k North Devon and Torridge Local Plan Publication Draft Habitat Regulations Assessment June 2014 If you have any queries or questions relating to this document please get in touch using the details shown below: Torridge District Council North Devon Council Riverbank House Civic Centre Bideford Barnstaple EX39 2QG EX31 1EA [email protected] [email protected] 01237 428748 01271 388392 Contents 1.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 The Habitats Regulation Assessment Process.................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Requirement for Habitats Regulations Assessment .......................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Assessment Approach ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Consultation ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Purposes and Structure of Screening Report .................................................................................................................... 4 2.0 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5 3.0 Evidence .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 3.1 State of the SACs ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 3.2 Potential Impacts .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 4.0 Scope of the Assessment ................................................................................................................................................. 7 4.1 Braunton Burrows ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 4.1.1 Braunton Burrows SAC Condition ................................................................................................................................ 8 4.1.2 Vulnerability................................................................................................................................................................. 8 4.1.3 Potential Impacts from Development ........................................................................................................................... 9 4.2 Culm Grasslands .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 4.2.1 Culm Grassland SAC Condition ................................................................................................................................ 10 4.2.2 Vulnerability............................................................................................................................................................... 10 4.2.3 Potential Impacts from Development ......................................................................................................................... 10 4.3 Exmoor and Quantock Oakwoods .................................................................................................................................. 10 4.3.1 Vulnerability............................................................................................................................................................... 11 4.3.2 Potential Impacts from Development ......................................................................................................................... 11 4.4 Exmoor Heaths ............................................................................................................................................................... 11 4.4.1 Vulnerability............................................................................................................................................................... 12 4.4.2 Potential Impacts from Development ......................................................................................................................... 12 4.5 Tintagel–Marsland–Clovelly Coast .................................................................................................................................. 13 4.5.1 Vulnerability............................................................................................................................................................... 13 4.5.2 Potential Impacts from Development ......................................................................................................................... 13 4.6 Lundy Marine .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 4.6.1 Vulnerability............................................................................................................................................................... 14 4.6.2 Potential Impacts from Development ......................................................................................................................... 14 4.7 Other European Sites ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 5.0 Screening ....................................................................................................................................................................... 15 5.1 Potential Vulnerabilities .................................................................................................................................................. 15 5.2 Plan Categorisation ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 6.0 Relevant Plans and Projects ........................................................................................................................................... 22 7.0 Screening Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................... 23 7.1 Next Stages .................................................................................................................................................................... 29 8.0 Appropriate Assessment ................................................................................................................................................. 29 8.1 Culm Grassland SAC Traffic Volume Impacts ................................................................................................................. 29 8.1.1 Issues Arising from the Plan ...................................................................................................................................... 31 8.1.2 How the SAC maybe Affected ................................................................................................................................... 32 8.1.3 The Current Situation ................................................................................................................................................ 33 8.1.4 The Potential for Adverse Effects on the Integrity of the Site ..................................................................................... 34 8.1.5 Avoidance, Mitigation and Compensation Measures ................................................................................................. 40 8.1.6 Summary and Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................ 41 8.2 Braunton Burrows SAC Increase in Recreational Pressure ............................................................................................. 42 8.2.1 Issues Arising from the Plan ...................................................................................................................................... 43 8.2.2 How the SAC maybe Affected ................................................................................................................................... 43 8.2.3 The Current Situation ................................................................................................................................................ 44 8.2.4 The Potential for Adverse Effects on the Integrity of the Site ..................................................................................... 46 8.2.5 Avoidance, Mitigation and Compensation Measures ................................................................................................. 46 8.2.6 Summary and Conclusions .......................................................................................................................................