Tunbridge Wells Local Plan Regulation 19 Habitats Regulations Assessment Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 60553932 Tunbridge Wells Local Plan Quality information Prepared by Checked by Verified by Approved by Damiano Weitowitz James Riley Max Wade James Riley Consultant Ecologist Technical Director Technical Director Technical Director Revision History Revision Revision date Details Authorized Name Position 0 16/12/20 Draft for client JR James Riley Technical review Director Prepared for: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council AECOM Tunbridge Wells Local Plan Prepared for: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Prepared by: Damiano Weitowitz Consultant Ecologist E: [email protected] AECOM Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited Midpoint, Alencon Link Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 7PP United Kingdom T: +44(0)1256 310200 aecom.com © 2020 AECOM Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited. All Rights Reserved. This document has been prepared by AECOM Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited (“AECOM”) for sole use of our client (the “Client”) in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and the terms of reference agreed between AECOM and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM. Prepared for: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council AECOM Tunbridge Wells Local Plan Table of Contents 1. Background ............................................................................................. 6 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 6 Legislative Context .................................................................................................................................. 6 Scope of the Project ................................................................................................................................ 7 Quality Assurance ................................................................................................................................... 8 2. Methodology ............................................................................................ 9 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 9 Description of HRA Tasks ........................................................................................................................ 9 HRA Task 1 – Likely Significant Effects (LSE) ........................................................................................ 9 HRA Task 2 – Appropriate Assessment (AA) .......................................................................................... 9 HRA Task 3 – Avoidance and Mitigation ............................................................................................... 10 Physical Scope of the HRA ................................................................................................................... 10 3. European Designated Sites ................................................................... 11 Ashdown Forest Special Area of Conservation .................................................................................... 11 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 11 Features of European interest............................................................................................................... 11 Conservation Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 11 Threats & Pressures to Ashdown Forest SAC ...................................................................................... 12 Ashdown Forest Special Protection Area .............................................................................................. 12 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 12 Features of European interest............................................................................................................... 12 Conservation Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 12 Threats & Pressures to Ashdown Forest SPA / SAC ............................................................................ 13 4. Test of Likely Significant Effects ............................................................ 14 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 14 Impact Pathways Considered ............................................................................................................... 14 Background to Atmospheric Pollution ................................................................................................... 14 Background to Recreational Pressure .................................................................................................. 17 Screening of site allocations and strategic policies .............................................................................. 18 Site allocations ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Strategic policies ................................................................................................................................... 20 Local plans to be considered ‘in-combination’ ...................................................................................... 21 5. Appropriate Assessment: Ashdown Forest SAC & SPA ........................ 22 Air Quality at Ashdown Forest Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area ................. 22 Commuter traffic .................................................................................................................................... 22 Results of Air Quality Modelling ‘in combination’ .................................................................................. 23 Recreational Pressure on Ashdown Forest Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Background to evidence base ............................................................................................................... 24 Overview of visitor survey results ......................................................................................................... 24 Survey results as relevant to Tunbridge Wells Borough ....................................................................... 25 Effects alone and ‘in-combination’ ........................................................................................................ 25 Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 26 6. Summary of Conclusions ...................................................................... 27 Impact pathway: Atmospheric pollution ................................................................................................. 27 Impact pathway: Recreational pressure ................................................................................................ 27 7. Appendices ............................................................................................ 28 Prepared for: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council AECOM Tunbridge Wells Local Plan Tables Table 1: Main sources and effects of air pollutants on habitats and species ........................................ 14 Table 2: Number of houses that are to be delivered in other authorities surrounding Ashdown Forest SPA / SAC, according to adopted Core Strategies and Local Plans .................................................... 21 Figures Figure 1. The legislative basis for Appropriate Assessment ................................................................... 7 Figure 2. Four Stage Approach to Habitats Regulations Assessment. Source EC, 20011. .................... 9 Figure 3: Traffic contribution to concentrations of pollutants at different distances from a road (Source: DfT) ....................................................................................................................................................... 17 Appendices Appendix 1: Screening of Plan Policies ................................................................................................ 28 Appendix 2: Initial screening process of individual site allocations. ................................................... 141 Appendix 3: Ashdown Forest Air Quality Impact Assessment as relevant to the Borough of Tunbridge Wells Local Plan. ................................................................................................................................. 158 Prepared for: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council AECOM Tunbridge Wells Local Plan 1. Background Introduction AECOM was appointed by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (hereafter referred to as ‘TWBC’) to assist the