19 Duncton to Bignor Escarpment SAC
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Submitted to Client: Submitted by: South Downs National Park AECOM Authority Midpoint Alençon Link Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 7PP United Kingdom South Downs National Park Authority Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment July 2018 AECOM South Downs National Park Authority Page ii Prepared by: Isla Hoffmann Heap Checked by: Dr James Riley Senior Ecologist Technical Director Approved by: Dr James Riley Associate Director Rev No Comments Checked Approved Date by by 0 DRAFT IHH JR 05/05/17 1 Following client comments IHH JR 30/06/17 2 Incorporating air quality impact assessment IHH JR 01/08/17 3 Updated to address Pre-Submission Local Plan and IHH JR 13/09/17 incorporate air quality analysis for Ashdown Forest SAC 4 Update to reflect Consultation Comments and policy update IHH JR 16/03/18 5 New report produced in response to Sweetman European MK JR 24/07/18 Court of Justice ruling Midpoint, Alençon Link, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 7PP, United Kingdom Telephone: 01256 310 200 Website: http://www.aecom.com July 2018 Limitations South Downs National Park Authority Local Plan Habitats Regulations July 2018 Assessment AECOM South Downs National Park Authority Page iii AECOM Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited (“AECOM”) has prepared this Report for the sole use of the South Downs National Park Authority (“Client”) in accordance with the Agreement under which our services were performed. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this Report or any other services provided by AECOM. This Report is confidential and may not be disclosed by the Client nor relied upon by any other party without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM. The conclusions and recommendations contained in this Report are based upon information provided by others and upon the assumption that all relevant information has been provided by those parties from whom it has been requested and that such information is accurate. Information obtained by AECOM has not been independently verified by AECOM, unless otherwise stated in the Report. The methodology adopted and the sources of information used by AECOM in providing its services are outlined in this Report. The work described in this Report was undertaken between April 2017 and July 2018 and is based on the conditions encountered and the information available during the said period of time. The scope of this Report and the services are accordingly factually limited by these circumstances. Where assessments of works or costs identified in this Report are made, such assessments are based upon the information available at the time and where appropriate are subject to further investigations or information which may become available. AECOM disclaim any undertaking or obligation to advise any person of any change in any matter affecting the Report, which may come or be brought to AECOM’s attention after the date of the Report. Certain statements made in the Report that are not historical facts may constitute estimates, projections or other forward- looking statements and even though they are based on reasonable assumptions as of the date of the Report, such forward- looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted. 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South Downs National Park Authority Local Plan Habitats Regulations July 2018 Assessment AECOM South Downs National Park Authority Page 4 Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................8 Background to the project ................................................................................................................................8 Joint Core Strategies .......................................................................................................................................9 Legislation ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 Report structure ............................................................................................................................................. 11 About the Local Plan ...................................................................................................................................... 11 2 Methodology ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 12 A Proportionate Assessment ......................................................................................................................... 12 The Process of HRA ...................................................................................................................................... 13 Technical Scope ............................................................................................................................................ 14 Physical Scope .............................................................................................................................................. 15 The ‘In-combination’ Scope - other projects and plans .................................................................................. 17 Stage One: Likely Significant Effect Test (Screening) ................................................................................... 19 Appropriate Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 19 Air Quality Impact Assessment ...................................................................................................................... 19 3 Pathways of Impact .............................................................................................................................................. 24 4 Test of Likely Significant Effects ........................................................................................................................ 25 5 Appropriate Assessment: Recreational Pressure ............................................................................................. 27 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 27 Appropriate Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 27 Ashdown Forest SPA and SAC ..................................................................................................................... 29 Solent European sites: Chichester and Langstone Harbours SPA/ Ramsar and Pagham Harbour SPA/ Ramsar site ................................................................................................................................................... 30 Bat sites: The Mens SAC, Singleton and Cocking Tunnels SAC, and Ebernoe Common SAC ..................... 33 Heathland bird sites: Wealden Heaths Phase II SPA and Woolmer Forest SAC ........................................... 33 Calcareous grassland sites: Lewes Downs SAC, Castle Hill SAC and Butser Hill SAC ................................ 36 Woodland sites: Duncton to Bignor Escarpment SAC, Kingley Vale SAC, East Hampshire Hangers SAC and Rook Cliff SAC ............................................................................................................................................... 37 Heathland/ bog sites: Woolmer Forest SAC and Shortheath Common SAC ................................................. 38 River Itchen SAC ........................................................................................................................................... 39 Arun Valley SAC/SPA/Ramsar site ................................................................................................................ 39 Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................... 42 6 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................................. 43 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 43 Likely Significant Effects ................................................................................................................................ 43 Appropriate Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 44 7 Hydrology ............................................................................................................................................................. 52 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................