Appropriate Assessment for Somerset

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Appropriate Assessment for Somerset Authorities Core Strategies: Somerset Levels and Moors and Severn Estuary (Bridgwater Bay) Natura 2000 sites Scoping Report Volume 1 Main Report

Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies Appropriate Assessment October 2009 Final Scoping Report 9T3999

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Document title Appropriate Assessment for Somerset Authorities Core Strategies: Somerset Levels and Moors and Severn Estuary (Bridgwater Bay) Natura 2000 sites Scoping Report Document short title Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies Appropriate Assessment Scoping Report Status Final Scoping Date October 2009 Project name Appropriate Assessment for Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies Project number 9T3999 Client Somerset County Council Reference 9T3999/EXT/Scoping

Drafted by Laura Covington

Checked by Peter Thornton Date/initials check ……PT……………. Approved by Peter Thornton Date/initials approval ……PT…………….

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

Appropriate Assessment

The need for an ‘Appropriate Assessment’ arises under the requirements of the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and its implementation in the UK under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 (known as the ‘Habitats Regulations’). Under Regulation 48(1), an Appropriate Assessment is required for a plan or project, which either alone or in combination with other plans or projects, is likely to have a significant effect on a European Site and which is not directly connected with the management of the site. A European Site is either a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Special Protection Area (SPA), and form part of an EU wide suite of such sites referred to as the Natura 2000 network. Government policy, as stated in Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 9, is that sites designated under the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar sites) should also be subject to the provisions of the Habitats Regulations.

An Appropriate Assessment is a decision by the 'Competent Authority', in this case Somerset County Council, Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, South Somerset District Council, and Taunton Deane Borough Council, as to whether their Core Strategies can be determined as not having an adverse effect on the integrity of any European Sites.

An adverse effect on integrity is likely to be one that prevents the site from maintaining the same contribution to favourable status for the relevant feature(s), as it did when the site was designated. Only where a plan or project can be determined by the Competent Authority as not having an adverse effect on site integrity, can it be allowed to proceed.

The favourable conservation status of the site is defined through the site's conservation objectives and it is against these objectives that the effects of the plan or project must be assessed. Regulation 85B(1) requires that a person applying to carry out a plan or project, which requires Appropriate Assessment, shall provide information to the Competent Authority as may be reasonably required for the purposes of the assessment.

Focus of the Scoping Report

The Scoping Report concerns an Appropriate Assessment of the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/Ramsar and Severn Estuary (Bridgwater Bay) SPA/cSAC/ Ramsar sites only, as the two Natura 2000 sites have related and overlapping functioning ecosystems and therefore they could be treated as an entity. Other Natura 2000 sites in Somerset will undergo a separate assessment by the individual local authorities concerned.

The Core Strategies covered by this scoping report are:

• Mendip District Council Core Strategy Issues and Options Report; • Sedgemoor District Council Core Strategy Issues and Options Report; • South Somerset District Council Core Strategy Issues and Options Report; and • Taunton Deane Borough Council Local Plan and Emerging Allocations.

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Aim of Scoping Report

The aim of the Scoping Report is to:

1. Identify those policies and options for each of the Core Strategies which are likely to have a significant impact on the Somerset Levels SPA/ Ramsar and the Severn Estuary cSAC/ SPA/ Ramsar sites. These will be carried forward to the next stage of the process. 2. Identify those policies and options for each of the Core Strategies which could potentially have a significant impact on the Somerset Levels SPA/ Ramsar and the Severn Estuary cSAC/ SPA/ Ramsar sites. These will be carried forward to the next stage of the process as there is not enough detail to scope these out at present. 3. Identify which policies are not considered likely to have a significant effect on the Somerset Levels SPA/ Ramsar and the Severn Estuary cSAC/ SPA/ Ramsar sites. These have been scoped out and will not be considered further after this report.

Sites Considered under this Assessment

• The Somerset Levels and Moors Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar; and • The Severn Estuary SPA, candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) and Ramsar.

With regard to the above sites, it is necessary to consider the features for which each of the sites has been designated. Consideration of the features of each site and the impacts upon each feature was central to assessment of the potential effects of policies or land allocation on the integrity of the site.

Much of the data available for assessing European Site condition relates to the nature conservation interests of the component SSSIs and not to the condition of the specific features for which a European Site has been designated. However, as SSSI designation often underlies European Site designation, SSSI condition is a useful tool in assessing the condition of European Sites.

For each of the European Sites, Natural England provides a series of conservation objectives which relate to the features for which the site was designated. These contain targets to ensure the European Sites remain in favourable condition.

Although Ramsar features do not themselves have conservation objectives, it should be stressed that conservation objectives for SPA/SAC features have been produced to broadly protect the underlying habitat and environmental conditions required by the qualifying habitats and species. Thus, given the close correspondence between Ramsar and SPA/SAC features, the conservation objectives for the SAC/SPA features are generally adequate to protect Ramsar features. Nonetheless, where Ramsar features need consideration over and above those of European features, the high level generic conservation objective for European Sites were applied to Ramsar sites and their features, that is: subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition the Ramsar features and their supporting habitats.

Methodology

The methodology for this exercise has been developed in accordance with the guidance of the DCLG and Natural England, as well as utilising the RSPB guidance. The approach developed has also been tailored to ensure that the requirements of the Habitats Regulations and supporting guidance are met. The need to ensure that the assessment is actually

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‘appropriate’ to the evaluation of policy and strategic allocation of land for future development has also been recognised.

Appropriate Assessment is a four stage process. These steps are outlined below.

Stage Description Comments

The initial evaluation of a plan’s effects on a European This stage has been partly Site. If it cannot be concluded that there will be no undertaken by Somerset significant effect upon any European Site an County Council on behalf of Screening Appropriate Assessment will be required. At the end of all of the Somerset Local this process a screening decision is made by the Authorities (See Appendix Competent Authority as to whether Appropriate C). Assessment is triggered. This report comprises the screening and scoping stages together. It Preparation for the Appropriate Assessment where determines which policy screening has shown that likely significant effects could options have likely Scoping occur to a European Site. It identifies what impacts the significant effect and which AA should cover and should address any gaps in therefore will be subject to knowledge to ensure the AA is complete and accurate. Appropriate Assessment (final report). Evaluating the evidence gathered on impacts and considering whether changes to the plan are need to The methodology for this Appropriate ensure that it will not have an adverse effect on a stage is set out in Sections Assessment European Site. Normally the AA process will stop here 3.3.1 - 3.3.3 and the plan can be adopted. The plan-making authority must demonstrate that its This stage may not be Consideration policy or allocation is the least damaging way of required. Further details are of alternatives meeting the need identified in the plan. set out in Section 3.3.4

Significant effects have been screened using the RSPB guidance (2007) which states that a significant effect is triggered when:

• There is the probability or a risk of a plan or project having a significant effect on a European Site; • The plan is likely to undermine the site’s conservation objectives; and • A significant effect cannot be excluded on the basis of objective information.

Consultation with the Environment Agency was undertaken to determine buffer zones from proposed development types. The zones that have been used are 5km for business/housing development, 10km for trade industry (i.e. trading estates) and 15km for industrial proposals that may require an air stack. These buffer zones have been used to screen out direct impacts to European Sites. In addition a Source-Pathway-Receptor Model has been used based on the site sensitivities to asses the likely impacts.

Determination of the Likely Significant Effects of the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies

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on the features of European Sites have been identified and excluded from the assessment. The box below sets out those criteria that have been used to exclude policies from the appropriate assessment process.

A. Policies that will not lead to the development of land (for example policies that address issues such as amenity and social issues etc, but do not provide a trigger for development); B. Policies that actively seek to prevent impacts on European Sites or the wider environment (for example policies which seek to ensure that development is focussed on areas well away from European Sites); and C. Policies intended to improve the existing natural or built environment of specific areas, but which do not specify levels of development (for example policies which propose the reuse of manufacturing land for housing development where it is clear such a policy cannot result in development in or near to Natura 2000 sites, or where the policy or its affects are likely to result in a significant effect).

The full list of policies for all 4 plans was appraised in the Scoping Report. These were assessed initially against the criteria in the Box above to give an indication of whether there is likely to be an impact to the Natura 2000 sites from each policy. Following this, a technical assessment was made for each policy, considering their relevance with regard to having a likely significant effect on European Sites against the conservation objectives for each of the Natura 2000 sites. This was undertaken on the basis of the criteria offered in Natural England’s HRGN Number 3 (English Nature, 1999), as shown in the box below.

1. Causing change to the coherence of the site or to the Natura 2000 series (e.g. presenting a barrier between isolated fragments, or reducing the ability of the site to act as a source of new colonisers); 2. Causing reduction in the area of habitat or of the site; 3. Causing direct or indirect change to the physical quality of the environment (including the hydrology) or habitat within the site; 4. Causing ongoing disturbance to species or habitats for which the site is notified; 5. Altering community structure (species composition); 6. Causing direct or indirect damage to the size, characteristics or reproductive ability of populations on the site; 7. Altering the vulnerability of populations etc. to other impacts; 8. Causing a reduction in the resilience of the feature against external change (for example its ability to respond to extremes of environmental conditions); and 9. Affecting restoration of a feature where this is a conservation objective.

In-combination Assessment

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• Projects which have been given consent, but which have not yet been implemented (this could include unimplemented large scale housing developments or proposals); • Ongoing projects subject to regulatory reviews; • Other plans which contain policies which may trigger development which may impacts on the sites identified as being relevant to this assessment; and • Non-statutory plans which may influence development.

The plans and projects that were considered as likely to have an in-combination impact with the Somerset Authorities Core Strategies are:

• The Draft Revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West Incorporating the Secretary of States Proposed Changes – For Consultation 2008 • Responding to Climate Change in Somerset; • North Devon and Somerset SMP; • West Somerset Local Plan; • North Somerset Core Strategy – Issues and Options Report; • The Parrett Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy; • River Tone Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy; • Bristol Container Port habitat creation scheme; • Hinkley Point; • Waterlinks; • Somerset Local Transport Plan; and • Somerset Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2006.

Key Issues Identified

The key issues have been identified through literature review and consultation with Natural England and the Environment Agency and from the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and its Appropriate Assessment. Key issues anticipated to arise from the Core Strategies are: water resources, recreation and flooding.

Conclusion

The examination and scoping against the Natural England criteria identified in Section 1.4 above, established that ‘it could not be concluded that the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies would not have a likely significant effect on the features of the European Sites in Somerset region’.

Given that none of the policies propose development within the boundaries of the European Sites, (and that the nature of these policies relates to activities which are not likely to have a direct impact on such sites), the key issues, to be addressed within the Appropriate Assessment will relate to the secondary impacts of such development, mainly disturbance, water resources, water quality and air pollution. Further details can be found in Section 4.1.1 of the man report.

Impacts that have been ‘scoped in’ to the Appropriate Assessment for each Core Strategy are outlined in the table overleaf.

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Local Scoped in Scoped out Authority Mendip • Increased recreational disturbance to birds within the • Impacts to Severn Estuary District Somerset Levels and Moors SPA due to population SPA, cSAC, Ramsar due to Council growth within the district. Particularly at Street and distance. (Options 1a, Glastonbury. 1b, 4a, 4b, 4d, • Increased water quality impacts to invertebrates 5a, 5b, 6a-6c, within the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar due 7a-7d, 12a to eutrophication from new water treatment facilities 12d) and run-off. These are anticipated from developments at Glastonbury and Street and from potential developments at Bleadney, Meare, Walton, Westhay and Wookey. • Increased flood risk to the Somerset Levels and Moors from development at Glastonbury and Street. Sedgemoor • Increased recreational disturbance to birds within the • Direct impacts to the District Somerset Levels and Moors SPA and Severn Somerset Levels and Moors Council Estuary SPA due to population growth and increased Ramsar, as there is no (Options SS1, recreation within the district, particularly at Burnham, hydrological pathway. SS2, BW1, Highbridge, Bridgwater, Westonzoyland, BW2, BW4 Woolavington, and Ashcott, Cannington, Pawlett, (C) BH1, BH2 Puriton and Wedmore. (B-D), BH3, • Potential development and renewable energy BH4) projects in the flyways between the Severn Estuary SPA and the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA affecting birds. • Potential increased recreational disturbance to saltmarsh, sandflat and mudflat habitats within the Severn Estuary SPA and cSAC due to population growth and increased recreation within the district. • Potential development in undesignated areas outside the Severn Estuary SPA which nonetheless support the ecological functioning of bird species, such as for roosting and/or feeding, from the SPA. • Potential to impact upon fish migratory signals (Severn Estuary cSAC and Ramsar species) due to increased levels of abstraction or increased obstruction. South • Increased recreational disturbance to birds within the • Impacts to Severn Estuary Somerset Somerset Levels and Moors SPA due to population SPA/ cSAC/ Ramsar due to District growth within the district, particularly at Yeovil distance. Council • Increased water quality impacts to invertebrates (Options S1, within the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar due S3, EP1, TA2 to changes in water quality arising from run-off and (B), EQ4,) increased sewage treatment works that could arise from development at Langport/ Huish Episcopi, South Petherton, Somerton and Martock.

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Local Scoped in Scoped out Authority Taunton • Potential to impact upon fish migratory signals • Impacts to Severn Estuary Deane (Severn Estuary cSAC and Ramsar species) due to SPA, and habitats within the Borough increased levels of abstraction. Severn Estuary cSAC due to Council • Increased recreational disturbance to birds within the distance. (Options S9, Somerset Levels and Moors SPA due to population EC1, EC2, growth within the district, particularly North Curry, EC10 (i&iv), Creech St Michael, Monkton Heathfield (TA1), West EC24, EC25, Greenway (TA3), East Greenway (TA2), C3 (C), C4 Priorswood/Nerrols (TA5), Killams (TA10), (D), C5 (C), Staplegrove (TA7), Comeytrowe (TA4), Bishops Hull T2-T11, T13- (TA8), and Ford Farm (TA9). T18, T23, • Increased water quality impacts to invertebrates T24, T28, within the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar due T32, CSL1, to eutrophication from new water treatment facilities CM1, CM2, and surface water run-off from developments at HB1, HE1, North Curry, Creech St Michael, Monkton Heathfield KM1, OK1, (TA1), West Greenway (TA3), East Greenway (TA2), WV1, WV3) Priorswood/Nerrols (TA5), Killams (TA10), Staplegrove (TA7), Comeytrowe (TA4), Bishops Hull (TA8), and Ford Farm (TA9).

Next Steps

The policies that have been identified as likely to have an impact on the European Sites and those that have the potential to have an impact on the European Sites will be carried forward to the next stage of ‘detailed appropriate assessment’. The level of assessment undertaken will be at an ‘appropriate’ level, commensurate with a policy based assessment, and in recognition of the fact that further assessment would be undertaken at the proposal stage.

Each policy will be assessed against the conservation objectives for the European Sites in regard to the potential effects of the policy for each feature of interest and mitigation measures that could be taken if an adverse effect is identified. This will include the use of additional detailed data on water quality, water resources, Waste Water Treatment capacity and discharges, proximity of recreational space and proximity of development. In-combination impacts will be assessed for projects and plans which are likely to have similar impacts on the European Sites as the Core Strategies.

If it can been concluded that all of the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies policies alone or ‘in combination’ with other plans or projects would not have an adverse effect on the Europeans sites in question, then the assessment would finish at this stage. If following completion of the above stages, policies or land allocations remain that could have an adverse effect on the integrity of any of the European Sites, consideration will then need to be given to how such effects could be avoided or mitigated.

It should be recognised at this stage, that at a policy level, preventative measures can be provided simply by the provision of additional supporting policy to offset adverse impacts. For example, it may be considered that site specific housing allocations may lead to additional recreational disturbance on SPA and / or Ramsar bird species. In this instance supporting policy could be developed that requires enhanced levels of recreational space to be provided with housing allocations, to prevent any increase in recreational disturbance of designated European features, where there is clear evidence for the use of the alternative as opposed to

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continued or increased pressure on existing sites through the use of obstruction/exclusion methods Additionally, if policies remain for which preventative measures or mitigation cannot be established, then alternatives must be considered.

At the conclusion of the assessment a full account of the analysis will be provided in the form of an Appropriate Assessment Report. In addition to the analysis, the report will also include records of further consultation with Natural England and other organisations, their response and any actions subsequent to this. The Appropriate Assessment Report will then be presented for public consultation along with the Core Strategies.

Following public consultation, any required amendments will be made, and a finalised report including recommendations will be provided to the Competent Authorities. Within this report, agreed actions for policy amendment, replacement or modification (if required) will be presented.

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CONTENTS Page

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I

1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.1.1 Appropriate Assessment 1 1.1.2 Appropriate Assessment in the Land Use Plan Context 2 1.2 Requirement for an Appropriate Assessment of the Core Strategies 2 1.2.1 Need for Appropriate Assessment 2 1.3 Core Strategies 2 1.4 Aim of Scoping Report 2 1.5 Report Structure 3

2 SITES AND FEATURES FOR CONSIDERATION WITHIN THE APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT 5 2.1 Sites Considered under this Assessment 5 2.2 The Severn Estuary 5 2.2.1 Reasons for Designation 9 2.2.2 Condition of the Sites 9 2.2.3 The Sites Conservation Objectives 10 2.2.4 Hydrology 10 2.2.5 Site Sensitivities 11 2.3 The Somerset Levels and Moors 15 2.3.1 Reasons for Designation 15 2.3.2 Condition of the Sites 15 2.3.3 The Site’s Conservation Objectives 18 2.3.4 Hydrology 18 2.3.5 Site Sensitivities 19 2.4 Consultation 22

3 METHODOLOGY 25 3.1 Introduction to Appropriate Assessment 25 3.2 Scoping Methodology (Stage 1) 26 3.3 Proposed Methodology for Appropriate Assessment (Stage 2) 34 3.3.1 Appropriate Assessment of the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies 34 3.3.2 Provision of an ‘In Combination’ Assessment 35 3.3.3 Consideration of Preventative Measures and Mitigation 35 3.3.4 Determination of Alternative Solutions and Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest 35 3.4 Provision of an Appropriate Assessment Report 37

4 APPRAISAL OF SOMERSET AUTHORITIES CORE STRATEGY DOCUMENTS 39 4.1 Policies Which Have Been Screened Into Appropriate Assessment 39 4.1.1 Key Issues 39 4.2 Summary 52

5 CONSIDERATION OF OTHER PLANS AND PROJECTS 53 5.1 Introduction 53

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6 CONCLUSIONS 55 6.1 Likely Mitigation Measures 56 6.2 Requirements for Stage 2 57

7 REFERENCES 59

8 GLOSSARY OF TERMS 63

9 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 67

Figures

Figure 2-1 Location of Severn Estuary SPA / cSAC / Ramsar and Somerset Levels and Moors SPA / Ramsar 6 Figure 2-2 Severn Estuary International Designations focussed on Bridgwater Bay (Natural England, 2008) 7 Figure 2-3 Bridgwater Bay SSSI (Natural England, 2006) 8 Figure 2-4 Locations of Somerset Levels and Moors SPA / Ramsar 16 Figure 2-5 Locations of Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/ Ramsar Component SSSIs 17 Figure 3-1 Appropriate Assessment Methodology 28 Figure 3-2 Proposed Development Locations in Mendip 29 Figure 3-3 Proposed Development Locations in Sedgemoor 30 Figure 3-4 Proposed Development Locations in South Somerset 31 Figure 3-5 Proposed development locations in Taunton 32

Tables

Table 2-1 The Sensitivity of the Severn Estuary SAC, SPA and Ramsar Sites and their Features to Likely Effects from the Somerset Authorities Plans 13 Table 2-2 The Sensitivity of the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA and Ramsar Sites and their Features to Likely Effects from the Somerset Authorities Plans 21 Table 2-3 Summary of Consultation Responses 22 Table 3-1 Stages in the Appropriate Assessment Process 25 Table 3-2 Suggested Table Format to Record the Appropriate Assessment 34 Table 4-1 List of Policies Considered Likely to Have a Significant or Potentially Significant Effect within the Mendip Core Strategy Issues and Options Report 40 Table 4-2 List of Policies Considered Likely to Have a Significant or Potentially Significant Effect within the Sedgemoor Issues and Options Report 42 Table 4-3 List of Policies Considered Likely to Have a Significant or Potentially Significant Effect within the South Somerset Core Strategy Issues and Options Report 44

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Table 4-4 List of Policies Considered Likely to Have a Significant or Potentially Significant Effect within the Taunton Deane Adopted Local Plan (2004) and the Emerging Allocations (2009) 45 Table 4-5 Additional Dwellings to be Built between 2006 and 2026 within Local Regions and the South West of England as a whole (Secretary of State CLG, 2008) 51 Table 4-6 SSCT Allocations as Set Out in the RSS 51 Table 6-1 Key Focus of the Appropriate Assessment for each Local Authority 55

Appendices in Volume 2

A Severn Estuary Designations 1 B Somerset Levels and Moors Designations 17 C Initial Screening Report 25 D Policy Screening Tables 39 D1 Mendip District Council Core Strategy Issues & Options Report 39 D2 Sedgemoor District Council Core Strategy Issues and Options Report 51 D3 South Somerset Core Strategy Issues and Options 61 D4 Taunton Deane District Council Local Plan and Emerging Allocations (2009) 73 E Scoping Tables 111 E1 Mendip District Council Core Strategy Issues & Options Report 111 E2 Sedgemoor District Council Core Strategy Issues and Options Report 119 E3 South Somerset Core Strategy Issues and Options 129 E4 Taunton Deane District Council Local Plan and Emerging Allocations (2009) 135 F Examination of ‘In Combination’ Plans, Programmes and Projects 151

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.1.1 Appropriate Assessment

The need for an ‘Appropriate Assessment’ arises under the requirements of the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and its implementation in the UK under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 (known as the ‘Habitats Regulations’). Within the context of this report, the term ‘Regulations’ relates to the Habitats Regulations, unless stated otherwise. Under Regulation 85B(1) an Appropriate Assessment is required for a plan or project, which either alone or in combination with other plans or projects, is likely to have a significant effect on a European site and which is not directly connected with the management of the site. A European site is either a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Special Protection Area (SPA), and form part of an EU wide suite of such sites referred to as the Natura 2000 network. Government policy, as stated in Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 9, is that sites designated under the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar sites) should also be subject to the provisions of the Habitats Regulations.

An Appropriate Assessment is a decision by the 'Competent Authority', in this case Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, South Somerset District Council, and Taunton Deane Borough Council, as to whether the proposed plan or project can be determined as not having an adverse effect on the integrity of any European sites.

This report concerns only an Appropriate Assessment of the Somerset Levels and Moors and Severn Estuary (Bridgwater Bay) SPA/ Ramsar sites (as shown on Figure 2.1) as it was considered at an early meeting between Natural England, the Environment Agency and the local authorities concerned that a specific and detailed study was needed owing to the complex issues potentially affecting the sites. As the two Natura 2000 sites have related and overlapping functioning ecosystems they could be treated as an entity. The aim was for a comprehensive study of the ecology of the sites the factors influencing them.

It was also considered that other Natura 2000 sites (all SAC sites) could undergo a separate assessment by the individual local authorities concerned as they could be treated exclusive of the Somerset Levels and Moors and the Severn Estuary, there being little or no overlap or influence between the sites ecologically.

The Appropriate Assessment process is a four stage approach: Screening, Scoping, Appropriate Assessment and Consideration of Alternatives. These steps are described further in Table 3.1.

Site integrity is defined by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM 2006) as the “coherence of the site’s ecological structure and function, across its whole area, or the habitats, complex of habitats and/or population of the species for which the site is classified”. An adverse effect on integrity is likely to be one that prevents the site from maintaining the same contribution to favourable status for the relevant feature(s), as it did when the site was designated. Only where a plan or project can be determined by the Competent Authority as not having an adverse effect on site integrity, can it be allowed to proceed.

The favourable conservation status of the site is defined through the site's conservation objectives and it is against these objectives that the effects of the plan or project must be assessed.

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1.1.2 Appropriate Assessment in the Land Use Plan Context

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has produced draft guidance (August 2006) on how to determine the need for an Appropriate Assessment for a given plan and the provision of an assessment if one is considered to be required. In addition to this, the UK Habitats Regulations were amended in 2007 (in order to include provisions for land use plans). Natural England (formerly English Nature) has drafted guidance on the provision of Appropriate Assessments for Regional Spatial Strategies and Sub-Regional Strategies. Furthermore, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has produced a guidance document on the undertaking of Appropriate Assessment of Spatial Plans in England (RSPB, 2007).

These documents currently provide the most cohesive source of guidance relating to the provision of Appropriate Assessments for Core Strategies.

1.2 Requirement for an Appropriate Assessment of the Core Strategies

1.2.1 Need for Appropriate Assessment

The need for an Appropriate Assessment for the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies was considered in the Initial Screening Report (Somerset County Council, 2007). The approach to establishing whether the policies of the Somerset Authorities’ emerging Core Strategies would be likely to have, or have the potential to have a significant effect on the Severn Estuary cSAC/SPA/Ramsar or the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/ Ramsar, is documented in the Initial Screening Report (see Appendix C). The conclusion of the Initial Screening report is that significant effects are considered to be likely to arise from the proposed Core Strategies and that further screening should be undertaken.

1.3 Core Strategies

This report details the findings of the scoping stage of the Appropriate Assessment process for Core Strategies being produced by District and Borough Councils in Somerset. The Core Strategies covered by this scoping report are those of:

1.4 Aim of Scoping Report

The aim of this report is to:

1. Identify those policies and options for each of the Core Strategies which are likely to have a significant impact on the Somerset Levels SPA/ Ramsar and the Severn Estuary cSAC/ SPA/ Ramsar sites. These will be carried forward to the next stage of the process as described in Section 3.3. 2. Identify those policies and options for each of the Core Strategies which could potentially have a significant impact on the Somerset Levels SPA/ Ramsar and the Severn Estuary cSAC/ SPA/ Ramsar sites. These will be carried forward to the next stage of the process as there is not enough detail to scope these out at present.

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3. Identify which policies are not considered likely to have a significant effect on the Somerset Levels SPA/ Ramsar and the Severn Estuary cSAC/ SPA/ Ramsar sites. These have been scoped out and will not be considered further after this report.

In addition, this report has been used as a consultation tool with Natural England, Environment Agency and RSPB to inform the Appropriate Assessment stage of the works.

It should be noted that a worst case scenario approach has been taken whilst scoping the policies and options, as the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies are at an early stage in their production.

1.5 Report Structure

The remainder of this report is set out as follows:

• Section 2 Sites and Features for Consideration within the Appropriate Assessment. • Section 3 Appropriate Assessment Methodology. • Section 4 Appraisal of Somerset Authorities Core Strategy Documents • Section 5 Consideration of Other Plans and Projects. • Section 6 Conclusion of Scoping Phase and Recommendations.

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2 SITES AND FEATURES FOR CONSIDERATION WITHIN THE APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

2.1 Sites Considered under this Assessment

The Appropriate Assessment focuses on the three European Sites and two Ramsar sites within or adjacent to the four Local Authority areas. The sites comprise:

Sites Designated under the Birds Directive:

• The Somerset Levels and Moors Special Protection Area (SPA); • The Severn Estuary SPA.

Sites designated under the Habitats Directive:

• The Severn Estuary candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC).

Sites designated under the Ramsar Convention:

• Somerset Levels and Moors; • The Severn Estuary.

The location of these sites is presented in Figure 2.1.

With regard to these sites it is necessary to consider the features for which each of the Sites has been designated. Consideration of the features of each Site and the impacts upon each feature is central to assessment of the potential effects of policies or land allocation on the integrity of each Site. For the Sites under consideration, the following features have been identified with regard to the reasons for which the Sites were designated, their current condition, their conservation objectives, and the sensitivities of the Sites in relation to the potential effects of the Local Authorities Plans.

2.2 The Severn Estuary

The Severn Estuary is a large estuary with extensive intertidal mud-flats and sand-flats, rocky platforms and islands. Saltmarsh fringes the coast, backed by grazing marsh with freshwater ditches and occasional brackish ditches. The seabed is rock and gravel with sub-tidal sandbanks. The estuary's classic funnel shape, unique in the UK, is a factor causing the Severn to have the second-highest tidal range in the world (after the Bay of Fundy in Canada). This tidal regime results in plant and animal communities typical of the extreme physical conditions of liquid mud and tide- swept sand and rock. The species-poor invertebrate community includes high densities of ragworms, lugworms and other invertebrates forming an important food source for passage and wintering waders. A further consequence of the large tidal range is an extensive intertidal zone, one of the largest in the UK. The site is of importance during the spring and autumn migration periods for waders moving up the west coast of Britain, as well as in winter for large numbers of waterbirds, especially swans, ducks and waders. The area of interest for the purposes of this assessment is identified in Figures 2.2 and 2.3.

The Severn Estuary SPA, cSAC, and Ramsar site details are presented in Appendix A.

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Figure 2-1 Location of Severn Estuary SPA / cSAC / Ramsar and Somerset Levels and Moors SPA / Ramsar

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Figure 2-2 Severn Estuary International Designations focussed on Bridgwater Bay (Natural England, 2008)

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Figure 2-3 Bridgwater Bay SSSI (Natural England, 2006)

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2.2.1 Reasons for Designation

The Severn Estuary cSAC covers the (as a focus) the intertidal and subtidal habitats within Bridgwater Bay, whilst the Severn Estuary SPA is contiguous with the cSAC in that it covers the intertidal areas of Bridgwater Bay, as well as some landward areas (see Figure 2.2). The Ramsar site covers predominantly the same area as the Severn Estuary cSAC.

The Severn Estuary has been submitted to the European Commission as a candidate SAC on the basis that it supports occurrences of habitat types and species listed in Annexes I and II respectively of the Habitats Directive that are considered important in a European context and meeting the criteria in Annex III of the Directive. The Annex I Habitat types are: estuaries, subtidal sandbanks, intertidal mudflats and sandflats, Atlantic salt meadows, and reefs. Annex II species supported within the site comprise river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis), sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), and twaite shad (Allosa fallax). Ninety nine percent of the cSAC comprises tidal rivers, estuaries, mudflats, sandflats and lagoons, whilst the remaining 1% comprises saltmarsh, salt pastures, and salt steppes.

The Severn Estuary SPA qualifies under Article 4.1 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of over wintering Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii), Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula), Curlew (Numenius arquata), Dunlin (Calidris alpina alpine), Pintail (Anas acuta), Redshank (Tringa tetanus), and Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna). In addition, the Severn Estuary SPA qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by regularly supporting at least 20,000 waterfowl, with 53,604 overwintering waterfowl being the 5 year peak mean between 2001/02 - 2005/06. The details and populations are presented in Appendix A, and recent bird counts are presented in Table 1 in Appendix A.

The Severn Estuary Ramsar supports the following qualifying criteria (which are presented in Table 8 in Appendix A):

• The extent and diversity of sandbanks, estuaries, mudflats and sandflats and Atlantic salt meadows; • The unusual estuarine communities, reduced diversity and high productivity; • The run of migratory fish between sea and river via estuary; • The bird assemblages of international importance, including species such as Bewick's Swan, Greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons albifrons), Shelduck, Gadwall (Anas strepera strepera), Dunlin, and Redshank; and • The estuarine and river fish.

2.2.2 Condition of the Sites

The majority of the data available for assessing European Site condition relates to the nature conservation interests of the component SSSIs and not to the condition of the specific features for which a European Site has been designated. However, as SSSI designation often underlies European Site designation, SSSI condition is a useful tool in assessing the condition of European Sites. The site conditions for the SSSIs underlying the Severn Estuary European Sites are included in Table 3 in Appendix A. As shown in the Appendix, the predominant reasons for unfavourable condition of the various features of the Sites are fertiliser use, inappropriate water levels, water pollution (from agriculture and run-off), and coastal squeeze. The latter is a phenomenon occurring as a result of rising sea levels, and a current inability for intertidal habitats (such as saltmarsh) to move landward due to existing coastal and fluvial flood defences.

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2.2.3 The Sites Conservation Objectives

For each of the European Sites, Natural England has provided a series of conservation objectives which relate to the features for which the Site was designated. With regard to the sites in question, the conservation objectives are listed in Tables 2 and 6 in Appendix A. The policies and associated land allocations for future development contained in the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies must therefore be considered and assessed with regard to their likely impacts on the features and objectives listed in these tables. The features are the habitats and species identified above, and the objectives relate to the overall extent, type, variety, and populations of the various habitats and species.

Although Ramsar features do not themselves have conservation objectives, it should be stressed that conservation objectives for SPA/SAC features have been produced to broadly protect the underlying habitat and environmental conditions required by the qualifying habitats and species. Thus, given the close correspondence between Ramsar and SPA/SAC features, the conservation objectives for the SAC/SPA features are generally adequate to protect Ramsar features. Nonetheless, where Ramsar features need consideration over and above those of European features, the high level generic conservation objective for European Sites will be applied to Ramsar sites and their features, that is; subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition the Ramsar features and their supporting habitats.

2.2.4 Hydrology

The source of the River Parrett is the Thorney Mills springs in the hills around Chedington in Dorset, and flows north west through Somerset and the Somerset Levels to its mouth at Burnham-on-Sea where it flows into Bridgwater Bay, in the Severn Estuary.

The main tributaries of the River Parrett are the Rivers Tone, Isle and Yeo, and the River Cary, which drains into the Parrett via the King's Sedgemoor Drain. The River Parrett catchment is over 1,690 km2, with around half of this area in Somerset and the remainder in Dorset (Thomas et al., 2007). Between Langport and Bridgwater the fall of the River Parrett is only 20 cm/km (Somerset County Council, 1997), consequently, it is prone to flooding in winter and on high tides.

The hydrology regime of the tidal area is described in the Sedgemoor Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Scott Wilson, 2008). This states that

“Within Sedgemoor District, there are a number of locations that are susceptible to the effects of coastal flooding from either wave overtopping or breaching. In particular, Burnham-on-Sea is located within Bridgwater Bay and although defended does have incidents of coastal flooding. In addition, Steart Point is identified as an important area along the Sedgemoor District coastline and is within the Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve. This area is exposed to tidal flooding and is likely to increase with the effects of climate change.

Coupled with coastal flooding across the low lying topography within the district, the influence of tidal flooding can have a significant effect on watercourses due to the funnelling of tidal waters into a restricted channel, increasing the depth of flow. This is particularly relevant in the River Parrett, where the tidal influence extends beyond the district boundary to Oath Sluice that is located approximately 25 km from the coastline.

Bridgwater is at risk from both tidal and fluvial sources, although the risk from tidal flooding is perceived to be greatest with flood defences maintained to the 1 in 200 year return period for a tidal event.

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Although other rivers such as the King’s Sedgemoor Drain, Huntspill River, River Axe and River Brue are subject to tidal flood risk, this is mitigated to an extent through the use of sluice structures controlling the inflow from tidal waters and the discharge from fluvial flow.”

Flood risk is managed by the Environment Agency, further details on their strategies can be found in the following reports:

• Parrett Catchment Flood Management Plan (Environment Agency, 2008); • Parrett Estuary Flood Management Strategy (Environment Agency, Consultation Draft January 2009); and • Anchor Head to Lavernock Point Shoreline Management Plan Review (SMP2) (Severn Estuary Coastal Group, Consultation Draft due late 2009).

2.2.5 Site Sensitivities

The Severn Estuary SAC, SPA and Ramsar Sites and their features are sensitive to a wide range of activities, some of which could be influenced by changes to the development priorities and options of the Somerset Plans. The following potential impacts relate to the sensitivities of the Sites, and the features likely to be sensitive are summarised in Table 2.1, and the sensitivities are detailed in Tables 4, 7 and 9 in Appendix A:

1. Loss of adaptation / supporting habitat: Even if European sites are protected from direct (footprint) development, land take could prevent adaptation of habitats in response to sea level rise, or result in the loss of habitat that supports the site features. 2. Fragmentation of adaptation / supporting habitat: Areas of land that could provide adaptation for habitats in response to sea level rise could be fragmented by development, or habitats that support the interest features of designated sites (but which are not designated, for example flood plain grazing marsh in the Wembdon Parish to the northwest of Bridgwater, could be fragmented by development. 3. Proximity impact: Where development in close proximity to European Sites could cause a number of potential impacts. Proximity impacts are particularly disturbing to bird species. The likely activities are: a. Disturbance (noise and lighting) during construction (maximum possible radius for noise disturbance – 1km). b. Increased traffic impact during construction (maximum possible radius for road traffic noise – 500m). c. Increased human disturbance in the long-term, i.e. post construction, i.e. recreational disturbance (including walking, dog-walking, cycling, horse-riding, bait digging, boating, and wildfowling) if development is closer to Sites or if increased populations expand current recreational areas or pressures. 4. Hydrological impacts: Changes to level of water, water flow, water quality, and alteration to sedimentation and erosion patterns in watercourses can affect habitats and their associated floral and faunal communities. These are broken down into: a. Water supply to new development and increased populations could lead to reduced water within watercourses, which could cause a barrier to migratory fish either due to low flow or poorer water quality. This would be exacerbated during the summer months (the general migratory period) as that is the period when more water is abstracted.

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b. Increased development and populations can result in increased loads on STW and potential increases in pollutant discharges from the STW, which can affect vegetation communities as well as fish. c. Increased flood risk as a result of development and/ or flood defences built as a result of new development could potentially alter the in-channel flow conditions and sedimentation and erosion patters, and adversely affect floral and faunal communities within and downstream of the watercourses, particularly with regard to migratory fish species. 5. Impacts from increased roads: Increased road traffic from new development could result in disturbance to bird species (SPAs) due to road traffic noise. Noise disturbance would be limited to distances of up to 250m; however, a precautionary 500m (maximum) buffer can be used to exclude areas for assessment. Predominantly it is visual disturbance that affects birds, and they are less likely to be affected by vehicles than people. 6. Renewable energy: Increased wind energy could affect SPA populations particularly along flight lines.

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Table 2-1 The Sensitivity of the Severn Estuary SAC, SPA and Ramsar Sites and their Features to Likely Effects from the Somerset Authorities Plans

Proximity impacts Hydrological impacts Impact

Site / Feature Loss of land suitable suitable land Loss of adaptation for tion of Fragmenta or adaptation bitat te ha intermedia Construction disturbance Construction traffic Recreational disturbance surface Increased run-off water Increased abstraction water Decreased STWs quality from due change Flow to flood risk road Increased noise traffic Renewables

Severn Estuary SAC Estuaries Subtidal sandbanks Intertidal mudflats and sandflats Atlantic salt meadows Reefs River lamprey Sea lamprey Twaite shad Severn Estuary SPA Bewick's Swan Ringed Plover Curlew Dunlin Pintail Redshank Shelduck

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Proximity impacts Hydrological impacts Impact

Site / Feature Loss of land suitable suitable land Loss of on for adaptati of Fragmentation or adaptation bitat te ha intermedia Construction disturbance Construction traffic Recreational disturbance surface Increased water run-off Increased abstraction ter wa Decreased STWs quality from due change Flow to flood risk road Increased noise traffic Renewables

Severn Estuary Ramsar Sandbanks, estuaries, mudflats and sandflats and Atlantic salt meadows Estuarine communities Migratory fish Bird assemblage Estuarine and river fish

Key

Site or feature is likely to be directly affected as a result of this impact Site or feature is likely to be indirectly affected as a result of this impact

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2.3 The Somerset Levels and Moors

The Somerset Levels and Moors is one of the largest and richest areas of traditionally managed wet grassland and fen habitats in lowland UK, and is designated as SPA and Ramsar. The majority of the site is only a few metres above mean sea level and drains through a network of ditches, rhynes, drains and rivers. Flooding may affect large areas in winter, depending on rainfall and tidal conditions. Parts of the Brue valley include areas of former raised peat bog that have now been substantially modified by agricultural intensification and peat extraction. This has created areas of open water, fen and reed bed. The site attracts important numbers of water birds in winter, and the waterways support an outstanding assemblage of aquatic invertebrates, particularly beetles. The boundary of the SPA/Ramsar is shown in Figure 2.4 and its constituent SSSIs are shown on Figure 2.5.

The Somerset Levels and Moors SPA and Ramsar site details are presented in Appendix B.

2.3.1 Reasons for Designation

The Somerset Levels and Moors SPA qualifies under Article 4.1 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance, in particular over wintering Bewick's Swan and Golden Plover. The Site also qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of over wintering migratory species of Teal and Lapwing. In addition, the Site qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by regularly supporting at least 20,000 waterfowl, with 72,000 overwintering waterfowl being the 5 year peak mean between 2001/02 - 2005/06. The details and populations are presented in Appendix B, and recent bird counts are presented in Table 1 in Appendix B.

The Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar supports the following qualifying criteria (which are presented in Table 5 in Appendix B):

• It supports 17 species of British Red Data Book invertebrates; and • The bird assemblages of international importance, including species such as Bewick's Swan, Teal, and Lapwing.

2.3.2 Condition of the Sites

As described in Section 2.3.1, the majority of the data available for assessing European Site condition relates to the nature conservation interests of the component SSSIs and not to the condition of the specific features for which a European Site has been designated. The Site conditions for the SSSIs underlying the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA and Ramsar are outlined in Table 2 in Appendix B. As shown in the table, the predominant reasons for unfavourable condition of the various features of the Sites are agriculture drainage, fertiliser use, pesticide/herbicide use, inappropriate cutting/mowing, inappropriate ditch management, inappropriate water levels, inappropriate css/esa prescription, overgrazing, peat extraction, public access/disturbance, undergrazing, vehicles, water pollution - agriculture/run-off.

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Figure 2-4 Locations of Somerset Levels and Moors SPA / Ramsar

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Figure 2-5 Locations of Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/ Ramsar Component SSSIs

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The Somerset Levels and Moors SPA comprise the following SSSIs:

• Catcott Edington and Chilton Moors; • Curry and Hay Moors; • King's Sedgemoor; • Moorlinch; • Shapwick Heath; • Southlake Moor; • Tealham and Tadham Moors; • West Moor; • West Sedge Moor; • Westhay Heath; • Westhay Moor; and • Wet Moor.

2.3.3 The Site’s Conservation Objectives

For the SPA, Natural England has provided a series of conservation objectives which relate to the features for which the Site was designated, and these are listed in Table 3 in Appendix B. The policies and associated land allocations for future development contained in the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies must therefore be considered and assessed with regard to their likely impacts on the features and objectives listed in Appendix B. The features are the habitats and species identified in Section 2.3.1, and the objectives relate to the overall extent, type, variety, and populations of the various habitats and species.

As described in Section 2.2.3, Ramsar features do not themselves have conservation objectives, it should be stressed that conservation objectives for the SPA and SSSI features have been produced to broadly protect the underlying habitat and environmental conditions required by the qualifying habitats and species. Thus, given the close correspondence between Ramsar and SPA/SSSI features, the conservation objectives for the SPA features are generally adequate to protect Ramsar features. Nonetheless, where Ramsar features need consideration over and above those of European features, the high level generic conservation objective for European Sites will be applied to Ramsar sites and their features, that is: subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition the Ramsar features and their supporting habitats.

2.3.4 Hydrology

Water levels in the Somerset Levels and Moors are managed by the Somerset Internal Drainage Board using penning structures to minimise the flood potential, improve the conservation value and provide wet fencing for agriculture. The Environment Agency’s CAMS (Environment Agency 2006b) do not include the Somerset Levels and Moors due to their artificial nature.

In the wider area the Brue, Axe and Mendip CAMS (Environment Agency 2006b) has 4 management units which lie within the study area (1, 2, 3 and 6). All units are classified as having no water available.

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The Environment Agency’s Water Resource team is currently reviewing all permissions that were granted before the Habitats Regulations came into force. They have prioritised EU sites for review on the basis of potential risk by Environment Agency regulated activities. The Environment Agency aims to complete the review of all sites by March 2010. We will contact the Environment Agency to obtain relevant data at stage 2 of the project.

Wessex Water has recently completed an investigation into the effects of treated sewage effluent on the Somerset Levels and Moors. At present this data is not available, we hope to obtain this data for stage 2 of the project.

2.3.5 Site Sensitivities

The Somerset Levels and Moors SPA and Ramsar Sites and their features are sensitive to a wide range of activities, some of which could be influenced by changes to the development priorities and options of the Somerset Plans. The following potential impacts relate to the sensitivities of the Sites, and the features likely to be sensitive are summarised in Table 2.2, and the sensitivities are detailed in Tables 4 and 6 in Appendix B:

1. Loss of supporting habitat: Since European sites are protected from direct (footprint) development, land take could prevent adaptation of habitats (SACs) in response to sea level rise. 2. Fragmentation of supporting habitat: Predominantly related to wetland invertebrate communities, but also to areas of land that could provide adaptation for habitats in response to sea level rise, which could be fragmented by development. 3. Proximity impact: Where development in close proximity to European Sites could cause a number of potential impacts. Proximity impacts are particularly disturbing to bird species. The likely activities are: a. Disturbance (noise and lighting) during construction (maximum possible radius for noise disturbance – 1km). b. Increased traffic impact during construction (maximum possible radius for road traffic noise – 500m). c. Increased human disturbance in the long-term, i.e. post construction, i.e. recreational disturbance (including walking, dog-walking, cycling, horse-riding, and wildfowling) if development is closer to Sites or if increased populations expand current recreational areas or pressures.

4. Hydrological impacts: Changes to level of water, water flow, water quality, and alteration to sedimentation and erosion patterns in watercourses can affect habitats and their associated floral and faunal communities. These are broken down into: a. Surface water run-off could increase with development (where SUDS not specified) which could result in altered flow patterns or increased volumes of water run-off particularly during storm events. These could affect wetland habitats. b. Water supply to new development and increased population could lead to reduced water within or entering water-related habitats, particularly of significance during low (summer) flow conditions. c. Increased development and populations can result in increased loads on STW and potential increases in pollutant discharges from the STW, which can affect vegetation and invertebrate communities.

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d. Increased flood risk as a result of development could potentially alter the in- channel flow conditions, water levels, and patterns of sedimentation and erosion within and downstream of watercourses. 5. Impacts from increased roads: Increased development would lead to increased road traffic from those commuting to and from work, as well as other journeys throughout the area, this could result in additional pressure on sites in the following ways: a. Increased road traffic from new development could result in disturbance to bird species (SPAs) due to road traffic noise. Noise disturbance would be limited to distances of up to 250m; however, a precautionary 500m (maximum) buffer can be used to exclude areas for assessment. Predominantly it is visual disturbance that affects birds, and they are less likely to be affected by vehicles than people. b. Increased road traffic from new development could result in deterioration to water quality in wetland habitats from road traffic emissions to air that are then deposited within a Site. Emissions to air are rarely felt beyond 250m, so this (maximum) buffer can be used to exclude areas for assessment. 6. Renewable energy: Increased wind energy could affect SPA populations particularly along flight lines.

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Table 2-2 The Sensitivity of the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA and Ramsar Sites and their Features to Likely Effects from the Somerset Authorities Plans

Increased Proximity impacts Hydrological impacts road traffic Impact impacts

Site / Feature Fragmentation of Fragmentation bitat ha intermediate Construction disturbance Construction traffic Recreational disturbance surface Increased run-off water Increased abstraction water Decreased STWs quality from due change Flow to flood risk noise Increased Increased air to emissions Renewables

Somerset Levels and Moors SPA Bewick's Swan Teal Lapwing Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar 17 species of British Red Data Book invertebrates Bird assemblage

Key

Site or feature is likely to be directly affected as a result of this impact Site or feature is likely to be indirectly affected as a result of this impact

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2.4 Consultation

Consultation with Natural England and the Environment Agency identified a number of key issues experienced by or affecting the Severn Estuary SAC, SPA and Ramsar, and the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA and Ramsar sites. A summary of the consultation is presented in Table 2.3.

Table 2-3 Summary of Consultation Responses

Consultee Key Comments Environment Agency The EA consider that:

• Green infrastructure development may provide alternative greenspace which would reduce recreational pressure on the European Sites. • Flood risk is not currently an issue within the Somerset Levels and Moors or Severn Estuary catchments. • Direct impacts to European Sites can be screened out over 5km for housing/business development, 10km for industrial estates and > 15km for major industrial developments that may require a stack. These are assuming there is no direct pathway between the development and the European Site. • None of the rivers in the study area are designated for salmonids; however the River Tone is known to support small populations of Sea Trout and Lamprey. Twaite Shad are present in the tidal Parrett but are not known to spawn. • The Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/Ramsar site is affected by a lack of water and diffuse point source pollution, both of which are monitored by the Environment Agency. It is assumed that the PSA review of the SSSIs will reduce these factors. Natural England Somerset Levels and Moors key issues:

• Achieving the Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets through the Water Level Management Plans (WLMP). • Providing support to the farming community through Higher Level Stewardship and the Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme and phasing out the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This only concentrates on SSSIs. • Water quality, there are concerns over sewage treatment works within the catchment. • Water quality, farming practices can have an impact on water quality within the SPA. This is being addressed by Catchment Sensitive Farming projects on the River Tone and River Brue. • Prolonged spring and summer flooding with climate change could cause habitats to shift from grassland to fen and swamp. • Recreational disturbance is a low level problem. NE works to welcome people into the countryside. Targeted recreational

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Consultee Key Comments facilities are provided at Shapwick Heath and Greylake. The rural nature of the levels and moors makes it not easily accessible for recreation other than dog walking out of these reserves. Any projects which increase access along watercourses would be of concern. • Angling is not considered to be a problem on the Somerset Levels and Moors. • Wildfowling is managed through the establishment of refugia, therefore is not considered to be a problem. • Increased access could also encourage the spread of alien invasive species such as marsh pennywort and Lemna minutia. • Drove maintenance is not carried out and this is becoming a problem for access for farming. • Greater commuter traffic could create noise impacts to the Somerset Levels and Moors. • Abstraction has been assessed through the review of consents and is thought to pose no problem. • Peat extraction is undergoing a Reg 50 review by SCC.

Severn Estuary key issues:

• Rising sea level and impact of global warming resulting in intertidal habitats becoming subtidal. • Poor sea defences, particularly at Steart and Bridgwater, these are planned to be addressed through managed realignment and the surge barrier respectively. • Hinkley Point C and D power stations. • As a whole bird numbers on the Severn are decreasing. The cause is not known, NE are currently trying to get to the bottom of this. • Recreational disturbance is currently a low level issue. Increased development at Burnham on Sea, Highbridge Taunton and Bridgwater will contribute to this.

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3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction to Appropriate Assessment

The methodology for this exercise has been developed in accordance with the guidance of the DCLG and Natural England, as well as utilising the RSPB guidance. Additionally, Appropriate Assessment methodologies devised for large scale developments have been evaluated to ensure that the approach provided here is based on actual practical implementation of the Habitats Regulations. The approach developed has also been tailored to ensure that the requirements of the Habitats Regulations and supporting guidance are met. The need to ensure that the assessment is actually ‘appropriate’ to the evaluation of policy and strategic allocation of land for future development has also been recognised. As stated in Section 1.1, Appropriate Assessment is a four stage process, as outlined in Table 3.1. A summary of the methodology is illustrated in Figure 3.1, which shows the manner in which the overall assessment progresses, and how key tasks relate to one another.

Table 3-1 Stages in the Appropriate Assessment Process

Stage Description Comments

The initial evaluation of a plan’s effects on a European This stage has been partly Site. If it cannot be concluded that there will be no undertaken by Somerset significant effect upon any European Site an County Council on behalf of Screening Appropriate Assessment will be required. At the end of all of the Somerset Local this process a screening decision is made by the Authorities (See Appendix Competent Authority as to whether Appropriate C). Assessment is triggered. This report comprises the screening and scoping stages together. It Preparation for the Appropriate Assessment where determines which policy screening has shown that likely significant effects could options have likely Scoping occur to a European Site. It identifies what impacts the significant effect and which AA should cover and should address any gaps in therefore will be subject to knowledge to ensure the AA is complete and accurate. Appropriate Assessment (final report). Evaluating the evidence gathered on impacts and considering whether changes to the plan are need to The methodology for this Appropriate ensure that it will not have an adverse effect on a stage is set out in Sections Assessment European Site. Normally the AA process will stop here 3.3.1 - 3.3.3. and the plan can be adopted. The plan-making authority must demonstrate that its This stage may not be Consideration policy or allocation is the least damaging way of required. Further details are of alternatives meeting the need identified in the plan. set out in Section 3.3.4.

Significant effects have been screened using the RSPB guidance (2007) which states that a significant effect is triggered when: • There is the probability or a risk of a plan or project having a significant effect on a European Site; • The plan is likely to undermine the site’s conservation objectives; and • A significant effect cannot be excluded on the basis of objective information.

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3.2 Scoping Methodology (Stage 1)

3.2.1 Existing Policy Suite

In the context of this study, the policy suite for evaluation is defined as the policies within the following plans (the full policy suite is listed in Appendix D):

• Mendip District Core Strategy; • South Somerset District Core Strategy; • Sedgemoor District Council Core Strategy; and • Taunton Deane Borough Local Plan and Emerging Allocations (2009).

As yet there are no issues and options reports available for the Taunton Deane Plan, as the change in requirements has resulted in the intent of Taunton Deane Borough Council issuing their preferred options (Regulation 25) in 2009/2010. Consequently, this assessment has been focussed on the existing Local Plan policies, taking into account the housing and employment allocations in the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), and emerging allocations for residential and employment land provided by Taunton Deane Borough Council (R Willoughby- Foster, pers. comms., 2009).

Where possible, the RSS and other existing literature have been used to make an initial assessment as to the likelihood of policies and land allocation for future development to affect the Natura 2000 sites. It should be noted that this approach is based on the worst case scenario; therefore impacts may be estimated to be of greater magnitude than they actually will be.

Consultation with the Environment Agency Fisheries, Recreation and Biodiversity team was undertaken in October 2008 to determine buffer zones from proposed development types. The zones that have been used are 5km for business/housing development, 10km for trade industry (i.e. trading estates) and 15km for industrial proposals that may require an air stack. The buffer zones assume that there is no direct pathway between the development and the European Site.

These buffer zones have been used to screen out direct impacts to European Sites. The majority of development is anticipated to lie more than 5km from the Natura 2000 sites and therefore is not expected to have a direct impact to these sites.

Some developments may occur within 5km of Natura 2000 sites and these will be carried forward into the Appropriate Assessment. These are expected to be at: Langport/Huish Episcopi, Somerton and Martock, (South Somerset) Bridgwater, Highbridge and Burnham on Sea, Westonzoyland, Woolavington and Ashcott, Cannington, Pawlett, Puriton and Wedmore (Sedgemoor) Street, Glastonbury, Wells, Meare and Westhay, Walton, and Bleadney (Mendip), North Curry, Creech St Michael, and Monkton Heathfield (Taunton Deane).

Of the developments which are anticipated to occur over 5km from the Natura 2000 sites, those at South Petherton, Yeovil, Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster and Ansford/Castle Cary (South Somerset), West Greenway (TA3), East Greenway (TA2), Priorswood Nerrols (TA5), Killams (TA10), Staplegrove (TA7), Comeytrowe (TA4), Bishops Hull (TA8), and Ford Farm (TA9) (Taunton Deane) are hydrologically linked to the Somerset Levels and Moors. Any works at these locations is expected to have downstream (indirect) effects on the

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Natura Somerset Levels and Moors. Other developments are not predicted to have downstream effects on the Somerset Levels and Moors or Severn Estuary; although there may be impacts from increased air quality and recreational pressure.

Policies for employment allocation within 10km of the Somerset Levels and Moors and Severn Estuary are identified for Bridgwater (Sedgemoor), Yeovil (South Somerset) and Taunton (Taunton Deane). At present there are no policies that identify the need for heavy industry including air stacks.

Figures 3.2 to 3.5 identify all proposed development locations for each Competent Authority and details whether the development location has been screened in or out of the Appropriate Assessment. It should be noted that the development locations are potential locations; the exact locations of development have not been confirmed at this stage. The distinction between a small development and a large development was made subjectively based on the figures given in the Core Strategy documents.

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Figure 3-1 Appropriate Assessment Methodology

Appropriate Assessment

Somerset Policies for European Sites Assessment Ecological Severn Appropriate Assessment assessment Estuary ************* Report Screening and ****************** A Somerset Levels Scoping Stage ***** And Moors ********************** 1 Identification of policies for inclusion Formal recording of the AA within the AA ************** ************** Determination of policy suites ************** Assessment in regard to: 2 Clarification of other relevant plans Consideration of clearly demonstrating whether the ************** -Features and projects for consideration preventative polices for assessment would or -Targets would not have an adverse effect -Status measures and mitigation on the integrity of the European 3 Provision of methodology for AA -Sensitivities Other Policies or Projects Sites. for 'in combination Potential impacts of policy on the above If polices cannot be shown to have 'Assessment no adverse effect on the integrity Ecological ' in of the site, and no alternative combination' solutions can be identified, then assessment the proposal should be

B dropped. .

Consultation Consultation with Natural with Natural England England

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Figure 3-2 Proposed Development Locations in Mendip

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Figure 3-3 Proposed Development Locations in Sedgemoor

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Figure 3-4 Proposed Development Locations in South Somerset

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Figure 3-5 Proposed development locations in Taunton

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3.2.2 Policy Screening

Only those policies which are likely to have a significant effect on European Sites need to be considered within the Appropriate Assessment. The identification of these policies is therefore essential to provide the scope for more detailed assessment. Policies that will have ‘no effect’ on the features of European Sites have been identified and excluded from the assessment. The box below sets out those criteria that have been used as a first step to exclude the policies, which would clearly have no likely significant effect either individually or in- combination, from the appropriate assessment process. These Criteria have been applied to the policies listed in Appendix D.

A. Policies that will not lead to the development of land (for example policies that propose sustainable transport solutions in town centres etc, but do not provide a trigger for development); B. Policies that actively seek to prevent impacts on European Sites or the wider environment (for example policies which seek to ensure that development is focussed on areas well away from European Sites); and C. Policies intended to improve the existing natural or built environment of specific areas, but which do not specify levels of development (for example policies which propose the reuse of manufacturing land for housing development where it is clear such a policy cannot result in development in or near to Natura 2000 sites, or where the policy or its affects are likely to result in a significant effect).

In addition to the process described above, a further policy screening determination was established on the basis of the guidance offered in Natural England’s HRGN Number 3 (English Nature, 1999). A series of criteria were derived, which provided the filters to determine whether it could be concluded that the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies will or will not have a likely significant effect on the above sites. These criteria are as follows:

9. Affecting restoration of a feature where this is a conservation objective.

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These criteria were considered for each policy to determine whether there is likely to be an impact on the Somerset Levels and Moors and Severn Estuary Natura 2000 sites (see Appendix D). Whilst this process established that some policies could be excluded from Stage 2, it could not be concluded that all policies would not have a likely significant effect on the features of the European Sites in Somerset region. It is therefore necessary, at this scoping stage, to carry these policies into Stage 2 and undertake Appropriate Assessment.

3.3 Proposed Methodology for Appropriate Assessment (Stage 2)

3.3.1 Appropriate Assessment of the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies

Where the Core Strategy is not available, the assessment will be made on the existing Local Plan policies for that area, taking the housing and employment figures set out in the RSS. Each Competent Authority will be subject to Appropriate Assessment and individual reports will be produced.

The assessment of the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies policies and land allocations for future development will be supported by a tabulated account, based on an adaptation of the Favourable Condition tables for the SSSIs that underpin the European Sites. An illustrative table is provided below, which will form the basis of how the assessment will be recorded (see Table 3.2). The appropriate assessment will consider direct, indirect, secondary, cumulative and in-combination impacts.

Each policy within the assessment will be evaluated and tabulated against each feature in regard to the potential effects of the policy and mitigation measures that could be taken if an adverse effect is identified, and commentary on this evaluation provided. On the basis of this work, an assessment can then be provided with regard to the effects of each policy on the integrity of the European Site. Where appropriate, the outcomes of the assessment process will also be supported by relevant ecological data.

Table 3-2 Suggested Table Format to Record the Appropriate Assessment Policy - Potential effect of Preventative Implications for the Sub Feature Attribute Target policy Measures Mitigation integrity of the site Site Feature - E.g. Ringed Plover

The level of assessment undertaken will be at an ‘appropriate’ level, commensurate with a policy based assessment, and in recognition of the fact that further assessment would be undertaken at the proposal stage. Paragraph 1.7.1 of the Natural England Guidance document (English Nature, 2006) acknowledges the need to provide a level of assessment that is ‘appropriate’ and refers to the European Court of Justice ruling where the Advocate General’s opinion was that the assessment for policy should be as rigorous as can reasonably be undertaken.

The key areas of analysis have been determined through the stages set out in Section 3.2.2. These are identified in Table 6.1. Consultation will be undertaken with RSPB, Natural England, Wessex Water, South West Water and the Environment Agency to gather additional data. This will allow us to ascertain existing recreation in development area and likelihood of increased recreation at the European Sites. We will also assess water quality deterioration (from diffuse pollution and STW discharges, using water quality data and STW capacity data).

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It will be necessary to undertake further data collection to inform Stage 2 (Appropriate Assessment). A list of data requirements is provided in Section 6.2.

3.3.2 Provision of an ‘In Combination’ Assessment

The ‘in combination’ assessment will build on the assessment of individual policies and the summary tables provided in the previous stage. The impacts of any Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies policy or land allocation for future development will be considered in combination with other policies or approved projects yet to be implemented, which can be identified as having similar mechanisms as the policy being considered for potential impact on site integrity.

Conclusions from the ‘in combination’ assessment will be provided alongside the summary for each Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies policy, so that the impacts of the policy or land allocation for future development alone and ‘in combination’ with other plans and projects is clearly and fully expressed.

3.3.3 Consideration of Preventative Measures and Mitigation

If it can been concluded that all of the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies policies alone or ‘in combination’ with other plans or projects would not have an adverse effect on the Europeans sites in question, then the assessment would finish at this stage. A recommendation would then be made, stating that the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies be implemented in their current form.

However, if following completion of the above stages, policies or land allocations remain that could have an adverse effect on the integrity of any of the European Sites, consideration will then need to be given to how such effects could be avoided or mitigated. Working with the Planning Department of each of the Somerset Authorities, available guidance and best practice would be used to determine feasible approaches and measures in respect of this.

The intent of work at this stage would be to ensure that suggested measures are acceptable in the planning context and in regard to the impacts of given policies or land allocation for future development. Following this collaborative process, a series of measures would be specified that would clearly demonstrate how adverse impacts can be mitigated or avoided for each relevant policy or land allocation.

It should be recognised at this stage, that at a policy level, preventative measures can be provided by the provision of additional supporting policy to offset adverse impacts. For example, it may be considered that site specific housing allocations may lead to additional recreational disturbance on SPA and / or Ramsar bird species. In this instance supporting policy could be developed that requires enhanced levels of recreational space to be provided with housing allocations, to prevent any increase in recreational disturbance of designated European features, where there is clear evidence for the use of the alternative as opposed to continued or increased pressure on existing sites through the use of obstruction/exclusion methods. It should be noted, however, that if policies remain for which preventative measures or mitigation cannot be established, then alternatives must be considered.

3.3.4 Determination of Alternative Solutions and Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest

If policies or land allocation for future development have been identified that could have adverse impacts on the integrity of the site(s) and preventive measures or mitigation are not adequate or appropriate, such policies will then need to be reconsidered. This consideration would follow a two stage process.

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Firstly, alternative solutions should be considered. Can the policy in question be replaced by a policy which will meet the requirements of the wider Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies and yet avoid potential impacts on European Sites? In the case of housing allocation policy, this may relate to whether a specific site allocation can be replaced with a location elsewhere, where potential impacts on European Sites could be avoided or would be acceptable. The consideration of policy alternatives will require the combined efforts of the Appropriate Assessment project team, Natural England and the policy planning officers from each of the Somerset Authorities considered in this review.

Secondly, if a policy lacks a viable alternative, then the matter of whether the policy is required in the interests of overriding public interest will need to be considered.

It should be noted that the DCLG Guidance (August 2006) states that:

“After mitigation measures have been exhausted on an emerging option and it is shown to still have a potentially negative effect on the integrity of a European site, and in absence of any other alternative solution, as a rule the option should be dropped.

In the exceptional circumstance and as an exception to that rule, if the pursuit of the option is justified by ‘imperative reasons of overriding public interest’, consideration can be given to proceeding in the absence of alternative solutions (see the Box 1 below). In these cases compensatory measures must have to be put in place to offset negative impacts”.

Box 1: Imperative reasons of overriding public interest and compensatory measures

In the exceptional event where the Local Planning Authorities proceed with a plan despite a negative assessment, it must be demonstrated that this is for ‘imperative reasons of overriding public interest’ and must provide strong justification to support their case. In these circumstances the relevant Government Office should be informed from the outset in these circumstances. They should show that there were no possible mitigation measures and/or alternative solutions to cancel out the negative effects on the integrity of the European site, along with either of the following: • that the plan is being undertaken for reasons relating to human health, public safely or beneficial consequences of primary importance to the environment; and/or • that the plan is being undertaken for imperative reasons or overriding public interest.

Local Planning Authorities when proceeding with a plan which is likely to cause negative impacts on a European site must also carry out compensatory measures. These must be taken to ensure that the overall coherence of the network of European sites is protected. The relevant Government Office must be consulted.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will inform the European Commission about the compensatory measures adopted.

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3.4 Provision of an Appropriate Assessment Report

At the conclusion of the assessment a full account of the analysis for each Core Strategy will be provided in the form of an Appropriate Assessment Report. In addition to the analysis, the report will also include records of consultation with Natural England, their response and any actions subsequent to this. The Appropriate Assessment Report will then be provided to Natural England for consultation. Following consultation, any required amendments will be made, and a finalised report including recommendations will be provided to Somerset Authorities. Within this report, agreed actions for policy amendment, replacement or modification (if required) will be presented.

The likely contents list for the appropriate assessment report will include:

• Introduction; • Methodology; • Consultation – anticipated to be with Natural England, Environment Agency, RSPB and Somerset Wildlife Trust; • Assessment of Impacts (direct, indirect, secondary and cumulative); • Consideration of Mitigation; and • Conclusions.

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4 APPRAISAL OF SOMERSET AUTHORITIES CORE STRATEGY DOCUMENTS

4.1 Policies Which Have Been Screened Into Appropriate Assessment

The filters and criteria identified in Section 3.3.1 were applied to all of the policies identified in the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies to give an indication of whether there is likely to be an impact to the Natura 2000 sites from each policy. This is detailed in Appendix D, those policies which are considered likely to have a significant impact are highlighted in red and summarised in Tables 4.1 to 4.4. Following this screening exercise, a more technical assessment has been made for each policy, considering their relevance with regard to having a likely significant effect on European Sites against the conservation objectives for each of the Natura 2000 sites. This can be found in Appendix E.

At this scoping stage, the policies shown in Tables 4.1 to 4.4 have been selected where the direct, indirect or secondary impacts of the development relating to these policies will be either likely to have a significant effect or the potential to have a significant effect. Policies have been categorised in this manner to ensure that the selection of the final list of policies for inclusion within the Appropriate Assessment (post scoping) is determined on the most informed basis.

It is proposed at this stage, that the policy suite provided in Tables 4.1 to 4.4 will provide the basis for the subsequent Appropriate Assessment.

4.1.1 Key Issues

Key issues have been identified from the literature review of the Sites’ favourable condition status, as well as other sources including the Regional Spatial Strategy and its Appropriate Assessment.

Additional housing development will have inevitable water resource demands, with the potential to impact on European Sites as a result of the increased abstraction on watercourses which could impinge on low flows particularly in summer, and resulting obstruction to fish and other aquatic fauna movements. Fish migration in particular could be affected as the migratory signals are triggered by flow and water levels. Advice has been sought from the Environment Agency on the current water availability on European Sites in relation to any threshold values specified in Favourable condition tables, and the potential impacts of projected housing demand.

Similarly, additional demands on the waste-water treatment system will be made by additional housing. This has the potential for eutrophication impacts on European Sites. Again, advice will be sought from the Environment Agency on potential eutrophication impacts as a secondary impact of housing. Consultation and information will also be sought from South West Water in relation to WWTW capacity and discharges.

Diffuse recreational impacts represent a particular challenge to predict. As well as reviewing available literature on the subject, Royal Haskoning will examine any relationship between ongoing declines in SPA and / or Ramsar bird numbers in the Severn Estuary (Bridgwater Bay) sites with the extent of recreational activity in the areas experiencing the declines.

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Table 4-1 List of Policies Considered Likely to Have a Significant or Potentially Significant Effect within the Mendip Core Strategy Issues and Options Report

Mendip Core Strategy Issues and Options Report December 2008

Option 1a - The first option is that the Core Strategy simply makes provision for 415 net additional homes per annum in Mendip over the period 2006 - 2026. Option 1b - The second option is to make provision for 450 net additional homes per annum. Option 4a - The Preferred Option previously consulted on sought to balance housing and employment growth at Glastonbury. In balancing future jobs and homes, and assuming unemployment falls as job opportunities increase, this gave rise to a need for an additional 850 homes. Option 4b - In light of the marginal shortfall in land supply, the Core Strategy should set out the need for a small employment site which will be allocated in a subsequent Local Development Framework document in 2 or 3 years time. Option 4d - This option proposes that the modest 1.6 hectares of land which is needed in Glastonbury is added to the 5.5 hectares required at Street to create a more viable employment site. Discussion of how this land might be accommodated is set out in the section relating to Street. Option 5a - That the 2000sqm of additional retail space required in the plan period is focused entirely in the town centre through extensions to existing stores, the redevelopment of existing areas to provide more space, or the earmarking of new areas around the town centre for retail development. Option 5b - This option recognises that there is a concentration of existing retail warehousing which could be supplemented with stores offering particular types of goods which most local residents currently purchase elsewhere. Option 6a - The Preferred Option previously consulted on was described as the "moderate growth in Street" in response to the good access to jobs and services including those in near-by Glastonbury, rather than as a catalyst for major regeneration of the town. • If the district-wide housing requirement is set at 415 homes per annum, 1500 net additional homes would be directed to Street under this option. • If the district-wide housing requirement is set at 450 homes per annum, 1600 net additional homes would be directed to Street under this option. Under this option, it will be necessary to accommodate about 500 - 600 homes on strategic sites, depending upon the level at which the district-wide housing requirement is set. Option 6b - The first alternative option put forward previously was a high-growth option. Option 6c - The second alternative option consulted upon previously was a low growth option of 1000 homes. Option 7a - That 5.7 hectares of employment land be provided as part of a mixed use development including housing and community infrastructure as part of one of the strategic sites identified later in this consultation paper. Option 7b - That the existing allocated site at Gravenchon Way is extended westwards to provide one single 11 hectare employment area. Option 7c - That land for a new 5.7 hectare standalone business park is identified elsewhere around Street. Option 7d - That the currently undeveloped Gravenchon Way site is set aside and a single new 11 hectare standalone business park is identified elsewhere around Street.

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Mendip Core Strategy Issues and Options Report December 2008

Option 12a) - Only allow development in those villages with a wide range of local services and facilities. Option 12b) - Restrict development to those villages with ‘Core Facilities’. Option 12b) i - Supplement Option 12b with an additional group of villages where new development would be dependent upon the delivery of an absent core facility. Option 12b) ii - Supplement Option 12b with an additional group of villages where affordable housing need is greatest. Option 12b) iii - Supplement Option 12b) with an additional group of villages where local employment levels are highest. Option 12b) iv - Supplement Option 12b) with an additional requirement for new employment development in villages where local employment is relatively low. Option 12b) v - Supplement Option 12b with a number of settlements in more isolated parts of the district where services and employment opportunities could be extended. Option 12c) i - Allow development in all 56 villages as identified in the current Local Plan. Option 12d) - Allow development in all 56 villages identified in the current Local Plan with higher levels of development in 28 serviced villages which have a school, a daily bus service to a nearby town and either a shop or a village hall.

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Table 4-2 List of Policies Considered Likely to Have a Significant or Potentially Significant Effect within the Sedgemoor Issues and Options Report

Sedgemoor Issues and Options Report June 2007

Option SS1 - Spatial Strategy for Sedgemoor (Distribution of Growth). How should the levels of growth set out in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy be distributed across the District? (Please select one option) Option 1 - (Town Strategy) Option 2 - (Towns and Key Rural Settlements Strategy) Option 3 - (Dispersal Strategy) Option 4 - (Alternative Strategy) SS2 - Spatial Strategy for Sedgemoor (Additional Levels of Growth). If the housing requirement of the draft RSS is increased to the levels suggested by the household projections (ONS) or greater, which of the spatial strategy principles below would you consider most appropriate? (Please select one option) A - Town Strategy B - Town and Key Rural Settlements Strategy C - Dispersal Strategy D - Alternative Strategy BW1 - Development Options for Bridgwater (Areas of Search for Housing). Please rank the following broad locations in the order that you consider them to be the most appropriate to be identified as having potential to accommodate an urban extension at Bridgwater? (With 1 being the most preferred and 8 being the least) A - Little Sydenham Farm (Mixed Use) B - Cokerhurst Farm, Wembdon C - Bower Lane D - Somerset Bridge (Mixed Use) E - South Bridgwater F - Durleigh G - Follets Farm, Dunwear H - Other Options (please state)

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Sedgemoor Issues and Options Report June 2007

BW2 - Development Options for Bridgwater (Areas of Search for Employment). Please rank the following broad locations in the order that you consider them to be the most appropriate to potentially accommodate a strategic employment site for Bridgwater (with 1 being the most preferred and 7 being the least) A - Little Sydenham Farm (Mixed Use) B - Royal Ordnance Factory, Puriton** Royal Ordnance Factory at Puriton has been included within the area of search although it is not adjacent to Bridgwater’s urban area it is physically related to the town. C - Huntworth D - Somerset Bridge (Mixed Use) E - North of Express Park F - North and East of the A38 G - Other Option (please state) BH1 - Development Options for Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge (Areas of Search for Housing). Please rank in order of preference the following broad locations that you consider to be the most appropriate to potentially accommodate an urban extension at Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge (with 1 being the most preferred and 4 being the least). A - South of the River Brue B - Alstone C - North of Former Radio Station D - Other Options (please state) BH2 - Development Options for Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge (Employment Provision). Please rank in order of preference the following approaches for providing adequate employment opportunities in Burnham & Highbridge (with 1 being the most preferred and 4 being the least). B - Promote the extension of existing sites C - Promote the allocation of an additional greenfield employment site D - Other Options (please state) BH3 - Development Options for Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge (Areas of Search for Employment). Please rank in order of preference the following broad locations that you consider to be the most appropriate to potentially accommodate an additional employment site at Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge (with 1 being the most preferred and 4 being the least). A - Land to North of Isleport and A38 B - Land to North East of Isleport C - Land to the East of Isleport D - Other Options (please state)

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Table 4-3 List of Policies Considered Likely to Have a Significant or Potentially Significant Effect within the South Somerset Core Strategy Issues and Options Report

South Somerset Core Strategy Issues and Options Report, March 2008 Option S1. Levels of Development Based on the above information, which of the following housing supply scenarios do you consider we should plan for and why? A-Draft RSS EiP Panel Report recommendation of 19,700 dwellings, of which 6,400 should be within the existing area of Yeovil and 5,000 should be within an area of search for urban extension of Yeovil, and 8,300 should be elsewhere in the South Somerset Housing Market Area (district) outside Yeovil. B - ONS: 16,600 dwellings within South Somerset District Housing Market Area of which 7,400 dwellings to be provided for at Yeovil. C - Department of Communities & Local Government projection: 19,700 dwellings within South Somerset District Housing Market Area of which an undefined number of dwellings to be provided for at Yeovil; D - Draft RSS EiP Panel Report recommendation of 19,700 dwellings, of which 6,400 should be within the existing area of Yeovil and 5,000 should be within an area of search for urban extension of Yeovil, and 8,300 should be elsewhere in the South Somerset Housing Market Area (district) outside Yeovil; E - Growth in excess of 19,700 reflecting the Government's Housing Green Paper "Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable", July 2007. Option S3 - Accepting your answer to Question S1 above, how should the residual (non-Yeovil) requirement of dwellings be provided for? A - Distribute the residual dwellings and commensurate jobs infrastructure etc to only Development Policy B settlements. B - Distribute the residual dwellings and commensurate jobs, infrastructure etc to only some Development Policy B (Market Towns) and C Small Towns & Villages) settlements. C - Distribute the residual dwellings and commensurate jobs, infrastructure etc to all Development Policy B and C settlements. D - An alternative option. Option EP1 - Based on the RSS housing figures, do you agree that we should be: A - Planning to provide for the 9,100 jobs in the Yeovil travel to work area, which equates to somewhere in the region of 7,800 – 10,700 jobs in the district by 2026? B - An alternative option. Please provide evidence supporting the figure you identify. Option TA2 - Walking and Cycling. In order to promote walking and cycling, the Core Strategy should (tick all that apply): B - Provide cycle and pedestrian routes to link new development with new/existing services. Option EQ4 - Renewable energy. What approach should the Core Strategy take to a policy on proposals for large scale renewable energy schemes: A - Set out broad locations that would be appropriate for large scale renewable energy uses. B - Include a criteria-based policy for considering proposals for renewable energy generation within the Development Management policies. C - Both A and B. D - An alternative option. (please give details).

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Table 4-4 List of Policies Considered Likely to Have a Significant or Potentially Significant Effect within the Taunton Deane Adopted Local Plan (2004) and the Emerging Allocations (2009)

Taunton Deane Emerging Allocations 2009

Monkton Heathfield TA1 3,000 dwellings with employment and schools with district centre E & W of Greenway TA2 & 3 1,000 dwellings Priorswood/Nerrols TA5 1,000 dwellings Comeytrowe TA4 3,000 dwellings (but total potential capacity of between 6 and 8,000) including employment, schools and local centres Staplegrove TA7 1,250 dwellings with employment, school and local centre Bishops Hull TA8 500 dwellings Ford Farm N.Fitz. TA9 600 dwellings with employment Killams TA10 600 dwellings North Curry 50 dwellings Creech St Michael 50 dwellings Other villages 75 dwellings

Taunton Deane Adopted Local Plan 2004

S9 - Within Taunton town centre, development proposals that enhance its sub-regional role and the quality and character of its surrounding environment will generally be supported. EC1 - Business, industrial and warehousing development will be permitted within the defined limits of settlements. EC2 - Proposals by existing firms to expand onto land subject to restrictive policies will be permitted where relocation to a more suitable site is unrealistic, and where the economic benefit of the proposal outweighs any harm to the objectives of the relevant policy. Mitigating measures will be sought to reduce any environmental impact to a minimum. EC10 - Taunton and Wellington town centres will be the priority location for major retail development and other key town centre uses. Where such facilities cannot be located within these town centres, preference for site selection will be as follows: i - edge-of-town centre sites. iv - out-of-centre sites in locations that are (or can be made) accessible by a choice of means of transport. EC24 - Static caravan sites and holiday chalet developments will be permitted. EC25 - Touring caravan and camping site development will be permitted.

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Taunton Deane Adopted Local Plan 2004

C3 - Proposals involving the loss of recreational facilities, including allotments, public, private and school/college playing fields, sports grounds, indoor sport and recreational facilities, areas for informal public recreation and children’s play areas will not be permitted unless: C - equivalent provision in a convenient location is made to at least an equal standard and with equal community benefit. C4 - In the event of the increased demand for open space not being met by existing facilities, developers of new housing, on sites of six or more dwellings, will provide landscaped and appropriately equipped recreational open space in accordance with the following standards: D - in the case of small groups of housing where the site is too small for provision of playing fields or children's play space on-site, or where it is physically unsuitable, off-site provision will be sought. C5 - Proposals for new or significantly improved or extended sports facilities will be permitted where: C - in the case of sites outside but adjoining the defined limits of settlements, there is a clear and demonstrable need to use a site in the countryside. T2 - Sites within the Tangier area as shown on the Proposals Map are proposed for major mixed-use redevelopment to include a food superstore, retail warehousing, offices, leisure and residential. T3 - Sites within the Firepool area as shown on the Proposals Map are proposed for a major mixed-use redevelopment to include retail warehousing, offices, industry, warehousing and distribution, leisure and residential. T4 - Sites at Norton Fitzwarren as shown on the Proposals Map are proposed for a major development site including housing, employment, community facilities and associated developments as set out in more detail in policies T5-T7. T5 - The following sites are allocated for housing development as part of the Norton Fitzwarren major development site: A - Taunton Trading Estate incorporating Pring’s Mobile Home Park 14.8 hectares. B - Matthew Clark Cider Factory 3.9 hectares. C - MoD Land, Cross Keys 0.9 hectares. T6 - The following sites are allocated for employment facilities for business, industrial and warehousing development as part of the Norton Fitzwarren major development site: A - Taunton Trading Estate 7.5 hectares gross (5.2 hectares net). B - Matthew Clark Cider Factory. 0.7 hectare gross (0.5 hectare net). T7 - The following sites are allocated for community uses as part of the Norton Fitzwarren major development site: A - Matthew Clark Cider Factory and Mill House; Local Centre including local shopping and other commercial and community uses 1.7 hectares. B - west of Stembridge Way; playing fields 4.3 hectares. C - along the course of the Halse Water and elsewhere within the housing areas; linear public open space. D - Norton Fitzwarren Primary School, Blackdown View; school extension. In addition, a new school playing field to meet the needs of the expanded primary school will be required on a site to be agreed by the school and Education Authority. E - Norton Fitzwarren Hill Fort; public open space 5.6 hectares.

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Taunton Deane Adopted Local Plan 2004

T8 - Sites at Monkton Heathfield are proposed for a major comprehensive development including housing, employment, community facilities and associated developments T9 - A site of 50 hectares east of Monkton Heathfield is allocated for a mixed-use development T10 - A site of 4.8 hectares north of Aginghill’s Farm as shown on the Proposals Map is allocated for residential development. Affordable housing will be sought on this site in accordance with policies H9 and H10. T11 - A site of 10 hectares south of Langaller is allocated for B1 light industry and B8 warehousing development. T13 - A site of 3.6 hectares east of Silk Mills Lane as shown on the Proposals Map is allocated for a minimum of 80 dwellings. T14 - A site of 3.3 hectares at Priorswood Road SWEB west depot as shown on the Proposals Map is allocated for a mixed residential and commercial development. T15 - The following sites as shown on the Proposals Map are allocated for residential development: A - Hamilton Road 0.6 ha B - Princess Margaret School, Middleway 1.4 ha C - St James Street Garage 0.2 ha D - Somerset Place 0.7 ha E - Dabinett Close, Norton Fitzwarren 0.3 ha F - 52/55 Upper High Street 0.03 ha G - Gatchell House, Trull 1.5 ha H - The Uppers Playing Field, Greenway Road 2.1 ha T16 - A site of 9.4 hectares is allocated as an extension of Crown Industrial Estate. T17 - A site of 1.8 hectares south of the former Priorswood Concrete Works as shown on the Proposals Map is allocated for offices and light industry. T18 - A site of 0.8 hectare west of Courtlands Farm as shown on the Proposals Map is allocated for low density employment uses with small buildings designed to respect the setting of Norton Camp Hill. T23 - A site of 1.7 hectares at The Crescent as shown on the Proposals Map is allocated for a major retail development scheme, to include food and drink, leisure and entertainment facilities. T24 - A site of 1.4 hectares at Wood Street as shown on the Proposals Map is allocated for mixed-use town centre redevelopment, to include residential and one or more of the following uses: retail, food and drink, offices, leisure and/or entertainment facilities. T28 - Park and Ride sites are proposed at: A - East Taunton; and B - East of Silk Mills. T32 - The following major highway schemes are proposed: A - Inner Relief Road, with associated works at Wellington Road/Castle Street and Bridge Street/Wood Street junctions; B - Silk Mills Bridge.

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Taunton Deane Adopted Local Plan 2004

CSL1 - Development will be permitted in accordance with the agreed Development Guide and Master Plan for Cotford St Luke up to a limit of approximately 850 dwellings. CM1 - A site of 1.1 hectares at Hyde Lane as shown on the Proposals Map is allocated for not less than 35 houses. CM2 - Other than on the site allocated in policy CM1, new housing development will be restricted to small-scale developments, including infilling, within the defined settlement limits. HB1 - Land west of Station Road is proposed for housing development. HE1 - A site of approximately 10 hectares is proposed for employment uses (Classes B2 and B8) east of Henlade Concrete Works. KM1 - A site of 0.65 hectare at Hill Farm as shown on the Proposals Map is allocated for a minimum of 20 houses. OK1 - A site of 0.5 hectare is proposed for approximately 15 houses east of Saxon Close. WV1 - A site of 2.7 hectares north of Style Road is allocated for not less than 50 dwellings. WV3 - A site of 5.6 hectares south of Taunton Road, as shown on the Proposals Map, is allocated for Class B1, B2 or B8 employment uses, with a maximum of 3.0 hectares to be developed within the Plan period.

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Where land allocation for future development occurs within areas at risk of flooding, or compounds the risk of flooding elsewhere, this could have adverse effects on European Sites both in terms of the watercourse response, or through the requirement for flood alleviation or protection measures that would need to be implemented which would themselves have the potential to adversely effect the European Sites or their interest features and species. We have examined the Strategic Flood Risk Assessments undertaken for the Local Development Framework to ascertain if there is a potential for adverse effects on the European Sites, and where possible quantify it. Glastonbury and Street are known to have surface water flooding problems which currently impact upon the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/ Ramsar.

Several of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which form the Natura 2000 sites are in unfavourable condition (see Appendices A and B). The reasons for unfavourable condition include:

• Fertiliser use; • Inappropriate water levels; • Water pollution - agriculture/run off; • Coastal squeeze; • Peat extraction; • Vehicles; • Grazing, • Public Access/ Disturbance.

Peat extraction has been carried out in the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/Ramsar since 1949 and this is considered by Natural England to be a reason for unfavourable condition of some of the SSSIs which form the SPA/Ramsar. Minerals extraction permissions on the Somerset Levels and Moors are reviewed under Regulation 50 of the Habitat Regulations by Somerset County Council. A screening report was produced in April 2009.

Public access/disturbance is listed as a reason for unfavourable condition of SSSIs by Natural England. Consultation with Natural England (see Table 2.3) has identified that this is considered to be a low level problem on both the Severn Estuary and Somerset Levels and Moors Natura 2000 sites. Furthermore Natural England has the responsibility to promote access, recreation and public well-being for the benefit of today's and future generations.

4.1.2 Draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)

To meet the new requirements for the South West of England, a draft RSS (titled the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West) was published (June 2006) and once finalised (estimated June 2009) it will provide the statutory framework for local authorities to produce more detailed local development plans and local transport plans for their areas. In order to meet the requirements of the European Habitat Regulations, a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) has been produced for the RSS.

Key issues identified in the RSS and HRA include flood risk, ecological integrity, economic growth and housing development, abstraction and minerals extraction. These are outlined in turn below.

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Flood Risk (Section 4.0.12)

“The Regional Flood Risk Assessment provides a broad overview of the source and significance of all types of flood risk across the region. It concludes that the areas which are subject to regionally significant flood risk are the Somerset Levels and Moors… Bridgwater, Taunton… At the local level, local planning authorities will prepare Strategic Flood Risk Assessments and will use the sequential test outlined in PPS25 to guide development away from current or future flood risk areas and flood plains. Flood risk will also be managed through the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems”.

Ecological Integrity

Section 4.0.13 states that:

“The integrity of Natura 2000 and Ramsar sites (collectively referred to as N2K sites) should be protected. New development in the region will be facilitated by policy measures that secure effective avoidance, minimisation and mitigation of the potential adverse effects on the ecological integrity of such designated sites. Policy ENV1 identifies the Severn Estuary as particularly vulnerable.

The Habitat Regulations Assessment also identifies the Somerset Levels & Moors SPA and Ramsar (Taunton and Yeovil) as being vulnerable where further protection measures may be necessary depending on the impacts of new development proposed through LDDs or planning applications”.

Policy CO1 seeks to protect the coastal zone and states that “Within the undeveloped coast there will be a presumption against development unless it:

• Does not detract from the unspoilt character and appearance of the coast • Is essential for the benefit of the wider community; or • Is required to improve public access for informal recreation; or • Is required to support the sustainable management of fisheries; and • Cannot be accommodated reasonably outside the undeveloped coast zone.”

The HRA states that it is possible that nutrient removal may be required at the Taunton sewage treatment works (STW) to protect the integrity of the Somerset Level and Moors SPA and Ramsar site due to the ambitious growth proposed in the Panel Report for Taunton.

Economic Growth and Housing Development

Policy HMA6 (Taunton and Bridgwater), and HMA13 (Yeovil) state that 7,500 jobs will be created in the Bridgwater Travel To Work Area (TTWA), 16,500 in the Taunton TTWA and 9,100 in the Yeovil TTWA.

HMA 6 also states that:

“…. action should be taken to improve movement and accessibility for all on the corridor between Bridgwater and Taunton (avoiding the M5). This should comprise:

• demand management measures • sustainable travel measures; and • if necessary targeted new infrastructure investment to unlock pinch points.”

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Policy HD1 states that provision should be made across the HMAs and LPA areas to deliver the total number of dwellings in the periods between 2006 -2026 as set out in Tables 4.5 and 4.6.

Table 4-5 Additional Dwellings to be Built between 2006 and 2026 within Local Regions and the South West of England as a whole (Secretary of State CLG, 2008)

Region Annual growth 2006-2026 Total

South West Total 29,623 993,720 Mendip 415 8,300 South Somerset 985 19,700 Taunton Deane 1090 21,800 Sedgemoor 510 10,200

Table 4.6 details the proposed housing and employment allocations from the RSS for the Strategically Significant Cities and Towns Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil for the period 206 2026.

Table 4-6 SSCT Allocations as Set Out in the RSS

Region RSS Proposed Allocations 2006-2026 Mendip 8,300 homes to be spread across the district, development will be focussed on Street & Glastonbury, Frome, Wells and Shepton Mallet.

Sedgemoor 6,200 new homes within the existing urban area of Bridgwater

1,500 new homes partly within the existing urban area and partly as an extension to it, to the north of Bridgwater

7,500 jobs in the Bridgwater TTWA including the provision of about 54 ha of employment land.

South Somerset 6,400 new homes within the existing urban area of Yeovil

5,000 new homes in area of search around Yeovil (South Somerset and West Dorset)

9,100 jobs in the Yeovil TTWA including the provision of around 43 ha of employment land.

Taunton Deane 11,000 new homes within Taunton Urban Area.

4,000 new homes to the north east of Taunton.

3,000 new homes to the south west of Taunton

16,500 jobs in the Taunton TTWA including the provision of 34ha of employment land.

The Environment Agency’s response to the RSS proposed development allocations states that “In the Taunton HMA, subject to confirmation from Wessex Water, capacity is available to treat increased sewage flows arising from the proposed development at Taunton, Bridgwater and Wellington whilst continuing to meet environmental quality standards. Nutrient loads in the Tone are currently subject to investigation and in the long term nutrient removal may be necessary at Taunton and Wellington Sewage Works. Sufficient water is available for supply,

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while continuing to meet environmental needs, provided the strategy overall secures higher standards of water efficiency in new homes”.

Abstraction

The Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) has identified that the Severn Estuary cSAC, SPA and Ramsar sites are sensitive to increased levels of water abstraction to serve new homes, and the construction of more water efficient homes may be required in the HMAs affecting these sites:

“These sensitivities may necessitate more stringent or innovative water conservation measures dependent upon the identification of sites and specific locations for new development in local development plan documents in order to ensure that there is no adverse effect of the integrity of such sites. Where the abstraction sources for new development sites and locations are hydrologically connected to N2K sites there will be more likelihood of adverse effects occurring. The Government has also committed to bringing forward an amendment to Building Regulations to include a requirement for a minimum standard of water efficiency in new homes as well as a review of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 later in 2008.”

4.2 Summary

It has been established that the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies requires an Appropriate Assessment, since it cannot be concluded that the impacts of the provision of housing and employment land allocations, would not have a likely significant effect on the three European Sites being considered in this report.

The actual impacts of increased housing numbers, levels of recreational use, transport within and external to the County and the provision of new employment, clearly may have the potential for a likely significant effect on these sites given the sensitivity of bird species to disturbance from passive and active recreation in or adjacent to roosting sites.

The impacts of such policy therefore need to be considered in this context within the Appropriate Assessment. Additionally, such impacts will need to be considered, alone and in combination with other plans and projects (in accordance with the Habitats Regulations). The determination of the other plans and projects which are relevant therefore, needs to be considered at the scoping stage, and this issue is addressed in the following section.

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5 CONSIDERATION OF OTHER PLANS AND PROJECTS

5.1 Introduction

The Habitats Regulations provide the requirement for an ‘in combination’ assessment to ensure that the integrity of sites is afforded full protection from the cumulative impacts of development, and to ensure that holistic approaches to assessment are provided. Natural England (in its Habitats Regulations Guidance Notes and its Draft Guidance on The Assessment of RSS and Sub-Regional Strategies) and the DCLG (then ODPM) in Circular 6/2005 have provided guidance with regard to the manner in which ‘in combination’ assessments should be provided and the scope to which other plans or projects should be considered in this process. With regard to the plans and projects that will need to be considered ‘in combination’ with the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies, there is a clear need to provide an appropriate scope to ensure that the overall assessment is manageable and effective and meets with the terms of the Habitats Regulations. In order to provide a focus to determine which plans and projects, will be included within this assessment, the following criteria have been applied:

On the basis of the above criteria, a review of policy within the District, adjacent to the District, and in the regional context has been undertaken to determine aspects that should be included within the ‘in combination’ assessment. Clearly, the policies which will be relevant in the context of the Appropriate Assessment are quite specific. Such policies, when implemented, may cause similar effects (although the mechanisms maybe different) to the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies policies identified as potentially having an effect. For example, the key potential impacts on the SPAs in Somerset have been identified as disturbance from passive or active recreation, water resources, and water quality. Accordingly, non-Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies policies that may contribute to or interact with these potential impacts will need to be included within the ‘in combination’ assessment. Key policy areas will therefore relate to housing and employment land allocation.

The full Policy, Plan, and Project review is included in Appendix F. Those plans and projects that are considered likely to have an in-combination impact with the Somerset Authorities Core Strategies are listed below:

• The Draft Revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West Incorporating the Secretary of States Proposed Changes – For Consultation 2008; • One Wales Delivery Plan 2007-2011 • Responding to Climate Change in Somerset; • North Devon and Somerset SMP; • West Somerset Local Plan; • Somerset Minerals Local Plan 204-2011; • North Somerset Core Strategy – Issues and Options Report;

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• The Parrett Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy; • River Tone Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy; • Brue, Axe and North Somerset Streams, Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy • Bristol Container Port habitat creation scheme; • Hinkley Point; • Somerset Local Transport Plan; and • Somerset Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2006.

In addition, we are aware of the following proposals which could have an in-combination impact with the Somerset Authorities Core Strategies, however at present there are no firm proposals for these schemes. It is too difficult to make an assessment of these schemes; therefore they have been scoped out of the in-combination assessment.

• Severn Tidal Power Proposals; • River Parrett Surge Barrier;

Finally, it should be noted that the Core Strategies for adjacent districts can also result in in- combination impacts.

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6 CONCLUSIONS

This report has provided three basic tasks to determine the scope of the assessment:

1. The identification of the Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies policies which need to be considered within the appropriate assessment (identified in Tables 4.1-4.4); 2. Summarised the sites, features and attributes which require consideration (Identified in Table 6.1); and 3. Provided an account of the other plans and projects which need to be considered within the assessment (See Section 5.1). The scope of the appropriate assessment for each Core Strategy is identified in Table 6.1 below. The key issues are considered likely to arise from the policies identified in Tables 4.1 4.4.

Table 6-1 Key Focus of the Appropriate Assessment for each Local Authority

Local Scoped in Scoped out Authority Mendip • Increased recreational disturbance to birds within the • Impacts to Severn Estuary District Somerset Levels and Moors SPA due to population growth SPA, cSAC, Ramsar due Council within the district. Particularly at Street and Glastonbury. to distance. (Options 1a, • Increased water quality impacts to invertebrates within the 1b, 4a, 4b, 4d, Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar due to eutrophication 5a, 5b, 6a-6c, from new water treatment facilities and run-off. These are 7a-7d, 12a anticipated from developments at Glastonbury and Street 12d) and from potential developments at Bleadney, Meare, Walton, Westhay and Wookey. • Increased flood risk to the Somerset Levels and Moors from development at Glastonbury and Street. Sedgemoor • Increased recreational disturbance to birds within the • Direct impacts to the District Somerset Levels and Moors SPA and Severn Estuary SPA Somerset Levels and Council due to population growth and increased recreation within Moors Ramsar, as there is (Options SS1, the district, particularly at Burnham, Highbridge, no hydrological pathway. SS2, BW1, Bridgwater, Westonzoyland, Woolavington, and Ashcott, BW2, BW4 Cannington, Pawlett, Puriton and Wedmore. (C) BH1, BH2 • Potential development and renewable energy projects in (B-D), BH3, the flyways between the Severn Estuary SPA and the BH4) Somerset Levels and Moors SPA affecting birds. • Potential increased recreational disturbance to saltmarsh, sandflat and mudflat habitats within the Severn Estuary SPA and cSAC due to population growth and increased recreation within the district. • Potential development in undesignated areas outside the Severn Estuary SPA which nonetheless support the ecological functioning of bird species, such as for roosting and/or feeding, from the SPA. • Potential to impact upon fish migratory signals (Severn Estuary cSAC and Ramsar species) due to increased levels of abstraction or increased obstruction.

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Local Scoped in Scoped out Authority South • Increased recreational disturbance to birds within the • Impacts to Severn Estuary Somerset Somerset Levels and Moors SPA due to population growth SPA/ cSAC/ Ramsar due District within the district, particularly at Yeovil to distance. Council • Increased water quality impacts to invertebrates within the (Options S1, Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar due to changes in S3, EP1, TA2 water quality arising from run-off and increased sewage (B), EQ4,) treatment works that could arise from development at Langport/ Huish Episcopi, South Petherton, Somerton and Martock. Taunton • Potential to impact upon fish migratory signals (Severn • Impacts to Severn Estuary Deane Estuary cSAC and Ramsar species) due to increased SPA, and habitats within Borough levels of abstraction. the Severn Estuary cSAC Council • Increased recreational disturbance to birds within the due to distance. (Options S9, Somerset Levels and Moors SPA due to population growth EC1, EC2, within the district, particularly North Curry, Creech St EC10 (i&iv), Michael, Monkton Heathfield (TA1), West Greenway (TA3), EC24, EC25, East Greenway (TA2), Priorswood/Nerrols (TA5), Killams C3 (C), C4 (TA10), Staplegrove (TA7), Comeytrowe (TA4), Bishops (D), C5 (C), Hull (TA8), and Ford Farm (TA9). T2-T11, T13- • Increased water quality impacts to invertebrates within the T18, T23, Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar due to eutrophication T24, T28, from new water treatment facilities and surface water run T32, CSL1, off from developments at North Curry, Creech St Michael, CM1, CM2, Monkton Heathfield (TA1), West Greenway (TA3), East HB1, HE1, Greenway (TA2), Priorswood/Nerrols (TA5), Killams KM1, OK1, (TA10), Staplegrove (TA7), Comeytrowe (TA4), Bishops WV1, WV3) Hull (TA8), and Ford Farm (TA9).

6.1 Likely Mitigation Measures

At this stage of the process it is not possible to finalise mitigation measures as the steps described in Section 3.3 need to be undertaken to inform the mitigation strategy. It is possible, however, to highlight likely generic mitigation measures. These are outlined below:

• Land allocations for development should be located to avoid increased abstraction, particularly in those areas identified in the CAMS as no water available; • Wastewater Treatment Works should be upgraded to ensure there is enough infrastructure to cope with demand, thus avoiding water pollution incidents; • Alternative recreation areas could be created to reduce recreational pressure within the N2K sites, where there is clear evidence for the use of the alternative as opposed to continued or increased pressure on existing sites through the use of obstruction/exclusion methods; • Transport Planning should consider the need to avoid increased air quality impacts in the area of N2K sites, and where possible should reduce existing impacts; and • South Somerset District Council Core Strategy Issues and Options Report Policies S1 ands S3 could be reworded to include the statement ‘residential development should be located at least 5km distant from, and not on any watercourse which feeds into, the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/ Ramsar’. Development should only go ahead in the 5km zone if it can demonstrate that there will be no adverse effect upon N2K sites.

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6.2 Requirements for Stage 2

In order to undertake the Appropriate Assessment it will be necessary to obtain the following data:

• WeBS data for the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA and Severn Estuary SPA; • Existing population data for towns and villages for each district; • Sewage Treatment Works capacity, and treatment methods; • Outcomes of study into impacts of treated sewage effluent on the Somerset Levels and Moors (Wessex Water). • Existing employment land areas for towns and villages for each district; • Existing public rights of way routes for each district; • GIS data showing proposed locations/required for flood defence for each district; • GIS mapping of watercourses (Environment Agency); • Water quality data and water quality targets for all relevant rivers (Environment Agency); • Salmon spawning areas (Environment Agency); • Rivers at risk of low flows (Environment Agency/ Natural England); and • Review of consents data for Severn Estuary SPA/cSAC/ Ramsar and Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/ Ramsar (Environment Agency).

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Somerset Authorities Appropriate Assessment -58 - 9T3999/EXT/Scoping Final Scoping Report October 2009 7 REFERENCES

Banks, A., Collier, M., Austin, G., Hearn R. and Musgrove A (2005). Waterbirds in the UK 2004/05, British Trust for Ornithology

Bath and North East Somerset Council (2007). Core Strategy Launch document.

DCLG (2006). Planning for the Protection of European Sites: Appropriate assessment – Guidance for regional spatial strategies and local development documents. Department for Communities and Local Government August 2006.

East Devon Council (2005). Adopted East Devon Local Plan.

English Nature (1999). Habitats Regulation Guidance Note Number 3 – The Determination of Likely Significant Effect.

English Nature (2006). The Assessment of Regional Spatial Strategies under the Provisions of the Habitats Regulations – Draft Guidance. English Nature.

English Nature (2006a). Nature on the map. Available online at: KWWSZZZQDWXUHRQWKHPDSQDWXUDOHQJODQGRUJXN Accessed July 2007.

Environment Agency (2004). River Tone Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy.

Environment Agency (2006) Parrett Tidal Flood Defence: Sluice/ Embankments Technical Review

Environment Agency (2006). North and Mid-Somerset Catchment Flood Management Plan.

Environment Agency (2006a). The Parrett Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy.

Environment Agency (2006b). Brue, Axe and North Somerset Streams, Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy.

Environment Agency (2008). River Parrett Catchment Flood Management Plan.

Government Office for the South West (2008). The Draft Revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West Incorporating the Secretary of States Proposed Changes – For Consultation 2008.

Halcrow (1998). North Devon and Somerset Shoreline Management Plan

Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (2006). Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom

JNCC (2006). UK SPA review – site accounts. Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Land Use Consultants (2008). South West Regional Spatial Strategy Proposed Changes Habitat Regulations Assessment.

Mendip District Council (1995). Mendip Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Mendip District Council (2002). Mendip District Local Plan

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Mendip District Council (2008). Mendip Core Strategy Issues and Options Report

Mid Devon District Council (2007). Mid Devon Local Development Framework Core Strategy 2026 Adopted July 2007.

Natural England (2005). The Severn Estuary Special Protection Area European Marine Site English Nature & the Countryside Council for Wales’ advice for the Severn Estuary Special Protection Area given under Regulation 33(2) of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994.

Natural England (2006b). Sites of Special Scientific Interest, reports and statistics.

Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales (2008). The Severn Estuary candidate Special Area of Conservation European Marine Site. Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales’ advice for the Severn Estuary Special Protection Area given under Regulation 33(2) (a) of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994, as amended.

North Dorset District Local Development Framework (2007). Core Strategy Issues and Options Paper.

North Somerset Council (2007). Core Strategy – Issues and Options Report.

ODPM (2005). Government Circular: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation – Statutory Obligations and their Impact within the Planning System (Circular 06/2005).

Royal Haskoning (2008). Bristol Container Port Habitat Creation Scheme Scoping Report– Document in progress.

RSPB (2007). The Appropriate Assessment of Spatial Plans in England, A Guide to Why, When and How to do it, RSPB, Sandy.

Salisbury District Council (2008). Core Strategy Preferred Option.

Sedgemoor Biodiversity Partnership (2008). Sedgemoor Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Sedgemoor District Council, (2007). Sedgemoor Issues and Options Report June 2007.

Severn Estuary Partnership (2001) Strategy for the Severn Estuary, Cardiff University, Cardiff.

Somerset Biodiversity Partnership (2008). Wild Somerset - Somerset Biodiversity Strategy.

Somerset County Council (2001). Somerset Waste Local Plan 2001 – 20011. Adopted 2005.

Somerset County Council (2004). Somerset Minerals Local Plan.

Somerset County Council (2006). Somerset Local Transport Plan.

Somerset County Council (2006). Somerset Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2006.

Somerset County Council (2007) The Identification of Mineral permissions likely to affect the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA. A Review conducted under Regulation 50 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994.

Somerset County Council (2008). Responding to Climate Change in Somerset.

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Somerset Environmental Records Centre (2008). Taunton Deane Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Somerset Strategic Partnership (2004). Somerset Vision and Community Strategy.

South Somerset District Council (2008). South Somerset Core Strategy Issues and Options Report, March 2008.

South West Regional Development Agency (2003). Regional Economic Strategy for the South West of England 2003 – 2012.

South West Water (2008). Draft Water Resources Plan

Taunton Deane Borough Council (2004). Adopted Taunton Deane Local Plan

Taunton Deane Borough Council (2008). Taunton Town Centre Area Action Plan (Submission). The River Parrett Trail - Following a river from source to mouth, (1997), Tourism and Marketing Unit, South Somerset District Council The South West Regional Spatial Strategy: Schedule of the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes and Reasons – For Public Consultation July 2008 a

Thomas, H.; T. R. Nisbet (2007). "An assessment of the impact of floodplain woodland on flood flows". Water and Environment Journal 21 (2): 114–126. Vision for Taunton

Waterlinks

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8 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Appropriate Assessment (AA): An appropriate assessment determines whether a likely significant effect will occur as a result of a proposed plan, policy or project. Also referred to as a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).

Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP): An agreed plan for a habitat or species, which forms part of the UK’s commitment to biodiversity. For further information consult the BAP website

Birds Directive: European Community Directive (79/409/EEC) on the conservation of wild birds. Implemented in the UK as the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (1994). For further information consult Her Majesties Stationary Office website.

Candidate Special Area for Conservation (cSAC): SACs are internationally important sites for habitats and/or species, designated as required under the EC Habitats Directive. A candidate SAC is currently under consideration for its inclusion under the EC Habitats Directive. SACs are protected for their internationally important habitat and non-bird species. They also receive SSSI designation under The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000; and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). For further details refer to the following The Joint Nature Conservation Committee website.

Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS): CAMS are strategies for managing water resources locally. They will make more information the allocation of water resources available and balance the needs of abstractors with those of the water environment by consulting with local interested parties.

Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP): Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMPs) are a large-scale strategic planning framework for managing flood risks to people and the developed and natural environment in a sustainable way.

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF): A partnership between Defra, Natural England and the Environment Agency which aims to reduce the pollution of surface-water bodies caused by farming operations.

Competent Authority: The organisation which prepares a plan or programme subject to the Directive and is responsible for the AA.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS): Countryside Stewardship was introduced as a pilot scheme in England in 1991 and operates outside the Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Payments are made to farmers and other land managers to enhance and conserve English landscapes, their wildlife and history and to help people to enjoy them. The scheme has now closed to new applicants and has been superseded by the Environmental Stewardship scheme. Some existing agreements will, however, continue until 2014.

Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG): The department that is responsible for local communities and social issues. For further information please view the website: //www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/ Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA): The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme was introduced in 1987 to offer incentives to encourage farmers to adopt agricultural practices which would safeguard and enhance parts of the country of particularly high landscape, wildlife or historic value. The scheme has now closed to new applicants and has been superseded by the Environmental Stewardship scheme. Some existing agreements will, however, continue until 2014.

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Habitats Directive: The Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992) requires EU Member States to create a network of protected wildlife areas, known as Natura 2000, across the European Union. This network consists of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), established to protect wild birds under the Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979). These sites are part of a range of measures aimed at conserving important or threatened habitats and species.

Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA: An assessment to determine whether a likely significant effect will occur as a result of a proposed plan, policy or project. Also referred to as an Appropriate Assessment (AA).

Higher Level Stewardship (HLS): A land management scheme managed by Natural England.

Housing Market Area (HMA): A geographical area which is relatively self-contained in terms of housing demand; i.e. a large percentage of people moving house or settling in the area will have sought a dwelling only in that area.

Indicator: A measure of variables over time often used to measure achievement of objectives.

Local Authority Development Plans: These statutory land development plans generally cover a 10-year period from when they are adopted. However, the local authorities currently review these plans every five years. A District Council and a Unitary Authority will produce a Local Plan and a County Council produce a Structure Plan. A Structure Plan guides the Local Plans of several District Councils.

Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP): A local agenda (produced by the local authority) with plans and targets to protect and improve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development.

Local Development Documents (LDD): These documents make up the Local Development Framework (LDF).

Mitigation: Used in this Guide to refer to measures to avoid, reduce or offset significant adverse effects on the environment.

Objective: A statement of what is intended, specifying the desired direction of change in trends.

Plan or Programme: For the purposes of this Guide, the term “plan or programme” covers any plans or programmes to which the Directive applies.

Public Service Agreement (PSA): A government led agreement, in this case this term refers to the target to have 95% of all SSSIs in England in favourable (or recovering) condition by 2010.

Ramsar Site: The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (1971) requires the UK Government to promote using wetlands wisely and to protect wetlands of international importance. This includes designating certain areas as Ramsar sites, where their importance for nature conservation (especially with respect to waterfowl) and environmental sustainability meet certain criteria. Ramsar sites receive SSSI designation under The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Further information can be located on the Ramsar convention on wetlands website.

Somerset Authorities Appropriate Assessment -64 - 9T3999/EXT/Scoping Final Scoping Report October 2009 Regional Planning Guidance (RPG): Planning Guidance issued for the South West by the Government Office for the South West Regional Assembly.

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS): This will replace the RPG. It sets out a regional framework that addresses the ‘spatial’ implications of broad issues like healthcare, education, crime, housing, investment, transport, the economy and environment.

Scoping: The process of deciding the scope and level of detail of an AA, including the environmental effects and alternatives which need to be considered, the assessment methods to be used, and the structure and contents of the Appropriate Assessment Report.

Shoreline Management Plan (SMP): Non-statutory plans to provide sustainable coastal defence policies (to prevent erosion by the sea and flooding of low-lying coastal land) and to set objectives for managing the shoreline in the future. They are prepared by us or maritime local authorities, acting individually or as part of coastal defence groups.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 for their flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features. Notification of a SSSI includes a list of work that may harm the special interest of the site. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (provisions relating to SSSIs) has been replaced by a new Section 28 in Schedule 9 of the CROW Act. The new Section 28 provides much better protection for SSSIs. All cSACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites are designated as SSSIs. For further information refer to English Nature’s website. Somerset Authorities: Term used within this document to refer to Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Boroug h Council, Sedgemoor District Council, South Somerset District Council and Mendip District Council.

Special Protection Area (SPA): A site of international importance for birds, designated as required by the EC Birds Directive. SPAs are designated for their international importance as breeding, feeding and roosting habitat for bird species. The Government must consider the conservation of SPAs in all its planning decisions. SPAs receive SSSI designation under The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). For further details refer to the European Commission website and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website. Structure Plan: A statutory plan made up of part of the development Plan, prepared by County Councils or a combination of unitary authorities, containing strategic policies that cover main planning issues over a broad area and provide a framework for local planning, including Unitary Development Plans (UDPs).

Sustainability: A concept, which deals with man’s effect, through development, on the environment. Sustainable development is ‘development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (Brundland, 1987). The degree to which flood risk management options avoid tying future generations into inflexible or expensive options for flood defence. This usually includes considering other defences and likely developments as well as processes within a catchment. It should also take account of, for example, the long-term demands for non-renewable materials.

Travel to Work Area (TTWA): A category used for labour market analysis based on the criteria that of the resident economically active population, at least 75 per cent actually work in the area, and also, that of everyone working in the area; at least 75 per cent actually live in the area.

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Water Level Management Plan (WLMP): Water Level Management Plans (WLMPs) are plans which set out how water levels should be managed to meet the conservation objectives of Special Sites of Scientific Interest set by Natural England (formerly English Nature).

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9 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

AA Appropriate Assessment

BAP Biodiversity Action Plan

CAMS Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies

CFMP Catchment Flood Management Plan

CSF Catchment Sensitive Farming

CSS Countryside Stewardship Scheme

DCLC Department for Communities and Local Government

ESA Environmentally Sensitive Area

HLS Higher Level Stewardship

HMA Housing Market Area

HRA Habitats Regulations Assessment

IROPI Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest

JNCC Joint Nature Conservation Committee

LBAP Local Biodiversity Action Plan

LDF Local Development Framework

PSA Public Service Agreement

Ramsar the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

RPG Regional Planning Guidance

RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

RSS Regional Spatial Strategy

SAC Special Area for Conservation

SMP Shoreline Management Plan

SPA Special Protection Area

SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest

STW Sewage Treatment Works

TTWA Travel to Work Area

WLMP Water Level Management Plan

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Appropriate Assessment for Somerset Authorities Core Strategies: Somerset Levels and Moors and Severn Estuary (Bridgwater Bay) Natura 2000 sites Scoping Report Volume 2 Appendices

Somerset Authorities’ Core Strategies Appropriate Assessment October 2009 Final Scoping Report 9T3999

Appendices in Volume 2

A Severn Estuary Designations 1 B Somerset Levels and Moors Designations 17 C Initial Screening Report 25 D Policy Screening Tables 39 D1 Mendip District Council Core Strategy Issues & Options Report 39 D2 Sedgemoor District Council Core Strategy Issues and Options Report 51 D3 South Somerset Core Strategy Issues and Options 61 D4 Taunton Deane District Council Local Plan (2004) and Emerging Allocations (2009) 73 E Scoping Tables 111 E1 Mendip District Council Core Strategy Issues & Options Report 111 E2 Sedgemoor District Council Core Strategy Issues and Options Report 119 E3 South Somerset Core Strategy Issues and Options 129 E4 Taunton Deane District Council Local Plan 135 F Examination of ‘In Combination’ Plans, Programmes and Projects 151

APPENDIX A SEVERN ESTUARY DESIGNATIONS The Severn Estuary SPA

Species Qualification

This site qualifies under Article 4.1 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following species listed on Annex I of the Directive:

• Over wintering Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii, 280 individuals representing at least 4.0% of the wintering population in Great Britain (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96).

This site also qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following migratory species:

On passage:

• Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula, 655 individuals representing at least 1.3% of the Europe/Northern Africa - wintering population (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96).

Over wintering:

• Curlew Numenius arquata, 3,903 individuals representing at least 1.1% of the wintering Europe - breeding population (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96); • Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina, 44,624 individuals representing at least 3.2% of the wintering Northern Siberia/Europe/Western Africa population (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96); • Pintail Anas acuta, 599 individuals representing at least 1.0% of the wintering Northwestern Europe population (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96); • Redshank Tringa totanus, 2,330 individuals representing at least 1.6% of the wintering Eastern Atlantic - wintering population (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96); and • Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, 3,330 individuals representing at least 1.1% of the wintering Northwestern Europe population (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96).

Assemblage Qualification: A wetland of international importance.

The Severn Estuary SPA qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by regularly supporting at least 20,000 waterfowl. Over winter, Bridgwater Bay regularly supports 53,604 individual waterfowl (5 year peak mean 2001/02 - 2005/06) including: Shelduck, Wigeon Anas penelope, Teal Anas crecca, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, Curlew, and Redshank.

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Table 1 Over-wintering Populations of Waterfowl of European Importance (Listed on Annex I of the Directive and of Migratory Species) (Collier et al., 2005)

Severn Estuary Species Count 04/05 Mean 00-05

Bewick's Swan 223 276

Redshank 2,516** 2,524

Common shelduck 3,460 3,328

Curlew 2,545* 3,072

Dunlin 16,069* 23,312

Teal 3,730 4,470

Wigeon 8,058 8,062

Gadwall 194 257

Golden Plover 3,346 1,558

Lapwing 11,312 11,721

Lesser black-backed gull 8,064 4,165

Mallard 3,353` 3,003

Mute swan 390 338

Shoveler 266 326

Pintail 784 981

Pochard 652 880

Ringed plover 970** No data

Snipe 349 519

Whimbrel 197 N/A

European White-fronted Goose 745 952

* Site attained national passage threshold for species in GB in 04/05. ** Site attained international passage threshold for species in UK in 04/05.

Site of international importance in UK Site of national importance in GB Qualifying level in winter 04/05

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Table 2 Conservation Objectives of Severn Estuary SPA

Feature to maintain in Targets favourable condition Interest feature 1: (i) the 5 year peak mean population size for the Bewick’s swan population is no Internationally important less than 289 individuals (i.e. the 5 year peak mean between 1988/89 - population of regularly 1992/93); occurring Annex 1 (ii) the extent of saltmarsh at the Dumbles is maintained; species: Bewick’s swan (iii) the extent of intertidal mudflats and sandflats is maintained; (iv) the extent of vegetation with an effective field size of >6 ha and with unrestricted bird sightlines > 500m at feeding, roosting and refuge sites are maintained; (v) greater than 25% cover of suitable soft leaved herbs and grasses in winter season throughout the transitional saltmarsh at the Dumbles is maintained; (vi) aggregations of Bewick’s swan at feeding, roosting and refuge sites are not subject to significant disturbance. Interest feature 2: (i) the 5 year peak mean population size for the wintering dunlin population is Internationally important no less than 41,683 individuals (i.e. the 5 year peak mean between 1988/89 population of regularly 1992/93); occurring migratory (ii) the extent of saltmarsh is maintained; species: wintering dunlin (iii) the extent of intertidal mudflats and sandflats is maintained; (iv) the extent of shingle and rocky shore is maintained; (v) the extent of vegetation with a sward height of <10cm is maintained throughout the saltmarsh; (vi) the distribution and abundance of suitable invertebrates in intertidal mudflats and sandflats is maintained; (vii) the distribution and abundance of suitable invertebrates in shingle and rocky shore is maintained; (viii) the extent of strandlines is maintained; (ix) unrestricted bird sightlines of >200m at feeding and roosting sites are maintained; (x) aggregations of dunlin at feeding or roosting sites are not subject to significant disturbance. Interest feature 3: (i) the 5 year peak mean population size for the wintering European white Internationally important fronted goose population is no less than 3,002 individuals (i.e. the 5 year peak population of regularly mean between 1988/89- 1992/93); occurring migratory (ii) the extent of saltmarsh at the Dumbles is maintained; species: wintering (iii) the extent of intertidal mudflats and sandflats at Frampton Sands, European white-fronted Waveridge Sands and the Noose is maintained; goose (iv) greater than 25% cover of suitable soft-leaved herbs and grasses is maintained during the winter on saltmarsh areas; (v) unrestricted bird sightlines of >200m at feeding and roosting sites are maintained; (vi) aggregations of European white-fronted goose at feeding or roosting sites are not subject to significant disturbance.

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Feature to maintain in Targets favourable condition Interest feature 4: (i) the 5 year peak mean population size for the wintering redshank population Internationally important is no less than 2,013 individuals (i.e. the 5 year peak mean between 1988/89 population of regularly 1992/93); occurring migratory (ii) the extent of saltmarsh (Appendix IV) is maintained; species: wintering (iii) the extent of intertidal mudflats and sandflats (Appendix IV) is maintained; redshank (iv) the extent of shingle and rocky shore (Appendix IV) is maintained; (v) the extent of vegetation with a sward height of <10cm throughout the saltmarsh (Appendix IV) is maintained; (vi) the distribution and abundance of suitable invertebrates (Box 3) in intertidal mudflats and sandflats (Appendix IV) is maintained; (vii) the distribution and abundance of suitable invertebrates (Box 3) in shingle and rocky shore (Appendix IV) is maintained; (viii) strandlines are not subject to significant disturbance; (ix) unrestricted bird sightlines of >200m at feeding and roosting sites (Appendix IV) are maintained; (x) aggregations of redshank at feeding or roosting sites (Appendix IV) are not subject to significant disturbance. Interest feature 5: (i) the 5 year peak mean population size for the wintering shelduck population Internationally important is no less than 2,892 individuals (i.e. the 5 year peak mean between 1988/89 population of regularly 1992/93); occurring migratory (ii) the extent of saltmarsh (Appendix IV) is maintained; species: wintering (iii) the extent of intertidal mudflats and sandflats (Appendix IV) is maintained; shelduck (iv) the extent of shingle and rocky shore (Appendix IV) is maintained; (v) the distribution and abundance of suitable invertebrates (Box 5) in intertidal mudflats and sandflats (Appendix IV) is maintained; (vi) unrestricted bird sightlines of >200m at feeding and roosting sites (Appendix IV) are maintained; (vii) aggregations of shelduck at feeding or roosting sites (Appendix IV) are not subject to significant disturbance. Interest feature 6: (i) the 5 year peak mean population size for the waterfowl assemblage is no Internationally important less than 68,026 individuals (i.e. the 5 year peak mean between 1988/89 - assemblage of waterfowl 1992/93); (ii) the extent of saltmarsh (Appendix IV) is maintained; (iii) the extent of intertidal mudflats and sandflats (Appendix IV) is maintained; (iv) the extent of shingle and rocky shore (Appendix IV) is maintained; (v) extent of vegetation of <10cm throughout the saltmarsh (Appendix IV) is maintained; (vi) the distribution and abundance of suitable invertebrates (Box 6) in intertidal mudflats and sandflats (Appendix IV) is maintained; (vii) the distribution and abundance of suitable invertebrates (Box 6) in shingle and rocky shore (Appendix IV) is maintained; (viii) greater than 25% cover of suitable soft leaved herbs and grasses (Box 7) during the winter on saltmarsh areas (Appendix IV) is maintained; (ix) strandlines are not subject to significant disturbance; (x) unrestricted bird sightlines of >500m at feeding and roosting sites (Appendix IV) are maintained; (xi) waterfowl aggregations at feeding or roosting sites (Appendix IV) are not subject to significant disturbance.

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Feature to maintain in Targets favourable condition Internationally important Gadwall is also a qualifying interest feature of the Severn Estuary SPA but population of regularly does not occur within the European marine site. It is found within the SPA, but occurring migratory only above the highest astronomical tide (HAT) and the European marine site species: gadwall for which this Reg 33 advice is written, only extends up to HAT. Consequently, there are no specific conservation objectives within this document for this species. Objectives to maintain this feature in favourable condition are identified within English Nature and the Countryside Council for Wales’ conservation objectives for the relevant SSSIs within each European Site boundary, and will be dealt with through procedures outlined in the Conservation (Natural Habitat &c.) Regulations 1994. However, relevant authorities need to have regard to such adjacent interests as they may be affected by activities taking place within, or adjacent to the European marine site.

Severn Estuary Constituent SSSI Information

The condition of the Seevrn Estuary SAC, SPA and Ramsar is monitored by Natural England through the Condition Assessment of the constituent SSSIs. This report focuses on the Bridgwater Bay section of the Severn Estuary. Table 3 summarises the site condition.

Three units are considered to be in poor condition, Unit 87 is located on the banks of the River Parrett. It comprises neutral grassland which supports wintering birds. The condition has been assessed as unfavourable no change as the unit is covered in arable cultivation.

Units 94 and 97 are considered to be unfavourable declining due to coastal squeeze. These two units support littoral sediments which provide foraging habitats for waders. These units are located between Steart and Stolford.

Table 3 Designated SSSI Condition (Compiled by Natural England, March 2009) for the Severn Estuary cSAC/SPA/Ramsar

% Area % Area % Area % Area Reason for % Area destroyed / SSSI unfavourable unfavourable unfavourable unfavourable favourable part recovering no change declining condition destroyed

• Fertiliser use • Inappropriate water levels Bridgwater 90.56% 7.97% 0.90% 0.57% 0.00% • Water pollution - Bay agriculture/run off • Coastal squeeze

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Table 4 Severn Estuary SPA Site Features and Sensitivities

How can it arise within the Receptor Sensitivity Pathway Source Plans/Policies? Bewick's Swan Activities or developments resulting in Development near to estuaries or Construction of flood physical loss of the intertidal coastline could require increased or Footprint loss or altered defences or other Ringed Plover supporting habitats are likely to reduce new flood defences, which could sediment pathways structures in the estuary the availability of food and roosting result in altered sedimentation and coastal area. Curlew habitat. patterns. Intertidal mud and sand flats are Dunlin damaged by abrasion from boats or Anchoring and laying up of Physical disturbance from Development could lead to anchoring as is the saltmarsh which vessels, and movement of features increased recreational boating. Pintail erodes more quickly when paths are people over saltmarsh. worn through it. Redshank Overwintering birds are disturbed by Movement of walkers, dog sudden movements. This can have Development could lead to walkers, cyclists and horse Shelduck the effect of displacing the birds from Visual field (sightlines) increased recreational activity riders within or adjacent to their feeding grounds and affect their adjacent to or within the Site. Site. survival. Irregular noise from Overwintering birds are disturbed by construction activity, roads, Development could lead to sudden noise. This can have the and recreational activity. construction noise, increased traffic effect of displacing the birds from their Audible field (atmosphere) However, there is limited noise, or increased noise from feeding grounds and affect their evidence of any impact recreational activities. survival. from regular road noise. Waterfowl are subject to the accumulation of toxins through the food chain or through direct contact with toxic substances when roosting or Through rivers and Oil spills of discharges of feeding. Their ability to feed can also Not expected. watercourses toxic substances. be affected by the abundance or change in palatability of their prey caused by toxic contamination.

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How can it arise within the Receptor Sensitivity Pathway Source Plans/Policies? Changes in organic or nutrient loading Deterioration in water Development will lead to increased can change the species composition of Through rivers and quality as a result of demand on STWs. If STWs do not the plants on the saltmarsh and thus watercourses increased pollutant have adequate capacity, increased the structure of the sward. loadings. pollutant discharge could occur. Increases in nutrients can cause Will not arise as a direct result of excessive algal growth on the Deterioration in water development. However, increased mudflats, denying the birds access to Through rivers and quality as a result of development will lead to increased their invertebrate prey and changing watercourses increased pollutant demand on STWs. If STWs do not the invertebrate species composition in loadings. have adequate capacity, increased the sediment. pollutant discharge could occur. Wildfowling is carried out all around the estuary. This can have the effect Irregular noise and visual Visual field (sightlines) and Development could lead to of displacing the birds from their disturbance from Audible field (atmosphere) increased wildfowling. feeding grounds and affect their wildfowling. survival. Bait digging is also carried out around the estuary. If too large an area is regularly dug over, it can change the Development could lead to Physical disturbance Bait digging. availability of prey in the sediment as increased bait digging. the area needs a period of recovery and re-colonisation. The removal of strandline vegetation by mechanical beach cleaning removes an important habitat for Strandline vegetation Unlikely to occur as a result of the invertebrates, as well as many of the Physical disturbance removal from beach Plans. invertebrates themselves, reducing the cleaning. quantity and variety of prey available to birds. Much of the saltmarsh is managed by grazing and changes in management Alteration to saltmarsh Unlikely to occur as a result of the Physical disturbance can alter the availability of prey and grazing regime. Plans. suitability of roosting sites.

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The Severn Estuary SAC

General site character

The percentage of the SAC comprised of certain broad habitat types is as follows:

• Tidal rivers. Estuaries. Mud flats. Sand flats. Lagoons (including saltwork basins) (99%) • Salt marshes. Salt pastures. Salt steppes (1%)

European Importance

Table 5 Designated Interest Features for the Severn Estuary cSAC

Common name Scientific term

Annex I habitat types Estuaries Estuaries Subtidal sandbanks Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time Intertidal mudflats and sandflats Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide Atlantic salt meadows Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco puccinellietalia maritimae) Reefs Reefs

Annex II species River lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis Sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus Twaite shad Allosa fallax

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Table 6 Conservation Objectives of Severn Estuary cSAC

Feature to maintain in Targets favourable condition Estuaries i. the total extent of the estuary is maintained; ii. the characteristic physical form (tidal prism/cross sectional area) and flow (tidal regime)of the estuary is maintained; iii. the characteristic range and relative proportions of sediment sizes and sediment budget within the site is maintained; iv. the extent, variety and spatial distribution of estuarine habitat communities within the site is maintained; v. the extent, variety, spatial distribution4 and community composition of notable communities is maintained; vi. the abundance of the notable estuarine species assemblages is maintained or increased; vii. the physico-chemical characteristics of the water column support the ecological objectives described above; viii. Toxic contaminants in water column and sediment are below levels which would pose a risk to the ecological objectives described above. Subtidal sandbanks i. the total extent of the subtidal sandbanks within the site is maintained; which are covered by ii. the extent and distribution of the individual subtidal sandbank communities seawater all of the time within the site is maintained; iii. the community composition of the sub tidal sandbank feature within the site is maintained; iv. the variety and distribution of sediment types across the subtidal sandbank feature is maintained; v. the gross morphology (depth, distribution and profile) of the subtidal sandbank feature within the site is maintained. Mudflats and sandflats i. The total extent of the mudflats and sandflats feature is maintained; not covered by seawater ii. the variety and extent of individual mudflats and sandflats communities at low tide within the site is maintained; iii. the distribution of individual mudflats and sandflats communities within the site is maintained; iv. the community composition of the mudflats and sandflats feature within the site is maintained; v. the topography of the intertidal flats and the morphology (dynamic processes sediment movement and channel migration across the flats) are maintained. Atlantic Saltmeadows i. the total extent of Atlantic salt meadow and associated transitional vegetation communities within the site is maintained; ii. the extent and distribution of the individual Atlantic salt meadow and associated transitional vegetation communities within the site is maintained; iii. the zonation of Atlantic salt meadow vegetation communities and their associated transitions to other estuary habitats is maintained; iv. the relative abundance of the typical species of the Atlantic salt meadow and associated transitional vegetation communities is maintained; v. the abundance of the notable species of the Atlantic salt meadow and associated transitional vegetation communities is maintained; vi. the structural variation of the salt marsh sward (resulting from grazing) is maintained within limits sufficient to satisfy the requirements of conditions iv and v above and the requirements of the Ramsar and SPA features; vii. the characteristic stepped morphology of the salt marshes and associated creeks, pills, drainage ditches and pans, and the estuarine processes that enable their development, is maintained;

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Feature to maintain in Targets favourable condition viii Any areas of Spartina anglica salt marsh (SM6) are capable of developing naturally into other saltmarsh communities. Reefs i. the total extent and distribution of Sabellaria reef is maintained; ii. the community composition of the Sabellaria reef is maintained; iii. the full range of different age structures of Sabellaria reef are present; iv. the physical and ecological processes necessary to support Sabellaria reef are maintained. River lamprey i. the migratory passage of both adult and juvenile river lamprey through the Severn Estuary between the Bristol Channel and any of their spawning rivers is not obstructed or impeded by physical barriers, changes in flows, or poor water quality; ii the size of the river lamprey population in the Severn Estuary and the rivers which drain into it, is at least maintained and is at a level that is sustainable in the long term; iii. the abundance of prey species forming the river lamprey’s food resource within the estuary is maintained; vi. Toxic contaminants in the water column and sediment are below levels which would pose a risk to the ecological objectives described above. Sea lamprey i. the migratory passage of both adult and juvenile sea lamprey through the Severn Estuary between the Bristol Channel and any of their spawning rivers is not obstructed or impeded by physical barriers, changes in flows, or poor water quality; ii. the size of the sea lamprey population in the Severn Estuary and the rivers which drain into it, is at least maintained as is at a level that is sustainable in the long term; iii. the abundance of prey species forming the sea lamprey’s food resource within the estuary is maintained; vi. Toxic contaminants in the water column and sediment are below levels which would pose a risk to the ecological objectives described above. Twaite shad i. the migratory passage of both adult and juvenile twaite shad through the Severn Estuary between the Bristol Channel and their spawning rivers is not obstructed or impeded by physical barriers, changes in flows or poor water quality; ii. the size of the twaite shad population within the Severn Estuary and the rivers draining into it is at least maintained and is at a level that is sustainable in the long term; iii. the abundance of prey species forming the twaite shad’s food resource within the estuary, in particular at the salt wedge, is maintained; iv. Toxic contaminants in the water column and sediment are below levels which would pose a risk to the ecological objectives described above.

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Table 7 Severn Estuary SAC Site Features and Sensitivities

How can it arise within the Receptor Sensitivity Pathway Source Plans/Policies? Estuaries require suitable habitat to Sea level rise resulting gin Development near to estuaries Sea level rise combined expand, where sea level rise causes increased sea levels, and could require increased or new with existing or future alteration to coastal and estuarine insufficient area to enable flood defences, which would coastal and fluvial areas, in order to maintain the estuaries and their constrain the ability of estuarine defences, resulting in estuarine habitats and associated communities to respond communities to adapt to climate ‘coastal squeeze’ communities naturally to this change. change Estuaries A variety of sources can Development would result in cause pollution from increased populations and therefore surface water run-off, increased effluent to STWs. If Estuarine communities are sensitive to River borne pollutants diffuse agricultural and STWs have insufficient capacity, poor water quality non-agricultural pollution, this could result in lower water and consented discharges quality as a result of increased (STWs) pollutant discharge into rivers Intertidal mudflats and sandflats Sea level rise resulting gin Sea level rise combined Development near to estuaries and require suitable habitat to expand, increased sea levels, and with existing or future the coast could require increased or where sea level rise causes alteration insufficient area to enable coastal and fluvial new flood defences, which would to coastal and estuarine areas, in order intertidal mudflats and defences, resulting in constrain the ability of intertidal to maintain the area of habitat and sandflats to respond ‘coastal squeeze’ habitats to adapt to climate change Intertidal mudflats and associated communities naturally to this change. sandflats Increases in nutrients can also cause excessive algal growth on the Deterioration in water Development will lead to increased mudflats, denying the birds access to Through rivers and quality as a result of demand on STWs. If STWs do not their invertebrate prey and changing watercourses increased pollutant have adequate capacity, increased the invertebrate species composition in loadings pollutant discharge could occur the sediment

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How can it arise within the Receptor Sensitivity Pathway Source Plans/Policies? Atlantic salt meadows require suitable Sea level rise resulting gin Development near to estuaries and Sea level rise combined habitat to expand, where sea level rise increased sea levels, and the coast could require increased or with existing or future causes alteration to coastal and insufficient area to enable new flood defences, which would coastal and fluvial estuarine areas, in order to maintain Atlantic salt meadows constrain the ability of Atlantic salt defences, resulting in the habitat and associated communities to respond meadows to adapt to climate Atlantic salt meadows ‘coastal squeeze’ communities naturally to this change. change Changes in organic or nutrient loading Deterioration in water Development will lead to increased can change the species composition of Through rivers and quality as a result of demand on STWs. If STWs do not the plants on the saltmarsh and thus watercourses increased pollutant have adequate capacity, increased the structure of the sward loadings pollutant discharge could occur Sea level rise resulting gin Reefs require suitable habitat to Sea level rise combined Development near to estuaries and increased sea levels, and expand, where sea level rise causes with existing or future the coast could require increased or insufficient area to enable Reefs alteration to coastal areas, in order to coastal and fluvial new flood defences, which would reefs and their communities maintain the habitat and associated defences, resulting in constrain the ability of reefs to adapt to respond naturally to this communities ‘coastal squeeze’ to climate change change. Will not arise as a direct result of Development, flood development. However, if flood River lamprey and sea Loss of habitat for spawning and Footprint loss defences and other in-river defences are built for new lamprey juveniles construction works development, they could result in loss of habitat Disruption to spawning substrate Will not arise as a direct result of (gravels) from changes in flow regime Through rivers and development. However, if flood Flood defences and other and deposition of sediments as a result watercourses, and adjacent defences are built for new in-river construction works of flow reductions or removal of riparian habitat development, they could result in riparian and aquatic vegetation alterations to flow Will not arise as a direct result of development. However, if flood Loss of aquatic and riparian vegetation Flood defences, other in- Clearance of riparian defences are built for new which makes them vulnerable to river construction works, habitat development, they could result in predation and maintenance works clearance or loss of riparian habitat

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How can it arise within the Receptor Sensitivity Pathway Source Plans/Policies? Will not arise as a direct result of Reductions in water quality (reduced Deterioration in water development. However, increased oxygen levels, changes in Through rivers and quality as a result of development will lead to increased temperature, increased nutrients) are watercourses increased pollutant demand on STWs. If STWs do not causes of mortality loadings have adequate capacity, increased pollutant discharge could occur Will not arise as a direct result of Barrier to migration preventing Weirs, dams, or stretches development. However, if flood Through rivers and spawning in upper reaches between where water flows are defences are built for new watercourses July and September increased to >2m/s development, they could result in alterations to flow Will not arise as a direct result of development. However, if flood Development, flood defences are built for new Footprint loss, or through Loss of gravel spawning habitat defences and other in-river development, they could result in rivers and watercourses construction works loss of habitat or alteration to flow patterns and resulting siltation of gravel habitat Weirs, dams, or stretches where water flows are Will not arise as a direct result of increased to >2m/s as a development. However, if flood Twaite shad Barrier to migration preventing Through rivers and result of new flood defences are built for new spawning in gravel reaches watercourses defences, or where water development, they could result in levels are too low due to alterations to flow abstraction Will not arise as a direct result of Water pollution is believed to be a Deterioration in water development. However, increased cause for the decline, though to a Through rivers and quality as a result of development will lead to increased lesser extent than loss of spawning watercourses increased pollutant demand on STWs. If STWs do not habitat and barriers to migration loadings have adequate capacity, increased pollutant discharge could occur

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The Severn Estuary Ramsar

Habitats and Species

The estuary's classic funnel shape, unique in Britain, is a factor causing the Severn to have the second-largest tidal range in the world (after the Bay of Fundy, Canada). This tidal regime results in plant and animal communities typical of the extreme physical conditions of liquid mud and tide swept sand and rock. The species-poor invertebrate community includes high densities of ragworms, lugworms and other invertebrates forming an important food source for passage and wintering waders.

A further consequence of the large tidal range is the extensive intertidal zone, one of the largest in the UK, comprising mudflats, sand banks, shingle, and rocky platforms.

Glassworts and annual sea-blite colonise the open mud, with beds of all three species of eelgrass Zostera occurring on more sheltered mud and sandbanks. Large expanses of common cord-grass also occur on the outer marshes. Heavily grazed saltmarsh fringes the estuary with a range of saltmarsh types present. The middle marsh sward is dominated by common saltmarsh-grass with typical associated species. In the upper marsh, red fescue and saltmarsh rush become more prominent.

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Table 8 Designated Features of the Severn Estuary Ramsar (source JNCC Ramsar Information Sheet: UK11081)

Ramsar Feature Season Ramsar Description Criteria

1 Extent and diversity of sandbanks, estuaries, N/A mudflats and sandflats and Atlantic salt meadows. 3 Unusual estuarine communities, reduced diversity N/A and high productivity. 4 For the run of migratory fish between sea and river N/A Species include Salmon Salmo salar, sea trout S. trutta, sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus, via estuary. It is also of particular importance for river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis, allis shad Alosa alosa, twaite shad A. fallax, and eel migratory birds during spring and autumn. Anguilla anguilla. 5 Assemblages of international importance Winter 70919 waterfowl (5 year peak mean 1998/99 - 2002/03). 6 Bewick’s swan. Winter 229 individuals, representing an average of 2.8% of the GB population (5 year peak mean 1998/9 - 2002/03). Greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons Winter 2076 individuals, representing an average of 35.8% of the GB population (5 year peak albifrons. mean for 1996/97 - 2000/01). Common Shelduck. Winter 3223 individuals, representing an average of 1% of the population (5 year peak mean 1998/9 - 2002/03). Gadwall Anas strepera strepera. Winter 241 individuals, representing an average of 1.4% of the GB population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 -2002/03). Dunlin. Winter 25082 individuals, representing an average of 1.8% of the population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 -2002/03). Common redshank. Winter 2616 individuals, representing an average of 1% of the population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 - 2002/03). 8 Estuarine and River Fish. N/A The fish of the whole estuarine and river system is one of the most diverse in Britain, with over 110 species recorded. Salmon, sea trout, sea lamprey, river lamprey, allis shad, twaite shad, and eel use the Severn Estuary as a key migration route to their spawning grounds in the many tributaries that flow into the estuary. The site is important as a feeding and nursery ground for many fish species particularly allis shad and twaite shad which feed on mysid shrimps in the salt wedge.

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Ramsar Feature Season Ramsar Description Criteria

Species/populations identified subsequent to designation for possible future consideration under criterion 6. N/A 4167 apparently occupied nests, representing an average of 2.8% of the breeding Lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus graellsii. Breeding population (Seabird 2000 Census). Spring/ 740 individuals, representing an average of 1% of the population (5 year peak mean Ringed plover. summer 1998/99-2002/03). 4456 individuals, representing an average of 1.1% of the population (5 year peak Eurasian teal. Winter mean1998/99 - 2002/03). 756 individuals, representing an average of 1.2% of the population (5 year peak mean Northern pintail. Winter 1998/99 - 2002/03).

Table 9 Severn Estuary Ramsar Site Features and Sensitivities

How can it arise within the Receptor Sensitivity Pathway Source Plans/Policies? Sandbanks, estuaries, mud and sand flats and See points noted above for Severn Estuary SAC Atlantic salt meadows Estuarine communities See points noted above for Severn Estuary SAC Migratory fish See points noted above for Severn Estuary SAC Bird assemblage See points noted above for Severn Estuary SPA Estuarine and river fish See points noted above for Severn Estuary SAC

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APPENDIX B SOMERSET LEVELS AND MOORS DESIGNATIONS

Somerset Levels and Moors SPA

Species Qualification

This site qualifies under Article 4.1 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following species listed on Annex I of the Directive:

• Over wintering Bewick's Swan, 191 individuals representing at least 2.7% of the wintering population in Great Britain (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96); and • Over wintering Golden Plover, 3,029 individuals representing at least 1.2% of the wintering population in Great Britain (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96).

This site also qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following migratory species:

Over wintering

• Common Teal 501 individuals representing at least 3.3% of the wintering North- western/ Central European population (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96); and • Lapwing 13,307 individuals representing at least 0.5% of the European breeding population (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96); and

Assemblage Qualification: A wetland of international importance.

The area qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by regularly supporting at least 20,000 waterfowl. Over winter, the area regularly supports 72,000 individual waterfowl (5 year peak mean 1991/92 - 1995/96) including: Golden Plover, Bewick's Swan, Lapwing and Common Teal.

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Table 1 Over-wintering Populations of Waterfowl of European Importance (Listed on Annex I of the Directive and of Migratory Species) (Collier et al., 2005)

Somerset Levels and Moors Species Count 04/05 Mean 00-05

Bewick's Swan 21 91

Redshank No data No data

Common shelduck No data No data

Curlew No data No data

Dunlin No data No data

Teal 7,161 21,280

Wigeon 15,346 28,287

Gadwall 729 748

Golden Plover 8,136 5,794

Lapwing 60,834 38,506

Lesser black-backed gull No data No data

Mallard No data No data

Mute swan 1,076 1,092

Shoveler 902 1,372

Pintail 261 940

Pochard No data No data

Ringed plover No data No data

Snipe 1,513 1,093

Whimbrel No data No data

European White-fronted Goose No data No data

* Site attained national passage threshold for species in GB in 04/05. ** Site attained international passage threshold for species in UK in 04/05.

Site of international importance in UK Site of national importance in GB qualifying level in winter 04/05

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Table 2 Designated SSSI Condition (Compiled by Natural England March 2009)

% Area % Area % Area % Area Reason for % Area destroyed SSSI unfavourable unfavourable unfavourable unfavourable favourable / part recovering no change declining condition destroyed Drainage, Fertiliser use, Inappropriate cutting/mowing, Catcott Water pollution- Edington 5.37% 0.00% 94.63% 0.00% 0.00% agriculture/run off and Chilton Inappropriate Moors water levels, Peat extraction, Vehicles Drainage, Fertiliser use, Inappropriate Curry and 1.74% 0.00% 98.26% 0.00% 0.00% water levels, Water Hay Moors pollution- agriculture/run off Drainage, Fertiliser use, Inappropriate King's 26.51% 0.00% 73.49% 0.00% 0.00% water levels, Water Sedgemoor pollution- agriculture/run off Drainage, Moorlinch 2.44% 67.76% 29.80% 0.00% 0.00% Inappropriate water levels Not in Shapwick 70.45% 23.91% 5.64% 0.00% 0.00% unfavourable Heath condition Drainage, Water pollution- Southlake agriculture/run off, Moor 0.00% 19.94% 80.06% 0.00% 0.00% Fertiliser use, Overgrazing, Vehicles Drainage, Fertiliser use, Inappropriate Tealham CSS/ESA and 13.31% 5.48% 81.21% 0.00% 0.00% prescription, Tadham Water pollution - Moors agriculture/run off, Public access/disturbance Not in West Moor 29.24% 70.76% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% unfavourable condition

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% Area % Area % Area % Area Reason for % Area destroyed SSSI unfavourable unfavourable unfavourable unfavourable favourable / part recovering no change declining condition destroyed Agriculture Drainage, Fertiliser use, Pesticide/herbicide West 44.87% 12.02% 43.11% 0.00% 0.00% use, Sedgemoor Water pollution - agriculture/run off, Inappropriate ditch management Westhay 54.92% 0.00% 0.00% 45.08% 0.00% Peat extraction Heath Drainage, Inappropriate ditch management, Westhay Vehicles, 24.15% 2.59% 73.26% 0.00% 0.00% Moor Peat extraction, Undergrazing, Water pollution - agriculture/run off Inappropriate water levels, Inappropriate weirs dams and other structures, Wet Moor 41.93% 19.80% 19.23% 19.04% 0.00% Water pollution - agriculture/run off, Drainage, Fertiliser use, Undergrazing

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Table 3 Conservation Objectives of Somerset Levels and Moors Component SSSIs

Catcott Edington and Chilton Moors 1. to maintain in favourable condition, the habitats for the population of Annex 1 species of European importance (Golden Plover), with particular reference to wet grassland with rhynes and ditches. 2. to maintain in favourable condition, the habitats for the population of migratory bird species of European importance (Lapwing and Teal) with particular reference to: 1) wet grassland with rhynes and ditches and 2) swamp and fen, open water, marginal and inundation communities. 3. to maintain in favourable condition, the habitats for the population of waterfowl that contribute to the wintering waterfowl assemblage of European importance, with particular reference to: 1) wet grassland with rhynes and ditches and 2) swamp and fen, open water, marginal and inundation communities. Curry and Hay Moors, King's Sedgemoor, Moorlinch, Southlake Moor, West Moor, West Sedgemoor 1. to maintain, in favourable condition, the habitats for the populations of Annex 1 species of European importance (Golden Plover and Bewick’s Swan), with particular reference to wet grassland with rhynes and ditches. 2. to maintain in favourable condition, the habitats for the population of migratory bird species of European importance (Lapwing and Teal) with particular reference to wet grassland with rhynes and ditches. 3. to maintain in favourable condition, the habitats for the populations of waterfowl that contribute to the wintering waterfowl assemblage of European importance, with particular reference to wet grassland with rhynes and ditches. Shapwick Heath, Westhay Heath 1. to maintain, in favourable condition, the habitats for the populations of migratory bird species of European importance (Lapwing and Teal), with particular reference to swamp and fen, open water, marginal and inundation communities. 2. to maintain in favourable condition, the habitats of the populations of waterfowl that contribute to the wintering waterfowl assemblage of European importance, with particular reference to swamp and fen, open water, marginal and inundation communities. Tealham and Tadham Moors, Westhay Moor 1. to maintain, in favourable condition, the habitats for the populations of Annex 1 species of European importance (Golden Plover and Bewick’s Swan), with particular reference to wet grassland with rhynes and ditches. 2. to maintain, in favourable condition, the habitats for the populations of migratory bird species of European importance (Lapwing and Teal), with particular reference to 1) wet grassland with rhynes and ditches and 2)swamp and fen, open water, marginal and inundation communities. 3. to maintain in favourable condition, the habitats for the population of waterfowl that contribute to the wintering waterfowl assemblage of European importance, with particular reference to: 1) wet grassland with rhynes and ditches and 2) swamp and fen, open water, marginal and inundation communities.

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Table 4 Somerset Levels and Moors SPA Site Features and Sensitivities

How can it arise within the Receptor Sensitivity Pathway Source Plans/Policies? Changes in water levels as a result of, flood defence schemes, land drainage Alteration to water levels Will not arise as a direct result of activities, peat extraction, or from new flood defence development. However, if flood Water levels and abstraction of water can alter schemes, or the creation or defences are built for new vegetation change vegetation and invertebrates, reducing change in management or development, they could result in the food resource for birds and maintenance of drains alteration to water level patterns affecting their survival Improvements or changes to agricultural practices (e.g. use of Increased use of fertilisers, fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, herbicides, pesticides, and Unlikely to occur as a result of the cutting of silage instead of hay) result Vegetation change cutting of silage instead of Plans in vegetation change that affects the hay Bewick's Swan food resource for birds and affect their survival Teal Conversion of habitat to arable, or development can reduce or fragment Conversion of arable land Unlikely to occur as a result of the Footprint Lapwing the food resource for birds, and affect or development Plans their survival Recreational activities such as dog walking and wildfowling can cause Movement of walkers and Development could lead to disturbance to feeding birds. This can dog walkers, cyclists and Visual field (sightlines) increased recreational activity have the effect of displacing the birds horse riders within or adjacent to or within the Site from their feeding grounds and affect adjacent to Site their survival Wildfowling is carried out which causes noise disturbance. This can Visual field (sightlines) Irregular noise and visual Development could lead to have the effect of displacing the birds and Audible field disturbance from increased wildfowling pressure from their feeding grounds and affect (atmosphere) wildfowling their survival

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The Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar

Habitats and Species

The Ramsar site consists of a series of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) within the largest area of lowland wet grassland and associated wetland habitat remaining in Britain. It covers about 35,000 ha in the flood plains of the Rivers Axe, Brue, Parrett, Tone and their tributaries. The majority of the site is only a few metres above mean sea level and drains through a large network of ditches, rhynes, drains and rivers. Flooding may affect large areas in winter depending on rainfall and tidal conditions. Parts of the site in the Brue Valley include areas of former raised peat bog which have now been substantially modified by agricultural improvement and peat extraction which has created areas of open water, fen and reedbed.

The site attracts internationally important numbers of wildfowl in winter and is one of the most important sites in southern Britain for breeding waders. The network of rhynes and ditches support an outstanding assemblage of aquatic invertebrates, particularly beetles.

Table 5 Designated Features of the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar (Source JNCC Ramsar Information Sheet: UK11064)

Ramsar Feature Season Ramsar Description Criteria 2 Supports 17 species of British Red Data Book invertebrates 5 Assemblages of Winter 97155 waterfowl (5 year peak mean 1998/99 - 2002/03) international importance 6 Bewick’s swan Winter 112 individuals, representing an average of 1.3% of the GB population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 - 2002/03) Eurasian teal Winter 21,231 individuals, representing an average of 5.3% of the population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 - 2002/03) Northern lapwing Winter 36,580 individuals, representing an average of 1% of the population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 - 2002/03) Species/populations identified subsequent to designation for possible future consideration under criterion 6. N/A Mute swan Cygnus Winter 842 individuals, representing an average of 2.2% of the olor population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 - 2002/03) Eurasian wigeon Winter 25759 individuals, representing an average of 1.7% of the population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 - 2002/03) Northern pintail Winter 927 individuals, representing an average of 1.5% of the population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 - 2002/03) Northern shoveler Winter 1094 individuals, representing an average of 2.7% of the population (5 year peak mean 1998/99 -2002/03)

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Table 6 Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar Site Features and Sensitivities

How can it arise within the Receptor Sensitivity Pathway Source Plans/Policies? Changes in water levels as a result of, flood defence schemes, land drainage Flood defence schemes, Will not arise as a direct result of activities, peat extraction, or water land drainage activities, development. However, if flood abstraction result in alterations to the Water levels peat extraction, or water defences are built for new habitats and vegetation communities abstraction can alter water development, they could result in that support the invertebrate levels alteration to water level patterns communities, and affect their survival Agricultural improvement such as the increased use of fertilisers, herbicides, Increased use of fertilisers, pesticides, and cutting of silage herbicides, pesticides, and Unlikely to occur as a result of the instead of hay, can affect the Vegetation change cutting of silage instead of Plans vegetation communities that support hay the invertebrate communities and affect their survival 17 species of British Red The conversion to arable or Data Book invertebrates development results in direct loss of Conversion of arable land Unlikely to occur as a result of the habitat and fragmentation of habitat, Footprint or development Plans which affects invertebrate communities survival Deterioration in water Will not arise as a direct result of quality as a result of development. However, increased Reductions in water quality and the increased pollutant development will lead to increased increase in pollutants (e.g. nutrients) Through rivers and loadings from STWs and demand on STWs. If STWs do not can directly affect invertebrate watercourses non-agricultural diffuse have adequate capacity, increased communities pollution (from increased pollutant levels could be discharged development) into rivers Increased road traffic Alteration to chemical composition of Could potentially arise as a result of emissions can result in wetlands can directly affect Air increased road traffic as a result of deposition of pollutants invertebrate communities new developments within wetlands Bird assemblage See points noted above for Somerset Levels and Moors SPA

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APPENDIX C INITIAL SCREENING REPORT POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON NATURA 2000 SITES

This step looks at the likely direct, indirect or secondary impacts of the plans on the designated sites, alone or in-combination with other relevant plans. Different impacts are not anticipated from the Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPDs as both results in increased levels of development.

There are a number of potential impacts to the Somerset Levels and Moors and/or Severn Estuary Natura 2000 sites arising from the implementation of the District and Borough Core Strategies identified in the Habitat Regulations Assessment report of the draft RSS (2006). These are set out in the table below.

Likely operations to result as a Potential impacts on Natura 2000 site consequence of policy House building and related infrastructure, Water table: Possible changes in water levels due to abstraction, drainage, etc. traffic and mixed use development, Toxic contamination: air, soil and water pollution, tipping sluice/barrage installation Non-toxic contamination: Eutrophication due to sewage treatment works discharge during summer when flow in River Tone is low Non physical disturbance: human presence, artificial lighting, traffic Recreation Physical damage: erosion, trampling Non physical disturbance: human presence, water sports and pets

In addition, and in order to secure the long term presence and stability of Natura 2000 sites and the network, climate change should be a key consideration in the application of appropriate assessment. Consideration should be given as to whether the plan inhibits in any way the potential of species to adapt to climate change.

The Habitat Regulations Assessment report of the draft RSS noted that development in Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil, which drain into the Somerset Levels and Moors, could result in cumulative impacts on the European Sites

The following tables of potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites by district and have been informed by the Habitat Regulations Assessment report, through a literature search and in consultation with stakeholders. The Precautionary Principle is used so that where an affect is uncertain it is assumed to be adverse.

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