Highways England

A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down TR010025 6.1 Environmental Statement Volume 1 6 Chapter 8: Biodiversity APFP Regulation 5(2)(a) Planning Act 2008 Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 October 2018 A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down 8 Biodiversity 8.1 Introduction and competent expert evidence 8.1.1 This chapter assesses the potential impacts on biodiversity from the construction and operation of the Scheme, following the methodology set out in Design Manual for Roads and Bridges ("DMRB") Volume 11, Section 3, Part 4 (Ref 8.1) and associated Interim Advice Notes ("IANs") (Ref 8.2). This chapter details the methodology followed for the assessment, summarises the regulatory and policy framework related to biodiversity and describes the existing environment in the area surrounding the Scheme. Following this, the design, mitigation and residual effects of the Scheme are discussed, along with the limitations of the assessment. 8.1.2 This chapter of the ES has been undertaken by competent experts with relevant and appropriate experience. The technical lead for the biodiversity assessment is Stephanie Peay and her professional qualifications and experience are summarised in Appendix 1.1. 8.2 Legislative and policy framework 8.2.1 The following international agreements, European Directives and UK legislation are applicable: a) The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended); b) The Protection of Badgers Act 1992; c) The Hedgerows Regulations 1997; d) The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000; e) The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006; f) The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017; g) Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (1992); h) Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (2009); i) The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017; j) The Ramsar Convention 1976. 8.2.2 As discussed in Chapter 1 (Introduction), the primary basis for deciding whether or not to grant a Development Consent Order (DCO) is the National Policy Statement for National Networks (NPSNN) which, at Sections 4 and 5, sets out policies to guide how DCO applications will be decided and how the impacts of 6.1 Environmental Statement, October 2018 8-1 A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down national networks infrastructure should be considered. Table 8.1 identifies the NPSNN policies relevant to biodiversity and ecological conservation, as referred to in the NPSNN. A range of terms is used in other policies and relevant documents. The main terms used in this ES chapter are biodiversity features and conservation of biodiversity. The latter is taken to include maintenance of the ecological processes that support biodiversity in ecosystems and ensure the ecological integrity (extent and ecological functioning) of sites or the features for which the sites were designated as being important for conservation of biodiversity. Table 8.1 shows where in this ES chapter information is provided to address the NPSNN policies. Table 8.1: Relevant NPSNN policies for Biodiversity assessment Relevant Requirement of the National Policy Statement for Where in the ES NPSNN National Networks (NPSNN) Chapter is paragraph information reference provided to address this policy. 4.22 and NPSNN describes the need under the Habitats An assessment of 4.25 Regulations to consider whether the Scheme could have a the likely significant effect on the objectives of a European site and significant effects the procedure to be followed. on European Sites has been undertaken in Appendix 8.24. 5.22, 5.26 - NPSNN Section 5: Biodiversity and ecological The assessment 5.32 and conservation, describes the process of EIA and the need of effects on all 5.35 to assess any likely significant effects on all of the biodiversity following: internationally, nationally and locally designated receptors is sites of importance for the conservation of biodiversity, detailed in protected species and habitats and other species Section 8.9 and a identified as being of principal importance for the summary of non- conservation of biodiversity and the full range of potential significant effects impacts on ecosystems. is provided in Appendix 8.23 5.23 NSPNN gives guidance on the principles that should be Section 8.8 applied in the EIA and design development, including outlines the avoiding adverse impacts on sites, species and habitats design, mitigation (outlined in 5.22); providing appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures as an integral part of a development and taking measures advantage of opportunities to conserve and enhance incorporated in biodiversity features in and around development. the Scheme Policy 8.2.3 Other policies have been considered as part of the biodiversity assessment where these have informed the identification of biodiversity features (any designated sites of importance for nature conservation, habitats and species populations that may be affected by impacts of the Scheme); the assessment methodology; the potential for significant environmental effects, mitigation for 6.1 Environmental Statement, October 2018 8-2 A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down impacts, and enhancement to be provided by the Scheme. These policies include those as detailed below. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 8.2.4 The NPPF adopted in 2012 and revised in 2018 sets out the Government’s planning policies for England. In accordance with the NPPF, the NPSNN policies relating to the applicant’s assessment are the primary source of policy guidance regarding this assessment. The NPPF provides policy guidance for the development of local plans, which are taken into account in the assessment. 8.2.5 The NPPF 2018 contains similar provisions to the NPSNN but in biodiversity in Section 15: Conserving and enhancing the natural environment. A notable change in the NPFF is the removal of reference to ‘avoiding net loss of biodiversity’ and inclusion of ‘minimising impacts and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures’. 8.2.6 Paragraph 171 states that plans should: distinguish between the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites; allocate land with the least environmental or amenity value; take a strategic approach to maintaining and enhancing networks of habitats and green infrastructure; and plan for the enhancement of natural capital at a catchment or landscape scale. 8.2.7 Whilst the mitigation hierarchy of avoid, mitigate, compensate remains in the NPPF, the revised wording encourages developers to look beyond maintaining existing biodiversity value. Instead it actively encourages provision of additional benefits for biodiversity which contribute to future-proofing the natural environment. Wiltshire Core Strategy 2015 8.2.8 Relevant policies relating to biodiversity in the adopted Wiltshire Core Strategy 2015 are in accordance with the NPPF and aim to protect important ecological (biodiversity) features where possible. They include: a) Core policy 50 (Biodiversity and geodiversity): which expects developments to protect features of importance and states these should be retained, buffered and managed to maintain their ecological value, connectivity and functionality in the long term. Where this cannot be achieved, the policy states that impacts should be mitigated as far as possible and measures should be secured to ensure no net loss of biodiversity resource and secure local ecological networks. It requires developments to avoid any adverse effect on the integrity of a Natura 2000 (European designated) site. b) Core policy 57 (Ensuring high quality design and place shaping): promotes retention and enhancement of existing important landscaping and natural features such as trees, hedges and watercourses and the creation of wildlife and recreational corridors. 6.1 Environmental Statement, October 2018 8-3 A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down c) Core policy 69 (protection of the River Avon SAC): identifies the River Avon Special Area of Conservation as a potential sensitive receptor which requires protection from adverse pollution impacts resulting from development. The policies also encourage mitigation of pollution on the water environment through careful design to facilitate good pollution control practice. Other relevant documents The Natural Environment White Paper (2011) 8.2.9 The paper set out a framework for protecting and enhancing the natural environment, to be backed up with targets for practical action to halt the loss of UK and International species and habitats. It set out themes towards: a) facilitating greater local action to protect and improve nature; b) creating a green economy in which economic growth and the health of our natural resources sustain each other, and markets, business and Government better reflect the value of nature; c) strengthening the connections between people and nature to the benefit of both; and d) showing leadership in the European Union and internationally, to protect and enhance natural assets globally. The UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework 2012 8.2.10 The UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework was published on 17 July 2012. It was produced by Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and Defra, on behalf of the Four Countries' Biodiversity Group (4CBG), through which the environment departments of all four governments in the UK work together. Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy

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