Northumberland Local Plan Schedule of proposed Main Modifications to the Northumberland Local Plan and the Local Plan Policies Map Habitats Regulations Screening Assessment June 2021 0 1 Introduction As a land use plan the Northumberland Local Plan is subject to assessment under Regulation 63 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations to determine whether any of the policies or proposals within it are likely to have a significant effect on any European sites (Special Protection Areas or Special Areas of Conservation), and if so to assess whether these are likely to have an adverse effect on the integrity of those sites. As a matter of policy this is also extended to Ramsar Sites designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. An HRA was completed for the draft Local Plan which can be found here, and an HRA Screening Assessment was undertaken for the Schedule of Proposed Minor Modifications which can be found here. Following the Examination in Public of the draft Local Plan, the Planning Inspectorate has advised that a number of main modifications are required to be made to the Plan to ensure that it can be made sound. A number of modifications are also required to be made to the Local Plan Policies Map. These modifications have been drafted, and so it is necessary to screen them under the Habitats Regulations to determine if any of them are likely to have a significant effect on any European sites. The screening of the schedule of proposed Main Modifications is set out first, followed by the screening of the proposed modifications to the Policies Map, from page 316. In the interests of brevity, extracts from the Policies Map showing the proposed mapping changes graphically have been omitted and some related changes have been grouped together in the schedule. Full details of each of the mapping changes on which the screening is based is included in the ‘Schedule of Proposed Modifications to the Northumberland Local Plan Policies Map (June 2021)’. The screening of each of the two schedules of modifications were undertaken and signed off separately by the County Ecologist and Natural England. While the sign off of the screening of the Main Modifications was undertaken on a schedule dated March 2021, this schedule has remained unchanged in this final document. 2 Schedule of proposed Main Modifications Chapter 1: Introduction Main Mods Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for proposed HRA Screening Ref. No. Paragraph / main modification Figure reference MM1 Paragraph Add a paragraph to read: To set out the Council’s Point of information 1.6a Local Plan commitments which cannot have As set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS), the Council is committed to in relation to GTTS and any effect on undertaking an early and partial update of the Local Plan in so far as it relates to open open space European sites – space, sport and recreation and sites allocated as Protected Open Space in Policy INF screened out 5, and to produce a separate Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Local Plan (GTTSLP). When adopted, the policies in the GTTSLP will supersede Policy HOU 12 in the Northumberland Local Plan. The partial update, and the GTTSLP will be submitted within 18 months of the adoption date of this Local Plan. 3 Chapter 3: Spatial Vision, Objectives and Outcomes Main Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for proposed HRA Screening Mods Ref. Paragraph / main modification No. Figure reference MM2 Paragraph Amend paragraph to read: To ensure consistency Improves biodiversity 3.17 with the NPPF and outcomes through Key outcomes: Policy MIN3. restoration of mineral ● Finite mineral resources across the County have not been unnecessarily sites – screened out sterilised and land has been made available to meet defined needs; In response to a ● Minerals extraction, transport and processing does not have unacceptable representation. adverse impacts on natural resources (air, water, soil), the natural and historic environment or local communities; ● Net gains in There has been no net loss of biodiversity have been delivered, with the creation of new priority habitats and green infrastructure in minerals reclamation schemes; ● The minerals industry remains an important source of employment; ● Northumberland continues to have a well-established and spatially distributed network of waste management facilities, with sufficient capacity. Recycling and recovery rates are maximised; ● The need to generate energy is effectively balanced with the need to protect Northumberland's environment and communities from any significant adverse impacts associated with it; ● Efficient use is made of land and existing buildings, with priority given to the development of previously developed land, wherever possible. 4 Chapter 4: Delivering the Vision for Northumberland Main Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for HRA Screening Mods Paragrap proposed main Ref. h / Figure modification No. reference MM3 Paragraph Amend paragraph to read: For clarity and to Clarification to 4.36 reflect modifications supporting text that Service Villages generally have a school or a shop, and population of a size considered likely to to Policy STP1. cannot have an maintain the viability of such services into the future. They have a reasonable level of public transport effect on European to enable residents to access some higher level services without the reliance upon private transport. A Further reasoning is sites – screened out settlement's status is not reliant upon one specific criterion, and may be influenced by its close set out in proximity to other settlements. A proportionate level of growth is supported in Service Villages to EX/NCC/82. support the provision and retention of services and facilities. Paragraph Add paragraph to read: For clarity and in Clarification to 4.36a response to supporting text that Northumberland contains many small villages and hamlets. While the Local Plan does not actively representations. cannot have an direct development to small villages, it is recognised that a level of development is required in rural Moved from effect on European areas to support social and economic vitality, and that development in one village can support services Paragraph 4.40 to a sites – screened out and facilities in another nearby. In small villages not identified as Main Towns, Service Centres or more appropriate Service Villages, small scale development will be supported subject to a number of criteria. location. In response to matters raised during the Matter 2 Hearing Session and ACT/02/07 Further reasoning is set out in EX/NCC/82. Paragraph Add paragraph to read: For clarity, in Clarification to 4.36b response to supporting text that A Small Village is defined as a cluster of dwellings and associated buildings which has a recognised representations and cannot have an name and identity, and a church or other community building. Appendix A identifies those settlements to be more effect on European identified as Small Villages. effective. sites – screened out Moved from 5 Main Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for HRA Screening Mods Paragrap proposed main Ref. h / Figure modification No. reference Paragraph 4.40 to more appropriate location. In response to matters raised during the Matter 2 Hearing Sessions and ACT/02/07. Further reasoning is set out in EX/NCC/82. Table 4.1 Amend table to read: Settlement To ensure a Clarification to hierarchy Table 4.1 Settlement hierarchy Hierarchy of settlements by Delivery Area consistent supporting text that approach across cannot have an the hierarchy, as effect on European Main Towns adjacent sites – screened out settlements, West Alnwick, Amble, Ashington, Bedlington/Bedlington Station, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Blyth, Thirston should be Cramlington, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Morpeth, Ponteland, Prudhoe grouped with Felton, and West Service Centres Sleekburn grouped with Allendale, Belford, Bellingham, Corbridge, Guidepost/Stakeford/Choppington, Haydon Bridge, Guidepost/Stakefor Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Rothbury, Seahouses/North Sunderland, Seaton Delaval/Holywell, Wooler d/Choppington. Service Villages However, Broomley is somewhat Acomb, Barrasford, Bardon Mill/Henshaw/Redburn, Broomhill/Togston, Chollerford/Humshaugh, remote from Ellington, Embleton, Felton, Gilsland, Hadston/South Broomhill/Red Row, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Stocksfield and Lesbury/Hipsburn/Bilton/Alnmouth, Longframlington, Longhorsley, Longhoughton, Lowick, should not be Lynemouth, New Hartley, Newbrough/Fourstones, Norham, Otterburn, Ovingham, Pegswood, grouped with the Riding Mill/Broomhaugh, Seaton Sluice/Old Hartley, Seghill, Shilbottle, Stamfordham, larger settlement. 6 Main Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for HRA Screening Mods Paragrap proposed main Ref. h / Figure modification No. reference In response to Stannington, Stocksfield/Broomley, Swarland, Wark on Tyne, Warkworth, West Woodburn, matters raised Widdrington Station, Wylam during the Matter 2 Hearing Session, ACT/02/08, and Main Towns EX/INS/50. Further reasoning is set out South East: Amble, Ashington, Bedlington/Bedlington Station, in EX/NCC/82 and Blyth, Cramlington EX/NCC/189. Central: Hexham, Morpeth, Ponteland, Prudhoe Grouping the North: Alnwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed settlements in the hierarchy by West: Haltwhistle Delivery Area adds Service Centres clarity and is consistent with South East: Guidepost/Stakeford/Choppington/West evidence in relation Sleekburn, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Seaton to the hierarchy in Delaval/Holywell