Environmental Report Bishops Frome Neighbourhood Area May 2017 Bishops Frome Environmental Report Contents Non-technical summary 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Methodology 3.0 The SEA Framework 4.0 Appraisal of Objectives 5.0 Appraisal of Options 6.0 Appraisal of Policies 7.0 Implementation and monitoring 8.0 Next steps Appendix 1: Initial SEA Screening Report Appendix 2: SEA Scoping Report incorporating Tasks A1, A2, A3 and A4 Appendix 3: Consultation responses from Natural England and English Heritage Appendix 3a: Reg 14 responses to draft Environmental Report Consultation Appendix 4: SEA Stage B incorporating Tasks B1, B2, B3 and B4 Appendix 5: Options Considered Appendix 6: Environmental Report checklist Appendix 7: Feedback of Draft Environmental Report consultation (D1) Appendix 8: Screening of amended polices (D3) SEA: Task C1 (Bishops Frome) Environmental Report (May 2017) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Non-technical summary Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is an important part of the evidence base which underpins Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDP), as it is a systematic decision support process, aiming to ensure that environmental assets, including those whose importance transcends local, regional and national interests, are considered effectively in plan making. The Bishops Frome Parish has undertaken to prepare an NDP and this process has been subject to environmental appraisal pursuant to the SEA Directive. The Parish comprises of two main settlements of Bishops Frome itself, and Fromes Hill. Majority of the population live in these two settlements and the remainder are scattered in homes and farms throughout the parish. The parish of Bishops Frome lies approximately 9 miles north of Ledbury and four miles south of Bromyard. The Draft Bishops Frome NDP includes 1 overall objective and 8 objectives and it is intended that these objectives will be delivered by 10 (now 11) criteria based planning policies. A settlement boundary for Bishops Frome and Fromes Hill has been proposed. However no site allocations have been proposed in Fromes Hill or in Bishops Frome although several sites have been considered and assessed at options stage. Bishops Frome has considered alternative approaches were considered prior to drafting the plan, these alternatives can be found in Appendix 5. The environmental appraisal of the Bishops Frome NDP has been undertaken in line with the Environmental Assessment of Plan and Programmes Regulations 2004. Stage A of the SEA process involved Scoping and Stage B provided a review and analysis of the NDP. Stage C involved preparing an Environmental Report and Stage D comprises a formal consultation on both this and the Draft Plan itself. Several policies within the NDP have been amended with minor wording as well as adding a new policy BF2, this has been screened in D3. BF3 (was BF2), BF4 (was BF5), BF8 (was BF7) and BF10 (was BF9) the conclusion set out in the Draft Environment Report is still valid. That is, the Bishops Frome NDP is in general conformity with both national planning policy contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and strategic policies set within the Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy). Therefore, no further changes are recommended as a result of this SEA (stage D). Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) screening has been carried out as the Group Parish falls within the catchment for the River Wye, which is a European site (Special Area of Conservation). The HRA assesses the potential effects of the NDP on the River Wye SAC. Overall it is considered that the Bishops Frome NDP is in general conformity with both national planning policy contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and strategic policies set within the Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy). Nor does it propose any growth that would be over and above that prescribed by strategic policies. Therefore no changes to the NDP are recommended as a result of the SEA. Once made (adopted) by Herefordshire Council, the effects of the policies within the Bishops Frome NPD will be monitored annually via the Council’s Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). _________________________________________________________________________________ This document is copyright of Herefordshire Council. Please contact the Neighbourhood Planning team if you wish to reuse it in whole or part 1 SEA: Task C1 (Bishops Frome) Environmental Report (May 2017) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1.0 Introduction 1.1 This report forms the draft Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Bishops Frome Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP). 1.2 The Bishops Frome NDP does not propose any site allocations, as none of the settlements within the neighbourhood area are targeted for proportional levels of growth in Policy RA1 and RA2 of the Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy). The NDP will, however, provide general criteria based policies for guiding future development across the parish as a whole. Purpose of the SEA 1.3 SEA is a requirement of EC Directive 2001/42/EC (the SEA Directive) which requires the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment to ensure that the proposals in that plan or programme contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. 1.4 The Directive was transposed into domestic legislation through the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 and which applies to plans with significant environmental effects. 1.5. A screening opinion was carried out on the Bishops Frome NDP and it concluded that due to the range of environmental designations in and around the parish, there may be significant environmental effects and consequently an SEA would be required. Parish Neighbourhood Plan Context 1.6 Bishops Frome Group Parish comprises the settlements of Bishops Frome and Fromes Hill. The Group Parish lies approximately 9 miles north of Ledbury and four miles south of Bromyard. Fromes Hill is a smaller settlement, which has approximately 86 households, and has a high vantage point overlooking the west towards the Black Mountains. 1.7 The Group Parish has a population of 831 (2011 census) formed of 323 households. 1.8 The neighbourhood area boasts many natural features, not least 15 Special Wildlife Sites, 11 ancient woodlands and 2 local nature trails. There are numerous built heritage assets, too, including listed buildings, Scheduled Monuments and non-designated assets. The parish area falls into the hydrological catchment area of the River Wye SAC, which means a full HRA scoping report is required. 1.9 The vision for Bishops Frome in 2031 is supported by one overall objective: Overall Objective- To ensure a sustainable future through the implementation of Core Strategy policies which encourage appropriate growth of rural businesses and housing, facilities and services and access to sustainable transport. 1.10 The Bishops Frome NDP objectives are as follows: Objective 1- To protect and enhance the special character of the landscape, natural and built environment of the villages and the surrounding countryside. Objective 2- To develop policies to identify the criteria for small scale housing developments of three to four houses to meet the requirement for growth identified in the core strategy in Bishops Frome and Fromes Hill up to 2031 to meet local needs. The preferred sites will be appropriate in terms of size, scale, design and sustainability and the ability of services and facilities to support them. _________________________________________________________________________________ This document is copyright of Herefordshire Council. Please contact the Neighbourhood Planning team if you wish to reuse it in whole or part 2 SEA: Task C1 (Bishops Frome) Environmental Report (May 2017) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Objective 3- To encourage the development of small scale businesses that will contribute to local employment opportunities and promote the introduction of faster broadband and other technological aids for rural businesses. Objective 4-To support existing and promote new community facilities. Objective 5- To protect and enhance open spaces, recreational facilities and areas of informal green and create new recreational facilities where a need is expressed. Objective 6- To ensure that adequate provision is made for the necessary highway, footway and public transport improvements required for any new development and that necessary traffic and road safety provision is made. Objective 7- To ensure that essential infrastructure and services are adequate to cope with future growth. Objective 8- To promote initiatives for renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions. Context of Neighbourhood Plans 1.11 NDPs are a relatively new type of planning document that form a key part of the Government’s localism agenda. They enable local communities to develop plans that reflect local aspirations, in accordance with strategic policies. 1.12 The Bishops Frome NDP must therefore conform to national planning policy set within the NPPF and strategic level local policy including the Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy). 1.13 The Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy) was adopted on the 16th October 2015. 1.14 Paragraph 2016 of the NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance set out the weight that may be given to relevant policies in emerging plans, including NDPs,