Dartford Local Plan Development Policies Document: Publication Version Habitat Regulations Assessment Dartford Borough Council January 2021 Dartford Borough Council Quality information Prepared by Checked by Verified by Approved by Isla Hoffman Heap James Riley Max Wade James Riley Senior Ecologist Technical Director Technical Director Technical Director Georgia Stephens Graduate Ecologist Revision History Revision Revision date Details Authorized Name Position 01 16/12/2020 2020 Update JR James Riley Technical Director 02 12/01/2021 Final JR James Riley Technical Director Distribution List # Hard Copies PDF Required Association / Company Name Prepared for: Dartford Borough Council AECOM Dartford Borough Council Prepared for: Dartford Borough Council Prepared by: Georgia Stephens AECOM Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited Midpoint, Alencon Link Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 7PP United Kingdom T: +44(0)1256 310200 aecom.com © 2021 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: Dartford Borough Council AECOM Dartford Borough Council Table of Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 6 Background to the Project ....................................................................................................................................... 6 2. Methodology .................................................................................................... 8 3. Pathways of impact ........................................................................................ 11 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Recreational pressure ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Atmospheric pollution ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Water resources .................................................................................................................................................... 13 Water quality ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 4. Test of Likely Significant Effects .................................................................... 16 Background to Dartford Borough ........................................................................................................................... 16 Physical Scope of the HRA ................................................................................................................................... 16 Recreational Pressure ........................................................................................................................................... 20 Water quality ......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Air quality .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 5. The ‘in combination’ scope ............................................................................ 22 6. Appropriate Assessment ................................................................................ 23 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 23 Recreational Pressure ........................................................................................................................................... 23 Bird Disturbance Study and North Kent Visitor Survey ......................................................................................... 24 7. Conclusions ................................................................................................... 27 Appendix A European Designated Sites within 20km of Dartford Borough............... 28 The Thames Estuary and Marshes SPA/Ramsar Site ........................................................................................... 29 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 29 Thames Estuary & Marshes Ramsar site .............................................................................................................. 29 Thames Estuary & Marshes SPA .......................................................................................................................... 29 The Medway Estuary and Marshes SPA/Ramsar site ........................................................................................... 30 Medway Estuary & Marshes SPA .......................................................................................................................... 30 North Down Woodlands SAC ................................................................................................................................ 32 Peters Pit SAC ...................................................................................................................................................... 32 Appendix B Policy Specific Impacts for European Sites ........................................... 34 Policy .................................................................................................................................................................... 35 S1 - Borough Spatial Strategy ............................................................................................................................... 36 S2: Infrastructure Planning Strategy ..................................................................................................................... 38 S3: Climate Change Strategy ................................................................................................................................ 39 S4: Borough Development Levels ......................................................................................................................... 40 D1: Central Dartford Strategy ................................................................................................................................ 41 D2: Central Dartford Development Principles ....................................................................................................... 42 D3: The mix of uses in Dartford Town centre ........................................................................................................ 43 D4: Westgate Allocation ........................................................................................................................................ 43 D5: East of Lowfield Street Allocation ................................................................................................................... 44 D6: Priory Centre Allocation .................................................................................................................................. 45 D7: Station Surrounds/ River Darent Area ............................................................................................................ 46 E1: Ebbsfleet Garden City Strategy ...................................................................................................................... 47 E2: Ebbsfleet Garden City Development Principles .............................................................................................. 48 E3: Swanscombe .................................................................................................................................................. 48 E4: Ebbsfleet Central Allocation ............................................................................................................................ 49 E5: Ebbsfleet South and West Area ...................................................................................................................... 50 Prepared for: Dartford Borough Council AECOM Dartford Borough Council E6: Land North of Swanscombe Area ................................................................................................................... 51 M1: Good Design for Dartford ............................................................................................................................... 52 M2: Environmental and Amenity Protection .......................................................................................................... 54 M3: Sustainable Technology, Construction and Performance .............................................................................. 55 M4: Flood Risk and Riverside Design ..................................................................................................................