Habitats Regulations Assessment Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan – Submission Version Prepared on behalf of: Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Date: February 2018 Prepared by: ClearLead Consulting Limited The Barn, Cadhay, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1QT, UK 01404 814273 Contract Number: C0045 Contract No: C0045 Issue: 4 Author V Pearson / H Torr (signature): Project Director J Mitchell (signature): Date: February 2018 Version Control Record Issue Status Date Reviewer Author Initials Initials 1 Draft 22/11/16 JM VP / HT 2 Revised draft 19/07/17 JRP VP / HT 3 Updated with revised plan 21/07/17 JRP VP / HT policies (consultation version) 4 Submission Plan version 04/02/18 JM VP This report has been prepared by ClearLead Consulting, Limited. (ClearLead) with all reasonable skill, care and diligence. This report is confidential to the Client named on the front of this report and is protected by copyright for intellectual property. 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Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Report Table of Contents Glossary ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 6 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 The need for HRA .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Who has carried out the HRA? ...................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Consultation .................................................................................................................................. 3 2 The Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan ............................................................................................... 4 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Plan Vision and Objectives ............................................................................................................ 4 2.3 Overview of the Plan Area ............................................................................................................ 6 3 Methodology ......................................................................................................................................... 8 3.1 Overview of HRA Process .............................................................................................................. 8 3.2 Approach to the HRA .................................................................................................................... 9 3.2.1 Stage 1 Screening for likely significant effects ...................................................................... 9 3.2.2 Stage 2: Appropriate Assessment ....................................................................................... 10 4 Descriptions of the European Sites ..................................................................................................... 11 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 11 4.2 Peak District Moors (South Pennine Moors Phase 1) SPA .......................................................... 11 4.3 South Pennine Moors SAC .......................................................................................................... 12 4.4 Peak District Dales SAC ............................................................................................................... 13 4.5 Cannock Chase SAC ..................................................................................................................... 14 5 Screening of the Emerging Local Plan ................................................................................................. 15 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 15 5.2 Results of Draft Site Allocations Screening ................................................................................. 15 5.3 Results of Policies and Selected Site Allocations Screening ....................................................... 16 5.4 Conclusions of the Screening of the Emerging Local Plan Policies and Allocation Sites ............ 22 5.5 Conclusions of the Screening of the Local Plan Modifications January 2018 ............................. 23 6 Appropriate Assessment: increased water demand ........................................................................... 24 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 24 6.2 Assessment of Effects Alone and In-Combination ...................................................................... 24 Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Report 6.2.1 Potential Effects Relating to Water Demand on Peak District Moors (South Pennine Moors Phase 1) SPA and South Pennine Moors SAC and Peak District Dales SAC......................................... 24 6.2.2 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 26 7 Appropriate Assessment: increased traffic on air quality................................................................... 28 7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 28 7.2 Background ................................................................................................................................. 28 7.3 Assessment of Effects Alone and In-Combination ...................................................................... 29 7.3.1 Peak District Moors (South Pennine Moors Phase 1) SPA and South Pennine Moors SAC 29 7.3.2 Peak District Dales SAC ....................................................................................................... 32 7.4 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................. 32 8 Appropriate Assessment: increased recreational pressure ................................................................ 33 8.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 33 8.2 Background ................................................................................................................................. 33 8.3 Assessment of Effects Alone and In Combination ...................................................................... 34 8.3.1 Peak District Moors (South Pennine Moors Phase 1) SPA, South Pennine Moors SAC and Peak District Dales SAC ....................................................................................................................... 34 8.3.2 Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................................. 38 9 Appropriate Assessment: urban effects ............................................................................................. 39 9.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 39 9.2 Background ................................................................................................................................. 39 9.2.1 Cat predation ...................................................................................................................... 40 9.2.2 Effects of dogs ..................................................................................................................... 40 9.2.3 Localised recreational pressure .......................................................................................... 41 9.2.4 Localised effects from construction on air quality and water quality ................................ 41 9.2.5 Fires ..................................................................................................................................... 41 9.2.6 Fly-tipping / litter ................................................................................................................ 42 9.3 Assessment of Effects Alone and In Combination ...................................................................... 42 9.3.1 Peak District Moors (South Pennine Moors Phase 1) SPA and South Pennine Moors SAC 42 9.3.2 Peak District Dales SAC ....................................................................................................... 44