the environmental objectives. This highlights those key environmental issues both in relation to the SDP, but also in relation to future Local Development Plans.

Likely Environmental Impacts of the MIR

Scale of Growth 1.9 The SDP provides the context and direction for future development in the SESplan area. Two growth scenarios are presented, ‘market recovery’ and ‘high growth’. The preferred strategy of ‘market recovery’ has less significant impacts on the SEA objectives, particularly in terms of air, climatic factors and soil. The alternative strategy demands a faster growth and could lead development away from areas that are well served in terms of sustainable transport, as well as waste and water infrastructure.

Air 1.10 The SDP’s preferred strategy is not seen to have a significant negative impact on air quality. The preferred approach promotes development related to sustainable transport. Nonetheless, a rise in car usage and therefore air pollution is likely. The alternative strategy may have a more negative impact through the spread of development less well related to sustainable transport.

Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna 1.11 The SDP’s preferred strategy may have a minor negative impact on biodiversity. The alternative strategy may have a potential negative impact. Specific areas of concern are the River Tweed Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Firth of Forth SPA. In both cases mitigation measures may need to be identified through Appropriate Assessment. The SDP could have a positive impact on biodiversity through the promotion of the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN).

Climatic Factors 1.12 The SDP’s preferred strategy may have a minor negative or neutral impact on climatic factors. The preferred approach promotes climate change mitigation through promotion of sustainable transport and development out with potential flood areas and low carbon emissions through building standards and renewable energy. Adaptation measures are hard to define due to the uncertainty about the nature and scale of climate change impacts. However opportunities related to natural habitat networks (CSGN and blue networks), sustainable water and flood management (strategic flood assessment) and sustainable settlement patterns (landscape capacity work and regeneration of brownfield land) should help combat adverse climate changes. The preferred approach does include a series of commitments which may damage the environment to some degree; these include transport 5

infrastructure, committed connectivity work and committed levels of development. The alternative strategy may have a greater impact since it will require larger quantities of development land at a more unsustainable rate.

Cultural Heritage 1.13 Areas with a potential negative impact on cultural heritage in the preferred strategy have been identified. Nonetheless, such areas may be addressed through sensitive siting and design. The alternative strategy has an unknown impact as land has not yet been identified.

Landscape and Townscape 1.14 The SDP’s preferred strategy may have a positive or neutral impact on landscape and townscape due to the potential for regeneration of brownfield land. The alternative strategy might have a more negative impact on landscape as it would require new areas of land to be identified for development.

Material Assets 1.15 The SDP’s preferred strategy is likely to have a neutral impact on material assets as development for the most part has been directed away from key mineral assets and been incorporated into the Waste Management Plans. The East Coast Corridor has been identified as a minor negative impact as Blindwells is located on an area previously used for coal extraction. The alternative strategy could have a potentially more negative impact as it would require further land for development.

Population and Human Health 1.16 Population and human health refers to factors which can contribute to quality of life in SESplan residents. The SDP’s preferred strategy may have a significant positive impact on population and human health as it promotes development in areas with public transport, services and employment. The strategy also provides opportunities for affordable housing and greenspace; the CSGN should provide a positive impact through contributing to regeneration, creation of an attractive landscape and providing safe areas for play, leisure, commuting and recreation. The alternative strategy may have a more neutral impact as land may be sited away from key services and public transport although it should provide similar benefits in terms of affordable housing and greenspace.

Soil 1.17 The SDP’s preferred strategy is positive as it promotes development in redevelopment areas lessening the need for greenfield land and therefore preventing soil sealing. The alternative strategy would require a considerable amount of greenfield to be developed and therefore a significant negative impact has been identified for the majority of search areas. In such cases, permeable construction materials and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems should be used.

Water 1.18 The SDP’s preferred strategy may have minor negative or neutral impacts on water as development is directed away from flood risk areas. The alternative strategy will have a more negative impact on Water as it will require further land for development.

Secondary Effects 1.19 Secondary effects occur where there is a main impact on an objective which then causes a subsequent effect elsewhere (i.e. a second effect). Potential secondary effects are identified in relation to climatic factors in areas where there is poor air quality; in relation to population and human health where climate and water impacts increase the potential for flooding; and, on water where soil sealing prevents soak away.

Cumulative Effects 1.20 Potential cumulative effects are identified in relation to air quality in relation to increased traffic (including construction traffic) in relation to development; in relation to biodiversity arising from the loss of greenfield land to development; in relation to climatic factors due to cumulative development; in relation to material assets due to the cumulative impact of waste requirements; and, in relation to soil where there is a cumulative impact from greenfield development. In all cases, potential approaches to mitigation are identified.

Synergistic Effects 1.21 Potential synergistic effects have been identified in relation to climatic factors where combined impacts from air pollution and soil sealing could lead to increased greenhouse gases; in relation to water where flooding and rises in water levels along with soil sealing could lead to increased flooding; and, in relation to population and human health due to air pollution and increased CO2 emissions.

NPF 2 Environmental Impacts

1.22 SESplan is located on the level below NPF 2 in the development policy hierarchy and there are a number of likely environmental impacts, both positive and negative, which are relevant to the SESplan area. These are summarised below.

Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna 1.23 Improved connectivity on East coast could lead to loss of habitat and displacement of species. The NPF attempts to balance this by strategic green network enhancement.

1.24 Cumulative impacts on protected sites and species on Firth of Forth are a concern related to the proposed replacement Forth Crossing and enhanced port facilities at Grangemouth/Rosyth.

1.25 The Safeguarding of green belt land for enhancement of Edinburgh airport could ultimately result in loss of habitats where this leads to longer term development.

Population and Human Health 1.26 Many of the high level policies will provide secondary benefits for health. This may arise from improved economic well being and wider environmental improvements. There will also be direct benefits from the NPF’s emphasis on maintaining local health services and facilities

1.27 The plan for enhancement of Edinburgh airport could have long term implications for health and community well-being arising from increased localised noise and air pollution, which require further consideration at a more detailed level of planning.

1.28 The focus on sustainable economic development results in largely positive effects. Overall some of the findings suggest that urban communities may benefit more from the NPF than their rural counterparts: this maybe justifiable given current concentrations of social and economic need as identified in the baseline analysis.

1.29 It is important that appropriate project design and mitigation is undertaken to ensure that quality of life benefits are not undermined by secondary adverse effects arising from environmental damage associated with growth and infrastructure enhancement. This is

particularly the case for the replacement forth crossing, Edinburgh airport enhancement and grid reinforcements

Climatic Factors and Air Quality 1.30 Although the commitment to reducing harmful emissions from the transport and energy sectors may reduce emissions in the short to medium term (by addressing road congestion for example), in the longer term they may have more negative effects, particularly where enhanced road capacity leads to increases in traffic volumes and distances traveled

1.31 Negative effects may be expected from Edinburgh airport enhancement, the NPF seeks to reduce the overall impacts of this by supporting improvements to surface transport for airport users.

1.32 Adverse impacts of transport developments could be reduced by prioritising sustainable transport modes (walking and cycling) to accessible land allocations and sustainable settlement patterns and accessible green networks.

1.33 The NPF supports the contribution of the energy sector towards climate change mitigation. Measures include improved energy efficiency within new build housing and support for a more dispersed pattern of energy generation and supply, larger scale renewable energy generation proposals including nation-wide improvements to transmission infrastructure to unlock the potential of Scotland’s natural resources, carbon capture and storage. These measures could, however, lead to secondary effects on other aspects of the environment, and therefore require careful consideration within development plans and rigorous application of project-level mitigation measures. SPP6 already sets a policy framework for achieving this.

1.34 Climate change adaptation measures have proved more difficult to integrate into the NPF, partly due to the high level of uncertainty and current gap in national adaptation policies. However, some practical opportunities, including improved habitat networks, sustainable water management, and an emphasis on innovative approaches to settlement patterns, should go some way towards ensuring the long-term robustness of the spatial strategy in relation to climate change.

Soil 1.35 The baseline analysis highlighted concerns for soils, including soil sealing arising from urban development and infrastructure provision. Within this context, many aspects of the NPF will inevitably lead to damage to or loss of soil resources, as some development will require to be accommodated on land which has not previously been developed.

1.36 Whilst the NPF proposes higher levels of development to achieve sustainable economic growth, this should be managed through development plans to minimise potential effects on vulnerable resources.

1.37 Spatial priorities could have negative implications across different parts of the country, with particular pressures arising from the relatively low availability of brownfield sites in the east, the Highlands and Islands and the South of Scotland. The national developments could lead to a mix of positive and negative effects. Airport enhancement plans could have negative effects as a result of their potential land take and requirement to make use of previously undeveloped land. There may be negative cumulative effects from renewable energy developments and associated transmission infrastructure, with significance depending on the sensitivity of receiving soil resources, and use of appropriate mitigation at the project design and site selection stages.

Water 1.38 The NPF baseline analysis showed that whilst on the whole Scotland’s water quality is good, River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) are likely to propose additional measures to reduce the risk of specific water bodies not reaching good ecological status.

1.39 Potential cumulative effects on the Firth of Forth of national developments require further consideration and careful management given the protected status of this area.

1.40 The Edinburgh airport expansion plan, combined with economic development proposals and future risk of flooding arising from climate change, suggests the need for mitigation that allows for strategic level flood management extending across local authority boundaries taking into account future capacity for development, water and environmental management on a catchment-wide scale. Further work at the plan and project level is required to identify how this might be achieved

Material Assets 1.41 As far as possible, the NPF seeks to link future accessibility resulting from transport plans with strategic land use decisions, in order to minimise travel distance and support economic development. Proposals for a significantly improved freight network, strategic road and rail network improvements and airport enhancement should also provide improved external and internal connectivity for Scotland in the longer term, thereby supporting further investment. This will, however, also potentially lead to localised impacts on other environmental resources, which require careful management within strategic and local development plans, the design of transport projects and delivery through the development management process. The impacts of the NPF on rural development are more subtle, partly due to the continuing emphasis on cities as economic drivers. Secondary benefits are expected from high level policies that emphasise a need for ongoing environmental protection and local distinctiveness, and the NPF is clear in its intention for rural areas to develop in a sustainable way that promotes environmental stewardship closely allied with diversification. The assessment remains inconclusive at this stage in terms of the potential benefits or drawbacks for rural communities of improved urban connectivity. Providing that their impacts are appropriately mitigated, some of the national developments should indirectly support rural development – for example by increasing the scope for traveling to and from commuter, intermediate and peripheral rural areas, and by supporting industries that could provide particular benefits for the rural economy, including some proposals for shipping and port facilities and the renewable energy sector.

Cultural Heritage 1.42 Most of the national developments could have negative effects on cultural heritage, including impacts on historic gardens and designed landscapes, scheduled monuments and listed buildings. The significance of these effects cannot be fully defined at this stage, in the absence of detailed siting and design proposals, but it is important to recognise that negative effects on cultural heritage resources tend to be permanent, and the resources irreplaceable.

1.43 Although the NPF recognises the value of the historic environment as a tourism resource, there remains scope for further recognition of its value as a contributor to environmental quality and in particular in defining local distinctiveness and cultural identity.

Landscape 1.44 Further development, which may be particularly concentrated on the edge of settlements including our cities, has the potential to either undermine landscape character, or offer a 11

major opportunity for landscape enhancement that actively improves visual amenity of settlements and contribute to a strengthening of sense of place. The latter is clearly an aspiration of the NPF, given its emphasis on place-making, but actual benefits will depend on the effectiveness of implementation through strategic and local development plans. The NPF seeks to support this by specifically highlighting the role of planning in maintaining and enhancing landscape quality and distinctiveness.

1.45 Some of the proposals will be particularly difficult to manage in terms of mitigating landscape effects. In particular, the continuing promotion of renewable energy generation and the national development of grid reinforcement will inevitably lead to change, potentially affecting some of the country’s most highly valued landscapes and seascapes and resulting in cumulative negative effects.

1.46 It will continue to be important to avoid the incremental and cumulative effects of a series of large scale developments and land use change in areas which are relatively vulnerable to landscape change as a result of previous loss of character and visual decline. In this regard, potential cumulative effects on the landscape to the west of Edinburgh raise issues requiring further consideration and mitigation through compensatory measures, project-level mitigation and broad scale enhancement

Summary of the current state of the environment in the SESplan area

1.47 Schedule 3 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 also requires that this Environmental Report includes a description of the environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected by SESplan, as well as a description of existing environmental problems, especially those relating to any areas of particular environmental importance.

Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna 1.48 It is estimated that Scotland’s biodiversity is worth some £17 billion1. The SESplan area contains a number of European and nationally protected sites of value for species and habitats.

12 Scottish Government, 2008, National Planning Framework 2 SEA Environmental Report

1.49 SESplan should adhere to the Scottish Biodiversity strategy, where appropriate, to remove barriers to species movement and dispersal and positively improving connections between habitats.

1.50 The challenges facing the SESplan area include a decline in the overall area of semi- natural habitats and ancient woodlands; a continuing need to ensure that protected (international and national) sites are in a favourable condition and tackling factors related to climate change (CO2 emissions for example) and urbanisation.

Population and Human Health 1.51 The population of the SESplan area is 1.2 million people, who live in 521,000 households, in the last 10 years all the SESplan areas have experienced positive population growth, with an accompanying rise in working age2. Within the SESplan area there is a fairly even spread of levels of deprivation in the local authority areas, for example all the areas contain less than 10% of the total most deprived areas but only Fife has less than 10% of the total least deprived areas3. Levels of physical activity in Scotland have been improving but still only 44% of men and 33% of women currently meet the recommended levels of physical activity4

1.52 The key environmental challenges facing population and human health are to provide additional greenspace and to balance development requirements with environmental considerations, such as delivery of sustainable affordable housing. It is also important to ensure that SESplan tackle issues such as access to services and sustainable transport routes.

Soil 1.53 There are a variety of soils in the SESplan area, the type of soil present is determined by factors such as altitude and natural and human processes. For example the Lammermuirs in the East have shallow, peaty and stony soils which are not very fertile, whereas the central lowlands has a variety of soils dependent on glacial deposits and rainfall5.

1.54 There are a number of threats to soil in Scotland. SEPA states that soil erosion is a continuing problem that could be exacerbated by climate change; soil biodiversity remains a

2 Scottish Government, 2010, Socio-Economic Briefing on Rural Scotland 3 Scottish Government, 2009, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation General Report. 4 Scottish Government, 2008, Scottish Health Survey 5 http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/livinglandscapes/soils/soillandscapes.asp 13

largely unknown area and there are concerns regarding reductions in organic soil matter, particularly loss of drainage and peat, and soil sealing under impermeable surfaces, as this can increase flood risk. SESplan has a large urban area, and there are concerns over the amount of soil lost to development. However policies to reclaim brownfield land and develop green networks may help mitigate these concerns.

1.55 The key environmental challenges facing soil in the SESplan area include balancing the need to identify areas of expansion on brownfield land and preventing exacerbation of soil sealing, which could lead to flooding issues. It is also important to protect soil quality, particularly in the light of the challenges climate change might bring.

Water 1.56 There are pressures on the Firth of Forth, which is being adversely affected by point source pollution from sewage disposal and diffuse pollution from agriculture6. SEPA also note that the pressure to develop brownfield land might mean that there is a risk of flooding if inappropriate sites are developed7.

1.57 SEPA has also produced flood maps which identify the areas with a 0.5% (1:200) or greater probability of being flooded in any given year. This shows areas at risk of flooding by rivers and the sea and will help decision makers to understand flood risk when considering new development

1.58 The key environmental challenges facing water in the SESplan area include the protection and enhancement of the status of all water bodies (for example from diffuse pollution from construction), identifying areas of expansion away from flooding areas and improving water/waste infrastructure.

Air 1.59 Within the SESplan area there are 4 AQMAs (3 in Edinburgh and one in Pathead). However there are also a number of areas where air quality levels are at risk of tipping to a situation where more AQMAs are required. SEPA state that further AQMAs could be required across the entire Edinburgh area and at Musselburgh High Street, Broxburn High Street, Appin Crescent in Dunfermline and at Claire Street in Kirkcaldy.

6 SEPA The water environment and achieving the environmental improvements http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/river_basin_planning/area_advisory_groups/forth/condition_and_objectives.aspx

147 SEPA SESplan Strategic Flood Risk Assessment advice (2010)

1.60 Traffic volumes on the roads of the SESplan area have been growing rapidly, on average around 1.5% per annum. This trend is expected to continue potentially exacerbating existing congestion hotspots8. As transport is the second largest generator of CO2 emissions in Scotland the SESplan figures are not surprising

1.61 The key environmental challenges facing air in the SESplan area are to maintain current air quality and prevent decline in the SESplan area as a whole but particularly where there are hotspot areas, as mentioned in paragraph 1.59. The second main challenge is to provide greater opportunities for access to sustainable forms of transport, in an effort to reduce traffic volumes on the roads.

Climatic Factors 1.62 The exact nature of how climate change will affect the SESplan area is impossible to tell. However it is widely accepted that there may be average temperature changes, adverse effects on water resources and flooding, population, health and well being.

1.63 The key environmental challenges facing climatic factors are to reduce C02 emissions so that the SESplan area is in line with government targets (an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050) and to promote the use of renewable energy.

Material Assets 1.64 The Zero Waste Plan has the targets of 70% recycling and a maximum of 5% to landfill by 2025 for Scotland’s waste. There will also be landfill bans for specific waste types and source segregation and separate collection of specific waste types.

1.65 The main environmental challenges facing material assets in the SESplan area are to ensure the sustainable use of mineral resources and to increase the rates of waste recycling to meet the objectives of the Zero Waste Plan.

Landscape 1.66 The pressures for change on the landscape in the SESplan area will be reflective of national landscape pressures as identified by the NPF 2 SEA, these are identified as land use change, incremental change from development and changes in perceptions, climate change and the development of renewable energy projects. Other challenges stated include poor

158 SESplan (2010) Transport Technical Note

standard of design, loss of cultural features and reduced management of landscape features. It should be noted that the development of the CSGN will provide a positive landscape change which can be used to counter some of the pressures identified above.

1.67 The key environmental challenges facing landscape in the SESplan area are to protect and enhance designated sites (national and regional) and the key wider landscape characteristics and to protect and enhance settlement townscapes. These sites and townscapes face a particular challenge from cumulative impact of development and this is an area SESplan will have to be aware of.

Likely evolution of the environment without SESplan

1.68 As described above SESplan has a statutory obligation to set a vision for the South East Scotland area, to consider development alongside other issues such as the principal social, economic, physical and environmental characteristics of the area and infrastructure provision and use and address the strategic and cross boundary planning issues in South East Scotland. In addition SESplan must contribute to sustainable development.

1.69 Therefore without the spatial and strategic dimension SESplan will bring, policies which aim to promote positive environmental change will be delivered less effectively. SESplan will be able to act as a vehicle to deliver positive environmental policies across the whole of South East Scotland. The NPF 2 SEA gives more detail on how a lack of a strategic framework could affect the environment and much of this work can be amended for the SESplan area:

• Established problems such as the growth of emissions from the energy and transport sectors would be less effectively addressed. SESplan provides the opportunity to monitor and implement sustainable transport initiatives and renewable energy initiatives, without the SDP some of this impetus might be lost,

• Targets for improving air, water and soil quality and supplies might be met, but the contribution of land use planning would be more limited, and would have the potential to undermine strategic action if not adequately co-ordinated.

• The decline of some key species and habitats may be reduced or reversed as a

result of biodiversity action, but lack of co-ordination and consideration in relation to land use and development would limit the scope for achieving this. In the SESplan area the potential for development of greenspace and the CSGN, as well as blue networks, would be an example of the work that could be hindered without a strategic development plan.

• Without SESplan the potential for a large part of Scotland to meet the Scottish Government’s climate change targets would be adversely affected.

• Without SESplan the potential for sustainable patterns of development across South East Scotland would be hindered

• There would also potentially be significant further secondary and cumulative effects from key types of development, such as settlement growth, renewable energy, waste management facilities and transport infrastructure if the strategic vision and coordination provided were absent.

Environmental Issues for Policy Areas

Strategic Development Plan Policy Approaches 1.71 The principle of sustainable development will be embedded throughout the plan and will, in particular, support the objectives for air, climatic factors, material assets, population and human health and water. Delivering essential infrastructure, producing a Regional Transport Strategy and providing sustainable travel patterns have positive impacts on a variety of the strategic environmental objectives including air, climatic factors and population and human health but may have a more negative impact on issues such as biodiversity, landscape and townscape and soil. The approach to economic development should be positive specifically in terms of population and human health and landscape and townscape. However, there are potential negative impacts in terms of air, biodiversity and soil depending on the amount of greenfield land required and the siting of any new development. Housing is positive in terms of population and human health, and the emphasis on brownfield development assists the soil objective although there is still a requirement for greenfield land with negative impacts on biodiversity and soil. The policy area on environment is positive overall. The strategic policy areas related to resources have connections with cumulative impacts assessed through the Strategic Growth Areas. Climate change and renewable energy have been identified as potential negative impacts but the approaches to waste, water, and flooding should be

positive in terms of climatic factors, material assets, population & human health and water.

Local Development Plan Policy Approaches

1.72 The Environmental Report sets out the implications for Local Development Plan policy approaches in relation to each of the SEA objectives arising from the assessment in relation to the SDP.

Monitoring

1.73 A Monitoring Report has been undertaken for the South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan. In the future, this report should incorporate many of the monitoring needs identified within this SEA. Equally, the majority of monitoring for the SEA objectives is already undertaken by the SESplan Local Authorities or by other government bodies or agencies.

Chapter 2 Introduction

Purpose of this Environmental Report 2.1 As part of the preparation of Strategic Development Plan, SESplan is carrying out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). SEA is a systematic method for considering the likely environmental effects of certain plans, programmes and strategies (PPS). SEA aims to: • integrate environmental factors into PPS preparation and decision-making; • improve PPS and enhance environmental protection; • increase public participation in decision making; and • facilitate openness and transparency of decision-making.

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

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

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

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

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

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

2.3 The purpose of this Environmental Report is to: • provide information on South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan; • identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant effects of the Strategic Development Plan and its reasonable alternatives; • provide an early and effective opportunity for the Consultation Authorities and the public to offer views on any aspect of this Environmental Report.

SEA Report - Key Facts

Responsible Authority South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan Authority (SESplan)

Title of Plan/Programme Edinburgh and South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan

What prompted the plan? Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006

Plan subject Strategic Development Plan

Period covered by plan 2012 to 2032

Frequency of plan updates Revision and re-submission within 4 years of the approval date.

Plan area The SDP covers all of the City of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian and Scottish Borders Council areas, and the south western part of Fife.

Purpose of the plan / plan objectives The SDP will enable and steer future development across the city region.

Contact point: SESplan Ground Floor, Claremont House 130 East Claremont Street Edinburgh EH7 4LB Tel: 0131 524 5165 Email: [email protected]

Diagram 1: Timeline for MIR and SEA

Publication of Main Issues Report and supporting documents including SEA Environmental Report MAY 2010

Analysis of consultation responses and preparation of Proposed Plan Update of SEA in line with Plan

Publication of Proposed Plan and supporting documents June 2011

Analysis of formal responses

Submission of SDP to Scottish Ministers March 2012

Examination of any outstanding objections preparation of Post Adoption Statement

Approval of SDP – 2012 Submission of Post Adoption Statement

Chapter 3: PLANNING CONTEXT

Outline and Objectives of Strategic Development Plan 3.1 A Development Plan Scheme (DPS) has been produced by SESplan, as required under the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006. The Scheme sets out the programme for preparing the SDP and will be updated annually. It also provides basic information on the content of the SDP itself, and its broader policy context.

3.2 Section 5 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 makes SEA mandatory for land-use plans. In accordance with this, SESplan has agreed that Strategic Environmental Assessment will be carried out during the preparation of the Strategic Development Plan.

3.3 The Strategic Development Plan sets out a long-term spatial planning strategy that broadly defines where development should be located, and how it should be delivered. The SDP will replace the three existing structure plans for the area: the Edinburgh and Lothians Structure Plan 2015, the Fife Structure Plan 2006-26 and the Scottish Borders Structure Plan 2001-18.

3.4 SESplan has integrated the SEA process into the Strategic Development Plan process to ensure that all significant environmental issues were identified at an early stage and subsequently addressed through the preparation of the Strategic Development Plan.

SEA relationship with the Strategic Development Plan 3.5 The Strategic Development Plan is divided into two sections: the key policy areas and the strategic growth areas. These sections are very much interlinked with each other to provide a coherent and thorough approach to the long term planning of the SESplan area. Table 1 provides a summary of the environmental issues identified by Schedule 3 of the Environmental (Scotland) Act 2005 as relevant to the Strategic Development Plan.

Table 1: Environmental Issues relevant to Strategic Development Plan SEA Issue Scoped In/Out Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna Population & Human Heath Soil Water Air Climatic Factors Material Assets Cultural Heritage Landscape

3.6 As part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, both elements have been assessed in terms of impact. A further detailed assessment has been produced for the strategic growth areas (see Appendices B & C). This has involved assessing environmental objectives against the strategic growth areas using spatial data whenever possible to highlight any significant impacts. The aim of this approach is to highlight key issues arising from these potential development areas to provide direction to the policies of the Strategic Development Plan (see sections 5 and 6 of the report). Additionally, this detailed assessment has highlighted areas to be covered within the Local Development Plans (see section 6.2 of the report).

Relationship with other Plans, Programmes & Strategies 3.7 Table 2 shows the relevant plans, programmes and strategies and environmental protection objectives, and their relationship with the Strategic Development Plan.

Table 2: Relevant plans, programmes and strategies Name of Plan Environmental Requirements of Plan Implications for the SEA

Air The Air Quality Strategy for Sets out the air quality strategy for the UK with objectives Air Quality: SDP should contribute to reduction England, Scotland, Wales and and targets, referring to the Environment Act 1995 in air pollution. Northern Ireland. Working legislation. It seeks a reduction in the levels of 8 harmful Human Health and Safety: SDP should Together for Clean Air (2000) pollutants present in the air, which in turn promote: contribute to reduction in air pollution for the • the protection of human health; and benefit of human health. • the protection of vegetation and ecosystems Biodiversity: SDP should contribute to reduction in air pollution for the benefit of human health for the benefit of biodiversity.

Local Air Quality Management Sets out duties requiring local authorities to review and Air Quality: sets out requirements to reduce air Act (Part of the Environmental assess air quality in their area from time to time, the pollution which SDP should contribute to. Act 1995) reviews forming the cornerstone of the system of local air Human Health and Safety: looks to maintain quality management. and improve air quality for the benefit of human health to which SDP should make a contribution.

Edinburgh Air Quality Action Plan Sets out declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) Air Quality: sets out initiatives to reduce air (2008- 2010) and details the initiatives required to meet targets to pollution which SDP should seek to contribute improve air quality. to. Human Health and Safety: looks to improve air quality for the benefit of human health to which SDP should make a contribution.

Scotland’s National Transport • Promote social inclusion by connecting remote and Material Assets: SDP should seek to integrate Strategy (2006) disadvantaged communities and increasing the with the aims of the National Transport accessibility of the transport network: Strategy. • Protect our environment and improve health by building and investing in public transport and other types of efficient and sustainable transport which minimize emissions and consumption of resources and energy • Improve safety of journeys by reducing accidents and enhancing the personal safety of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, passengers and staff.

Strategic Transport Projects STPR complements the National Transport Review and Material Assets: SDP should seek to integrate Review (STPR) (2008) seeks to: with the aims of the STPR. • improve journey times and connections – to tackle Population & Human Heath: SDP should congestion and the lack of integration and support the STPR interventions aimed at connections in transport which impact on our high reducing congestion, emissions etc and level objectives for economic growth, social improving human health. inclusion, integration and safety Climatic Factors and Air Quality: SDP should • reducing emissions – to tackle the issues of climate support the STPR interventions aimed at change, air quality and health improvement which reducing congestion, emissions etc such as impact on our high level objective for protecting the tackling issues of climate change and the environment and improving health, and availability of better forms of public transport • improving quality, accessibility and affordability – to to reduce dependency on cars. give people a choice of public transport, where availability means better quality transport services and value for money or an alternative to the car SESTRAN Regional Transport • to ensure that development is achieved in an Material Assets: SDP should seek to integrate Strategy (2008-2023) environmentally sustainable manner: reducing with the aims of the transport strategy greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants and Climatic Factors and Air Quality: SDP should enabling sustainable travel/ reduce car dependency contribute to ensuring that development is • to promote a healthier and more active SEStran achieved in an environmentally sustainable area population manner, reducing air pollutants and thus improving air Quality Human Health: SDP should promote a healthier and more active population

SPP Planning for Transport The national focus on transport is now on delivery of Material Assets: the SDP should plan land use transport projects. For the transport network to most in a manner which assists in reducing the effectively support the economy, land use planning should need to travel and contributes to sustainable assist in reducing the need to travel; in creating the right transport nodes. conditions for greater use of sustainable transport modes and in restricting adverse environmental impacts. PAN 75 Planning for Transport PAN 75 accompanies SPP and aims to create greater Material Assets: the SDP should plan land use awareness of how linkages between planning and in a manner which assists in reducing the transport can be managed. It highlights the roles of need to travel and contributes to sustainable different bodies and professions in the process and points transport nodes. to other sources of information.

Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna Nature Conservation (Scotland ) Introduced a ‘duty to further the conservation of Biodiversity: SDP should aim to conserve Act (2004) biodiversity’ for all pubic bodies, and sets out more specific Scotland’s biodiversity for future generations provisions within this (e.g. for SSSIs). Also states a by conserving habitats and species and requirement for the preparation of a Scottish Biodiversity raising public awareness on the importance of Strategy, to which all public bodies should pay regard. biodiversity.

Scotland’s Biodiversity – It’s In Sets out Scottish aims relating to biodiversity over 25 year Biodiversity: SDP should aim to conserve Your Hands. period. Seeks to go beyond a previous emphasis on Scotland’s biodiversity for future generations protecting individual sites to achieve conservation at a by conserving habitats and species and A strategy for the conservation broader scale. Aims to halt loss and reverse decline of key raising public awareness on the importance of and enhancement of biodiversity species, to raise awareness of biodiversity value at a biodiversity. in Scotland (2004) landscape or ecosystem scale, and to promote knowledge, understanding and involvement amongst people.

Choosing Our Future – Details the Scottish Executive’s (now Government) Biodiversity: SDP should aim to conserve Scotland’s strategy for tackling issues such as climate change, Scotland’s biodiversity for future generations Sustainable Development biodiversity, resource use and pollution. by conserving habitats and species. Strategy (2005) Climatic Change and Air Quality: aims to reduce impact on and adapt to climate change, SDP should aspire to this. Material Assets: SDP should aim to minimise resource depletion, encourage the responsible use of natural resources and maximise where possible on recovery, re-use and recycling of materials.

SPP: Natural Heritage The conservation of Scotland’s plants, animals, Biodiversity and Landscape: these priorities PAN 60 Planning for Natural landscapes, geology, natural beauty and amenity is should be taken into account and progressed Heritage (2000) important and should be considered in all development as far as possible within the SDP. The SDP plans. should not adversely affect designated natural heritage sites, and should aim to support conservation and appreciation of natural heritage at a landscape scale.

The Scottish Forestry Strategy Key themes include to: Biodiversity: aims to conserve and enhance (2006) (and associated SEA) • reduce the impact of climate change; biodiversity which needs to be taken on board • get the most from Scotland’s increasing and by SDP. sustainable timber resource; Population & Human Heath: aims to improve • make access to and enjoyment of woodlands easier health and well being by providing biodiversity • for all to improve health; and green infrastructure benefits, the SDP • protect the environmental quality of our natural should enhance this. • resources; and Climatic Change: aims to reduce impact on • help to maintain, restore and enhance Scotland’s and adapt to climate change. biodiversity

Local Biodiversity Action Plan’s The LBAPs translate national targets for species and Biodiversity: SDP should support the aims of East Lothian (2008 – 2013) habitats into effective local action, stimulates local working the LBAPs and avoid adversely affecting key Edinburgh (2004-2009) partnerships into tackling biodiversity conservation, raises habitats and species as identified therein. Fife (2nd Edition, 2003-2006) awareness, identify local resources, identify local targets Midlothian (2006) for species and habitats, ensure delivery and monitor Scottish Borders (2001) progress. West Lothian (2005 – 2009) Midlothian Biodiversity Guidance for Developers (2008)

Environmental Strategies Key themes include: Biodiversity: SDP should support the key Edinburgh Environmental • safeguard, promote and improve the social, economic, themes of each Environmental Strategy and Strategy environmental and democratic wellbeing of all the safeguard and promote the biodiversity of the Draft East Lothian Environment people in the local authority area SESplan area. Strategy (2007 – 2009) Population & Human Heath: through the Take a Pride in Fife – safeguard and promotion of biodiversity the Environmental Strategy for Fife – SDP will create benefits for the wellbeing of all Review and Update (2006) the people in the SESplan area. Scottish Borders New Ways Environmental Strategy

Local Woodland/ Forestry The creation, through forestry and woodland initiatives, of Biodiversity: aims to conserve and enhance Strategies an attractive environment providing biodiversity and green biodiversity which needs to be taken on board Edinburgh and the Lothians infrastructure benefits and to improve the health and well by SDP. Regional Forestry Framework being of the area. Population & Human Heath: aims to improve (Draft 2008) health and well being by providing biodiversity and green infrastructure benefits, the SDP Fife Indicative Forestry Strategy should enhance this.

Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy (2005)

Climatic Factors SPP : Renewable Energy The Scottish Ministers have set a target of generating 80% Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should Pan 45 Renewable Energy of Scotland’s electricity from renewable sources by 20209. safeguard sites suitable for renewable energy Technologies (2005) The importance of using clean and sustainable energy developments and support Scotland’s PAN 84 Carbon Reduction (2008) from renewable sources will continue to increase as a commitment to renewable energy result of global imperatives to tackle climate change and developments and movement towards low and the need to ensure secure and diverse energy supplies. zero carbon developments. PAN 45 complements SPP and highlights examples of good practice across Scotland. A key role of the planning system is to support a move towards low and zero carbon development through the use of energy efficient, micro- generating and decentralised renewable energy systems. PAN 84 provides information and guidance on implementing the targets set in SPP.

Changing Our Ways – Scotland’s Details the Scottish Executive’s (now Government’s) Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should Climate Change Programme programme for reducing and adapting to climate change. aim to make an appropriate contribution to this (2006) programme. Climate Change (Scotland) Act Act to: Climatic Change and Air Quality: reduction in 2009 • set a target for the year 2050, an interim target for the greenhouse gas emissions through target year 2030, and to provide for annual targets, for the setting and implementation of measures to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; improve energy efficiency and make provision • to provide about the giving of advice to the Scottish for reduction and recycling of waste. SDP Ministers relating to climate change; should promote and contribute towards the targets set by the bill. The SDP should also

339Scottish Government 2010 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/09/23134359

• to confer power on Ministers to impose climate change adhere to the public body duties in Section 4 duties on public bodies; of the Act, this means exercising functions: in • to make further provision about mitigation of and the best way calculated to contribute to adaptation to climate change; delivery of the Act’s emission reduction • to make provision about energy efficiency; targets, deliver any statutory adaptation • to make provision about the reduction and recycling of programme; and in the most sustainable way. waste

Energy Efficiency and Micro Strategy sets out the action to take to help Scotland meet Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should generation: achieving a Low carbon savings targets etc outlined in Changing Our Ways aim to make an appropriate contribution to this Carbon Future: A Strategy for – Scotland’s Climate Change Programme (2006) through programme to help meet carbon saving Scotland (2008) improving energy efficiency and encouraging a greater targets for Scotland. uptake of micro generation.

Biomass Action Plan for Scotland The Biomass Action Plan sets out a coordinated Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should (2007) programme for the development of the biomass sector in aim to make an appropriate contribution to this Scotland and aims to: programme to help meet biomass plan aims • provide a summary of the wide range of existing for Scotland. activities, actions and initiatives; • provide a focus for a strategic coordinated approach to developing biomass for energy production across the heat, electricity and transport sectors; • identify roles and responsibilities for government, industry and public stakeholders to develop a vibrant bioenergy industry in Scotland; and • identify future actions and gaps

Climatic Change and Air Quality: These supplementary guides for renewables support SPP: Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should SDP should aim to make an Renewable Energy and set out policies and other advice to support and plan for renewable energy and appropriate contribution to this assist in positively planning for wind powered renewable wind energy developments in the SESplan programme to help meet biomass energy developments in Fife and in its coastal waters and area. plan aims for Scotland. for the use of renewable energy systems for new and existing developments and the reduction of carbon dioxide emission levels from new developments in the Scottish Borders.

Scotland’s Climate Change The aim of the Adaptation Framework is to lead planned Climatic Change and Air Quality: SDP should Adaptation Framework adaptation across all sectors to increase the resilience of recognise the need to understand the Scotland’s communities, and the natural and economic consequences of a changing climate and systems on which they depend, to the impacts of climate change. The document has three pillars for action integrate adaptation measures into policy • Improving the understanding of the consequences of a where possible changing climate and both the challenges and opportunities it presents • Equipping stakeholders with the skills and tools needed to adapt to the changing climate • Integrating adaptation into wider regulation and public policy so that it is a help, not a hindrance, to addressing climate change issues Cultural Heritage (including architectural and archaeological heritage) Scottish Historic Environment SHEP is the overarching policy statement for the historic Cultural Heritage: SDP should impact as little Policy (SHEP) (July 2009) environment. It provides a framework for more detailed as possible on the historic environment. The strategic policies and operational policies that inform the SDP should seek to promote the SHEP vision. day-to-day work of a range of organisations that have a role and interest in managing the historic environment.

SPP: Planning and the Historic The historic environment is a vital contribution to Cultural Heritage: SDP should impact as little Environment Scotland’s cultural heritage and contributes to our as possible on the historic environment. The understanding of the past and present. The conservation of SDP should outline the strategic importance of the historic environment should be carefully integrated with the historic environment as a resource in its other policies to ensure its survival. own right and as a driver for sustainable economic development and regeneration. The spatial strategy of the plan should be informed by considerations including the capacity of settlements and areas of countryside to accommodate development without damage to their historic value.

Landscape and Townscape Designing Places: A Policy Policy statement on design which sets out the overarching Landscape and Townscape: the six qualities Statement for Scotland (2001) policy on design including the six qualities that make a of good design that make a successful place successful place –distinctive, safe and pleasant, easy to should be outlined in the SDP. get to and move around, welcoming, adaptable and resource efficient. Pan 44 Fitting New Housing Strategically, establishing landscape capacity and the Landscape and Townscape: SDP should Development into the Landscape relationship of new to existing urban forms as primary promote development which fits into the factors in determining the desirability of settlement existing landscape and townscape. expansion Promoting higher design standards relative to form layout and relation with existing urban areas

SPP The SPP sets out the national planning policy Landscape and Townscape: SDP should framework for the protection of prime reflect national policy on agricultural land and agricultural land and green belt objectives. green belts. Pan 52 Planning and Small Identifying factors which threaten the important legacy of Landscape and Townscape: SDP should Towns small towns: promote quality development. • Providing for regeneration and expansion • Enabling lively, active and vibrant town centres within small towns • Enabling efficient and effective transport to support economic growth and accessibility • Promoting high quality design that promotes townscape quality PAN 65 Planning and Open Provides advice on the role of the planning system in Landscape and Townscape: SDP should Space (2003) protecting and enhancing existing open spaces and enhance existing open space and provide providing high quality new spaces. high quality new spaces. PAN 71 Conservation Area This provides further advice on the management of Landscape and Townscape: SDP should not Management conservation areas. It identifies good practice for managing have a negative impact on any conservation change, sets out a checklist for appraising conservation areas in the SESplan area. areas and provides advice on funding and implementation. PAN 72: Housing in the Advice on design of houses in the countryside with a Landscape and Townscape: SDP should seek Countryside purpose to create more opportunities for good quality rural to create opportunities for good quality rural housing which respects Scottish landscapes and building housing in the SESplan area. tradition. SPP: Planning for Rural Planning policy which encourages a more supportive Landscape and Townscape: SDP should seek Development attitude towards ‘appropriate’ development whilst to create opportunities for good quality rural acknowledging and valuing the diversity of rural Scotland. housing in the SESplan area.

SPP: Green Belts Key objectives of green belt policy are: Landscape and Townscape: SDP should • To direct planned growth to the most appropriate safeguard designated green belts within the locations and support regeneration; SESplan area. • To protect and enhance the character, landscape setting and identity of towns and cities; and • To protect and give access to open space within and around towns and cities, as part of the wider structure of green space

European Landscape Convention The aim of the convention is to promote landscape Landscape and Townscape: SDP should protection, management and planning, and to organise support the articles of the European European cooperation on landscape issues. To be Convention on Landscape achieved by: • recognising landscapes in law as an essential component of people’s surroundings, an expression of the diversity of their shared cultural and natural heritage, and a foundation of their identity • establishing and implementing landscape policies aimed at landscape protection, management and planning through the adoption of the specific measures set out in Article 6 • establishing procedures for the participation of the general public, local and regional authorities, and other parties with an interest in the definition and implementation of landscape policies • integrating landscape into regional and town planning policies and in cultural, environmental, agricultural, social and economic policies, as well as in any other policies with possible direct or indirect impact on landscape • In addition member parties should adhere to Article 6- Specific Measures which includes: awareness raising, training and education, identification and assessment.

Landscape Character The aim of Landscape Character Assessments is to Landscape and Townscape: SDP should seek Assessments classify landscape within certain areas, to identify the to support conservation and enhancement of forces for change which may affect their distinctive different types of landscape in the SESplan Edinburgh Landscape Character character, give guidelines for conservation/enhancement of Assessment (2010) the different types of landscape and to find opportunities area. for landscape conservation, restoration or enhancement

Landscape capacity studies for Lochgelly, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth - undertaken by

Alison Grant for Fife Council (2002)

Fife Local Landscape Designation Review 2008/9

The Lothians Landscape Character Assessment (1998)

Edinburgh Greenbelt Landscape Character Assessment (2008)

The Borders Landscape Character Assessment (1998)

The Special Qualities of the The work provides a complete picture of Scotland’s Landscape and Townscape: SDP should seek National Scenic Areas (SNH) nationally designated landscapes. This is done through an to support conservation and enhancement of update of the original reasons for the designation and the two nationally designated landscapes in through provision of a methodology to assess special qualities of the National Scenic Areas, two of which are the SESplan area and their special qualities. located in the SESplan area

Material Assets A Forward Strategy for Scottish Aims to create a prospering and sustainable farming Material Assets: SDP should support aims to Agriculture: Next Steps (and industry which is: create a prosperous and sustainable farming associated retrospective SEA) • a major driver in sustaining rural development, industry. (2006) helping rural communities prosper; Biodiversity: the forward strategy looks to • a leading player in the protection and enhancement protect and enhance the environment, the of the environment; and SDP should support this. • a major contributor to key objectives on animal Population & Human Heath: the forward health and welfare and human health and well- strategy aims to contribute to human health being. and well-being, the SDP should support this. Rural Development Programme • Promote an environmentally sustainable industry by Material Assets: SDP should support the rural for Scotland, The Strategic Plan, targeting capital investment to mitigate farm development programme’s strategic plan 2007-2013 (2006) pollution and secure environmental improvement; Climatic Factors: the SDP should support the • developing products that reflect the high quality of production of feedstock for renewable energy the natural and cultural heritage; and production. • supporting the production of feedstock for renewable energy production SPP: Opencast Coal This Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) sets out the national Material Assets: SDP should support the planning policy framework for the working of opencast coal. planning policy framework.

Consultation Paper on Potential To further encourage recycling by giving a power to the Material Assets: SDP should support Legislation Measures to Scottish Government to make regulations which would measures to implement zero waste in the Implement Zero Waste (2008) impose duties on public sector bodies and businesses to SESplan area. provide recycling facilities for customers, staff and, where appropriate, members of the public. The regulations would specify which bodies and businesses were to be subject to this duty and the nature of the recycling facilities that would be required. Zero Waste Plan (2010) The aims of the Plan are to create a stable framework that Material Assets: SDP should support will provide confidence for the investment necessary to measures to improve resource efficiency in deliver a zero waste Scotland over the next 10 years by the SESplan area. minimizing Scotland’s demand on primary resources, and maximizing the reuse, recycling and recovery of resources instead of treating them as waste. SPP: Planning for Waste Waste has increased in volume and complexity over the Material Assets: SDP should support Management last five decades and the guidance sets out options to measures to manage waste in the SESplan follow to: area. • reduce waste: • re-use; • recovery by recycling; • waste as a source of energy; and • treatment and disposal of the remaining waste in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner

Population & Human Heath Our National Health: A Plan for Poverty, poor housing, homelessness and the lack of Population & Human Heath: SDP should Action, A Plan for Change (2000) educational and economic opportunity are the root causes contribute to improving the health of the of major inequalities in health in Scotland. The core aims SESplan area. are to build a national effort to improve health and to reduce inequalities in health. SPP: Physical Activity and Open • To protect and enhance open space; Population & Human Heath: sport and Space • To ensure a strategic approach to open space and recreation are an important part of a healthy other opportunities for sport and recreation by life and therefore areas for these activities requiring local authorities to undertake an open should be protected and enhanced within the space audit and prepare an open space strategy for SDP. their area; • To protect and support opportunities for sport and recreation; • To provide guidance on the quality and accessibility of open space in new developments and on providing for its long-term maintenance and management; • To provide guidance on planning for development of new indoor and outdoor facilities for sport and recreation.

A Partnership for a Better The key aim is to ensure that no one in Scotland suffers Population & Human Heath: SDP should Scotland (2003) from poverty and to regenerate the most disadvantaged contribute towards ensuring that neighborhoods so that people can take advantage of job disadvantaged neighbourhoods are targeted opportunities and improve their quality of life. for regeneration to allow for improvements in quality of life of the Population. Making the Links: Greenspace Greenspaces contribute to quality of life, access, health, Population & Human Heath: SDP should seek and the Partnership Agreement, education, community cohesion, biodiversity and to protect, enhance and promote green Greenspace Scotland enterprise. They have a significant role to play in relation to spaces. housing and the environmental and community services that they offer. Health Action Plans Health and wellbeing are fundamental to quality of life. Population & Human Heath: SDP should Making Edinburgh Healthier, Improving health and addressing health inequality contribute towards improving the health and Edinburgh Joint Health involves wide-ranging action across not just health and well being of the SESplan area population. Improvement Action Plan (2008 – care services but also public services including 2011) education, employment, housing, community safety and A Healthier Future for Fife: Fife environment. Joint Health Improvement Action Plan (2007-2010) Scottish Borders Joint Health Improvement Plan (2005 – 2010)

Core Paths and Access Core Paths Plans and Access strategies look to promote Population & Human Heath: SDP should Strategies themes of: contribute towards improving the health and East Lothian Core Paths Plan • green spaces well being of the SESplan area by promoting (2008) • human health and well being core paths and accessibility to the countryside Edinburgh Core Paths Plan • accessibility and green spaces. (2008) • inclusion Fife Council Access Strategy • biodiversity (2006 -2016) Fife Council Core Paths Plan (2008) Midlothian Core Paths Plan (2008) Scottish Borders Core Path Plan (2008) West Lothian Core Paths Plan (2008)

Central Scotland Green Network The Central Scotland Green Network looks to promote: Population & Human Health: SDP should • access to attractive, safe and well maintained contribute towards delivering the aims of the greenspace or accessible countryside Central Scotland Green Network and • to improve the green infrastructure of all our major towns and cities by investing in green and blue space, extending the areas of accessible, attractive, tree planting and sustainable urban drainage safe and well maintained greenspace • to deliver a threefold increase in the area of land used for community growing – allotments, orchards and gardens • to deliver a strategic network of high-quality routes for active travel and recreation throughout Central Scotland • to ensure that the green network is used by everyone to improve health and well-being through physical activity and contact with nature, volunteering and learning outdoors • to foster community pride and ownership in the CSGN and to use the green network as a community resource, providing opportunities for education, volunteering, training, skills development and employment in land-based and low-carbon industries

Community Plans Community Plans focus on achieving measurable Population & Human Heath: SDP should seek Edinburgh Community Plan improvements to the quality of life for all in the local to follow the guidance in the community plans (2005) authority area and provides a framework for delivering long on engagement with the local community. Fife Community Plan – A term visions for the area. The Community Plan sets the Stronger Future for Fife (2007 context for continued joint working between the Local Revised Edition) Authority Area and the local community and its partner Moving Midlothian Forward – agencies. Community Plan, 2008 – 2011 (2008) Our Scottish Borders – Your Community: Community Plan 2006-2016 Strategic Housing Investment SHIPs set out how investment in affordable housing will be Population & Human Heath: SDP should Plan directed over the next 5 years to achieve the integrate with the SHIPs and plan to achieve (SHIP) outcomes set out in there associated Local Housing the outcomes set out in each local authority East Lothian SHIP Strategy. areas Local Housing Strategy. Edinburgh City Housing Strategy / SHIP Fife Council SHIP (2008) Scottish Borders Local Housing Strategy and Action Plan (2007)

Strategic Noise Action Plan for The three main objectives of the Directive are as follows: Population & Human Heath: SDP should not the Edinburgh Agglomeration • To determine the noise exposure of the population add to noise levels and seek to preserve noise (Draft 2008) through noise mapping quality where it is good. • To make information available on environmental noise to the public • To establish Action Plans based on the mapping results, to reduce noise levels where necessary, and to preserve environmental noise quality where it is good Pan 74 Affordable Housing Advice setting out how the planning system can support Population and Human Health: SDP should the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase the seek to provide affordable housing in line with supply of affordable housing. the Scottish Government’s recommendations. Soil PAN 33 Development of Document provides advice with regards to the Soil: SDP should follow this guidance on Contaminated Land (2000) development of contaminated land, which any development in areas of contaminated land. developments will need to adhere to. The Contaminated Land Details activities that are prohibited to prevent the Soil: SDP should not conflict with these (Scotland) contamination of land and watercourses. regulations. Regulations (2005)

Scottish Soil Framework The main aim of the Framework is to promote the Soil: SDP should promote the sustainable (Consultation) – Finalised sustainable management and protection of soils consistent management of soils. expected 2009 with the economic, social and environmental needs of Scotland. Activities identified for focus include: • soil organic matter stock protected • soil erosion reduced • greenhouse gas emission from soils reduced • soil’s capacity to adapt to changing climate enhanced • soil biodiversity as well as above ground biodiversity • protected soils making a positive contribution to sustainable flood management Water The Water Environment and Ensures that all human activity that can have a harmful Water Status: SDP should follow all Water impact on water is controlled. appropriate guidance and legislation. Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (Designation of Scotland River Basin District) Order 2003

SEPA (2008) Finalised River • Identifying areas of the water environment for Water Status: SDP proposals should prevent Basin Management Plans: protection and improvement deterioration and enhance the status of the Scotland River Basin District and • Identifying where current or historic activities are water environment; promote sustainable water Solway Tweed River Basin • constraining the quality of the water environment use; reduce pollution; and contribute to the District and the biodiversity it supports mitigation of floods and droughts • Details the actions required to ensure waters of special value (e.g. drinking, biodiversity, shellfish, bathing) are up to standard and maintain the quality where they already meet those standards • Set out actions needed to deliver environmental improvements over the next 6 years and longer to 2027 Flood Risk Management The Scottish Ministers, SEPA and responsible authorities Water Status: flood risk management across (Scotland) Bill 2008 (as must exercise their flood risk related functions with a view Scotland is important; the SDP should not introduced) to reducing overall flood risk through: create flood risks and should actively promote • promotion of sustainable flood risk management, sustainable flood risk management. acting with a view to raising public awareness of flood risk, and acting in the way best calculated to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.

SPP: Planning and Flooding SPP provides guidance to developers and planning Water Status: SDP should not contribute authorities on planning and flooding. New development towards or create flood risks within the should not take place if it would be at significant risk of SESplan area. flooding from any source or would materially increase the probability of flooding elsewhere. The storage capacity of functional floodplains should be safeguarded, and works to elevate the level of a site by land raising should not lead to a loss of flood water storage capacity. Drainage would be a material consideration and the means of draining a development should be assessed. Sustainable drainage would be required whenever practicable and watercourses should be culverted. Flood prevention and alleviation measures should respect the wider environmental concerns and appropriate engineering solutions recognise the context provided by the development plan. Whilst it is preferable for open spaces to flood rather than buildings it may not always be acceptable. PAN 69: Planning and Building The PAN supports SPP. Water Status: SDP should not contribute Standards Advice on Flooding towards or create flood risks within the (2004) SESplan area.

Fife Flood Alleviation Report Under the Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Water Status: SDP should not contribute 2009 Act 1997 Local Authorities are required to publish a report towards or create flood risks within the Scottish Borders Council at 2 yearly intervals specifying: the measures which they SESplan area and should actively promote Flooding Biennial Report 2009 consider that they require to take to prevent or mitigate the sustainable flood risk management. flooding of land in their area; the measures which they City of Edinburgh Council Flood have taken since the date of publication of their previous Assessment Report 2005 report to prevent or mitigate the flooding of such land and all occurrences of flooding of such land since that date. West Lothian Flood Risk Management Report 2010

Haddington Flood Study 2009 Musselburgh Flood Study (ongoing) West Barns Flood Study (ongoing) SPP: Coastal Planning SPP notes that the developed coast should be the focus Water Status: SDP should only designate for developments requiring a coastal location, or which coastal areas for developments requiring a contribute to economic regeneration of settlements whose coastal location. livelihoods is dependent on coastal or marine activities and features. SEPA Statement on the SEPA’s policy sets out the environmental issues Water Status: SDP should take account of the Culverting of Watercourses associated with culverting and presents a consistent and environmental issues associated with (1998) pragmatic approach to this aspect of river engineering. culverting.

Scottish Water Strategic Asset Outlines the current capacity at water and wastewater Water Status: SDP should check current Capacity and Development Plan treatment works across Scotland to let local authorities and capacity before planning any major developers see “at a glance” what capacity currently exists developments in the SESplan area. at a particular location in Scotland. It is intended to use this information to decide whether work will have to be carried out by Scottish Water to increase capacity at treatment works to enable a particular development to go ahead. Scottish Water, Water Resource In this draft Water Resources Plan we set out our strategy Water Status: SDP should not add any Plan (2008) to ensure that all our customers, the length and breadth of additional pressure to Scottish Water Scotland, have a secure supply of clear, fresh, safe resources. drinking water to 2031/32 and beyond. The key environment challenges for Scottish water is to: • to adapt to pressures on water resources due to climate change and environmental constraints. The Marine (Scotland) Act (2010) The Marine (Scotland) Act provides a framework which will Water Status: The SDP should take account of the Marine Bill when planning anything that help balance competing demands on Scotland's seas. It could impact on coastal waters and/or the sea introduces a duty to protect and enhance the marine environment and includes measures to help boost economic investment and growth in areas such as marine renewables

Sustainable Seas for All: A Marine Bill proposes a new legislative and management Water Status: SDP should take account of the Consultation on Scotland’s first framework for the delivery of sustainable economic growth Marine Bill when planning anything that could Marine Bill (2008) in the marine environment, with proposals relating to impact on coastal waters and/ or the sea. creating a stable investment environment, reducing the regulatory burden, nature conservation, improving our understanding of the seas with delivery through a Scottish marine management organization. Fife Shoreline Management Plan The main purpose of the Shoreline Management Plan is to Water Status: SDP should be aware of and (1999) identify existing coastal protection installations, evaluate take account of the naturally heritage interests their condition, identify where the coast is vulnerable to along the Fife coast. erosion and/or flooding and to prioritise action. In addition the document takes account of the natural heritage issues along the Fife Coast, which has important SPA, SAC and RAMSAR sites along its length. Bathing Water Strategy (2006) The purpose of the document is to ensure Scotland’s Water Status: SDP should take account of the bathing waters meet the targets of the revised European Bathing Water Strategy when planning Bathing Waters Directive. This means meeting stricter anything that could impact on bathing waters bacteriological standards, providing more comprehensive in the SESplan area. information to the public on bathing water standards and engaging public participation on bathing water matters Other NPF2 and SPP Scottish Planning Set out the national planning framework and the main All: underpins the development and Policy (2010) purpose and tasks for land use planning, development implementation of the SDP. planning and control for Scotland.

Structure Plans Structure plans cover similar environmental requirements, All: The SDP should be congruent with all Edinburgh and Lothians Joint as follows: three structure plans. Structure Plan Committee (2004) • to encourage growth which supports the Edinburgh and Lothians Structure development of a sustainable community; Plan 2015 • access to a choice of transport including cycling Fife Matters – 20 year Structure and walking opportunities; Plan 2006 – 2026 Fife Council • access to leisure, recreational and cultural facilities; Scottish Borders Structure Plan – • access to a range of multi-use green space; 2001 to 2018 (published 2009) • benefit from a high quality natural and cultural heritage assets, vibrant and distinctive towns and villages; • benefits from new development which makes best use of resources, is well integrated with its surroundings, and is of a high quality, environmentally sensitive design a high quality, safe and healthy environment; and • protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment.

Chapter 4: Environmental Context

Environmental baseline data 4.1. The Strategic Environmental Assessment has been undertaken using key spatial data and assessment of this data in terms of key environmental objectives. The detailed objective assessment is provided in Appendix B. This spatial assessment is provided in Appendix C. The following spatial data was used to undertake the assessment of the growth areas:

Table 3: Spatial information used for assessment SEA Topic Corresponding spatial information Air Air quality and average daily vehicle flows Biodiversity Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, RAMSAR sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Ancient Woodland Inventory Climatic Factors Flooding, air quality, wind turbines & CO₂ emissions Cultural heritage Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Listed Buildings, World Heritage Sites and Gardens & Designed Landscapes Inventory Landscape National Scenic Areas, Areas of Great Landscape Value and Country Parks Material assets Current land use Population & Human Green network, key transport routes (road & rail), Core Heath Paths, Urban Areas and SUStran routes Soil Vacant & Derelict Land Survey Water SEPA flooding data

4.2 The growth hubs shown in Appendix C should be viewed as search areas within the SESplan region and not definite development zones. Many more site specific information and research will be required before determining the deliverability of development sites. They are shown on the maps simply to indicate potential areas to analyse the SEA objectives thoroughly.

Environmental objectives of SEA This spatial data was matched with the environmental objectives of the Report to create a more comprehensive assessment of the spatial strategy proposals. These are shown in table 4.

Table 4: SEA objectives SEA Objective SEA Topic Sub-objectives Monitoring To protect current air Air • Maintain current levels of air quality • Current air quality quality and provide • Provide greater opportunities for access to • Average daily vehicle flows opportunities for sustainable forms of transport public transport use

To protect and Biodiversity • Protect/enhance International Conservation • As per SNH requirements enhance biodiversity Areas • Ancient Woodland designations & habitats in the • Protect/enhance National/Local • CSGN work plan SESplan area Conservation Areas • Protect/enhance Ancient Woodland • Protect/enhance the Green Network.

To reduce CO₂ Climatic • Reduce CO₂ emissions • Current CO₂ emissions for domestic gas & emissions, reduce Factors • Promote use of renewables electricity energy consumption • Consider potential for climate change to • Current CO₂ emissions for transport and promote climate exacerbate flood risk • Wind energy sources change adaptation • Protection of water resources • National renewable energy targets

• National Flood risk assessment, Flood hazard and flood risk maps and Flood risk management plans

To safeguard and Cultural • Protect/enhance listed buildings • Number of listed buildings enhanced or enhance the built heritage • Protect scheduled monuments damaged by development and historic • Protect world heritage sites • Number of Scheduled Monuments enhanced environment • Protect/enhance designed gardens & or damaged by development landscapes • Number of world heritage sites • Protect/enhance archaeological sites • Number of designed gardens & landscapes • Protect/enhance conservation areas enhanced or damaged by development • Provide opportunities for greater access • Number of developments consented where to/understanding of the historic environment significant adverse effects are predicted

To protect and Landscape • Protect/enhance designated sites • Number of NSAs/AGLVs enhance the & • Protect/enhance settlement townscapes • Number of country parks landscape and Townscape • Number of conservation areas townscape within the SESplan area.

To promote the Material • Sustainable use of mineral resources • Current mineral resources available sustainable use of assets • Recycling of waste • Current predominant land uses natural resources • % of waste recycled

To improve the Population • Provide access to employment • Employment statistics/employment sites quality of life and & Human • Provide affordable housing data human health for Health • Improve access to services • Public transport provision & cycle networks communities in the • Provide access to greenspace • % of affordable housing available SESplan area • Access to footpaths & cycle routes • Distances to services • Distances to green network

To protect the Soil • Identify areas of expansion on brownfield • Vacant & derelict Land Survey quality of soil land • Urban Capacity Study through the reuse of • Protect soil quality brownfield land

To protect the Water • Protect quality of major watercourses • Status of major water courses quality of water and • Identify areas of expansion away from • Location of flooding prevent flooding flooding areas • Existing water/waste water infrastructure • Improve existing water/waste water infrastructure

Chapter 5: SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT FINDINGS FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH AREAS

Assessment findings 5.1 The full assessment findings are provided in Appendix B. Tables 5 and 6 provide an overview of the findings of these assessment findings.

Table 5: Assessment Findings for Preferred Strategies Impact on SEA Topic

Air Biodiversity, fauna & flora Climatic Factors Cultural Heritage Landscape & Townscape Material Assets Population & Human Health Soil Water Scale of growth in plan 0 0 0 0 0 area Central Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 Edinburgh Waterfront 0 0 0 West Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 South East Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 0 East Coast Corridor 0 0 Midlothian Borders 0 0 0 0 Corridor Fife Forth 0 0 0 0 Lothian West 0 0

Table 6: Assessment Findings for Alternative Strategies Impact on SEA Topic

Air Biodiversity, fauna & flora Climatic Factors Cultural Heritage Landscape Material Assets Population & Human Health Soil Water Scale of growth in plan 0 area Central Edinburgh N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Edinburgh Waterfront N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A West Edinburgh 0 0

South East Edinburgh ? 0 East Coast Corridor ? 0 0 0 0 Midlothian Borders ? 0 Corridor Fife Forth ? Lothian West 0 ? 0

Positive Very Negative Very Neutral Unknown positive negative 0 ?

Summary of findings Scale of Growth 5.2 It is a central purpose of the Scottish Government to achieve sustainable economic growth, building a Scotland that is wealthier and fairer, smarter and greener, healthier, safer and stronger. South East Scotland has a vital role in delivering this agenda in terms of the future economic, environmental and social development of the area. It reflects the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 which provides a strategy for the long term development of Scotland. The SESplan region falls within NPF spatial zones Central Belt, East Coast and South of Scotland. It is therefore a key requirement of the SDP to provide infrastructure and services to promote new development and investment. Two scenarios are presented in the SDP to meet these aims: • the preferred option of a strong market recovery scenario, achieved through the continuation of the spatial pattern of growth established in the existing structure plans and local plans and; • the alternative option of a high trend growth scenario which would require the delivery of the potential growth areas at a faster growth rate up to 2024, with the consequential requirement to consider further options beyond that date. The assessment of these two options has overall identified more positive results for the preferred strategy has less significant impacts on the SEA objectives, particularly in terms of Air, Climatic Factors and Soil. This is primarily because the preferred strategy demands less greenfield land to be developed in the shorter term and allows for the sustainable development of infrastructure and the green network. The alternative strategy demands a faster growth and has the potential to direct development away from areas that are well served in terms of sustainable transport, as well as waste and water infrastructure. The following section provides a summary of the preferred and alternative strategic growth areas in terms of impact on the SEA objectives.

Air 5.3 The preferred strategy for the Strategic Development Plan have not been identified individually as having a significant negative impact on air quality within the SESplan region. This is because the preferred approach aims to promote development with good access to sustainable forms of transport. In particular, key rail routes have been identified to East Lothian, West Lothian and Fife as well as the potential Waverley Line through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. The new tram route in Edinburgh will also be exploited. Other key existing transport routes such as the A1 and A720 are identified to serve South East Edinburgh and the East Coast Corridor. Nonetheless, a rise in car usage and therefore air pollution is likely. The alternative strategy will see a more significant impact as further land that has not yet been identified will be required. This could potentially be sought in areas where there is a more limited range of sustainable forms of transport.

Biodiversity 5.4 The preferred strategy for the Strategic Development Plan is identified as individually having a neutral impact on biodiversity. The potential of the CSGN to bring benefits to quality of life, climate change adaptation and landscape enhancement means it is an effective counterweight to potential loss of Greenfield land due to proposed development. The alternative strategy is identified as having a potential negative impact on biodiversity. Potential areas of concern are the River Tweed SAC and Firth of Forth SPA. This is because the alternative strategy would require additional land that had not yet been assessed and could potentially be damaging to these key sites. An Appropriate Assessment would be required for any sites identified adjacent to these areas to ensure mitigation measures were undertaken. This would prevent any significant impacts.

Climatic Factors 5.5 The preferred strategy has generally been identified as having a minor negative or neutral impact on Climatic Factors. This is because the preferred search areas for development are identified close to sustainable forms of transport, away from flood risk areas and should promote low carbon emissions through building standards and renewable energy. The alternative strategy may see more significant impact specifically in terms of the overall approach of a high growth trend as it will require larger quantities of development land which has not yet been identified and could encourage growth at an unsustainable rate in terms of the objectives for Climatic Factors. The Strategic Development Plan policies will need to ensure that an emphasis is placed on renewable forms of energy and energy efficient building standards.

Cultural Heritage 5.6 Specific areas have been identified as having a potentially negative impact on Cultural Heritage in the preferred strategy. This includes: Central Edinburgh, Edinburgh Waterfront, the East Coast Corridor, Fife Firth and Lothian West. This is because key built or historical heritage has been identified within the search area which will need to be safeguarded and enhanced. Nonetheless, even areas where there has been a negative impact identified may see site specific issues that will need addressing through the siting and design of any development. The alternative strategy has an unknown impact as land has not yet been identified and therefore it would be difficult to assess the impact this could have on Cultural Heritage.

Landscape & Townscape 5.7 The preferred strategy has been identified as having a positive or neutral impact on Landscape & Townscape. The positive impacts could be seen in Central Edinburgh, Edinburgh Waterfront, the East Coast Corridor and Lothian West due to the regeneration of brownfield land in these search areas. If sited and designed sympathetically, these could enhance previously rundown areas. The alternative strategy might have a more negative impact on landscape as it would require new areas of land to be identified for development which have not yet been through the assessment process. Siting and design would also be vital to ensuring that this was not a significant impact on the objective.

Material Assets 5.8 In this context material assets are seen to mean the quality of land based resources, such as minerals, but it should be noted that this is not a technical definition. The preferred strategy has generally been assessed as having a neutral impact on Material Assets as development for the most part has been directed away from key mineral assets and should have already been incorporated into the Waste Management Plans as part of planned development. The East Coast Corridor has been identified as a minor negative impact as Blindwells is located on an area previously used for coal extraction. The alternative strategy could have a potentially more negative impact on Material Assets as it would require further land for development and may find it problematic in terms of waste production. Both strategies must promote zero waste through the Strategic Development Plan policy.

Population & Human Heath 5.9 The preferred strategy has been identified as generally having significant positive impacts on Population & Human Health because it is locating development in areas that are supported by public transport, services and employment. Furthermore, the strategy should provide opportunities for affordable housing and greenspace through developer contributions. The alternative strategy has been identified as having a more neutral impact as although it should provide similar benefits in terms

of affordable housing and greenspace, there will be a requirement for more land which may be sited away from key services and public transport. Strategic Development Plan policy must ensure that the developer contributions to affordable housing and greenspace are met to make either strategy beneficial.

Soil 5.10 The preferred strategy should see a number of areas providing significant positive impacts to soil as development would be sited on brownfield areas that require redevelopment. This would lessen the amount of greenfield required and therefore prevent soil sealing. The alternative strategy would require a considerable amount of Greenfield to be developed and therefore a significant negative impact has been identified for the majority of search areas. In cases where greenfield land is required to meet development needs, permeable construction materials should be used to mitigate the effects of sealing, as well as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This should be highlighted as a requirement at a strategic level to ensure that it is fed into the Local Plans policy making process.

Water 5.11 The preferred strategy is identified as having minor negative or neutral impacts on Water. This is because land for the preferred strategy has been directed away from flood risk areas and should have been incorporated into the water and waste water management plans. The alternative strategy will have a more negative impact on Water as it will require further land for development which will have an impact on the water and waste water capacity for the area. This would therefore require enhancements to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development in unplanned areas. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the Local Plan process.

Assessment of secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects Secondary effects 5.12 Secondary effects are effects that are not a direct result of the Strategic Development Plan, but are a secondary result of the original impact. The following secondary effects have been identified:

Climatic Factors 5.13 There is a possible secondary effect on Climatic Factors from poor air quality in specific areas of the Strategic Development Plan. A rise in car usage could exacerbate greenhouse gases within the SESplan region. Targeting areas that have good forms of sustainable transport as defined in the preferred strategy, however, should prevent this from being a significant issue.

Population & Human Health 5.14 There is a possible secondary impact on Population & Human Health if the Strategic Development Plan has an impact on Climatic Factors and Water. This could exacerbate rising sea levels and flooding which could impact on settlements adjacent to the coast and water courses. Ensuring a reduction in CO₂ emissions through building standards and renewable energy targets should ensure that this is not a significant impact.

Water 5.15 There is a possible secondary impact on Water due to soil sealing within the SESplan area as a percentage of development will be required on greenfield land. This could in turn impact on flooding incidents as the sealing of soil prevents soak away. The mitigation measures identified in the detailed assessment should prevent this from being a significant impact on Water.

Cumulative effects 5.16 Cumulative effects arise when a combination of developments accumulate together to have a significant effect, or where several individual effects of the Strategic Development Plan have a combined effect. The following cumulative effects have been identified through the assessment process:

Air 5.17 There is likely to be a cumulative negative impact on air quality in the SESplan area as the overall set of strategies will generate increased traffic throughout the region. This could in the short term include greater construction pollution as well as longer term issues with travel patterns. Opportunities for sustainable forms of transport must be fully exploited in terms of the development hubs, specifically in terms of the tram line in Edinburgh and the rail routes through West Lothian and Fife as well as the proposed Waverley Line in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. This should ensure that the impact is not significant.

Biodiversity 5.18 There is likely to be some impact on biodiversity in the SESplan area due to loss of greenfield land in the region and possible disruption to the habitat network. Particular issues of concern are in terms of the Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas within the region that must be protected from any potential damage. Nonetheless, there are mitigation measures that have been identified through the assessment process that should ensure that there is no significant effect on the overall SEA objectives. The promotion of the CSGN may also help to balance any negative impacts.

Climatic Factors 5.19 Although individual areas would not impact noticeably on Climatic Factors, a cumulative impact is a potential issue for the Strategic Development Plan. To ensure that this is not a significant impact, policy guidance on the use of renewable energies and zero emission building technologies, along with development being sited away from flood risk areas and close to sustainable forms of transport must be part of the plan. This must aim to meet the target of generating 40% (since quantified as 6GW) of Scotland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020 set by Scottish Ministers.

Material Assets 5.20 Although waste management strategies might be able to incorporate the additional development within the preferred strategy, there may be a cumulative effect over the entire SESplan region in terms of waste resources. To ensure this is not a significant impact, the plan should aim for minimal waste production with an emphasis on recycling and reuse. This should be promoted through the policy areas.

Soil 5.21 There is likely to be a minor negative impact on soil quality the level of development proposed within the Strategic Development Plan will require a considerable amount of Greenfield land to be developed. Nonetheless, where possible brownfield areas have been identified for regeneration and therefore this should ensure that the impact on soil sealing is lessened. To ensure that this is not a significant impact, mitigation measures have been identified through the assessment process. These will need to be implemented through the Local Development Plan process.

Synergistic effects 5.22 Synergistic effects are a number of individual impacts that interact to produce a total effect that is different from the individual impacts identified. The following potential synergistic effects have been identified in terms of the Strategic Development Plan:

Climatic Factors 5.23 There could be a potential synergistic effect on Climatic Factors through the combined impacts identified with Air and Soil. This is because the accumulation of air pollution and the sealing of soil within the SESplan area could see a rise in greenhouse gases which would have a negative impact on the climate. This could see a rise in sea levels, increased flooding and heightened temperatures. Nonetheless, the mitigation measures undertaken to prevent further CO₂ emissions and reduce energy consumption should ensure that this synergistic effect is not significant.

Water 5.24 There could be a potential synergistic effect on Water through the combination of Climatic Factors and Soil. This is because the combination of negative impacts of issues such as flooding and water level rises interlinked with the sealing of soil could see potential flooding issues within the SESplan area. The preferred strategy of the Strategic Development Plan, however, should not see a significant impact on Water as mitigation measures have already been identified to ensure that flooding will not be exacerbated.

Population & Human Heath 5.25 The interaction of Air and Climatic Factors could produce a potential synergistic impact on Population & Human Heath. This is because the combination of air pollution and a potential rise in CO₂ emissions could have an impact on human health issues. Nevertheless, the aim to provide sustainable forms of transport and reduce energy consumption within the Strategic Development Plan should prevent this synergistic effect from becoming a significant impact.

Actions from Assessment Findings of Environmental Report 5.26 Through the summary of assessment findings and the Environmental Report as a whole it is possible to identify a number of actions that the Environmental Report has found which can be acted upon in subsequent SESplan documents or by Local Authorities/Local Development Plans or relevant bodies. These actions, along with the objective they relate to and the level action can be taken at are detailed in Table 7 below

Table 7: Actions Identified by Assessment Findings and Environmental Report SEA Objective Action Identified by Environmental Report Level of Action

Air - Ensure that air quality does not deteriorate in LDPs existing AQMAs

- Ensure that further AQMA designation is LDPs avoided in identified hotspot areas

- Ensure there are no long-term negative effects LDPs /transport to air quality from construction work on transport bodies infrastructure Biodiversity - Ensure that HRA findings are adhered to, so SNH/SESplan/ sites with international designations are LDPs protected

- Promote development of the CSGN and other SESplan/ LDPs habitat networks Climate - Ensure national renewable energy targets are LDPs met - Ensure climate change adaptation is tackled: o Consideration of future climate impacts in design and location of essential infrastructure o Protection of water resources o Future water needs

- Link climate change adaptation to protection and enhancement of the CSGN SESplan Cultural - Ensure a region-wide suite of indicators to LDPs Heritage monitor the built and historic environment

Landscape and - Ensure SESplan wide landscape capacity work Local Authorities Townscape is available to preserve landscape from damage by SESplan allocations

- Link promotion of the CSGN to landscape SESplan/LDPs improvements in the SESplan area Material Assets - No further action identified

Population and - Promote access to the CSGN and other habitat SESplan/ LDPs Human Health and path networks

Soil - No further action identified

Water - Strategic flood risk assessment SESplan- Action Plan

- Ensure availability of flooding assessments or Local Authorities equivalent documents across the SESplan area

- Digitilisation of flood defences and areas at risk of flooding across SESplan area Local Authorities

Chapter 6 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FOR POLICY AREAS

Environmental Implications for Strategic Development Plan Policy Areas 6.1 Sustainable Development The principle of sustainable is embedded throughout the plan content as opposed to a standalone section. This is to recognise its influence on defining the development strategy. This strategic policy area should work positively with the strategic environmental objectives as it requires consideration of the sustainability of development, not only in its location, mix of uses and transport linkages, but in its use of resources such as water, its impact on flooding and the management of waste. This will particularly support the objectives for Air, Climatic Factors, Material Assets, Population & Human Health and Water.

6.2 Infrastructure and Transportation The key issues for this strategic policy area are in terms of delivering essential infrastructure, producing a regional transport strategy and providing sustainable travel patterns for the region. These will generally have positive impacts on a variety of the strategic environmental objectives including Air, Climatic Factors and Population & Human Health specifically in terms of ensuring sustainable forms of travel but may have a more negative impact on issues such as Biodiversity, Landscape & Townscape and Soil, particularly with regards to delivering essential infrastructure requirements. Environmental concerns will need to be built into the policy wording to mitigate against any potential damage to these issues.

6.3 Economic Development The overall strategic policy area should be positive specifically in terms of Population & Human Health and Landscape & Townscape objectives as it should provide potential new employment and support the regeneration of town centres and retailing. Nonetheless, there are potential negative impacts in terms of Air, Biodiversity and Soil depending on the amount of greenfield land required and the siting of any new development. Any new employment centres should be located in areas served by sustainable forms of transport and use brownfield land wherever possible.

6.4 Housing Housing and specifically affordable housing is a key objective in terms of Population & Human Heath for the strategic environmental assessment and this policy area should have a very positive impact. It should also support the brownfield requirements sought through the soil objective to prevent further soil sealing. Nonetheless, as some Greenfield land will be required for housing, it could also have a negative impact on biodiversity and soil. The siting and design of any new housing development will be key to ensuring that impacts on Air, Climatic Factors, Cultural Heritage, Landscape & Townscape

and Water. The policy wording should ensure the development is sited away from areas where it could cause potential damage to these environmental objectives.

6.5 Environment This strategic policy area should have an overall positive impact on the strategic environmental objectives, specifically in terms of Biodiversity, Landscape & Townscape, Population & Human Heath and Soil as it will provide a strategic approach to the green network ensuring access to the countryside, providing greenspace within developed areas, retaining key sites for habitat and protecting the soil quality of these areas. This policy area will need to work closely with the strategic growth areas to ensure that these objectives are met.

6.6 Resources This strategic policy area is particularly significant to some of the cumulative impacts that have been assessed through the Strategic Growth Areas. Climate change and renewable energy is particularly significant in terms of the Strategic Development Plan as it has been identified that there may be a potential negative impact cumulatively on Climatic Factors. Emphasis on renewable energy and building standards to significantly reduce CO₂ should be emphasised. Issues regarding waste are also important in terms of promoting zero waste production within the SESplan area. Water and flooding should protect water status and direct development away from any flood risk areas. Overall, this policy area should be positive in terms of Climatic Factors, Material Assets, Population & Human Health and Water.

Environmental Implications for Local Plan Policy Areas 6.7 Air: • New development sites must be served by sustainable forms of transport to ensure maximum opportunities for reduced car usage and thus protecting air quality in the region. • Key areas around Edinburgh should be protected from further air pollution, particularly around the central area, the waterfront and western Edinburgh. This will be supported by the tram routes through the city. • Other hot-spot areas: Musselburgh High Street (East Lothian), Broxburn High Street (West Lothian), Appin Crescent, Dunfermline and Claire Street, Kirkcaldy (Fife) should be protected from further air pollution.

6.8 Biodiversity: • For sites that provide key habitats for biodiversity, additional ecological work may be required. This will need to be protected enhanced through Local Plan policies and the planning application process.

• Sites located close to internationally designated conservation will require Appropriate Assessments to be undertaken. • Promotion and development of the CSGN will bring additional biodiversity benefit through the creation of linked habitats.

6.9 Climatic Factors: • To ensure that the strategy did not have a negative impact on climate change, Local Plan policy would need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources. • Planning policy will also need to promote sustainable forms of transport and site any new development away from areas at risk of flooding. • The issue of climate change adaptation should be raised in the strategy with possible actions explained, for example development of the CSGN and strategic flood work.

6.10 Cultural heritage: • Local Plan policy must safeguard and promote the enhancement of the built and historical environment in the SESplan region. Siting and design of any new development will be a key part of the process in terms of ensuring that key heritage sites are protected. • Development within Central Edinburgh, the Waterfront, the East Coast Corridor, Fife Forth and Lothian West has been highlighted as sensitive in terms of the development search areas.

6.11 Landscape & townscape: • Any new development should be directed away from nationally designated sites and emphasis should be placed on the siting and design of any new development within the landscape. • Conservation areas should be protected and enhanced through management plans that incorporate development sensitively. The overall townscape of any settlement should be addressed through Masterplanning and Development Briefs.

6.12 Material assets: • Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. • Sites should be located away from key areas where there is the potential for mineral extraction.

6.13 Population & Human Health: • Access to greenspace will need to be ensured through the development process. • Noise levels should not be added to although this may be difficult during construction. These assessments will be required on a site by site basis. • Development should be located close to key services and public transport. • Any new development should be located close to employment areas.

6.14 Soil: • Brownfield sites should be promoted through the Local Plan process. • Any brownfield development sites identified as contaminated will be required to adhere to PAN 33 which provides advice on development of land with contamination and explains the relationship with Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

6.15 Water: • Water supply and waste water capacity should be assessed at an early stage in the site assessment process for any new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the Local Plan process. • Water environment status to be protected and enhanced in line with River Basin Management Plan objectives, including the Firth of Forth and the River Tweed. • Further work to reduce flood risk and prevent exacerbation of flood risk due to climate change should be considered.

Chapter 7 MONITORING 7.1 Any plan should be monitored for the environmental outcomes, helping to identify the need for future corrective actions and its compliance with the SEA objectives. This can be integrated into the regular plan cycle or any plan revisions. Existing monitoring arrangements can therefore be used to obtain the required information. This can be from the plan in question or from other plans being undertaken within the Council.

7.2 The majority of monitoring for the SEA objectives is already undertaken by the SESplan Local Authorities or by other government bodies or agencies. Any new identified data can be incorporated into the monitoring arrangements for the Strategic Development Plan. This allows SEA monitoring to be incorporated into the existing performance monitoring.

7.3 A Monitoring Report has been undertaken for the South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan. In the future, this report should incorporate many of the monitoring needs identified within this SEA. The monitoring requirements and mitigation measures identified during this SEA process will feed into the future Monitoring Report. Further work will therefore be required before the Strategic Development Plan is at its finalised stage to ensure that these monitoring requirements are established and undertaken as part of the process.

Chapter 8 NEXT STEPS 8.1 The Main Issues Report and the Strategic Environmental Assessment Report will undergo a period of consultation before finalisation. This will allow the public to make their views and objections known to SESplan regarding the content of the documents. This consultation period will be 12 weeks. There will then be a subsequent analysis of the responses for both documents before the preparation of the finalised Strategic Development Plan and the Environmental Report. A post adoption statement will be made once a finalised version of the Strategic Development Plan has been approved for adoption.

Appendix A Baseline Report

A.1 INTRODUCTION 77

A.2 AIR 78

A.3 BIODIVERSITY 81

A.4 CLIMATIC FACTORS 84

A.5 CULTURAL HERITAGE 87

A.6 LANDSCAPE & TOWNSCAPE 89

A.7 MATERIAL ASSETS 92

A.8 POPULATION & HUMAN HEALTH 98

A.9 SOIL 108

A.10 WATER 112

The maps referred to are in Appendix C

Appendix A.1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Schedule 2 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act requires the Environmental Report to include a description of “the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without the implementation of the Plan or programme”

1.2 This section of the Environmental Report describes the current state of the environment in the study area and how this might change in the future in the absence of the Plan, and the environmental characteristics of the area likely to be significantly affected by the Plan.

1.3 The Edinburgh and South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan Authority (SESplan) area is made up of the six local authorities of:

• City of Edinburgh;

• East Lothian;

• Fife (part of);

• Midlothian;

• The Scottish Borders; and

• West Lothian.

1.4 This baseline will seek to give an overview of the region, using information gathered from the individual authorities listed above as well as national statistics. The baseline will be presented under the broad headings of:

• Air

• Biodiversity

• Climatic Factors

• Cultural Heritage

• Landscape & Townscape

• Material Assets

• Population & Human Health

• Soil

• Water

Appendix A.2 AIR SEA objective: To protect current air quality and provide opportunities for public transport use in the SESPlan area.

Detailed objectives:

• Maintain current levels of air quality • Provide greater opportunities for access to sustainable forms of transport

Air quality

2.1 Local Councils have a responsibility under the Environment Act 1995 and Air Quality (Scotland) Amendments Regulations (2002) to improve air quality, not merely minimise pollution. The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (2000) and the Addendum (2003) set health based objectives for nine air pollutants and two for the protection of vegetation and ecosystems. Where it is found that these objectives are unlikely to be met by the due date, then an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) must be declared and an action plan setting out proposals for addressing the problems must be prepared. The plan area contains only 4 AQMAs and the locations of these are described in Table 1 and shown in Map 1. Map 2 provides an overview of the average daily vehicle flows within the SESplan region.

Table 1: AQMA Locations in the SESplan Area

AQMA Location Pollutants

Pathhead An area encompassing 2 kilometre Localised concentrations of squares surrounding the village of PM10 (from domestic fires) Pathhead.

Central AQMA Edinburgh An area covering the city centre, Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) including the main link roads into the city centre. St Johns Road Edinburgh An area encompassing St John's Road Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Edinburgh from just east of the junction with the B701 to just east of the junction with Kaimes Road.

Great Junction Street Great Junction Street, the most recently Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Edinburgh designated AQMA (March 2009)

2.2 Along with the identified AQMAs there are other areas within Edinburgh (12 areas) and more specifically at Musselburgh High Street, Broxburn High Street, Appin Crescent, Dunfermline and Claire Street Kirkcaldy which are close to levels which would necessitate AQMA designation, in Edinburgh’s case this would be a city wide designation.

Access to transport 2.3 There is a wide range of transport infrastructure within the SESplan area. For the purposes of this SDP the focus is on transport areas where development is most likely to be undertaken or be influenced by development. The Strategic Road Network is shown in Map 3 and the Strategic Rail network in Map 4. In summary, the key infrastructure includes:

2.4 Road Infrastructure, including:

• M8 Motorway – Linking Glasgow with Edinburgh

• M9 Motorway – Linking Stirling with Edinburgh

• M90 Motorway and A90 – Linking Edinburgh with Fife

• A720 – Edinburgh City Bypass

• A1 – Linking Edinburgh, East Lothian with the Scottish Borders and North of England

• A68 and the A7 – both Linking Edinburgh, Midlothian and communities in the Borders to the north of England

• A701/A702 – Through Midlothian to Scottish Borders

• The Forth Road Crossing and the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing

• Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine

2.5 Railway Infrastructure, including:

• Edinburgh to Glasgow and Stirling

• Edinburgh to Bathgate and Airdrie

• Edinburgh to England (West and East Coast)

• Fife Circle

• Borders Rail Link – at planning stages

• Kincardine to Stirling – under construction

• Access to the East Coast Main Line via the station at Berwick –upon-Tweed

• Forth Rail Bridge

• East Coast Main Line (ECML) access via Dunbar and local services on ECML to Musselburgh,

Wallyford, Prestonpans, Longniddry and Drem

2.6 Aquatic Infrastructure, including:

• Firth of Forth including key ports such as Rosyth, Leith, and Kirkcaldy

• North Sea

• Forth and Clyde and Union Canals

• Rosyth to Zeebrugge Ferry Terminal

2.7 International Airports

• Edinburgh Airport

2.8 Aquatic Infrastructure, including: • Firth of Forth, including key ports such as Rosyth, Leith, Burntisland and Inverkeithing • North Sea • Forth and Clyde and Union Canals • Rosyth to Zeebrugge Ferry Terminal

2.9 The Scottish Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR)10 has made recommendations for 29 major packages of work on the transport network in Scotland. Of these, seven targeted infrastructure developments are directly relevant to the SESplan region. These are:

• the Forth Replacement Crossing, linking Edinburgh and the south east to Fife, the north east and beyond;

• Edinburgh to Glasgow rail improvements;

• targeted road congestion alleviation schemes (Junction improvements for the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass and Enhancements on the A737 such as a bypass around Dalry) ;

• upgrade of Edinburgh Haymarket Train Station;

• rail improvements between Aberdeen and the Central Belt;

• light rapid transit route between Edinburgh and Fife; and

• East of Scotland rail improvements.

2.10 Route management schemes within the STPR are also targeted at the A1, A68, A7 and A702 from Edinburgh to the Scottish border. Specific plans will ensure these roads are safe and suitably maintained for the expected levels of traffic and may, for instance, include realigning sections of road, individual junction improvements, creating 2+1 lanes, or, where appropriate, stretches of dualling.

10 80Transport Scotland (2008) The Strategic Transport Projects Review. Available at: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/stpr

Appendix A.3 BIODIVERSITY SEA Objective: To protect and enhance biodiversity & habitats in the SESplan area.

Detailed objectives:

• Protect/enhance International Conservation Areas • Protect/enhance National/Local Conservation Areas • Protect/enhance Ancient Woodland • Protect/enhance the Green Network

International and National Conservation Designations

3.1 A principal asset of the SESplan area is its high quality natural environment and diverse range of species and habitats which are protected and conserved by a range of designations on an international and national scale. These are shown in Map 5. The area has a diverse range of species and habitats which need to be protected to avoid irreversible damage.

3.2 Table 2 shows the number of designated natural heritage sites within each of the constituent local authority areas.

Table 2: Designated Natural Heritage Sites within Each of the Local Constituent Local Authority Areas

RAMSAR Special Areas Special Sites of Marine National Local Sites of Protection Special Consultation Nature Nature Conservation Areas Scientific Areas Reserves Reserves Interest City of 1 - 3 7 - - 6 Edinburgh East Lothian 1 - 2 15 - - 1 Midlothian 2 1 2 16 - - 1 West Lothian 1 2 1 16 - 1 1 Fife 1* 2* 3* 48* 1 2 7 Scottish 3 9 5 96 - 3 - Borders SESplan 9 14 16 198 1 6 16 Area Source: SNH

Local Biodiversity Action Plans

3.3 There is a wide variety of habitats within the SESplan area ranging from coastal habitats to farmland, urban and upland habitats. Habitats and species comprise the biodiversity of the area. Their importance and protection vary, with a number identified as priority habitats and species within Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs).

3.4 Review of local plans for each local authority area has indicated that the following types of habitat are of importance for the region. The LBAPs prepared for the six council areas confirm the important habitats as follows:

• Woodland and Scrub • Grassland and Marsh • Tall Herb and Fern • Heathland • Mires and Peatlands • Swamp • Open Water • Coastland • Rock and Spoil • Miscellaneous (cultivated land)

Ancient Woodland 3.5 The Semi-Natural and Ancient Woodland Inventory has 493 recorded sites throughout the region. Map 6 shows areas of Semi-natural and Ancient woodland within the SESplan region. In Edinburgh and Lothians the woodland is clustered in a semi-circular strip across East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian, with the less wooded Edinburgh City at the centre. In the Scottish Borders the woodland areas mostly track the river valleys of the River Tweed catchment. In the SESplan portion of Fife, there is a cluster of forest in the western part, towards Clackmannanshire and then to the southwest of Kirkcaldy. Otherwise, the designated areas of woodland are intermittent and evenly spaced throughout the region.

Green Network

3.6 The enhancement of the CSGN covering Ayrshire, Inverclyde and Dunbartonshire in the west of Scotland to Fife and East Lothian in the east is identified within National Planning Framework 2 as a national development. The SDP will take a leading role in promoting development of the CSGN and this work has begun with the production of a Green Network Technical Note, which includes an

indicative network across the SESplan area11. The CSGN should provide an effective tool for habitat creation, sustainable transport and climate change adaptation in the SESplan area.

3.7 NPF2 describes the CSGN as a ‘strategic network of woodland and other habitats, active travel routes, greenspace links, watercourses and waterways, providing an enhanced setting for development and other land uses and improved opportunities for outdoor recreation and cultural activity’.

3.8 The elements covered by the national designation include: woodland expansion; creation of a high quality landscape structure which supports development plan settlement strategies; strategic routes for active travel and recreation; strategic habitat networks and habitat development projects; the restoration of vacant and derelict land for green network purposes; and the integration of woodland, habitat, greenspace and access development with water catchment and coastal zone management12.

11 SESplan (2010) Green Network Technical Note 8312 SESplan (2010) Green Network Technical Note

Appendix A.4 CLIMATIC FACTORS

SEA Objective: To reduce CO₂ emissions and reduce energy consumption in the SESplan area.

Detailed objectives:

• Reduce CO₂ emissions • Promote use of renewables

Reduce CO₂ emissions

4.1 In 2006 the Scottish Executive (now Government) published Scotland’s Climate Change Programme13. This document set out how Scotland would make its contribution to UK targets. The more recent Climate Change (Scotland) Bill (2008) has recently been ratified by the Scottish Parliament and will mean that Scotland has the most ambitious climate change legislation in the world with a target of 80% reduction in CO2 by 2050 and a 42% reduction by 2020.

4.2 Table 3 provides a summary and comparison of ecological and greenhouse gas footprints for the different local authority areas within SESplan and also compares these with the averages for Scotland, the UK and the World. It can be seen that Scotland’s Ecological Footprint at present is 5.34 gha/capita: compared with a UK average of 5.3 and a World average of 2.214. At this level it has been calculated that almost three earth equivalent planets would be needed if everybody in the world were to consume resources at the same rate as the national average for Scotland (and the same would apply across the rest of the UK). Maps 7 and 8 provide an overview of the domestic gas and electricity CO2 emissions within the SESplan area.

Table 3: Comparison of Ecological and Greenhouse Gas Footprint for each Local Authority Area within the SESplan Area

Area Ecological Footprint (gha/capita) GHG Footprint (tCO2eq/capita) World Average 2.20 - UK 5.30 16.34 Scotland 5.34 16.46 Local Authority Areas Edinburgh, City of 5.58 17.13 East Lothian 5.31 16.40

13 Scottish Executive (2005) Changing Our Ways, Scotland’s Climate Change Programme. Crown Copyright 84 14 Stockholm Environmental Institute (2008) Environmental Accounting for People and Place

Fife 5.26 16.27 Midlothian 5.13 15.86 Scottish Borders 5.52 17.02 West Lothian 5.11 15.78

4.3 The SNIFFER 2006 publication ‘A handbook of climate trends across Scotland’15 presents the changes in climate across Scotland in the last century and provides a benchmark against which to measure future climate change.

Energy production & Renewables

4.4 Scotland has two coal-fired power stations, Longannet and Cockenzie. Together, the two stations provide approximately 33% of Scotland's electricity. Cockenzie Power Station is located in East Lothian and therefore is within the SESplan region, Torness Power Station is also within the SESplan area. Cockenzie’s coal-fired power station has been ‘opted out’ under the EC’s Large Combustion Plant Directive and must cease operation by the end of 2015. Scottish Power wish to replace it with a gas fired power station of similar generating capacity.16

4.5 55% of Scotland’s electrical needs are met from nuclear power stations; however the two power stations (Torness and Hunterston B) are both nearing the end of their lifecycles. These two areas will leave large gaps in the energy supply market that could be filled by sustainable energy sources.

4.6 The SESplan area also contains reserves of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) and part of the SESplan area is licensed for CBM extraction. This is more likely to involve Fife but there is scope for sites in West Lothian.

4.7 The development of renewable energy sources has been identified as a key strand in the Scottish Governments plans to help tackle the issue of climate change. The Scottish Government has demonstrated this by setting the carbon reduction target of 42%, and has set out a framework for renewables in ‘Scotland’s Renewable Action Plan’.17

4.8 The estimated capacity of renewable energy generation in Scotland was estimated at 60 GW, enough to meet peak winter demands 10 times over18. The south east of Scotland has a potential key role to play in the development of sustainable energy resources with several existing and proposed

15 Barnett, C., J. Hossell, M. Perry, C. Procter and G. Hughes (2006) A handbook of climate trends across Scotland. SNIFFER project CC03, Scotland & Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research, 62pp. 16 East Lothian Council (2009) Comments on SESplan SEA Baseline 17 The Scottish Government (2009) Renewables action Plan 18 Scottish Government 2002 Scotland’s Renewable Energy Potential – Beyond 2010 85http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/46951/0016328.pdf

wind farms. These are shown in Map 8. It should be noted that this figure was provided in October 2009 and is merely indicative to the general level of wind development in the region and should not be taken as tacit acceptance of all the wind farms shown in the figure.

4.9 Wood fuel and heat recovery systems associated with forestry can be used as a means to generate renewable energy. The Scottish Borders Council and the local forestry sector aim to develop these sources of renewable energy in the Scottish Borders, with its large sector of forestry.19

4.10 Table 4 shows electrical generating capacity across Scotland, divided by energy source.

Table 4: Scotland Electrical Power Generating Capacity 2009

Technology Generating Capacity (Megawatts)

Biomass 44

Coal Fired (Longannet and Cockenzie) 3,456

CCGT20 123

Diesel (Islands Power Stations) 133

Oil / Gas Fired (Peterhead) 1,540

Hydro and Pumped Storage 2,022

Nuclear (Torness and Hunterston B) 2,050

Wind 1,808

TOTAL 11,621

SESplan as % of Scotland Total 42.9%

Source‐ DBERR (Digest of UK Energy Statistics) 2008, Scottish Energy Study 2006 (Vol. 1), British Wind Energy Association Database of Wind Farms

19 Scottish Borders Council (2005) Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy New Ways for Scottish Borders Trees, Woodlands and Forests 8620 CCGT – Combined Gas Cycle Turbine

Appendix A.5 Cultural Heritage SEA objective: To protect and enhance the built and historic environment in the SESPlan area.

Detailed objectives:

• Protect/enhance listed buildings • Protect scheduled monuments • Protect world heritage sites • Protect/enhance designed gardens & landscapes • Protect/enhance archaeological sites • Protect/enhance conservation areas • Provide opportunities for greater access to/understanding of the historic environment

Built and historic environment

5.1 As stated in Scottish Planning Policy the historic environment includes “ancient monuments, archaeological sites and landscapes, historic buildings, townscapes, parks, gardens and designed landscapes and other features. It comprises both statutory and non-statutory designations”. It goes on to state that “in most cases, the historic environment (excluding archaeological sites) can accommodate change which is informed and sensitively managed, and can be adapted to accommodate new uses whilst retaining its special character”21. Information held on Historic Environment Records; locally recorded heritage assets; the character of the wider historic landscape/townscape and other valued historic landscapes; areas of archaeological importance and the potential for unrecorded archaeology also make a valuable contribution to creating a sense of place and local identity in the SESplan area.

5.2 There is a wide range of cultural heritage designated sites within the SESplan area as summarised in Table 5 below. It must be noted that these figures include the whole LA area of Fife and not just the SESplan part and so are not fully accurate to the SESplan region.

Table 5: Designated Cultural Heritage Sites Designation Number Category A Listed Buildings 3,436 Scheduled Ancient Monuments 1,445

8721 Scottish Planning Policy (2010), Scottish Government

Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes 123 World Heritage Sites 1 Source: Pastmap22 and Historic Scotland23

5.3 The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh are the only world heritage site within the SESplan region. Map 10 shows the location of the World Heritage Site in the plan area. Designations range from those of national importance to those with a local value.

5.4 Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes are spread throughout the region with the highest number within Edinburgh and Lothians area, a smaller number throughout the Scottish Borders and a number located along the Fife coast. Map 11 demonstrates the locations of the Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes. It should be noted that the 127 historic gardens and designed landscapes are those on the national inventory, there are others not on the inventory that are of local and regional significance.

5.5 The scheduled monuments are evenly distributed throughout the SESplan area, with key sites such as Edinburgh Castle providing a national focus in terms of tourism and historical interest. The diversity of archaeology within the SESplan area reflects the range of activities and historical events that have taken place with Edinburgh at the centre. Landform, warfare, agriculture, industry, shipping and social activities have all influenced the functions that can be identified through the archaeology of the area. Map 12 demonstrates the location of Scheduled Ancient Monuments within the SESplan area.

5.5 There is a large number of listed buildings throughout the region with a predominance of Category A listed buildings (buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic, or fine little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type) found within Edinburgh City and Lothian regions of SESplan, along the coast of Fife and throughout the valley regions of the Scottish Borders. These buildings are of interest, architecturally or historically, meeting the criteria by which the Scottish Ministers define the necessary quality and character under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997:24

• Age and Rarity; • Architectural Interest; and • Close Historical Association

22 Pastmap (2009) www.pastmpa.org.uk 23 Historic Scotland http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/gardens.htm, http://www.historic- scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/searchmonuments.htm

88 24 Historic Scotland (2010) http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/historicandlistedbuildings/listing.htm

Appendix A.6 LANDSCAPE & TOWNSCAPE SEA Objective: To protect and enhance the landscape within the SESplan area.

Detailed objectives:

• Protect/enhance designated sites • Protect/enhance settlement townscapes

Designated Landscape Areas

6.1 The SESplan area has a broad and mixed landscape ranging from the coastal landscape of the Scottish Borders through the urban settlements of the City of Edinburgh to the uplands and moorland of the Pentlands and much of the Scottish Borders. A number of areas within the SESplan area have been identified as having a national and local landscape value with a range of designations.

6.2 The landscape of the SESplan area has been shaped both by geological and industrial activity. The landscape is influenced by its coastal and estuarine location along the North Sea coast, including the Firth of Forth. Inland, these landscapes are bordered by a number of hill ranges such as the Pentlands and Moorfoot Hills in the central part, with the Southern Uplands and Cheviot Hills in the south. Throughout the area river valleys provide a dominant local landscape, including narrow valleys such as parts of the River Almond and the flatter valleys of the River Tweed.

6.3 Farming throughout the area has also played a role in shaping the landscape both within lowland arable farming and upland pastoral farming. In more recent times the landscape has been increasingly influenced by urban development both within existing conurbations and within more rural settings such as the new town of Glenrothes.

6.4 Within the SESplan area there are 2 National Scenic Areas both within the Scottish Borders local authority area. Eildon and Leaderfoot NSA covers 3600 hectares in the Central Borders characterised by shapely uniformed hills, winding wooded river and a mixed land use of arable pasture, plantation and moorland. Upper Tweedale NSA covers 10500 hectares of the Tweed Valley between Broughton and Peebles and is a narrow steep sided valley flanked by large rounded hills.25 Table 6 demonstrates some of the key designated landscape areas in the SESplan region. Map 14 provides the locations of National Scenic Areas within the SESplan area.

8925 SNH (2009) Site link Scottish Natural Heritage Information Service ‐ SNHi

Table 6: Designated Landscapes within the SESplan Area

Regional Parks Country Parks National Scenic Areas City of Edinburgh 1 1 - East Lothian 1 - Fife 1 3 - Midlothian 1 2 - Scottish Borders - 2 West Lothian 1 3 - SESplan Area 1 (same park) 10 2 Source SNH Sitelink Scottish Natural Heritage Information Service ‐ SNHi

6.6 Although the oldest scenic designation is Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) it is only one of the many landscape or scenic designations identified by planning authorities in their development plans. The use, status, application and names of these designations are varied and inconsistent throughout Scotland.

6.7 In 2005, SNH and Historic Scotland produced guidance setting out how local authorities should identify areas suitable for protection by a new local landscape designation, the Special Landscape Area (SLA). The designation Special Landscape Areas (SLAs) will replace the existing Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and Areas of Outstanding Landscape Quality (AOLQ). Following consultation and boundary definition, SLAs would be protected from inappropriate development to conserve their valued characteristics and qualities.

6.8 Local Councils in the SESplan region are at various stages along the route to designating SLAs but draft recommendations for Special Landscape Areas are now available to view. These will have limited planning status until published in new Local Plans. Where the SLA designation criteria are not satisfied, a number of existing AGLV and AOLQ are proposed for removal. However, such sites may retain other forms of policy protection e.g. Green Belt or Countryside Policy. The boundaries of some AGLV and AOLQ have also been refined to better reflect coherent landscape character units and SLA criteria.

Townscapes & Conservation Areas

6.9 Historical industrial activity has helped shape the landscapes and townscapes of the SESplan area. In particular, the industrial activity throughout the region, notably mining related, has played a key role through the creation of settlements, transport infrastructure and residual spoil heaps/bings.

The area has a mixture of historic settlements, settlements associated with industrial expansion during the 19th Century and the successes expansion of new towns of the post-war period. Each of these types of settlement has a different townscape, with conservation areas designated within some villages and towns. Conservation Areas are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The character and appearance of settlements can be appreciated through an understanding of their origins and historic development. This ‘sense of place’ makes an area of special historic or architectural interest. Throughout the SESplan area there are other areas of townscape that, although not designated as conservation areas, provide a historical, industrial and/or architectural value.

Appendix A.7 MATERIAL ASSETS SEA objective: To promote the sustainable use of natural resources in the SESplan area.

Detailed objectives:

• Sustainable use of mineral resources • Recycling of waste

Mineral resources

7.1 Mineral resources are finite and they can only be worked where they occur, so it is essential that they are worked in the most efficient and sustainable manner. The use of alternatives or recycling of minerals only partially contributes to meeting demand. Transport of minerals over long distances is not always viable as it is costly not only to the consumer, but also to the environment. Securing local supplies can make an important contribution to sustainable development.

7.2 The state of the mineral resource contained within the central belt of Scotland has been described in the Scottish Government publication “A Guide To Minerals Information In The Central Belt Of Scotland” and a series of mineral resource maps have been produced along side this document26. The mineral resource map for East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian and the City of Edinburgh shows deposits of:

• sand and gravel (including sub-alluvial and river terrace deposits, glaciofluvial deposits, raised beach deposits and blown sand);

• peat;

• crushed rock aggregate (including quartz-dolerite and alkali dolerite);

• sedimentary rocks (including greywake sandstone);

• brick clay (including lake deposits shale coincident with areas of shallow coal)

• building sand stone (Craigleith sandstone, Hailes sandstone, Ravelston sandstone and Binny sandstone);

• Limestone;

• Silica sand

• Secondary aggregate (bings of spent oil shale); and

• Shallow coal

26 The Scottish Government (2008) A Guide To Minerals Information In The Central Belt Of Scotland. Crown copyright. Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/05/27155411/1 92

7.3 The mineral resource map for Clackmannanshire, Fife and Falkirk shows deposits of:

• sand and gravel (including sub-alluvial, river terrace deposits, glaciofluvial deposits, raised beach deposits and blown sand);

• peat;

• crushed rock aggregate (including quartz-dolerite and olivine dolerite);

• sedimentary rocks (including greywacke sandstone);

• brick clay (including lake deposits, common shale for brick and common shale for brick coincident with areas of shallow coal)

• former quarries of carboniferous sandstones;

• Limestone;

• Silica sand

• Shallow coal

7.4 For further, visual interpretation of the mineral resources available in the area it is necessary to refer Map 16 which demonstrates predominant land uses. Figure 2 in the Soil section also provides an overview of the soil types within the region.

7.5 Consented mineral operations in the SESplan region are detailed in Tables 7 to 10. This includes sites with consent, those still working and some that are currently dormant.

Table 7: Hard Rock Mineral Extraction within the SESplan Area

Name Location

Hillwood (Dormant) Edinburgh

Bangley East Lothian

Bonnington Mains Edinburgh

Broadlaw (Dormant) Midlothian

Cowieslinn Scottish Borders

Craighouse Scottish Borders

Craigs Fife

Cruiks Fife

Devon Fife

Edston Scottish Borders

Glenfin Scottish Borders

Goat Fife

Greena Scottish Borders

Hazelbank Scottish Borders

Lochhead Fife

Markle Mains East Lothian

Orrock Fife

Ravelrig Edinburgh

Soutra Hill Scottish Borders

Swinton Scottish Borders

Trowknowes Scottish Borders

Source: SESplan Monitoring Statement

Table 8: Sand and Gravel Mineral Extraction within the SESplan Area

Name Location

Kettlestoun Mains Farm West Lothian

Kinegar Scottish Borders

Lomond Fife

Longyester East Lothian

Outerston Midlothian

Reston Scottish Borders

Source: SESplan Monitoring Statement

Table 9: Opencast Coal Extraction within the SESplan Area

Name Location

Burnfoot / Nether Longford West Lothian

Earlseat Fife Inchmuir Road West Lothian Muirdean Fife Northrigg / Torbane West Lothian

Rashiehall West Lothian

Shewington Midlothian St Ninians Fife Woodend Washer Bing West Lothian Rusha Farm West Lothian

Woodmuir Farm West Lothian

Source: SESplan Monitoring Statement

Table 10: Other Mineral Extraction within the SESplan Area

Name Location Mineral

Burrowmine Moor Fife Silica Sand

Devilla Fife Silica Sand

Levenseat West Lothian Silica Sand, Peat and Soil

Drumshoreland West Lothian Burnt Shale

Niddrie Castle Bing West Lothian Burnt Shale

Newbigging Fife Dimension Stone

Cullaloe Fife Dimension Stone

Ecclesmachan West Lothian Dimension (Binny) Stone

Auchencorth Moss Midlothian Peat

Springfield Moss Midlothian Peat

Whim Moss Scottish Borders Peat

Dunbar East Lothian Limestone

Source: SESplan Monitoring Statement

Waste & recycling

7.6 The National Waste Strategy and the European Council Landfill Directive establish a framework for reforming the waste management system in Scotland and sets targets for improving the sustainability of waste management up until the year 2020. The use of aggregates within infrastructure places pressure on the natural resources of the SESplan area and further a field. Opportunities exist for the use of recycled aggregates and construction waste in the construction of new and maintenance of existing infrastructure. Table 11 shows the waste collected within the SESplan region and the quantities that were composted or recycled. Figure 1 shows the number of various waste and recycling facilities available within the SESplan region

Table 11: Municipal Waste Collected within the SESplan Area 2006/2007 (Source: SEPA27)

Waste collected for Total Waste collected for disposal (tonnes) recycling and composting municipal Local (tonnes) waste authority collected (tonnes) Other non- Household Commercial Household Commercial household

Edinburgh 264,773 174,717 23,342 2,129 57,295 7,290 East Lothian 67,686 42,294 1,132 0 19,498 4,761 Fife28 254,134 146,923 24,623 0 79,095 3,494 Midlothian 53,916 33,231 3,448 96 17,106 35 Scottish Borders 73,625 43,097 8,961 429 18,222 2,917 West Lothian 112,856 54,529 6,023 17,913 28,212 6,180 Total 826,990 494,790 67,528 20,568 219,427 24,677 Scotland29 2,546,062 2,093,922 394,402 23,922 734,670 105,569

27 Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (2006) Waste Data Digest crown Copyright. Available at: http://ww.sepa.org.uk/waste/waste_data_l/waste_data_digest.aspx

28 It should be noted that these figures are for the whole of Fife and not the portion within the SESplan area 96 29 Note that available data for Scotland was 2005/2006

Figure 1: Operational Waste Management Facilities in Lothian & Borders and Fife (2006)

Multiple activity Lothian & Borders Pet cemeteries/crematoria

Fife Other treatment

Composting

Anaerobic Digestion

Transfer Station

Facility type Metal recycler

Civic amenity site

Incineration

Co-incineration

Landfill

0 102030405060 Number

Source: SEPA Waste Data Digest 8, 200630

7.7 The Zero Waste Plan aims to deliver a ‘zero waste Scotland over the next 10 years’. The broad aim within this plan is to make the most efficient use of resources by ‘minimising Scotland’s demand on primary resources, and maximizing the reuse, recycling and recovery of resources instead of treating them as waste’. The targets of the plan are to achieve 70 recycling and a maximum of 5% of Scotland’s waste to landfill by 2025; source segregation and separate collection of specific waste types, landfill bans for specific waste types and restrictions on inputs to energy from waste facilities31

30 SEPA (2006) Waste Data Digest 8. Available at: http://www.sepa.org.uk/waste/waste_data/waste_data_digest.aspx

31 Scottish Government, 2010, Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan 97

Appendix A.8 POPULATION & HUMAN HEALTH SEA objective: To improve the quality of life and human health for communities in the SESplan area.

Detailed objectives:

• Provide access to employment • Provide affordable housing • Improve access to services • Provide access to greenspace • Access to footpaths & cycle routes

Employment 8.1 At the time of the 2001 Census, the SESplan area had a population of approximately 1.3 million people (approximately 25% of the Scottish population). More detailed population statistics can be seen in Table 12. Within the SESplan area the population is distributed between a number of larger towns/cities (>20,000 people) such as Dunfermline, Musselburgh, Glenrothes and Edinburgh, within smaller towns and villages throughout the area and in rural locations. The main density of population is focused around Edinburgh and its commuter belt, along the key transport corridors such as the M8, M9 and M90/A90 and in historical locations such as the valleys of the Scottish Borders and the coastal industrial towns of South Fife. Map 17 provides an overview of the urban areas within the SESplan region

Table 12: Projected Population of SESplan Area, by Age Group and Age Structure

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

All Ages 1,192,300 1,202,790 1,212,240 1,221,300 1,229,800 1,238,090 1,246,080

0-15 212,470 211,680 210,960 210,780 211,170 211,770 212,420

16-24 144,190 146,820 149,210 150,820 150,700 150,370 149,900

25-29 80,690 84,680 87,950 89,590 90,560 91,310 91,950

30-34 80,660 78,630 77,610 78,730 81,180 83,860 87,240

35-44 187,640 186,930 184,540 181,720 178,390 175,360 170,660

45-54 161,340 165,010 168,820 172,170 175,830 178,240 180,840

56-59 78,290 74,780 73,230 72,430 72,410 73,120 75,050

60-64 61,970 67,530 70,430 72,420 73,990 75,020 71,660

65-74 98,860 99,360 101,100 102,970 104,370 106,000 111,570

75-84 64,090 64,600 65,100 65,720 66,640 67,710 68,750

85+ 22,100 22,770 23,280 23,960 24,560 25,330 26,050

Children (0- 212,470 211,680 210,960 210,780 211,170 211,770 212,420 15 years)

Working 762,650 769,430 775,400 780,390 785,710 793,040 798,180 Ages32

Pensionable 217,180 221,680 225,880 230,130 232,920 233,280 235,480 Ages33

Source: General Register Office for Scotland34

32 Working age is 16-59 for women and 16-64 for men until 2010. Between 2010 and 2020 working age becomes 16-64 for women. Between 2024 and 2026, working age for both men and women becomes 16-65 and changes again, in two further steps, to 16-67 by 2046.

33 Pensionable age is 65 for men and 60 for women until 2010. Between 2010 and 2020, the pensionable age for women increases to 65. Between 2024 and 2046, the pensionable age for both men and women increases to 66 and changes again, in two further steps, to 68 by 992046.

8.2 From Table 13, it can be seen that, as a region, the plan area contains a proportion of service industry jobs that is higher than the national average (compared to production and construction industry related jobs). However, the City of Edinburgh is the only single council to reflect this trend, with all the other councils having a higher proportion of production and construction related jobs than the national figure. Figures displayed in Table 14 show that the average unemployment rate across the region is slightly lower than the national figure but in some local authorities in the region, such as Fife, the rate is much higher.

Table 13 Employment in the SESplan Area by Industry*

Total Employment Proportion in Proportion in Service Local Authority (thousands) Production and Industries (%) Construction Industry (%)

Fife (Full LA 134.9 19.1 79.1 Area)

West Lothian 74.7 24.2 75.0

City of Edinburgh 303.8 7.9 93.4

Midlothian 27.2 19.5 78.7

East Lothian 25.7 17.9 78.2

Scottish Borders. 43.5 21.8 71.7

SESplan Region 609.8 14.3 85.1

Total for 2,407.7 16.7 81.7 Scotland

*Estimated population 30 June 2008 Source: Scottish Government Statistics: Employee Jobs by Industry Local Authorities 1998-2007 Annual Business Inquiry35

34 General Register for Scotland (2006) Projected population of SESPlan SDP area, by age group and age structure http://www.gro- scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/household-projections-statistics/pop-household-proj-scotland-sdp-areas-2006/list-of- detailed-tables.html 35 Scottish Government Statistics: Employee Jobs by Industry Local Authorities 1998-2007 Annual Business Inquiry. Available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/DatasetsEmployment 100

Table 14: Unemployment within the SESplan Area*

Number unemployed Unemployment rate (2)

National

Local Authority Men Women All people Men Women All people rank

East Lothian 502 193 693 2.1% 0.8% 1.4% 26

City of Edinburgh 4,434 1,521 5,949 3.5% 1.2% 2.3% 18

Fife (Full LA Area) 4,824 1,683 6,498 5.0% 1.9% 3.4% 7

Midlothian 596 236 836 2.5% 1.0% 1.8% 23

Scottish Borders 649 254 902 2.1% 0.9% 1.5% 25

West Lothian 1,748 624 2,367 3.8% 1.4% 2.6% 15

SESplan Region 12,753 4,511 17,245 3.2%1.2% 2.2% -

Scotland 58,223 19,943 78,085 4.1% 1.5% 2.8% -

*As of January 2009

Source: Scottish Government Statistics Claimant Unemployment36

Affordable Housing

8.3 Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 3: Planning for Homes (revised 2008) states that it is necessary to make housing available at a cost below market value, to meet an identified need. The definition of affordable housing in the government guidance from SPP3 Planning for Homes is as follows: “Affordable Housing is defined broadly as housing of a reasonable quality that is affordable to people on modest incomes. In some places the market can meet all or most affordable housing needs, but elsewhere it is necessary to make housing available at a cost below market value to meet identified needs.”

8.4 A 'housing needs and demand assessment' has been carried out for the SESplan area. The study included a calculation for households currently in need. This figure is detailed in Table 15 below

36 Scottish Government Statistics: Claimant Unemployment. Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour- Market/DataC5 101

Table 15: Households in Need

Households in Need

Edinburgh 9,130

East Lothian 1,080

Midlothian 950

West Lothian 2,030

Scottish Borders 1,230

Fife (SESplan) 5,140

SESplan 19,550

Source: SESplan HNDA

8.5 Table 16 summarises the housing land requirement calculation for the SESplan area.

Table 16 Housing Land Requirement

Housing Land 2008 to 2019 2019 to 2024 2024 to 2032 Requirement

Household change 58,277 31,626 45943

Allowance for Vacancies 2,090 1,120 1640

Allowance for demolitions 4,180 1,902 0

Backlog identified in HNA 19,549 0 0

Total demand 84,096 34,648 47,583

Annual demand for new 7650 6930 5950 housing

Source: SESplan HNDA

Access to services

8.6 Access to services includes a diverse range of issues including: retail, education, policing, leisure facilities and cultural activities. 102

8.7 The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people have access to services essential to their life and work. In 2002, they published a report entitled Availability of Services in Rural Scotland. This looked at local amenities using drive times as the key factor. Categories included post offices, banks, petrol stations and convenience stores. The report highlighted the lack of service provision for people within certain rural areas within Scotland (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: Examples of Maps from Report

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002/10/15646/12193

8.8 As Map 17 demonstrates, the urban areas of SESplan are focused within the northern and western areas of the region with East Lothian and the Scottish Borders more sparsely populated. Key service areas are therefore focused much on Edinburgh, West Lothian and Fife with the East Coast Corridor and Central Borders areas providing more local coverage.

Access to Greenspace

8.9 Currently a Green Network Study is being developed between SESplan, SNH and the Forestry Commission. This review of the green infrastructure network in the SESplan region will highlight the linkages between areas of greenspace and place the network within its strategic context.

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8.10 A good example of an existing green network partnership is the Lothian and Fife Green Network Partnership which aims to promote the economic, social and ecological benefits of green networks across the Edinburgh and Lothians Region. The partnership aims to create a quality environment through coordinated action by communities, agencies and businesses working together37.

8.11 In the Edinburgh and Lothians the Partnerships objectives are to: • Identify existing woodland and heathland habitat networks • Classify woodlands in terms of biodiversity quality • Examine how and where woodland expansion should be integrated into urban development • Examine where opportunities exist for improving community access to woodland • Provide detailed example plans for consolidating, expanding, and linking forest habitat networks • Identify the UKBAP priority open ground habitat, where woodland expansion is not appropriate.

8.12 The Central Scotland Green Network aims to improve landscape settings for towns and cities in the central belt of Scotland. The development of this Central Scotland Green Network has been included in the final Framework as one of 14 "National Developments" considered to be essential elements of the strategy for Scotland's long-term development. It stretches from Ayrshire in the West to Fife and East Lothian in the East. Key outputs for the project include38: • A significant increase in woodland expansion to further "green up" the area, boost recreation opportunities and contribute to climate change reduction; • Improved networks for cycling and walking, encouraging more "active travel" to work and school which will also reduce carbon footprints; • Building a strategic network of priority habitats which will improve biodiversity and protect many species; • Restoring vacant and derelict land with aim of regenerating and restoring it to attractive landscapes for a range of uses, including new business

37 The partnership has produced a series of maps for the area available at: http://www.elfhnp.org.uk/advice.html.

38 Central Scotland Forest at: http://www.csft.org.uk 104

Core Path networks

8.13 The Land Reform Act 2003, supported by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, now gives the public significant rights of responsible access to the Scottish countryside. The code defines the responsibilities of the public and landowners in taking and providing for access for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and the disabled. Under the terms of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act each council must draw up a Core Paths Plan (CPP) that satisfies the basic path needs of local people and visitors for recreation, exercise and transit, and to provide key links to the wider path network. The paths will be designated and protected for the future and monitored and reviewed at appropriate intervals.

8.14 Core Path Plans have been published by City of Edinburgh Council39, the Scottish Borders40 and Midlothian Council41. Fife42, East Lothian43 and West Lothian44. Table 15 summarises the key pathways within each local authority, and those paths that link local authorities. Map 19 demonstrates the core paths within the SESplan area with the exception of Fife and East Lothian.

Table 17: Strategic Paths in the SESplan Region Area

Main Area Route Description

Firth of This is a long route which spans the northern edge of the City of Edinburgh Forth following the coast, from Queensferry to Musselburgh. It has potential links further west into Hopetoun House and the Round the Forth Cycle Route into Fife and east into the Penicuik to Musselburgh Foot and Cycleway up the River Esk to Dalkeith Country Park in Midlothian. Water of Route of strategic importance linking all the way through Edinburgh from coast to Leith hills, links with Firth of Forth route, Pentlands routes via Poets Glen and canal route at Slateford and Redhall. City of Edinburgh City of Edinburgh

39 City of Edinburgh Core Paths Plan: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/leisure/parks_and_recreation/CEC_outdoor_access 40 The Scottish Borders Core Paths Plan http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/life/environment/outdooraccess/20159.html 41 Midlothian Core Paths Plan: http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/Article.aspx?TopicId=0&ArticleId=19601 42 Fife Draft Core Paths Plan: http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/topics/index.cfm?fuseaction=subject.display&subjectid=2587D375-E7FE-C7EA- 0641A036FA52DA9E 43 East Lothian Draft Core Paths Plan: http://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/site/scripts/downloads.php?categoryID=1504 44 105 West Lothian Draft Core Paths Plan: http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/1523/1504/1506

Union This is a clear linear route along the Union Canal and along the parallel towpath, Canal which enters the City of Edinburgh Boundary at Lin’s Mill Aqueduct. From here Towpath one can one can continue along the canal westwards into West Lothian to reach the Falkirk Wheel, where it joins the Forth and Clyde Canal, or connect into the River Almond route. Moving eastwards towards the city centre, the route travels through the residential areas of Slateford, Merchiston, Polwarth and Viewforth (connection to North Edinburgh paths). The route continues to Tollcross and ends at Lochrin Basin. Craigmillar This is a largely on road connecting route from Craigmillar to the City of to Dalkeith Edinburgh boundary, on the Old Dalkeith Road. The route spurs to connect to Link Ellen’s Glen. It provides an onward connection to Dalkeith Country Park and National Cycle Network Route 1 in Midlothian.

The John The John Muir Way is a continuous path, which extends for almost 73km, linking Muir Way East Lothian with the City of Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. The route is broken down into five main sections: Fisherrow to Cockenzie; Cockenzie to Aberlady; Aberlady to North Berwick; North Berwick to Dunbar; and Dunbar to Dunglass

River Esk The path follows the River Esk, from the coast to just north of Whitecraig. The Path route connects with the NCN Route 1 which continues to Dalkeith in Midlothian. East Lothian East Lothian Southern The Southern Upland Way is a 212 mile (340 km) route running from Portpatrick Upland on the west coast of Scotland to Cockburnspath on the east coast. Way Approximately 82 miles (130 km) of the route is in the Borders passing through or near St Mary’s Loch, Traquair, Yair, Galashiels, Melrose, Lauder, Longformacus, Abbey St Bathans and on to its terminus at Cockburnspath. Scottish Borders Scottish Borders Cakemuir Cross border link with connects Fala with Brothershiels and the Scottish Borders Edge Area Core Path Network via Fala Moor.

Pentland Various routes forming links with Pentland Hills Path Network and Edinburgh. Hills

Midlothian River Route extends along the River Avon between Avonbridge and Linlithgow that is Avon the border between Falkirk and West Lothian. Heritage Trail West Lothian West Lothian

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Fife Stretches 150 km from North Queensferry (links to City of Edinburgh) in the Coastal south to the Tay Bridge and Dundee City in the north. Path Fife

Access to cycle routes

8.15 Sustrans develops and maintains the National Cycle Network, which provides sustainable transport routes across the country. Map 20 shows these routes within the SESplan region.

8.16 There are 3 major National Cycle Network routes within the SESplan region National Cycle Route 1, 75 and 76: • National Route 1 goes all the way from Dover to London and then up the east coast of the country to Edinburgh and on to John O'Groats, the Orkneys and the Shetlands. The route passes inland from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Melrose and onto Edinburgh. It then crosses the Firth of Forth, travels through Fife Northwards up the east coast. • National Route 75 connects Leith with Portavadie via Edinburgh, Glasgow and the ferry between Gourock and Dunoon. This is a major route within the Edinburgh and West Lothian portion of SESplan. • National Route 76 runs from Berwick upon Tweed to Edinburgh, Stirling and St Andrews with the route on both sides of the Forth. It passes through the Scottish Borders, East Lothian, City of Edinburgh, West Lothian and Fife Local Authority areas. Each of the routes also have various local linkages associated with the routes in the SESplan region.

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Appendix A.9 SOIL SEA objective: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land in the SESplan area.

Detailed objectives:

• To identify areas of expansion on brownfield land • To protect the existing soil quality

Brownfield land

9.1 There are two sources that indicate the availability of brownfield land within the SESplan area. These are:

Vacant and Derelict Land

9.2 Vacant and derelict land presents an opportunity for development to take place on previously developed areas (thereby reducing development pressure on rural or more sensitive areas) but also presents potential issues surrounding contaminated land and the need for remediation and appropriate development. Table 18: Derelict and Urban Vacant Land by Local Authority Area, 2008

Derelict Land Urban Vacant Total Derelict and Urban Vacant Land Land

Are % of No. of Area % of No. of Area % of No. of Sites

a Derelict Sites (ha) Urban Sites (ha) Total (ha) Land Vacant V&D (by Land Land Area)2 (by (by Area)2 Area)2

City of 123 1 44 84 3 41 207 2 85 Edinburgh

East 59 1 27 3 * 7 62 1 34

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Lothian

Fife45 726 9 152 99 4 62 824 8 214

Midlothian 261 3 72 21 1 12 282 3 84

Scottish 85 1 93 20 1 18 105 1 111 Borders

West 557 7 54 65 2 20 622 6 74 Lothian

Source: The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 200846

(It must be noted that the above data may not be consistent, as it is sourced from individual authorities. Map 21 provides an overview of vacant derelict sites within the SESplan area)

Urban Capacity Survey

9.3 The Urban Capacity Study has been undertaken as part of the baseline data for the SESplan. This will be incorporated into the background reports that have helped to inform the plan. The results of the SESplan area urban capacity study are summarised in Table 17. In total, 627 potential sites were identified covering a gross area of nearly 10 square kilometres. Following discounting, it is estimated that this could yield over 8,200 new dwellings over 7 years - an annual average of 1,300 units per annum.

Table 19: Urban Housing Capacity

No. of sites Gross area Gross Discounted Annual units average

City of 65 155 4490 2351 426 Edinburgh

East 13 4 151 76 28 Lothian

Fife 66 86 2334 1507 215

Midlothian 43 26 671 381 84

45 Note that figures are for the whole of Fife not just the SESplan area 46 The Scottish Government (2008) The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2008. Crown Copyright. Available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/01/29155655/2 109

Scottish 282 445 5167 2817 402 Borders

West 158 231 4979 1095 186 Lothian

SDP area 627 947 17792 8227 1342

Soil Quality

9.4 The nature and quality of soil within the SESplan area is governed to a degree by the nature of the bedrock and drift deposits, by historical and current vegetation cover, by existing land use and by factors such as industrial activity and physical influence from engineering and development.

9.5 The soils of the SESplan area have a varied quality with regard to agricultural capability with better quality soils capable of supporting a wider range of arable crops including areas of prime agricultural land located predominantly throughout central and eastern Fife and along the southern part of the Scottish Borders from Kelso and Duns through to Eyemouth on the east coast47. The poorest quality soils within the area with regard to agricultural capability are generally those associated with upland areas such as the Pentlands and the uplands of the Scottish Borders where land is only capable of supporting rough grazing. It is noted in the West Lothian Soil Sustainability Plan48 that the majority of soils found in West Lothian are formed by glacial till parent material with imperfect to poor drainage conditions. Similar soils occur throughout the remainder of the SESplan area, with the land able to support a smaller range of crops and improved grassland than on prime agricultural land.

9.6 Soils are of key importance in water quality, flood prevention, biodiversity and other soil related functions for natural heritage. The protection of soils is key to maintaining natural processes and in turn maintaining the quality of our environment as a whole. Figure 2 below gives a broad indication of the soil types that are distributed across the SESplan region. Further, more detailed information on the distribution of soil types in the SESplan area is available, under lease, from the Macaulay Institute.

47 Scottish Government (2008) The Scottish Soil Framework: A Consultation Document 48 West Lothian Council and SNH (2004) West Lothian Soil Sustainability Report. West Lothian Council. Available at: http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/downloaddoc/1799514/1842967/soil_susatainability_report 110

Figure 3: Indication of Soil Types across the SESplan Area

Source: The Scottish Government (2006) Scotland’s Soil Resource- Current State and Threats

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Appendix A.10 WATER SEA objective: To protect the quality of water and prevent flooding in the SESplan area.

Detailed objectives:

• Protect quality of major watercourses • Identify areas of expansion away from flooding areas • Improve existing water/waste water infrastructure

Water Quality

10.1 The SESplan area lies predominantly within watercourse catchments that drain eastwards into the Firth of Forth and directly into the North Sea. Parts of the south-west of the Scottish Borders lie within catchments that flow to the west to the Solway Firth. There is an extensive network of watercourses within the SESplan area from upland drains and burns through to the key lowland watercourses that drain the area.

10.2 The northernmost part of the SESplan area, including Edinburgh, Fife and the northern edges of the Lothians falls within the Scotland River Basin District and within the Forth Area Management Plan. The Southern part of the SESplan region falls within the Solway Tweed River Basin District and the Tweed Area Management Plan.

10.3 Water quality is monitored by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) using a wide range of parameters and the latest water quality data is displayed on its interactive River Basin Management Plan map. This identifies a range of water quality classifications within the SESplan area. Table 20 below presents a summary of the monitored water quality within the area.

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Table 20: Water Quality within the SESplan Area

Area Summary of Water Quality Management Plan

Forth Area Water quality generally ranges from ‘Moderate’ to ‘Poor’. There are three Management watercourses that are of ‘Bad’ Quality and these are: West Peffer/Mill Burn, Plan (Rivers and East Peffer (both in the North Berwick area) and Bellyford Burn (which is close Lakes South of to Dalkeith). The reason for the lower quality in these watercourses is recorded the Forth as being diffuse pollution and over abstraction as a result of arable farming. Estuary) Moving east, away from the Forth crossing and up the estuary, water quality becomes progressively better, and ranges from ‘Moderate’ to ‘Good’ with the Forth Area transition occurring east of Kinghorn and Leith Docks. At the coast around Management Kirkcaldy the water quality is described as ‘High’. Plan (Coastal waters within The reason for the lower quality of water in the western part of the Forth estuary the Forth is given as point source pollution from manufacturing, dredging for aggregates, Estuary) land reclamation, water transport and diffuse source pollution from chemicals production.

Forth Area Water quality generally ranges from ‘Moderate’ to ‘Poor’. There is one Management watercourse that is of ‘Bad’ Quality and this is: Tower Burn (near to Plan (Rivers and Dunfermline. Tower Burn is recorded as being of ‘Bad’ quality due to urban Lakes North of development and sewage disposal. the Forth) Tweed Area Water quality generally ranges from Good to Moderate throughout the Management Management Plan area. Plan Some stretches of the Caddon Water, the Yarrow Water, Lambden Burn, Dye Water and the River Tweed are recorded as being of ‘Poor’ water quality and this is attributed to diffuse pollution from mixed farming, morphological changes brought about by livestock and over abstraction.

The only water course that is recorded as ‘Bad’ is the Allan Water, to the south of the Management Area. The reason for this is recorded as being due to over- abstraction and morphological changes to the river.

Source: SEPA draft river basin management plans 2009

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Flooding

10.4 Flooding is a natural phenomenon that plays an important role in shaping the environment. However, climate change may mean that flooding becomes more severe and more frequent in certain areas. Flood risk comes from a variety of sources including fluvial, coastal, groundwater, surface water storm and/or sewer flooding. It should be managed rather than prevented and needs to be taken into account in decisions about locating development. This management takes the forms of mitigation against the impacts of flooding including sustainable flood management projects; and adaptation to the changing flood risk in the future. In accordance with SPP7 - Planning and Flooding, SESplan will take a precautionary approach to flooding by avoiding new development and infrastructure on land at risk from flooding. Only where the development cannot be sited in a less sensitive location will the risk of flooding be managed through the provision of mitigation measures. There is often a compromise to be made in flood protection between the potential to protect new and/or existing developments and the need to maintain natural hydro-morphological and sedimentary process. Map 22 shows the areas which are most at risk of flooding, within the SESplan area.

10.5 As can be seen in Map 22, coastal flooding in the SESplan Region affects those areas along the Firth of Forth and along the coastline to the north and the south. River flooding occurs in low-lying areas adjacent to the watercourses in the River Tweed catchment and along the River Leven in Fife. There are also areas at risk of flooding in Edinburgh from the Water of Leith.

Water infrastructure

10.6 Scottish Water has produced an asset strategy for the SESplan region. This highlights where there is available capacity within Scottish Water’s assets to accommodate further development without the need for upgrade and areas where assets are working at capacity and would need to be upgraded. This allows development to occur in areas where the need to upgrade existing infrastructure is minimal, therefore reducing developer costs.

10.7 Table 21 summarises the water and wastewater asset capacity in the SESplan region, as stated in the Scottish Water Asset Strategy.

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Table 21: Water and Wastewater Asset capacity in the SESplan Area

Area Wastewater Asset Status Drinking Water Asset Status

Dunfermline Dunfermline Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) Glendevon Water South West, currently has capacity for in excess of 2000 housing Treatment Works (WTW) West and units currently has adequate North capacity

Lochgelly There is currently sufficient capacity at Levenmouth Glendevon WTW currently Private Finance Initiative (PFI) WWTW and should has adequate capacity additional capacity be required then the PFI would be required to provide this.

Inverkeithing Dunfermline WWTW currently has capacity for in excess Glendevon WTW currently of 2000 housing units has adequate capacity

Kirkcaldy East Kirkcaldy WWTW currently has capacity for Glenfarg WTW currently approximately 1500 units has adequate capacity

Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy WWTW currently has capacity for Both Glendevon and South West approximately 1500 units Glenfarg WTW currently have adequate capacity

Levenmouth There is currently sufficient capacity at Levenmouth PFI Both Glendevon and WWTW and should additional capacity be required then Glenfarg WTW currently the PFI would be required to provide this. have adequate capacity

Glenrothes There is currently sufficient capacity at Levenmouth PFI Glenfarg WTW currently East \ WWTW and should additional capacity be required then has adequate capacity Markinch the PFI would be required to provide this.

Burntisland Burntisland WWTW currently has adequate capacity Glendevon WTW currently has adequate capacity

Kelty/Lochore/ There is currently sufficient capacity at Levenmouth PFI Glendevon WTW currently Ballingry WWTW and should additional capacity be required then has adequate capacity the PFI would be required to provide this.

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Edinburgh There is sufficient capacity at the WWTW for the current There is sufficient capacity Waterfront developments along the waterfront at the WTW for the current Developments developments along the waterfront

Newbridge/ There currently is capacity available at Newbridge PFI In the Ratho and Kirkliston/ WWTW. The PFI company is obliged to upgrade their Newbridge area there are Ratho works to provide growth as part of their contract. some pressure issues on the water network

Rosewell Recent enquiries for relatively large-scale development N/A WWTW would effectively take up all of the remaining capacity at the works at Rosewell

Musselburgh No WWTW capacity issues in Musselburgh Rosebery WTW which currently has sufficient capacity

East Linton There is insufficient capacity at East Linton WWTW to Castle Moffat WTW support new development in this area currently has sufficient capacity

Pathhead Pathhead WWTW has no current capacity spare to Rosebery WTW where enable development sufficient capacity exists to support new development

Wallyford Drains to Seafield PFI WWTW which currently has Water for Musselburgh sufficient capacity comes from Rosebery WTW. The water infrastructure does need to be upgraded

Haddington Haddington WWTW currently has sufficient capacity. Castle Moffat WTW currently has sufficient capacity

North Berwick There is currently sufficient capacity at North Berwick Castle Moffat WTW WWTW to accommodate the current local plan currently has sufficient development allocations capacity

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Dunbar Dunbar WWTW was upgraded in 2007/08 which Castle Moffat WTW released capacity for development in Dunbar currently has sufficient capacity

A7/A68 Within the A7/A68 corridor there are a number of sites Rosebery WTW is Waverly Line which drain to Gorebridge WWTW which has had currently undergoing Corridor capacity problems. However, an upgrade project is improvements and will currently being undertaken which is scheduled for have additional capacity. completion in early 2010. There may still be local network issues along the corridors and network investigations may be required for some developments.

Penicuik There is currently capacity at Penicuik WWTW for Rosebery WTW - approximately 700 units comments above

Livingston and East Calder PFI WWTW has sufficient capacity to allow Balmore, Pates Hill and Almond Valley development to proceed and the PFI is required to Marchbank, all three have provide additional capacity sufficient capacity at present.

Winchburgh Winchburgh WWTW is at capacity and when Pates Hill WTW and there development comes forward a growth project will be is currently capacity required available.

Armadale Armadale WWTW currently has sufficient capacity for Balmore WTW currently the developments in the Local Plan has sufficient capacity

Stow Stow WWTW is currently at capacity Galashiels WTW is being upgraded

Lauder There is currently some capacity available at Lauder Howdenhaugh WTW has WWTW limited capacity as this works serves large parts of the Scottish Borders

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Galashiels Galashiels WWTW currently has adequate capacity Howdenhaugh – comments as above

Peebles Peebles WWTW is currently nearing capacity Only limited capacity exists at Bonnycraig WTW

Innerleithen Capacity exists at Walkerburn WWTW for approximately Innerleithen WTW 200-300 units currently has capacity for approximately 200 units

Selkirk Selkirk WWTW where sufficient capacity exists to Howdenhaugh – support new development comments as above

Hawick Hawick WWTW has adequate capacity at the moment Capacity exists at Roberton to support new planned development however there are some issues with regards to the trunk main network.

Newton St Large-scale development is planned in the Local Plan for Howdenhaugh – Boswells Newton St Boswells. A growth project will be required to comments as above accommodate everything and the first stage of this process has recently been commenced

Jedburgh Jedburgh WWTW has an unusually large amount of At present, capacity exists capacity available at Roberton to support new planned development however there are some issues with regards to the trunk main network

Melrose Melrose WWTW has capacity for over 300 units Howdenhaugh – comments as above

Duns Adequate capacity exists at Duns WWTW Sufficient capacity exists at Rawburn WTW to support new development in Duns

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Reston No capacity exists at Reston WWTW Sufficient capacity exists at Rawburn WTW to support new development in Reston

Kelso A limited level of free capacity currently exists at Kelso Roberton WTW which has WWTW free capacity at present

Earlston Growth which is expected to emerge in the catchment of Howdenhaugh – Earlston WWTW and so review of capacity is currently comments as above underway

Coldstream A recent upgrade to Coldstream WWTW has secured Sufficient capacity exists at sufficient capacity for committed development in the Rawburn to support new area development however as this works serves large parts of the Scottish Borders any free capacity could be taken up development which may emerge elsewhere.

Eyemouth Eyemouth WWTW has a good deal of capacity Rawburn – comments as above

Howden Howden WTW current has additional free capacity to N/A WWTW support new development within its catchment area.

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Appendix B: Detailed Assessment of Strategic Growth Areas

Table 1(a) Scale of Growth in SESplan Area 121

Table 1(b) Detailed Assessment for Scale of Growth in SESplan Area 126

Table 2(a) Areas for Future Growth: Central Edinburgh 129

Table 2(b) Detailed Assessment for Central Edinburgh 133

Table 3(a) Areas for Future Growth: Edinburgh Waterfront 134

Table 3(b) Detailed Assessment for Edinburgh Waterfront 138

Table 4(a) Areas for Future Growth: West Edinburgh 141

Table 4(b) Detailed Assessment for West Edinburgh 146

Table 5(a) Areas for Future Growth: South East Edinburgh 147

Table 5(b) Detailed Assessment for South East Edinburgh 152

Table 6(a) Areas for Future Growth: East Coast Corridor 154

Table 6(b) Detailed Assessment for East Coast Corridor 158

Table 7(a) Areas for Future Growth: Midlothian Borders Corridor 159

Table 7(b) Detailed Assessment for Midlothian Borders Corridor 163

Table 8(a) Areas for Future Growth: Fife Forth 166

Table 8(b) Detailed Assessment for Fife Forth 170

Table 9(a) Areas for Future Growth: West Lothian 171

Table 9(b) Detailed Assessment for West Lothian 175

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Table 1(a): Scale of Growth in SESplan Area

Strategy: • Preferred: The strong market recovery scenario could be achieved through the continuation of the spatial pattern of growth established in the existing structure plans and local plans which are based upon urban extensions and large scale urban regeneration areas. • Alternative: A high trend growth scenario would require the delivery of the potential growth areas at a faster growth rate up to 2024, with the consequential requirement to consider further options beyond that date. These options would be likely to include further incursion into the Edinburgh Green Belt and / or consideration of the potential for a new settlement within the wider SESplan area.

Positive Very Positive Negative Very Negative Neutral Unknown

0 ?

Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives

Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments

Air: To protect current air quality The preferred strategy is likely to have a minor negative impact on air and provide opportunities for public quality as it will generate further traffic within the SESplan area. The transport use. alternative strategy is likely to have a significant negative impact on air quality as it will encourage growth at a faster growth rate. This could in the short term include greater construction pollution as well as longer term issues with travel patterns. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 1(b) for detailed assessment). Opportunities for sustainable forms of transport must be fully exploited in terms of development hubs for wither strategy, specifically in terms of the tram line in Edinburgh and the Waverley Line through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.

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Biodiversity: To protect and 0 The preferred strategy is likely to have a neutral impact on biodiversity, enhance biodiversity & habitats in whilst the alternative strategy, with its requirement for more greenfield the SESplan area and avoiding land, is likely to have a minor negative impact. This could potentially irreversible losses to designated cause disruption to the habitat network through loss of hedges and green sites & species. corridors. Nonetheless, development can sometimes have positive effects on biodiversity as gardens and open space areas provide good opportunities for habitats. Any large areas for development will be required feed into the green network strategy to ensure that protection and enhancements can be provided for biodiversity. The promotion and development of the CSGN provides an opportunity to improve and create linked habitat provision in the SESplan area. Development must be located away from internationally or nationally designated conservation sites.

Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ The preferred strategy should have a minor negative impact on climatic emissions and reduce energy factors as it will encourage development to be directed away from areas at consumption through promotion of risk of flooding, encourage sustainable forms of transport and promote the renewables. CSGN. The alternative strategy has the potential to have a more negative impact as it will require additional land to be identified as part of the high growth trend and therefore may encourage development at an unsustainable rate. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 1(b) for detailed assessment). Either strategy will require a key policy on the reduction in energy consumption through building construction. This should be cascaded down to the Local Development Plans within the SESplan area.

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Cultural Heritage: To safeguard 0 0 Neither strategy should have an overall impact on Cultural Heritage as and enhance the built and historic both require development to be undertaken. The preferred strategy environment. incorporates areas already identified through existing Structure Plans and Local Plans and therefore the sites likely to come forward for development have already been through an assessment. The siting and design of these new developments should incorporate any issues regarding the built or historic environment. The alternative strategy will require further growth areas that have not yet been assessed. It would be a key requirement to ensure that any new areas for development do not impact on the built and historic environment, but ensure protection and enhancement. This should be highlighted through LDP policies.

Landscape & Townscape: To The preferred strategy should have a neutral effect on landscape as areas protect and enhance the for development have already been identified through Structure Plans and landscape & townscapes within the Local Plans to ensure minimal impact on designated sites. In areas where SESplan area, including regeneration is likely to take place, attention to the siting and design of designated sites. new development should be a key consideration to ensure minimal impact on the character of conservation areas and the overall townscape. Further collaborative landscape work across the SESplan area on landscape capacity and linking the CSGN to landscape improvement should bring positive benefits. The alternative strategy may have a more negative impact as it will require additional land which has not yet been assessed through the planning process. A new settlement within the SESplan area could have a more significant impact on landscape depending on the siting and design of the development.

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Material Assets: To promote the 0 The preferred strategy should not a have an overall impact on material sustainable use of natural assets, specifically as the areas identified for development have been resources, including the sited away from mineral assets. There will be a rise in waste but this sustainable use of mineral should have been incorporated into the Local Authority’s waste strategy resources and recycling of waste. during the Structure Plan and LDP process. The alternative strategy may have a minor negative impact on material assets as a high growth scenario would see much more development at a faster rate which would not have been programmed into Local Authority waste strategies. Further work would be required to ensure that the emphasis was placed on recycling and reuse for either strategy.

Population & Human Health: To The preferred strategy is likely to have a significant positive impact on improve the quality of life and Population & Human Health as it should provide access to employment, human health for communities in affordable housing, services and greenspace. This is because the core the SESplan area, including hubs have already been through the planning process and are located in providing employment, affordable areas that can sustain new development. The alternative strategy would housing, access to services and require further land to meet the high growth trend and therefore although it greenspace. could provide many of the same benefits as the preferred strategy, further work would be required to ensure that access to employment, services and greenspace were all incorporated into any new areas for development.

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Soil: To protect the quality of soil The preferred strategy is likely to have a minor negative impact on soil through the reuse of brownfield quality as it will require greenfield land to be developed to meet the land land. requirements. Nonetheless, where possible brownfield areas have been identified for regeneration and therefore this should ensure that the impact on soil sealing is minimal. The alternative strategy may have a more significant impact on soil quality as it will require a higher rate of development within the SESplan area. This will for the most part have to be met by greenfield sites as most brownfield opportunities have already been identified through the preferred strategy. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 1(b) for detailed assessment).

Water: To protect the quality of 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any significant impact on water water and prevent flooding as well as the areas for development that have been identified have for the most as improvement to existing part undergone assessment in terms of flooding and impact on water water/waste water infrastructure. status. Mitigation measures have therefore already been identified as well as improvements to the existing water and waste water infrastructure. The alternative strategy could have a potentially minor negative impact on water status and flooding as it would require additional areas to be identified for development. It would also demand development at a potentially unsustainable rate for water and waste water infrastructure.

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Table 1(b): Detailed assessment for Scale of Growth in SESplan Area

Significant issue: Air: To protect current air quality and provide opportunities for public transport use.

Potential Impact The alternative strategy is likely to have a significant negative impact on air quality as it will encourage growth at a faster growth rate. This could in the short term include greater construction pollution as well as longer term issues with travel patterns.

Mitigation: The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Working Together for Clean Air (2000) sets out the air quality strategy for the UK with objectives and targets, referring to the Environment Act 1995 legislation. It seeks a reduction in the levels of 8 harmful pollutants present in the air. Local Air Quality Management Act (Part of the Environmental Act 1995) sets out duties requiring local authorities to review and assess air quality in their area from time to time, the reviews forming the cornerstone of the system of local air quality management. Nature of residual The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on air quality in the long Assessment of residual effect: effect: term as it could potentially site development in areas unsupported by sustainable forms of transport.

Comments: The short term impact of a higher growth trend could see considerable construction pollutants that impact on air quality within localised areas. Medium and longer term negative impacts could be seen in development areas that are not supported by sustainable forms of transport, encouraging greater car usage and increasing of NO₂ within congested areas.

Monitoring Monitoring of NO₂ incidents. Edinburgh Air Quality Action Plan. % of public transport users verses % of car users. requirements

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Significant issue: Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ emissions and reduce energy consumption through promotion of renewables.

Potential Impact The alternative strategy has the potential to have a more negative impact as it will require additional land to be identified as part of the high growth trend and therefore may encourage development at an unsustainable rate.

Mitigation: A target of generating 40% (since quantified as 6GW) of Scotland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020 has been set by Scottish Ministers. The importance of using clean and sustainable energy from renewable sources will continue to increase as a result of global imperatives to tackle climate change and the need to ensure secure and diverse energy supplies. PAN 45 complements SPP6 and highlights examples of good practice across Scotland. A key role of the planning system is to support a move towards low and zero carbon development through the use of energy efficient, micro-generating and decentralised renewable energy systems. PAN 84 provides information and guidance on implementing the targets set in SPP6. The promotion and development of the CSGN will help to offset negative climatic factors, such as emissions from traffic and loss of greenfield land, as there is creation of sustainable transport routes and creation of linked habitats. Nature of residual Building construction and increased travel could cause rises in CO₂ and energy Assessment of residual effect: effect: consumption. 0

Comments: Short and medium term negative impacts have been identified due to building construction and increased energy usage. In the long term, if mitigation measures in terms of building construction and renewable energy resources are implemented, the impact should be neutral.

Monitoring CO₂ emissions. Energy consumption in terms of non-renewable and renewable. Building standards through SESplan requirements region. Production of renewable energy in SESplan area.

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Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.

Potential Impact The alternative strategy may have a more significant impact on soil quality as it will require a higher rate of development within the SESplan area. This will for the most part have to be met by greenfield sites as most brownfield opportunities have already been identified through the preferred strategy.

Mitigation: Soils are fragile and essentially non-renewable, and can easily be damaged by sealing. Brownfield are therefore preferable as the soil quality has already been damaged. The Scottish Soil Framework (Consultation) aims to promote the sustainable management and protection of soils consistent with the economic, social and environmental needs of Scotland. In cases where greenfield land is required to meet development needs, permeable construction materials should be used to mitigate the effects of sealing, as well as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This should be highlighted as a requirement at a strategic level to ensure that it is fed into the LDP policy making process.

Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage Assessment of residual effect: effect: from soil sealing.

Comments: Short and medium term negative impacts have been identified due to building construction and the loss of greenfield land. In the long term, if mitigation measures in terms of building construction and SUDS are undertaken, the impact should be neutral.

Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements

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Table 2(a): Areas for Future Growth: Central Edinburgh

Strategy: • Preferred: The preferred approach of the SDP is to therefore continue to support the general principle of the redevelopment and regeneration of Central Edinburgh. • Alternative: The Main Issues Report has not identified a reasonable alternative to the preferred approach.

Potential impacts of strategy on environmental objectives

Environmental objectives Preferred Comments

Air: To protect current air quality The strategy should only have a minor negative impact on air quality as and provide opportunities for public development within the city centre would encourage less car use into the transport use. centre and provide access to public transport. Car use at hot-spots would have to be monitored so as to ensure levels which would necessitate AQMA designation were not reached. Nonetheless, in the short term it could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. Central Edinburgh has high levels of NO₂ that would need to be monitored to ensure that construction works do no exacerbate this problem.

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Biodiversity: To protect and 0 Overall, the strategy is unlikely to have any significant impact on biodiversity enhance biodiversity & habitats in as the sites likely to be identified are areas of brownfield land in the city centre the SESplan area and avoiding where close contact with human activity has long been established. There irreversible losses to designated could be isolated cases of sites that provide habitats for biodiversity and these sites & species. will be looked at in the context of the CSGN. These will need to be protected through LDP policies and the planning application process. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The strategy is unlikely to have an impact on Climatic Factors in terms of emissions and reduce energy safeguarding sites suitable for renewable energy development. Development consumption through promotion of sites are also unlikely to be identified in flood risk areas as a result of this renewables. strategy. The central location of development will prevent further car emissions as it will require less travel and better access to public transport. . However, in the short term there would be an increase in construction emissions. To ensure that the strategy did not have a negative impact on Climatic Factors, LDP policy would need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards, good design, and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy and implementation of the CSGN. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard The strategy could potentially have a significant negative impact on cultural and enhance the built and historic heritage if development is not approached sensitively. The central area of environment. Edinburgh is a World Heritage site and has several very significant Scheduled Ancient Monuments sited within it. There are also a multitude of listed buildings as well as considerable archaeology that any new development would have an impact on. Nonetheless, regeneration and new development could potentially have a long term positive impact on the area and thus continue to support the reinvestment and rehabilitation of the World Heritage Status lifespan. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 2(b) for detailed assessment).

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Landscape and Townscape: To The strategy is not likely to have an impact on designated landscapes sites protect and enhance the but could have a potentially positive impact on the cityscape depending on the landscape and townscape within design of any new development within the centre. New development would the SESplan area. need to be subject to Masterplanning and Development Briefs to ensure that the sites are well integrated into the overall views within the city and do not impact on the designation of any Conservation Areas. The development of landscape capacity work and creation of SLAs in the SESplan area will also help to protect and enhance the landscape and townscape. Material Assets: To promote the 0 This strategy would have no impact on mineral resources or agricultural land sustainable use of natural as the focus of development is within the centre of Edinburgh. The recycling resources, including the of waste is already undertaken by the City of Edinburgh Council and therefore sustainable use of mineral any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling resources, Prime Agricultural Land schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to and recycling of waste. incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites.

Population & Human Health: To The strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population & Human Health improve the quality of life and as the redevelopment/regeneration of Central Edinburgh will ensure access to human health for communities in employment, quality and affordable housing and services such as schools and the SESplan area, including hospitals. Access to greenspace will need to be considered through the LDP providing employment, affordable as the intensification of development within the city centre could lead to loss housing, access to services and of open space if not identified and protected. Provision should also be made greenspace. to enhance footpaths and cycle paths to encourage healthy activities within the centre. Noise levels should not be added to although this may be difficult during construction. These assessments will be required on a site by site basis.

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Soil: To protect the quality of soil The strategy is likely to have a positive effect on Soil as the through the reuse of brownfield redevelopment/regeneration of Central Edinburgh will be done through the land. development of brownfield sites and the reuse of existing buildings. Any sites identified as contaminated will be required to adhere to PAN 33 which provides advice on development of land with contamination and explains the relationship with Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Water: To protect the quality of 0 Overall, the strategy should have a neutral impact on water status as it would water and prevent flooding as well locate development away from areas with high water status and flooding as improvement to existing constraints. However, the lack of permeable surfaces in urban areas for water/waste water infrastructure. surface water runoff can have an impact on drainage systems and creates a requirement for mitigation e.g. SUDS. The strategy would have an impact on the water supply and waste water capacity in an area which already has a high population. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.

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Table 2(b): Detailed assessment for Central Edinburgh

Significant issue: Cultural Heritage: To safeguard and enhance the built and historic environment.

Potential Impact The strategy could potentially have a significant negative impact on cultural heritage if development is not approached sensitively.

Mitigation: The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 will protect any Scheduled Ancient Monuments from damage to the archaeology or their setting. Listed buildings are protected under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. Any impact on A listed buildings will need to be consulted upon with Historic Scotland. The World Heritage status will provide further protection to the whole central area, with a duty under the UNESCO 1972 Convention to protect, conserve and present such sites for future generations. Gardens & Designed Landscapes and B & C listed buildings should be protected with LDP policies and through applications to the Local Planning Authority.

Nature of residual Construction works could impact on setting of built and historic environment in the Assessment of residual effect: effect: short term but in the long term should have positive impacts if design and siting of development is sympathetic to historic context.

Comments: Construction works could have a short term impact but could also provide the opportunity to uncover further archaeology. The strategy should not have a medium or long term effect on Cultural Heritage provided that legislation and national/local policy are implemented. Furthermore, development of the central area could actually have some positive effects on the cultural heritage as it will regenerate potentially vacant or derelict areas and provide well designed places that compliment the historical setting of Edinburgh.

Monitoring Data on listed buildings including number of applications to demolish buildings. Data on planning conditions for requirements archaeological surveys. Number of applications on works to SAMs.

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Table 3(a): Areas for Future Growth: Edinburgh Waterfront

Strategy: • Preferred: The preferred approach of the SDP is to continue to support the general principle of the redevelopment and regeneration of the Edinburgh Waterfront • Alternative: The Main Issues Report has not identified a reasonable alternative to the preferred approach.

Potential impacts of strategy on environmental objectives

Environmental objectives Preferred Comments

Air: To protect current air quality This strategy should only have a minor negative impact on air quality. The and provide opportunities for public area is well served in terms of public transport which could accommodate transport use. movement in and out of the area. In particular, the construction of the tram route into the centre and out to the west of Edinburgh should discourage greater car use. As there are very limited parking restrictions in this area at present, there is an attraction for workers to drive to the waterfront but the trams should encourage the use of public transport. NO₂ pollution is particularly high at Great Junction St and any further development must ensure that this is not further aggravated. In the short term, the strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution.

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Biodiversity: To protect and 0 . SESplan does not propose any additional development at Edinburgh enhance biodiversity & habitats in Waterfront but the area is subject to a high level of committed development. the SESplan area and avoiding As a result there have been various environmental assessments completed. irreversible losses to designated Table 3(b) describes this in more detail. If all the mitigation requirements are sites & species. met for the committed development and there is also consideration of how the CSGN could benefit the area it is likely there will be a neutral impact on biodiversity Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The strategy is likely to have a neutral impact but construction methods emissions and reduce energy should be carefully assessed within the quayside areas that will be most consumption through promotion of affected by this potential impact and future flood risk due to climate change renewables. should be assessed. In the short term, it could also cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. Planning policy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards, good quality design and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy. More positively, however, the strategy will prevent further car emissions as it will require less travel and good access to public transport but this relies on the construction of the trams as part of a sustainable development package. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard The strategy could have a potential negative impact on Cultural Heritage as and enhance the built and historic the area has some significant Scheduled Ancient Monuments and environment. archaeology that will require protection and possible enhancement. There are a considerable number of listed buildings also within this area. Any development will need to ensure that there is no significant impact on these sites through consultation with Historic Scotland.

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Landscape and Townscape: To The strategy is not likely to have an impact on designated landscapes sites protect and enhance the or the greenbelt but could have a potentially negative or positive impact on landscape and townscape within the cityscape depending on the design of any new development within the the SESplan area. centre. Development would need to be subject to Masterplanning and Development Briefs to ensure that the sites are well integrated into the overall views within the city. Material Assets: To promote the 0 This strategy would have no real impact on mineral resources as the focus sustainable use of natural of development is within the City of Edinburgh. The recycling of waste is resources, including the already undertaken by the City of Edinburgh Council and therefore any new sustainable use of mineral development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling resources and recycling of waste. schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. Population & Human Health: To This strategy could have a positive impact on Population and Human Health improve the quality of life and through the regeneration of the area as it would provide employment, human health for communities in affordable housing, access to services and greenspace. Public transport the SESplan area, including enhancements for this area will be a key factor to support its integration into providing employment, affordable the rest of the city. housing, access to services and greenspace. Soil: To protect the quality of soil This strategy would have a positive impact as it would encourage the reuse through the reuse of brownfield of brownfield land within Edinburgh and help to regenerate an area that has land. suffered due to the decline of industry within the area. Any sites identified as contaminated will be required to adhere to PAN 33 which provides advice on development of land with contamination and explains the relationship with Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

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Water: To protect the quality of There is a potential negative impact on the water status within the area as water and prevent flooding as well the development would take place adjacent to the Firth of Forth. Any as improvement to existing development would require mitigations to ensure that no damage was made water/waste water infrastructure. to the quality of the water in the Forth or the Water of Leith. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy will therefore be required for this SEA objective (see Table 3(b) for detailed assessment). The strategy would have an impact on the water supply and waste water capacity in an area which already has a high population. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.

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Table 3(b): Detailed assessment for Edinburgh Waterfront

Significant issue: Biodiversity: To protect and enhance biodiversity & habitats in the SESPlan area and avoiding irreversible losses to designated sites & species.

Potential Impact The strategy could have a potentially negative impact as development would take place on the waterfront and therefore adjacent to the Firth of Forth SPA and Imperial Dock Lock SPA. The strategy has the potential to cause disruption to bird roosts and migration/feeding routes. In addition there is also the risk of water quality impacts, loss of foraging area and potential contamination to mudflats that support rich fauna.

Mitigation: No new development is proposed in the Edinburgh Waterfront area by SESplan. However the area is subject to a high level of committed development; this is split into geographical areas in and around the waterfront, namely Edinburgh Harbour/Leith Docks and the Granton Central Development Area (CDA)/North Shore. As such there have been environmental assessments undertaken to establish potential impacts on the SPAs and mitigate any adverse effects.

In the Granton central development area/North Shore mitigation involves providing temporary pontoons for replacement roosting opportunities for waders49. For the Leith Docks area it is stated that a “series of parameters have been agreed between Forth Ports PLC and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to inform the future design and construction of the proposed masterplan”. These parameters relate to effects from varying factors such as location and dimensions; footprint; materials; landscaping and public realm; operation and monitoring50.

If there is CSGN work in the area this would have the potential to offset biodiversity losses and/or create new habitat.

Assessment of residual effect:

49 Central Development Area/ North Shore Master Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment 50 Outline Planning Application for Leith Docks Environmental Statement. 138 51 As above.

Nature of residual In the Granton CDA/North Shore it is stated that there is a short-to-medium term 0 effect: risk of construction and coastal effects therefore care should be taken to prevent disruption to key nesting sites and foraging sites. In the longer-term a neutral effect is expected with birds able to use the new foreshore and beach for foraging.

In the Edinburgh Harbour/Leith Docks area the main qualifying species is the Common Tern, the Environmental Statement asserts that if mitigation measures are implemented then there is unlikely to be a significant adverse effects from a range of construction, lighting or operational impacts. This is also stated to be the case for a wide range of other birds, marine mammals and habitat types51.

Comments: Following completion of environmental assessments a number of changes were proposed to developments in the area. This was done following consultation with statutory bodies, such as SNH, and other bodies, such as the RSPB. Changes included re-design of bridges and reduction in building heights.

Providing mitigation measures are followed there should be little disruption to species for which the SPAs are designated.

Monitoring Bird nesting sites and their site conditions. Condition of coastal features. Forth Estuary Environmental Assessment Program (FEEAP) requirements monitoring of pollution in inner Forth mudflats as referred to in SNH’s Firth of Forth Management Statement.

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Significant issue: Water: To protect the quality of water and prevent flooding as well as improvement to existing water/waste water infrastructure.

Potential Impact There is a potential negative impact on the water status within the area as the development would take place adjacent to the Firth of Forth.

Mitigation: The Water Framework Directive translated into the Water Environment and Water Services Act (WEWS) 2003 aims to address all forms of pollution for water bodies. Furthermore, Sustainable Seas for All: A Consultation on Scotland’s first Marine Bill (2008) proposes a new legislative and management framework for the delivery of sustainable economic growth in the marine environment. The siting and design of any proposed development areas will be important to protecting and enhancing the water status of the Water of Leith and the Firth of Forth. The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill 2008 underlines that Local Authorities must exercise their flood risk related functions with a view to reducing overall flood risk. SUDS will be required on any new development. This should be reflected in SESPlan policy.

Nature of residual Potential contamination from construction works in short term. Assessment of residual effect: effect: 0

Comments: In the short term, the strategy could potentially have a negative impact on water as it could cause potential contamination due to construction works. In the medium and longer term, the development of the Edinburgh Waterfront is unlikely to have any significant impact if development has been sited away from water courses and ensures SUDS are integral to any site. It should be noted that significant work has been undertaken through specific Environmental and Flood risk Assessments to estimate the risk of flooding; this work estimated safe development levels, particularly in the Leith Docks Area.

Monitoring Coastal water status through National Water Quality Classification. Upgrades to treatment of waste water. Water classification of Water requirements of Leith. SEPA’s flood risk mapping (for fluvial and coastal flooding) and further advice from SEPA regarding other flooding types.

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Table 4(a): Areas for Future Growth: West Edinburgh

Strategy: • Preferred: The preferred approach of the SDP is to continue to support the economic and commercial development of West Edinburgh. The addition of further housing to West Edinburgh will assist in creating a mixed use, sustainable and well connected community • Alternative: The alternative approach would be to focus on the development of the economic opportunities already identified and provide new housing elsewhere within the SESplan region.

Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives

Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments

Air: To protect current air quality 0 The preferred strategy should not have an impact on air quality as it and provide opportunities for public should encourage a self contained community that has local access to transport use. employment and services and does not require the car to access the city centre as there is good public transport provision. In particular, the tramline to central Edinburgh from West Edinburgh and the Gogar multi modal station will provide a sustainable alternative to car travel. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on air quality as the focus of simply employment would require potential car use as employees would be located further from their work. High levels of NO₂ have been recorded at St Johns Road on the western side of Edinburgh that could be exacerbated by the alternative strategy although good public transport links should not make this significant. In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution.

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Biodiversity: To protect and 0 The preferred strategy should not have an impact on biodiversity although enhance biodiversity & habitats in it will require the development of greenfield sites that have a short term the SESplan area and avoiding impact on the habitats network. Nonetheless, garden ground and irreversible losses to designated recreational parkland can sometimes provide greater opportunities for sites & species. habitat than agricultural land and the development of the CSGN brings potential for further habitat network creation. Furthermore, the strategy does not impact on any major conservation sites and any development will be subject to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity habitats. The alternative approach may have a potential negative impact as it will encourage dispersed greenfield development that may have more damaging implications for biodiversity in terms of siting.

Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Climatic Factors emissions and reduce energy as it promotes a self contained community that has local access to consumption through promotion of employment and services and does not require the car to access the city renewables. centre as there is good public transport provision. It is also located away from flood risk areas. In the short term, it could also cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. The alternative strategy limited development to economic/commercial development could have a negative impact depending on where new housing development is located and the availability of sustainable transport modes. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy.

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Cultural Heritage: To safeguard 0 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any overall impact on the and enhance the built and historic cultural heritage of the area although there are a number of Designed environment. Landscapes that will need to be carefully addressed through the design of any proposed development. This should be applied through LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs. There are also a considerable number of listed buildings located around the strategy area and there would also need to be protected from detrimental development. The alternative strategy impact is unknown it has not identified an area for development. Nevertheless, it could be potentially negative if development was to be dispersed and sited in areas with significant historic issues.

Landscape & Townscape: To 0 The preferred strategy should not have any significant impact on protect and enhance the landscape although development within the greenbelt will lessen the landscape & townscapes within the amount of greenspace around Edinburgh. Nonetheless, the general SESplan area, including amenity of the landscape has already been significantly lessened by the designated sites. City Bypass and the expansion of Edinburgh. It will therefore not have a significant impact on any national or regionally designated areas of value. Any new development should consider carefully the siting and design to ensure the creation of an attractive new townscape. The alternative strategy may have a minor negative impact on the landscape as it would require the development of greenfield land in dispersed alternative areas and therefore could potentially be damaging to more valuable areas of landscape. The siting and design of any development will need to carefully address the green network and key views within the landscape, in line with landscape capacity work that has been undertaken.

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Material Assets: To promote the 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any significant impact on sustainable use of natural Material Assets as it should not impact on any mineral resources. The resources, including the recycling of waste is already undertaken by the City of Edinburgh Council sustainable use of mineral and therefore any new development would require to be incorporated into resources and recycling of waste. existing recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites. The alternative strategy may have a minor negative impact as it could potentially see dispersed development that might damage mineral resources and not be incorporated into the Local Waste Strategy.

Population & Human Health: To 0 The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population improve the quality of life and and Human Health as it will provide opportunities for access to human health for communities in employment, affordable housing, services and potential new greenspace the SESplan area, including in a location which has got good public transport links. The alternative providing employment, affordable strategy would have a neutral impact as development would be dispersed housing, access to services and and therefore potentially located into areas that did not have the same greenspace. access to amenities that the preferred strategy offers.

Soil: To protect the quality of soil Both strategies are likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as both through the reuse of brownfield will focus development primarily on greenfield land and not on the reuse of land. brownfield. Developed land would therefore seal soil and generally lower the quality of soil. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 4(b) for detailed assessment).

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Water: To protect the quality of The Gogarburn diversion could have a potential impact on the Gyle water and prevent flooding as well surface water, the River Almond should also be considered within the as improvement to existing context of flooding discussion. Any development must ensure that it water/waste water infrastructure. prevents any further damage to existing water status and divert development away from flooding areas; a strategic flood risk assessment would help to achieve this. The preferred strategy would require enhancements to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.

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Table 4(b): Detailed assessment for West Edinburgh

Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.

Potential Impact Both strategies are likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as both will focus development primarily on greenfield land and not on the reuse of brownfield.

Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage Assessment of residual effect: from soil sealing. effect:

Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements

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Table 5(a): South East Edinburgh

Strategy: • Preferred: The preferred approach of the SDP is to continue the expansion of South East Edinburgh • Alternative: The alternative approach would be to focus on the development of the existing and committed proposals and not allow for any further expansion into the Green Belt

Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives

Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments

Air: To protect current air quality The preferred strategy should only have a minor negative impact on air and provide opportunities for public quality within the area as it continues to focus development in an area that transport use. is well connected in terms of existing and proposed public transport. Care should be taken to ensure that either strategy does not aggravate congestion on the A1 or the City Bypass although there are no reported areas of major pollution incidents on the south eastern side of Edinburgh. The alternative strategy might have a more significant negative impact on air quality as it could involve the development of land that is not well integrated into the public transport system. This could potentially exacerbate congestion on the A1 or the City Bypass if public transport is not well integrated into any new development. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy will therefore be required for this SEA objective (see Table 5(b) for detailed assessment). In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution.

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Biodiversity: To protect and 0 The preferred strategy should not have an impact on biodiversity although enhance biodiversity & habitats in it will require the development of greenfield sites that have a short term the SESplan area and avoiding impact on the habitats network. Nonetheless, garden ground and irreversible losses to designated recreational parkland can sometimes provide greater opportunities for sites & species. habitat than agricultural land and the CSGN brings potential for further habitat creation. Furthermore, the strategy does not impact on any major conservation sites and any development will be subject to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity habitats. The alternative approach may have a potential negative impact as it will encourage dispersed greenfield development that may have more damaging implications for biodiversity in terms of siting.

Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Climatic Factors emissions and reduce energy as it does not require the car to access the city centre as there is good consumption through promotion of existing and proposed public transport provision. It is also located away renewables. from flood risk areas. In the short term, it could also cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors it will potentially direct development away from areas with good transport linkages. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy.

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Cultural Heritage: To safeguard 0 ? The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any overall impact on the and enhance the built and historic cultural heritage of the area although there are a number of Designed environment. Landscapes that will need to be carefully addressed through the design of any proposed development. This should be applied through LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs. There are also a considerable number of listed buildings located around the strategy area and there would also need to be protected from detrimental development. The alternative strategy impact is unknown it has not identified an area for development. Nevertheless, it could be potentially negative if development was to be dispersed and sited in areas with significant historic issues.

Landscape & Townscape: To 0 The preferred strategy should not have any significant impact on protect and enhance the landscape although development within the greenbelt will lessen the landscape & townscapes within the amount of greenspace around Edinburgh. Nonetheless, the general SESplan area, including amenity of the landscape has already been significantly lessened by the designated sites. City Bypass and the expansion of Edinburgh. It will therefore not have a significant impact on any national or regionally designated areas of value. Any new development should consider carefully the siting and design to ensure the creation of an attractive new townscape and green network. The alternative strategy may have a minor negative impact on the landscape as it would require the development of greenfield land in alternative dispersed areas and therefore could potentially be damaging to more valuable areas of landscape. The siting and design of any development will need to carefully address the green network and key views within the landscape in line with landscape capacity work that has been undertaken.

149

Population & Human Health: To 0 The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population improve the quality of life and and Human Health as it will provide opportunities for access to human health for communities in employment, affordable housing, services and potential new greenspace the SESplan area, including in a location which has got good public transport links. The alternative providing employment, affordable would have a neutral impact as development would be dispersed and housing, access to services and therefore potentially located into areas that did not have the same access greenspace. to amenities that the preferred strategy offers.

Soil: To protect the quality of soil Either strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as both through the reuse of brownfield will focus development primarily on greenfield land and not focus on the land. reuse of brownfield. Developed land would therefore seal soil and generally lower the quality of soil. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy will therefore be required for this SEA objective (see Table 5(b) for detailed assessment).

150

Water: To protect the quality of 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have a significant impact on water water and prevent flooding as well status or flooding as there are limited watercourses within the area and as improvement to existing these tend to be of a lower quality. Nonetheless, any development must water/waste water infrastructure. ensure that it prevents any further damage to existing water status and divert development away from flooding areas; this should be done in conjunction with the Local Authority Flood Prevention Officer. The alternative strategy would require enhancements to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development in dispersed areas. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.

151

Table 5(b): Detailed assessment for South East Edinburgh

Significant issue: Air: To protect current air quality and provide opportunities for public transport use.

Potential Impact The alternative strategy might have a more significant negative impact on air quality as it could involve the development of land that is not well integrated into the public transport system.

Nature of residual The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on air quality in the long Assessment of residual effect: effect: term as it could potentially encourage site development in areas unsupported by sustainable forms of transport.

Comments: The short term impact of the alterative strategy could see considerable construction pollutants that impact on air quality within localised areas. Medium and longer term negative impacts could be seen in development areas that are

not supported by sustainable forms of transport, encouraging greater car usage and increasing of NO2 within congested areas.

Monitoring Monitoring of NO₂ incidents. Edinburgh Air Quality Action Plan. % of public transport users verses % of car users. requirements

152

Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.

Potential Impact Either strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as both will focus development primarily on greenfield land and not focus on the reuse of brownfield.

Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage from Assessment of residual effect: soil sealing. effect:

Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements

153

Table 6(a): East Coast Corridor

Strategy: • Preferred: The Strategic Development Plan should test the potential to significantly expand the new settlement at Blindwells by a minimum of an additional 2,500-3,000 units, subject to technical studies, including ground conditions and particularly the capacity of the A1 and its Bankton, Gladsmuir and Old Craighall junctions. • Alternative: There is scope for a more limited level of growth to be accommodated but dispersed throughout the East Coast Corridor, rather than concentrated in on specific location. East Lothian may be able to accommodate an additional 600-700 units without an expansion of Blindwells in the period 2019-2024

Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives

Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments

Air: To protect current air quality Both strategies may have a minor negative impact on air quality. In the and provide opportunities for public case of the preferred strategy, the intention is to create a new community transport use. with employment, public services and transport links. This should mitigate against a significant impact on air quality. The alternative strategy may have a similar impact as it will encourage greater car usage due to locating development in more rural locations. Care should be taken to ensure that either strategy does not aggravate congestion on the A1, in Musselburgh and the south eastern side of Edinburgh. This could be done by ensuring there is local employment and good public transport available to discourage commuting. In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution.

154

Biodiversity: To protect and The preferred strategy is likely to have a minor negative impact on enhance biodiversity & habitats in biodiversity as it will require some greenfield development. This is the SESplan area and avoiding because although the initial area identified is a reclaimed opencast mining irreversible losses to designated site, further expansion may require farmland. Furthermore, the Firth of sites & species. Forth SPA is just over 1km north of the preferred strategy area and could therefore see a rise in visitors and leisure usage. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on biodiversity as it might require the development of greenfield sites as East Lothian settlements are considerably constrained in terms of brownfield land. The development of the CSGN could help to offset any negative impacts.

Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Climatic Factors emissions and reduce energy as it promotes a self contained community that has local access to consumption through promotion of employment and services and does not require the car to access renewables. Edinburgh as there will be good public transport provision. It is also located away from flood risk areas. In the short term, it could also cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors as it could potentially focus development in areas that would require car use as employees would be located further from their work. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy.

155

Cultural Heritage: To safeguard ? The preferred strategy could have a potential minor impact on cultural and enhance the built and historic heritage as the Blindwells site is surrounded by a number of Scheduled environment. Ancient Monuments (6), Listed Buildings (16) and the site of the Battle of Prestonpans is located to the north west. Any development will need to ensure that these historical landmarks are protected and their setting not damaged. This should be mitigated through national legislation and local policies. The alternative strategy is unknown as it is not location specific although there are a number of Designed Landscapes that will need to be carefully addressed through the design of any proposed development. There are also numerous SAMs within East Lothian that will require protection. This should be applied through LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs.

Landscape & Townscape: To 0 The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on landscape or protect and enhance the townscape as the development will focus on an area of primarily open and landscape & townscapes within the vacant land that could potentially enhance the area. The alternative SESplan area, including proposal is unlikely to have any impact on landscape or townscape as the designated sites. development would be dispersed throughout the settlements and therefore would be minimal in terms of its impact. The siting and design of any development will need to carefully address the green network and key views within the landscape. Material Assets: To promote the 0 The preferred strategy may have an impact on mineral assets as the sustainable use of natural proposed development will take place primarily on a former open cast coal resources, including the mine. This would therefore prevent any further extractions being made to sustainable use of mineral the site. The alternative strategy is unlikely to have any impact on mineral resources and recycling of waste. assets. The recycling of waste is already undertaken by East Lothian Council and therefore any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites.

156

Population & Human Health: To 0 The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population improve the quality of life and and Human Health as it will provide opportunities for access to human health for communities in employment, affordable housing, services and potential new greenspace the SESplan area, including in a location which has got good public transport links. The alternative providing employment, affordable would have a neutral impact as development would be dispersed and housing, access to services and therefore potentially located into areas that did not have the same access greenspace. to amenities that the preferred strategy offers.

Soil: To protect the quality of soil The preferred strategy is focused initially on an area of brownfield land through the reuse of brownfield that will be regenerated. Further expansion, however, may require the land. development of greenfield sites and therefore could potentially have a minor negative impact. The alternative strategy might have a minor negative impact on soil as East Lothian has a limited amount of brownfield land available in the dispersed settlements and therefore greenfield sites would have to be sought to fulfil this commitment to development. This would seal soil and therefore damage the existing high quality soil in East Lothian as indicated through Prime Agricultural Land. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy will therefore be required for this SEA objective (see Table 6(b) for detailed assessment).

Water: To protect the quality of 0 0 It is unlikely that either strategy should have an impact on water status or water and prevent flooding as well flooding although in terms of the alternative strategy, any new as improvement to existing development areas in the LDP must be sited away from watercourses water/waste water infrastructure. within the area. In the case of Blindwells the assessment of flooding is ongoing but any future proposals to expand the settlement would have to take into account the findings of this assessment. Future development in Duns and Eyemouth would be subject to SEPA flood maps to ensure no sites with a significant risk of flooding would be identified; this would also be the case at Haddington and Musselburgh. Enhancements will be required in either instance to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.

157

Table 6(b): Results of assessment for East Coast Corridor

Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.

Potential Impact The alternative strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as it will focus development primarily on greenfield land and not focus on the reuse of brownfield. Developed land would therefore seal soil and generally lower the quality of soil in the area.

Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage from Assessment of residual effect: soil sealing. effect:

Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements

158

Table 7(a): Midlothian Borders Corridor

Strategy: • Preferred: Future development will continue to focus on the Core Development Areas (CDAs), based around transport corridors. There could be scope to promote up to 1,500 houses in the A7/A68/Borders rail corridor, building upon the new community and limited expansion of existing settlements. The A701 corridor could potentially accommodate a further 850 houses through limited extension of existing settlements • Alternative: The alternative to focusing growth on existing CDAs and Hubs is a strategy of more dispersed growth across a wider range of settlements through Midlothian and Scottish Borders

Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives

Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments

Air: To protect current air quality 0 Either strategy is unlikely to have a significant impact on air quality and provide opportunities for public although both strategies will require a rise in car usage due to their rural transport use. locality. The preferred strategy should be more neutral towards air quality as it focuses development in areas where there is public transport (specifically the Waverley Line), employment and services. The alternative strategy might focus development away from these services and thus encourage greater car usage. There is a significant poor air quality (PM10) recorded at Pathhead which occurs as a result of coal fires. Any further development should not exacerbate this problem. In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution.

159

Biodiversity: To protect and The preferred strategy may have a minor negative impact on biodiversity enhance biodiversity & habitats in as there are a considerable number of internationally/nationally the SESplan area and avoiding designated sites within this search area, most specifically the River Tweed irreversible losses to designated SAC which is located close to many of the Core Development Areas in the sites & species. Scottish Borders. An Appropriate Assessment will be required for any development sited in close proximity to the SAC. Nonetheless, long term areas for development have been identified that will not impact on the Tweed SAC. Furthermore, these designations would not be impacted by development in the A701 corridor. The alternative strategy might have a more major impact as development would be dispersed and could have a greater impact on the Tweed SAC network. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 7(b) for detailed assessment). SESplan will examine the potential to improve links between the CSGN and the Scottish Borders; this may bring potential to offset any negative impacts.

Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Climatic Factors emissions and reduce energy as it promotes development within areas that have good access to public consumption through promotion of transport specifically along the Waverley Line. In the short term, it could renewables. also cause construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors as it could potentially focus development in areas that would require greater car use. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy.

160

Cultural Heritage: To safeguard ? The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on Cultural Heritage and enhance the built and historic as it concentrates on areas that have already been assessed in terms of environment. archaeology, listed buildings, Ancient Scheduled Monuments and Gardens and designed Landscapes. Any site specific issues should be dealt with through Masterplanning and Development Briefs. The alternative strategy is identified as having an unknown impact as it would locate development in areas that have not yet been assessed. The siting and design of any new development would therefore require detailed assessment to ensure that it safeguards and enhances the built and historic environment. This should be through the Local Development Plan process protection. This should be applied through LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs.

Landscape & Townscape: To Both strategies may have a minor negative impact on landscape as there protect and enhance the are two NSAs within this search area: the Upper Tweeddale and Eildon landscape & townscapes within the Hills. There are also numerous AGLVs throughout Midlothian and the SESplan area, including Scottish Borders. Nonetheless, longer term areas for expansion have designated sites. already been identified with minimal impact on these landscape designations. The siting and design of any development will, however, need to carefully address the green network and key views within the landscape. Impact on the townscape of historic settlements in Midlothian and the Borders will also need to be considered. Material Assets: To promote the 0 0 Neither strategy should have any real impact on mineral assets as the sustainable use of natural development strategy should be dispersed through the Core Development resources, including the Areas or other settlements and therefore unlikely to be sited on key areas sustainable use of mineral required for extraction. The recycling of waste is already undertaken by resources and recycling of waste. Midlothian and Scottish Borders Council and therefore any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites.

161

Population & Human Health: To The preferred strategy will have a positive impact on Population and improve the quality of life and Human Health as it will encourage development in areas that already human health for communities in provide employment, services and are on the transport network through the SESplan area, including Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, most specifically the Waverley Line. providing employment, affordable Development should also provide affordable housing and enhanced housing, access to services and greenspace with either strategy. The alternative strategy is likely to have greenspace. less of a positive impact as it might allow dispersed development to take place in areas that do not provide access to the required services and public transport.

Soil: To protect the quality of soil Either strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as there through the reuse of brownfield are limited brownfield opportunities in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders land. and therefore any new development would rely primarily on greenfield development. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 7(b) for detailed assessment).

Water: To protect the quality of The preferred strategy may have a minor negative impact on water status water and prevent flooding as well and flooding as there are a considerable number of water courses in the as improvement to existing Scottish Borders of a high status adjacent or within the Core Development water/waste water infrastructure. Areas, most specifically the River Tweed. Nonetheless, long term areas for development have been identified that will not impact on the Tweed SAC. Furthermore, these designations would not be affected by development in the A701 corridor. The alternative strategy might have a more major impact as development would be dispersed and could have a greater impact on the Tweed flood risk area. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 7(b) for detailed assessment).

162

Table 7(b): Detailed assessment for Midlothian Borders Corridor

Significant issue: Biodiversity: To protect and enhance biodiversity & habitats in the SESplan area and avoiding irreversible losses to designated sites & species.

Potential Impact The alternative strategy might have a more major impact as development would be dispersed and could have a greater impact on the Tweed SAC network.

Mitigation: The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act (2004) underlines a ‘duty to further the conservation of biodiversity’ for all pubic bodies, and sets out more specific provisions within this. Any development in close proximity to the Tweed SAC will require an Appropriate Assessment to ensure that mitigation measures are undertaken to protect the biodiversity and habitat of the SAC. The siting and design of any proposed development areas will be key to protecting and enhancing the SAC. Replacement of riparian habitat and SUDS will be required as part of any development. This should be reflected in SESplan policy.

Nature of residual Short term pollution from construction works. Assessment of residual effect: effect: 0

Comments: A short term significant impact has been identified due to construction works. Medium and long term neutral impacts if siting and design of new developments address this issue through re-planting of riparian habitats and the creation of SUDS. An Appropriate Assessment will be required for any development sited in close proximity to the SAC.

Monitoring Classification of water status. Atlantic salmon, lamprey and otter population. requirements

163

Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.

Potential Impact Either strategy is likely to have a negative impact on soil quality as there are limited brownfield opportunities in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders and therefore any new development would rely primarily on greenfield development.

Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage Assessment of residual effect: effect: from soil sealing.

Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements

164

Significant issue: Water: To protect the quality of water and prevent flooding as well as improvement to existing water/waste water infrastructure.

Potential Impact The alternative strategy might have a more major impact as development would be dispersed and could have a greater impact on the Tweed flood risk area.

Mitigation: The Water Framework Directive translated into the Water Environment and Water Services Act (WEWS) 2003 aims to address all forms of pollution for water bodies. The River Tweed is part of the SEPA (2008) Draft River Basin Management Plans: Scotland River Basin District and Solway Tweed River Basin District aimed at improving the water environment. The siting and design of any proposed development areas will be important to protecting and enhancing the water status of the Tweed. The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill 2008 underlines that Local Authorities must exercise their flood risk related functions with a view to reducing overall flood risk. Sites therefore must not be designated for development if they are in the 1:100 or 1:200 flooding zone. In addition to these measures a future Flood Risk Management Plan would help nullify any flooding risks. SUDS will be required on any new development. This should be reflected in SESplan policy.

Nature of residual Construction works could exacerbate contamination in the short term. Assessment of residual effect: effect: 0

Comments: There is currently an ongoing HRA process which will establish the potential for any adverse likely significant effect on the River Tweed SAC and also potential mitigation proposals. It should therefore be noted that the conclusions of the HRA will influence the assessment at a later date.

Monitoring Classification of water status. Atlantic salmon, lamprey and otter population. SEPA’s flood risk mapping. requirements

165

Table 8(a): Fife Forth

Strategy: • Preferred: Additional housing and employment land allocations could be considered by the Local Development Plan that would continue the existing patterns of growth by focusing large expansions onto existing key settlements in locations accessible by a variety of transport modes • Alternative: The alternative approach would be a more dispersed pattern of growth over a wider area to include more settlements

Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives

Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments

Air: To protect current air quality Either strategy is unlikely to have a significant impact on air quality and provide opportunities for public although both strategies will require a rise in car usage due to their rural transport use. locality. The preferred strategy should have less of an impact on air quality as it focuses development in areas where there is public transport, employment and services. The alternative strategy might focus development away from these services and thus encourage greater car usage. In either case measures would have to be taken to ensure that areas close to AQMA thresholds (Appin Crescent, Dunfermline and Clair Street, Kirkcaldy) were not exacerbated by proposed development. Further detail regarding the mitigation and monitoring of this strategy is therefore required for this SEA objective (see Table 8(b) for detailed assessment). In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution.

166

Biodiversity: To protect and 0 Both options are likely to require the development of greenfield land. This enhance biodiversity & habitats in could have an impact on biodiversity habitats. The development of any the SESPlan area and avoiding settlements adjacent to the Firth of Forth SPA could bring a negative irreversible losses to designated impact, for example through a rise in visitors and leisure usage. However sites & species. any development will have to adhere to findings of the Appropriate Assessments for SESplan and relevant local plans. The promotion and development of the CSGN will help to offset development on greenfield land and will encourage sustainable transport and linked habitat creation. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ 0 The preferred strategy should have a positive impact on Climatic Factors emissions and reduce energy as it promotes development within areas that have good access to public consumption through promotion of transport and the potential positive impacts of the CSGN should also be renewables. considered. However in the short term, there could also be construction emissions that are potentially damaging to the climate. Nonetheless, development near any coastal towns such as Kirkcaldy should account for potential coastal flooding. The alternative strategy could have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors as it could potentially focus development in areas that would require greater car use. Planning policy for either strategy will need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and wave energy. Cultural Heritage: To safeguard ? The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any significant impact on the and enhance the built and historic cultural heritage of the area although there are key listed buildings present environment. along the coastal region of the Forth that will need protection from development and possible enhancement. There are some key designed landscapes also located along the Forth coast. The alternative strategy is assessed as having an unknown impact as it would depend on the siting and design of development. Any new development must ensure the built and historic environment is protected and enhanced. This should be applied through LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs.

167

Landscape & Townscape: To 0 The preferred strategy is unlikely to have an impact on landscape as there protect and enhance the are no nationally designated landscape sites within this search area. The landscape & townscapes within the siting and design of any development will, however, need to carefully SESPlan area, including address the green network and key views within the landscape, subject to designated sites. landscape capacity work. Impact on the townscape of historic settlements such as Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline will also need to be considered. The alternative strategy may have a more negative impact on Landscape & Townscape as it would require further land that has not been assessed in terms of landscape. Siting and design will be key to ensuring minimal impact. Material Assets: To promote the Neither strategy should have any real impact on mineral assets as the sustainable use of natural development strategy should be dispersed through the Core Development resources, including the Areas or other settlements and therefore unlikely to be sited on key areas sustainable use of mineral required for extraction. Nonetheless, this search area has been resources and recycling of waste. traditionally rich in minerals such as coal and therefore could have a minor negative impact. The recycling of waste is already undertaken by Fife Council and therefore any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites.

Population & Human Health: To The preferred strategy is likely to have a positive impact on Population improve the quality of life and and Human Health as it will trigger development in areas that already human health for communities in provide employment, services and are on the transport network in Fife. the SESPlan area, including Development should also provide affordable housing and enhanced providing employment, affordable greenspace. The alternative strategy may have a less positive impact as housing, access to services and development would be dispersed amongst the smaller settlements that greenspace. might not be able to provide such good amenities.

168

Soil: To protect the quality of soil 0 The preferred strategy should have a neutral impact on soil quality as Fife through the reuse of brownfield have quite a good supply of brownfield land within the settlements that land. could be regenerated. This will lessen the amount of greenfield required. The alternative strategy might have a minor negative impact on soil as dispersed settlements may have less brownfield potential and therefore greenfield sites would have to be sought to fulfil this commitment to development.

Water: To protect the quality of 0 It is unlikely that either strategy should have an impact on water status or water and prevent flooding as well flooding although in terms of the alternative strategy, any new as improvement to existing development areas in the LDP must be sited away from watercourses water/waste water infrastructure. within the area and ensure that water/waste water capacity can accommodate it. All flooding types should be identified in assessment of development proposals but any coastal development will also need to ensure it does not damage the Firth of Forth water status and does not exacerbate coastal flooding. Enhancements will be required in either instance to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.

169

Table 8(b): Detailed assessment for Fife Forth

Significant issue: Air: To protect current air quality and provide opportunities for public transport use.

Monitoring Monitoring of NO2 incidents. Edinburgh Air Quality Action Plan. % of public transport users verses % of car users. requirements

170

Table 9(a): West Lothian

Strategy: • Preferred: Potential development of 6000 further units in addition to maximum requirement identified in existing Structure Plan. Growth directed to Core Development Areas but must be linked with regeneration. • Alternative: Potential development of 6000 further units in addition to maximum requirement identified in existing Structure Plan. Growth directed to new allocations with a proportion in Core Development Areas.

Potential impacts of strategies on environmental objectives

Environmental objectives Preferred Alternative Comments

Air: To protect current air quality 0 0 Either strategy is unlikely to have a significant impact on air quality. Both and provide opportunities for public strategies should focus development towards areas where there is public transport use. transport, employment and services. There are good public transport links in West Lothian, specifically the Edinburgh to Glasgow train line, and this should discourage further car usage. In the short term, either strategy could have a slight impact on air quality due to construction pollution. The area around Broxburn High Street is close to AQMA designation and any development should ensure that air quality is not adversely affected.

171

Biodiversity: To protect and There are potential negative effects from both these approaches as there enhance biodiversity & habitats in will be loss of greenfield in order to meet the land requirements. Both the SESplan area and avoiding approaches would focus on regeneration which would in theory reuse irreversible losses to designated brownfield land. The alternative approach might rely on greenfield land if sites & species. brownfield sites have already been delivered. There are also a number of designated sites within the western section of Lothian West that would need to be protected from the impacts of development. The potential beneficial impacts of the CSGN should also be considered. Climatic Factors: To reduce CO₂ Either strategy should have a minor negative impact on Climatic Factors. emissions and reduce energy Both strategies would focus development in areas that are well served for consumption through promotion of public transport and do not have serious issues with flooding. LDP policy renewables. would need to focus on the reduction of emissions through building standards and the use of renewable energy resources.

Cultural Heritage: To safeguard ? The preferred strategy is unlikely to have any overall impact on the and enhance the built and historic cultural heritage of the area although there are important industrial SAMs environment. present in West Lothian, including the Union Canal, which will need safeguarded from development. There will also be considerable industrial archaeology, particularly on brownfield sites that will require investigation. LDP policies and Masterplanning or Development Briefs should ensure that the siting and design take account of the built and historical environment within the area. The alternative strategy is identified as having an unknown impact as it would locate development in areas that have not yet been assessed. The siting and design of any new development would therefore require detailed assessment to ensure that it safeguards and enhances the built and historic environment. This should be through the Local Development Plan process.

172

Landscape & Townscape: To 0 Both strategies should see improvements to townscape as they will protect and enhance the encourage the regeneration of brownfield sites. The preferred strategy landscape & townscapes within the should see a particular improvement to the regeneration of towns in the SESplan area, including western part of West Lothian. There should be no real impact on designated sites. landscape although the alternative strategy could potentially require greenfield sites. The siting and design of new development should be carefully addressed to support the green network and to fit with landscape capacity work undertaken. Material Assets: To promote the Neither strategy should have any real impact on mineral assets as the sustainable use of natural development strategy should be dispersed through the Core Development resources, including the Areas or other settlements and therefore unlikely to be sited on key areas sustainable use of mineral required for extraction. Nonetheless, this area is rich in minerals and resources and recycling of waste. therefore it could have a minor impact on the objective. The recycling of waste is already undertaken by West Lothian Council and therefore any new development would require to be incorporated into existing recycling schemes. Provision for ensuring that there are adequate resources to incorporate new development into the existing Local Waste Strategy would be required when designating sites.

Population & Human Health: To Both strategies are likely to have a positive impact on Population and improve the quality of life and Human Health as they will trigger development in areas that already human health for communities in provide employment, services and are on the transport network in West the SESplan area, including Lothian. Development should also provide affordable housing and providing employment, affordable enhanced greenspace with either strategy. Either proposal will benefit housing, access to services and local communities. greenspace.

173

Soil: To protect the quality of soil The preferred strategy should only have a minor negative impact on soil through the reuse of brownfield quality as areas that have already been identified for development have land. incorporated brownfield sites whenever possible. Nonetheless, there will be a certain amount of greenfield land required. The alternative strategy may have a more significant negative impact as it would require land that has not yet been assessed and would probably require greater amounts of greenfield land to deliver the strategy.

Water: To protect the quality of 0 It is unlikely that either strategy should have an impact on water status or water and prevent flooding as well flooding although in terms of the alternative strategy, any new as improvement to existing development areas in the LDP must be sited away from watercourses water/waste water infrastructure. within the area and ensure that water/waste water capacity can accommodate it. Enhancements will be required to the existing water supply and waste water capacity to cope with new development. Discussions with Scottish Water regarding capacities would be required as part of the LDP process.

174

Table 9(b): Detailed assessment for West Lothian

Significant issue: Soil: To protect the quality of soil through the reuse of brownfield land.

Potential Impact The alternative strategy may have a more significant negative impact as it would require land that has not yet been assessed and would probably require greater amounts of greenfield land to deliver the strategy.

Nature of residual Building construction causing short term contamination and medium term damage Assessment of residual effect: effect: from soil sealing.

Monitoring Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Survey. Local Authority’s Urban Capacity Study. requirements

175

Appendix C: Spatial Assessment of Strategic Growth Areas

Map 1 Location of Air Quality Management Areas 177

Map 2 Average Daily Vehicle Flows 178

Map 3 Strategic Road Network 179

Map 4 Strategic Rail Network 180

Map 5 Internationally Designated Sites 181

Map 6 Ancient Woodlands and Semi Natural Woodlands 182

Map 7 Domestic Gas CO2 Emissions 183

Map 8 Domestic Electricity CO2 Emissions 184

Map 9 Wind Energy 185

Map 10 World Heritage Sites 186

Map 11 Gardens & Designed Landscapes 187

Map 12 Scheduled Ancient Monuments 188

Map 13 Listed Buildings 189

Map 14 National Scenic Areas 190

Map 15 Regional Landscape Designations 191

Map 16 Predominant Land-use 192

Map 17 Urban Area 193

Map 18 Woodland Network 194

Map 19 Core Paths 195

Map 20 SUStran Cycle Routes 196

Map 21 Vacant & Derelict Land Survey 197

Map 22 SEPA Flooding Map 198

176

Map 1: Location of Air Quality Management Areas

Great Junction Street Edinburgh (NO2)

X X X Edinburgh Central (NO2)

X Pathhead Midlothian (PM10)

StJohns Road Edinburgh (NO2)

Key 1:647,000 ± XCore Hubs SESplan boundary

X Air Quality Management Area 07143.5 Kilometers

Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2009. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 2: Average Daily Vehicle Flows ± Key Core Hubs ! 261 - 6811 ! 6812 - 13665 ! 13666 - 22681 ! 22682 - 40857 ! 40858 - 68392 1:655,000 SESPlan 0482 Kilometers

To Dundee Routes to North East Scotland

M90 A92

A985

M9 Dunbar A1 Edinburgh M8 A71 To Glasgow

A702 A7 A68 Berwick-Upon-Tweed and routes to North East England

Galashiels

To South West Scotland and North West England

To North East England

To South West Scotland and North West England

± 1:817,000 Key CoreAreas_Buffer SESPlan A Roads of Strategic Importance 09184.5 Kilometers Motorways

To Aberdeen and North East Scotland

To Sterling

Falkirk Dunbar

Edinburgh

To Glasgow

Berwick-Upon-Tweed To South West Scotland and route to and North West England North East England Galashiels

Key 1:847,000 ± Core Hubs SESplan boundary Rail line 09184.5 Kilometers Proposed rail line

1:655,000 0482 Kilometers

Ancient Woodland Semi Natural Woodland Core Hubs SESPlan

0482 Kilometers 1:655,000

Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 !!!! ! Map 7: Domestic Gas CO2 Emissions !!!!! !! !!! !! ! !! !!!!!! !!!! !!! !!! Key ! !! !! ± !! !!! ! !! !!! Domestic Gas !! !!!!!!! !!!!!!! ! !!! !!!!! !! !! !!!! ! 0 - 653 !!!! ! ! !! !!!!!! ! !!!!! !! ! !! !!!!!!! !!! ! 654 - 2210 !!! !! ! !! !!!! !!! !!! !!!!!! ! ! !!!! ! ! 2211 - 4290

! !! !!! ! !!!!! !!! !! 4291 - 7820 !!! ! !!!!!!!! !! ! !!!!!!!!!!!! !!! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!! !! !! ! !!!!!!!!! !!!! !!! !!! 7821 - 15100 ! !!! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! !! ! !!!!!!!!!!!! !! ! !! ! !!!!!!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!! !!!!! ! Core Hubs !! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!! ! !!! !!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!! ! ! !!!!!!! !! ! !! !!! !!!!! !! !! !!! !! SESPlan ! !!! !! ! ! !!! !!! !! 0482 Kilometers !!! !! ! ! !!! ! !! !! 1:655,000 ! !! ! !!! !!! ! !

! !

! !! ! !!! ! ! !! !!! !!!!! !! !! !! !!! !! ! ! !!

! !! !

!! !!! !! !

Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 8: Domestic Electricity !! !!!!!! !!!!!!! CO2 Emissions !!!!!! !!!! !! !!! !!! !! ± ! !! Key !! !! !! !!! !! ! !!!!!! !!!!!!!! Domestic Electricity !! !! ! ! !! ! !!!!!! 0 - 707 ! !!!! !! ! ! ! !!! !!!! !! !! !! ! !!! ! !! 708 - 2310 !!!!!! ! !!!! ! ! ! 2311 - 4610 ! !! !!! !!!! !! !! !!! !! !!!!!!! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!! !!! 4611 - 8380 ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! !! !!!!!!!!! !!!! ! ! !!! ! !!! ! !!!!!!!!! !!! !!!! !!! ! !!! !!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! 8381 - 15400 !! ! !!!!!!!!!! !! !!! !!!!! !!!!!!!!!! ! !! !!!! !!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!! !! ! !!!!!! ! !! !!! !! Core Hubs !! !!!! !! !!! !!! ! !!! !! !!! !! ! !!! !! ! !!!! !!! ! !! 0482 Kilometers !! !! ! SESPlan !! ! !!! 1:655,000 ! !!! ! !! !!! !

! ! ! !

! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !!!! !! !! !!! !! ! ! !!

! ! ! ! ! !! !! !

0482 Kilometers 1:655,000

Gardens & Designed Landscapes Core Hubs SESPlan

0482 Kilometers 1:655,000

Core Hubs National Sceneic Areas SESPlan

1:655,000 0482 Kilometers

Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. City of Edinburgh Council, 2010. OS Licence Number: 100023420 Map 15: Regional ± Landscape Designations Key Areas of Geat Landscape Value Country Parks SESPlan Core Hubs

0 2 4 8 Kilometers 1:655,000

)" Agricultural )" Forestry )" Agriculture/Minerals

)" Urban )" Arable )" Water )" Military/Agriculture )" Grazing )" Horticulture Core Hubs SESPlan 0482 Kilometers 1:655,000

Urban areas Core Hubs SESPlan

0482 Kilometers 1:655,000

Core Hubs SESPlan

0482 Kilometers 1:655,000

Core paths Core Hubs SESPlan

1:655,000 0482 Kilometers

0482 Kilometers 1:655,000

2009 Vacant & Derelict Land Core Hubs SESPlan

1:655,000 0482 Kilometers

SEPA Flood Map Coastal SEPA Flood Map Fluvial

Core Hubs SESPlan

1:655,000 0482 Kilometers

Strategic Environmental Assessment Process in Preparation of Proposed Plan

1. Introduction

1.1 The SESplan Proposed Plan has been subject to a process of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to meet the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the ‘Act’). The ‘Act’ commits all public programmes, plans and strategies to SEA.

1.2 The purpose of Strategic Environmental Assessment is to show what effects on the environment a plan or strategy will bring but also to influence a plan or strategy, for example through identification and avoidance of negative environmental impacts or promotion of positive environmental impacts.

1.3 The production of the Proposed Plan and the SEA has run concurrently. This has been done to ensure that the SEA has been able to influence the Proposed Plan, as the Proposed Plan has changed so has the SEA, this is because the assessment on the environment has changed; in effect there is iteration between the two production processes.

2. Purpose of the Addendum 2.1 The purpose of this Addendum is to show how the iterative process between the production of the Proposed Plan and the production of the SEA has taken place and what outcomes and conclusions have resulted.

3. Description of the SEA process towards the Proposed Plan 3.1 The initial Strategic Environmental Assessment process related to the Main Issues Report of SESplan; the outcome of this work was the Environmental Report. The latter work, in relation to production of the Proposed Plan, resulted in the Addendum to the Environmental Report. The stages are shown below, with further explanatory detail in Section 4:

• Main Issues Report and SEA o Scoping Report o MIR Environmental Report

• Proposed Plan and SEA o Addendum to Environmental Report

• Outcomes and conclusions of the iterative process

4. Main Issues Report and SEA 4.1 To illustrate the initial iterative process a short description is given of the purpose of these stages:

1 Scoping Report 4.2 The scoping report completed a review of potential policies, programmes and strategies which were being considered in the preparation of the Main Issues Report (MIR), this review was used to identify SEA objectives. In addition the Scoping report identified relevant baseline information for the SESplan area and existing and potential future environmental issues which could influence or be influenced by SESplan.

4.3 In accordance with Schedule 2 of the ‘Act’ the baseline was assessed to establish whether the environmental effects, either positive or negative, were likely to be significant. It was found that all elements of the baseline should be scoped ‘in’, meaning there were potential significant effects identified.

MIR Environmental Report 4.4 The MIR Environmental Report used the baseline and SEA objectives identified in the Scoping Report to assess the potential significant effects on the environment, both positive and negative, of implementing the SESplan MIR. In addition to this, effects of alternatives to MIR policies were outlined and evaluated, as well as actions to prevent, reduce or mitigate any significant adverse environmental effects.

4.5 The MIR Environmental Report went to consultation alongside the SESplan MIR for a period of 3 months, running from June to August 2010.

4.6 Following the consultation period on the MIR Environmental Report the 3 statutory Consultation Authorities, Historic Scotland, SEPA and SNH provided responses. In the months between October 2010 and February 2011 work on updating the Environmental Report was carried out in conjunction with the Consultation Authorities.

4.7 A key area of the work with the Consultation Authorities concerned identifying changes which would help to improve the assessment in the Environmental Report and, as a result, the SESplan area environment. The changes that were identified are shown in Annex 1. The changes helped to improve the assessment by making the baseline more robust and by changing the assessment findings to be more positive on the SEA objectives.

5. Proposed Plan and SEA

Addendum to Environmental Report 5.1 As a result of the iterative process between the Proposed Plan production and the SEA production there are a number of changes between the MIR and the Proposed Plan, these are shown in Annex 2. To tie in with the Strategic Environmental Assessment Annex 2 also shows whether the changes are neutral, positive or negative in their impact on the SEA objectives.

5.2 The overall changes arose from the Environmental Report, the SESplan Spatial Strategy Assessment, in particular regarding the allocation of strategic development areas, and from further policy updates, such as the requirements resulting from the Zero Waste Plan

2 6. Outcomes and conclusions of the SEA process for the Proposed Plan

6.1 The Addendum and Annex 2 bring together the overall changes from the iterative process from MIR to Proposed Plan and their influence on the SEA objectives.

Outcomes 6.2 The main outcomes from the Addendum are shown below:

- There are positive impacts on the Climatic Factors objective through the promotion of updated renewable energy targets, the Zero Waste Plan, accessibility of housing, promotion of sustainable transport and promotion of the Green Network;

- In turn these policies, should mean a positive impact on the Air objective, by helping to prevent adverse impacts on air quality;

- There are positive impacts on the Landscape and Townscape SEA objective as housing is contained within Strategic Development Areas, there is extension of the green belts policy, mention of the benefits of green networks and requirement to identify areas for green network proposals, and mention of the need to assess impacts of renewable energy on the landscape.

- The Green Network, Other Countryside Designations, Energy and Transport updates will also have benefits for the Population and Human health. These should consolidate the positive assessment for the objective from the initial MIR Environmental Report.

- The Green Network, Green Belt and Other Countryside Designations policies will have a positive impact on the Biodiversity objective.

- The promotion of the Zero Waste Plan and use of secondary and recycled aggregates (Minerals) will have a positive impact on the Material Assets objective

Conclusions 6.3 The Addendum shows that the iterative process between the production of the Proposed Plan and the production of the SEA has resulted in positive changes for the environment of the SESplan area. The outcomes show there are positive changes for the SEA objectives concerning Climatic Factors, Air, Landscape and Townscape, Population and Human Health, Material Assets and Biodiversity.

6.4 Overall this means that the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment, to identify the environmental effects and to influence the plan or strategy production, have been achieved.

Annex 1: Changes from Consultation Stage for Environmental Report SEA Objective Change to be included Level of Action Air - Ensure that air quality does not LDPs deteriorate in existing AQMAs - Ensure that further AQMA designation is avoided in identified LDPs hotspot areas - Ensure there are no long-term negative effects to air quality from construction work on transport LDPs /transport bodies infrastructure Biodiversity - Ensure that HRA findings are SNH/SESplan/ LDPs adhered to, so sites with international designations are protected - Promote development of the CSGN and other habitat networks SESplan/ LDPs Climate - Ensure national renewable energy LDPs targets are met - Ensure climate change adaptation is tackled - Link climate change adaptation to protection and enhancement of the CSGN Cultural - Ensure a region-wide suite of LDPs Heritage indicators to monitor the built and historic environment Landscape and - Ensure SESplan wide landscape Local Authorities Townscape capacity work is available to preserve landscape from damage by SESplan allocations - Link promotion of the CSGN to landscape improvements in the SESplan area Material Assets - No further action identified Population and - Promote access to the CSGN and SESplan/ LDPs Human Health other habitat and path networks Soil - No further action identified Water - Strategic flood risk assessment SESplan- Action Plan - Ensure availability of flooding assessments or equivalent documents across the SESplan area - Digitalisation of flood defences and areas at risk of flooding across SESplan area

4 Annex 2: Iteration between MIR and Proposed Plan Policy Areas MIR Proposed Plan Positive, negative or neutral change SEA objectives affected Sustainable Development Sustainable Development POSITIVE Climatic The plan aims to bring sustainable Factors, Preferred Approach Throughout the Proposed Plan development through in its policies Biodiversity, General approach is to encourage overall sustainable development is embedded wherever possible. International and Population and sustainability within the SDP and to embed the in the plan content. national designations for the natural Human Health principle throughout the plan content as opposed to and built environment are afforded a standalone section For example the, Spatial Strategy protection; enhancement of the natural (Policy 1B) states: and built environment to improve quality Alternative Approach of life is proposed and; work to mitigate None - Ensure that there are no significant and adapt to climate change is also adverse impacts on the integrity of proposed international and local designations, in particular National Scenic Areas, Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, SSSI and AGLV and any other Phase 1 Habitats or European Protected Species

- Ensure that there are no significant adverse impacts on the integrity of international and national built or cultural heritage sites in particular World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Royal Parks and Sites listed in the inventory of Gardens and

5 Designated Landscapes - Have regard to the need to improve the quality of life in local communities by conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment to create more healthy and attractive places to live; - Contribute to the response to climate change, through mitigation and adaptation; and - Have regard to the need for high quality design, energy efficiency and the use of sustainable building materials. Infrastructure Infrastructure NEUTRAL There is no change between the MIR Preferred Approach The Proposed Plan states that and the Proposed Plan that affects the To develop a policy framework for the LDPs to infrastructure required to deliver the assessment of the SEA objectives bring forward the land required to deliver the development of the Spatial Strategy is spatial strategy dependent on the availability of identified in the SESplan Action essential infrastructure. Programme. Close partnership working between SESplan, member authorities (there is also a paragraph on developer and key agencies, and; the necessity contributions, Tax Increment Financing and for consideration of developer community infrastructure funds) contributions at LDP level are also mentioned. Alternative Approach None

Policy The Strategic Development Plan (SDP) identifies through its Action Programme

6 infrastructure required to deliver the development of the strategy. Local Development Plans (LDPs) will:

a) Safeguard land to accommodate the necessary infrastructure including transport required to deliver the SDP;

b) Provide policy guidance that will require sufficient infrastructure to be available, or its provision to be committed, before development can proceed. Any exceptions will have to be justified to the satisfaction of the local planning authority and will not set a precent for the wider SESplan area; and

c) Pursue the delivery of infrastructure through developer contributions, funding from infrastructure providers or other appropriate means, including the promotion of alternative delivery mechanisms.

Transport Transport POSITIVE Air, Climatic The Proposed Plan supports a more Factors and Preferred Approach It is stated that in collaboration with sustainable transport system and Population and To guide new development, where possible, to Transport Scotland and SEStran the encourages less car traffic and greater Human Health locations that are well served by public transport or Proposed Plan will support public transport accessibility. accessible by walking or cycling, thereby reducing development of a sustainable transport

7 the need to travel by private car, reducing the system. impact on CO2 emissions and air quality, and encouraging the use of more sustainable modes of Policy transport. The SDP should improve accessibility LDPs will: and transport choice for all sectors of the a) Ensure that major development is community and safeguard land for potential directed to locations that support improvements to the transport network travel by public transport, foot and cycle; Support medium and long term proposals (Forth Replacement Crossing, HSR to London etc) b) Ensure that new development minimises the generation of Work collaboratively (Transport Scotland, SEStran additional car traffic, including etc) to promote public transport, walking and through the application of mode cycling to contribute to achieving the 40% share targets and car parking reduction of CO2 emissions by 2020 set by the standards that relate to public Scottish Government. transport accessibility; and

New development that generates significant c) Relate density and type of volumes of goods movement will be guided to development to public transport locations well served by rail or sea. Where accessibility. movement by lorry is inevitable will be guided to locations close to the motorway or trunk road network.

Alternative Approach None Employment Land Employment Land NEUTRAL There is no change between the MIR Preferred Approach The Proposed Plan provides a means and the Proposed Plan that affects the SDP will set out a broad framework directing the to support job creation through setting a assessment of the SEA objectives emerging LDP strategies to promote the Spatial Strategy for economic development of the identified strategic economic development with a focus of growing

8 growth points in highly accessible and sustainable key sectors in a sustainable manner. locations, linked as far as possible to existing areas with large populations and to areas of population Policy growth. Employment growth in the identified key The SDP supports the development of a sectors will be set out in the SDP strategy. This will range of marketable sites of the size be supported by an adequate supply of non- and quality to meet the requirements of strategic land allocations for employment purposes business and industry within the to assist in local job creation and to reduce the SESplan area. LDPs will support the need to travel for employment opportunities. These retention of the quantity of the will be designated in the emerging LDPs. established strategic employment land supply as identified below: A sufficient supply of land should continue to be allocated for employment purposes but more effort Hectares is required to improve its range, quality and Regional Core 250ha effectiveness. Allocations should be appropriately East Coast 100ha located to support the SDP growth strategy. The Fife Forth 450ha existing effective land supply and sites with minor Midlothian/Borders 130ha constraints should be protected from other West Lothian 150ha alternative uses.

Alternative Approach To decentralise the strategic allocations over a wider area distributing job growth more evenly over the wider SDP area and promoting wider sustainability, or a combination of approaches. Town Centres and Retailing Town Centres and Retailing NEUTRAL There is no change between the MIR Preferred Approach The Proposed Plan identifies a network and the Proposed Plan that affects the Edinburgh City Centre lies at the heart of the of centres and growth of the retail assessment of the SEA objectives SESplan area…and offers a very high level of sector will be supported through accessibility by public transport. It performs a directing development to appropriate broad range of strategic functions including centres

9 shopping, offices, leisure, culture, tourism and government. The continued vitality and viability of Policy retailing in the city centre is essential to support Local Development Plans will: economic activity and maintain the competitiveness and positive image of the whole SESplan area. The a) Identify town centres and city centre should continue to serve as the regional commercial centres clearly defining centre for the whole SDP area offering a wide their roles; range of higher order retailing. The SDP strategy will continue to support and further promote this b) Support and promote the network of role. sites as shown in Table 1, and identify measures necessary to Further retail and commercial and business protect these centres including development will be supported in five other setting out the criteria to be strategic town centres in the SESplan area that addressed when assessing serve wider geographical areas these are: development proposals; and Livingston, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Glenrothes and Galashiels. Whilst the scale of these centres is c) Promote a sequential approach to different they all perform a strategic function. the selection of locations for retail Appropriate development will also be promoted in and commercial leisure proposals. existing commercial centres ensuring they do not Any exceptions identified through undermine the roles of the city centre of other LDPs should be fully justified. strategic town centres or attempts to regenerate any town centres. This will be determined by the LDP strategies. Support for other town and local centres in the SESplan area will also be promoted in the Growth Corridor strategies with specific policies and land allocations being set out in the emerging LDPs.

Alternative Approach

The alternative would be to identify Edinburgh City

10 Centre as the main centre in the SDP, and allow individual authorities to set their own retail strategies for other centres through the LDP process.

Housing Housing NEUTRAL The increase in the housing figures will Preferred Approach Housing Land not change the existing assessment The preferred approach is to provide additional The overall housing figure for the period because an increase of 7,400 is a land to accommodate a further 27,000 new houses 2009-2032 increases by 7,400 to proportionate increase that can be for all tenures in accordance with the ‘market 34,100. The Proposed Plan identifies a accommodated given the time-scale recovery’ scenario, and to distribute the land within requirement for 10,150 new homes over and the size of the SESplan area. the key growth areas identified within existing the period 2009-2024. LDPs will structure plans. This is based on a more realistic allocate sites capable of development To better explain the approach to forecast of development over the next 10 years, within the identified Strategic selecting the preferred strategic allowing for strong increases in building rates, but Development Areas over the period to development areas, a spatial strategy reduced from the projected GROS figures. This 2019. LDPs will also allocate sites to assessment (SSA) was undertaken growth will be directed into those areas identified meet the housing land requirement over after the MIR. The outcomes of this are for long term development where it is anticipated the period 2019-2024. set out in the SSA technical note. The that infrastructure will become available, first stage of the assessment process maximising its impact. Policy was to sieve out areas not suitable for The SDP identifies that there is an strategic development taking account of This scenario still provides flexibility with a additional requirement for land for national and international environmental generous supply of land, with the inclusion of 10,150 new homes to be identified over designations and accessibility analysis. allowances to meet the shortfall within the second the period 2009-2024. As set out in The remainder was divided into 30 sub- phase of the plan from 2019-2024. It recognises Tables 3 and 4, LDPs will allocate sites areas which were assessed against a that this would provide for a build rate some 30% capable of development within the range of criteria including environmental higher than has previously been achieved. identified Strategic Development Areas considerations. The assessment results over the period to 2019 (3,300 new set out in the SSA technical note The additional land for strategic and local housing homes) and 2019-2024 (6,850 new appendices provide information to needs over the SDP plan period would be homes). complement the environment report.

11 distributed throughout a series of Strategic Growth These help explain the environmental Areas within the SESplan area. LDPS will where appropriate indicate effects of the preferred strategic the phasing and mix of uses for those development areas and the non- Alternative Approach sites identified. preferred locations for strategic The alternative approach would be to make development which are included in the provision for sufficient land to accommodate the alternative approach. ‘high growth’ scenario of around 45,000 new Housing Land Flexibility houses and to provide the long term spatial Allows provision for Local Planning distribution for the additional 18,000 new houses Authorities to bring forward housing to NEUTRAL (in addition to the 27,000 houses identified under the earlier period (2009-2019) rather The scale of any changes in phasing the preferred approach) for the period beyond than the later period (2019-2024) and the size of the SESplan region 2024. Whilst some of this additional growth could mean that a likely significant effect is be accommodated in existing growth corridors it is Policy unlikely especially given the Spatial likely that other potential growth areas including the Local Planning Authorities may consider Strategy Assessment. existing green belt would require to be considered re-phasing the allocations specified for as a means of meeting this level of growth the SDAs over the periods 2009-2019 and 2019-2024…to bring forward the The existing structure plans contain existing 2019-2024 requirement to the 2009- allocations to be developed over the periods up to 2019 period where there is justification 2015 and 2026. The allocation of additional land for to meet local needs or development housing development as required by the ‘high would meet community regeneration growth’ scenario could compromise the objectives. Local Development Plans implementation of the identified committed will identify the relevant criteria allocations and is therefore not supported.

Housing land development outwith Strategic Development Areas Greenfield proposals outwith the identified SDAs will not be supported except those identified through LDPs and where they satisfy all of the POSITIVE Landscape and following criteria: Further large scale proposals are not Townscape

12 a) Development is small scale and in supported and for development out with keeping with the character of the the SDAs to be supported it must be settlement and local area small scale and in keeping with the local b) Development will not undermine area. Green Belt objectives; and c) Any additional infrastructure required as a result of the development is either committed or to be funded by the developer. Affordable Housing Affordable Housing NEUTRAL There is no change between the MIR Preferred Approach The SDP reaffirms the Scottish and the Proposed Plan that affects the The SDP will continue to support the delivery of Planning benchmark figure of 25%, assessment of the SEA objectives affordable housing. The benchmark target for LDPs will set out an appropriate affordable housing provision within each LDP approach to affordable housing should be at least 25% as required by national provision, compliant with SPP. guidance, unless a different percentage target can be justified by local need. Due to the changing (There is no affordable housing policy) nature of local need and the differing characteristics of each of the SESplan partner authorities the percentage of affordable housing provisions will be informed by ongoing local housing assessments.

Alternative Approach The alternative policy approach is for the SDP targets to set targets for provision of affordable housing for each of the SESplan partner authorities as informed by ongoing local assessments for increased certainty in delivery. Green Network Green Network POSITIVE Biodiversity, Climate,

13 Preferred Approach Policy It is recognised in the Proposed Plan Landscape and The preferred approach is to develop an The SDP supports the creation of a that the CSGN will deliver multiple Townscape and overarching policy within the SDP which sets out strategic Green Network including the benefits including assisting in mitigating Population and the opportunities for the development, protection Central Scotland Green Network and and adapting to climate change and Human Health and enhancement of the green network, blue the Scottish Borders Green Network. creating more health promoting network and other habitat networks through south LDPs will identify opportunities to environments and sustainable east Scotland. Such a policy would provide contribute to the development and economic growth. guidance for each of the LDPs and implementing extension of the Green Network and agencies as to how the green network should be mechanisms through which they can be supported and protected from inappropriate delivered. development and enhanced to provide multi- benefits to the urban and rural environments.

The detailed guidance, frameworks and masterplans will continue to evolve through existing and future partnership working arrangements, and it is for the emerging LDPs to designate green network opportunities at the local level in consultation with partner delivery organisations.

Alternative Approach None

Green Belt Green Belt POSITIVE Biodiversity, The Dunfermline Green Belt is now Landscape and Preferred Approach Policy- Green Belts brought into the policy. The landscape Townscape, and Long-term development strategy is to follow the Local Development Plans will define setting and opportunities for access and Population and ‘market recovery’ scenario and each of the SGAs and maintain Green Belts around open space, as well as the CSGN, are Human Health set out areas of search for future growth, including Edinburgh and to the south west of all considered. areas where it is considered appropriate to relase Dunfermline for the following purpose land from the current extent of the Edinburgh to:

14 Green Belt. Any release has been considered a) Maintain the identity and character against other wider SDP redevelopment and of Edinburgh and Dunfermline and regeneration their neighbouring towns, and prevent coalescence, unless Alternative Approach otherwise justified by the LDP None settlement strategy; b) Maintain the landscape setting of these settlements; and c) Provide opportunities for access to open space and the countryside

LDPs will define Green Belt boundaries to conform to these purposes, ensuring that the strategic growth requirements of the SDP can be accommodated. LDPs should define the types of development appropriate within Green Belts. Opportunities for contributing to the Central Scotland Green Network proposals should also be identified in these areas.

Policy- Other Countryside Designations LDPs should review and justify additions or deletions to other countryside designations fulfilling a POSITIVE Biodiversity, similar function to those of the Green Climate, Belt as appropriate. Opportunities for Identification of Green Network Landscape and contributing to the Green Network proposals in other countryside Townscape, and proposals should also be identified in designations will allow development of Population and these areas. the benefits identified for the Green Human Health Network policy.

15 Energy Energy POSITIVE Climate, There is a statement on the cumulative Landscape and Preferred Approach (Climate Change and Energy) The Proposed Plan states that impacts of wind farms on the landscape Townscape, Energy consumption can be addressed through the consideration of location, landscape, and the need to consider location, Population and planning system in relation to locational decisions environmental quality and community landscape, environmental quality and Human Health for housing and employment, reducing the need to impacts will be required for onshore community impacts. The national policy traveland ensuring best use of existing resources developments i.e. wind farms in East targets for renewable energy generation and infrastructure. At the SGA level, consideration Lothian, the Scottish Borders and West have been updated. of alternative heating options for developments, Lothian are subject to concerns about such as district heating and combined heat and cumulative impacts and LDPs should power, and sustainable construction and undertake an assessment of the impact development will also contribute. of development

Preferred Approach (Renewables) Policy The SDP will support the production of energy from The SDP seeks to promote sustainable renewable sources, addressing the range of energy sources. Local Development technologies, including on and offshore wind, tidal, Plans will; biomass and energy from waste. The decentralisation of energy and heat supply will be a) Support the future development and supported, where it can provide opportunities for associated infrastructure innovation and contribute to the delivery of more requirements of Logannet and sustainable communities. Cockenzie power stations in relation to their role as non nuclear, The proposed plan will provide general support baseload capacity generators, subject to locational criteria for the development of Energy Park Fife at Methil, and further wind farms at the regional level in developments connected with appropriate locations recognising that the potential offshore renewable energy in Leith capacity in some areas is restricted, with the LDPs and Rosyth; and where appropriate to identify future search areas with scope for future development. The SDP will b) Set a framework for the also provide a positive policy framework for the encouragement of renewable development of community and other renewable energy proposals, taking into

16 sources. account relevant economic, social, environmental and transport Alternative Approach considerations. None

Minerals Minerals POSITIVE Material Assets. It is stated that any extraction should be Preferred Approach Policy environmentally and socially acceptable The SDP will support the development of a plan- LDPs will; and that the use of secondary and led approach to mineral extraction and protection recycled aggregates should be of existing mineral reserves, based on a review of a) Review the need to identify areas of encouraged mineral resources and demand at regional level. It search for aggregate minerals and will also consider the issues of mineral sterilisation, coal, or, where appropriate, specific mineral extraction, the use of recycled and sites, having regard to national secondary aggregates and the appropriate after guidance and other environmental use of mineral sites. objectives of the SDP.

The preferred approach is to set a general b) Set out the criteria to be addressed framework in the SDP which will be used in the when assessing individual assessment of proposals and will be further proposals, including restoration and developed in LDPs. It is not proposed to identify enhancement. any areas of search in the SDP but the principles and criteria set out may be used to identify areas of c) Safeguard mineral resources from search in the LDPs. The preferred approach is to sterilisation where the deposits are work minerals as close as practially possible where of a sufficient scale or quality to be need arises, to minimise transport movements, of potential commercial interest and balanced by regard to other relevant environmental their extraction is technically factors. Wherever feasible transport of minerals feasible and may be carried out in a should be done by rail or water. way that is environmentally and socially acceptable. The need for Alternative Approach safeguarding should be considered None alongside the development strategy

17 for the area; and

d) Support and encourage the use of secondary and recycled aggregates Water and Flooding Water and Flooding NEUTRAL It is stated that new development Preferred Approach Policy should avoid areas of medium to high Key issues for the SDP are related to the future flood risk. In preventing demand for services, and ensuring that the water Local Development Plans will; deterioration/promoting enhancement of environment is restored and maintained in line with the water environment there is support the Water Framework Directive, the Flood Risk a) Identify areas of flood risk and of relevant national policy objectives. Management (Scotland) Act 2009 and River Basin priority flood schemes to assist in Management Plan objectives. The general the reduction of overall flood risk; However these changes do not change approach will be to identify future growth areas that the initial assessment undertaken for minimise the requirement for water and water b) Avoid new development in areas at the Updated Environment Report treatment and to avoid the risk of flooding, medium to high flood risk and including the development of a SFRA process. The safeguard areas which help Scotland River and Solway-Tweed River Basin contribute to reducing overall flood Management Plans will provide important input into risk; and the policy and implementation framework for water resource issues. Also taking account of the flood c) Make provision to prevent risk management requirements of recent deterioration of the water legislation, a policy framework will be developed environment resulting from new that brings together the objectives of both to development, and where ensure effective performance in the water appropriate promote enhancement environment of the water environment.

Alternative Approach None Waste Waste POSITIVE Climate, Material Through support of the ZWP the Assets.

18 Preferred Approach Policy SESplan area should help towards The SDP therefore supports a planned approach to Local Development plans will; national policy targets to reduce CO2 waste management and SESplan will work with emissions. SEPA and local authorities to improve the data a) Encourage proposals for the held on existing capacity and on forecast demand, recycling and recovery of waste to take account of the factors that may signal where the proposal is in accordance strategic locational requirements across the with the Zero Waste Plan (ZWP), SESplan area taking into account relevant economic, social, environmental and Alternative Approach- transport considerations; None b) Consider proposals for landfill development where the facility is supported by the ZWP and SEPA Landfill Capacity Reports, and taking into account relevant economic, social, environmental and transport considerations;

c) Safeguard Easter Langlee, Millerhill Marshalling Yards, Oxwellmains and Westfield as sites for waste treatment facilities.

19 You can get this document, in Braille, large print and various formats if you ask us. Please contact ITS on 0131 242 8181 and quote reference number 11990.

ITS can also give information on community language translations.

You can get more copies of this document by calling 0131 524 5165.

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