THE WEST SOMERSET LOCAL PLAN 2012 TO 2032 DRAFT PREFERRED STRATEGY HABITAT REGULATIONS ASSESSMENT January 2012 This report was prepared by Somerset County Council on behalf of the Exmoor National Park Authority, as the 'competent authority' under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Copyright The maps in this report are reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. (Somerset County Council)(100038382)(2011) 2 Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 4 2. Screening Exercise ..................................................................................................... 6 3. Characteristics and Description of the Natura 2000 Sites ........................................... 8 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 8 Identification of Natura 2000 sites................................................................................ 8 Ecological Zones of Influence .................................................................................... 11 Description and Characterisation of Natura 2000 Sites ............................................. 11 4. Potential Impacts of the Plan on Ecology .................................................................. 42 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 42 Recreational Pressure ............................................................................................... 42 Habitat Loss ............................................................................................................... 44 Habitat Fragmentation................................................................................................ 45 Barrier Effects ............................................................................................................ 45 Habitat Isolation ......................................................................................................... 46 Proximity Impacts....................................................................................................... 46 Air Pollution................................................................................................................ 47 Hydrological Impacts.................................................................................................. 47 Renewable Energy Schemes..................................................................................... 48 Cumulative Impacts.................................................................................................... 48 Summary of Potential Effects from the Core Strategy and Development Management Policies on SAC Features .......................................................................................... 49 5. Analysis of Policy in the Local Plan Draft Preferred Strategy .................................... 51 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 51 Analysis of Effects on Natura 2000 Sites ................................................................... 51 Management for Nature Conservation Purposes ....................................................... 52 Plan Analysis.............................................................................................................. 52 Analysis of Potential Significant Effects on Features of Natura 2000 Sites................ 76 6. Other Relevant Plans or Projects .............................................................................. 92 7. Counteracting Measures ........................................................................................... 94 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 94 Identified Likely Significant Effects............................................................................. 94 Counteracting Measures............................................................................................ 95 8. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 103 Bibliography ................................................................................................................ 104 3 1. Introduction 1.1 This report details the findings of the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) process of the West Somerset District Council Local Plan (formerly known as the draft LDF Core Strategy). As the ‘competent authority’ under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, West Somerset District Council (WSDC) is required to assess its Local Plan through the HRA process as policies in the plan can potentially affect Natura 2000 sites under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (the ‘Habitats Regulations’). 1.2 The Local Plan will set out WSDC's spatial vision and objectives for sustainable development, including housing and other development in its administrative area. Policies will guide decisions on planning applications and appeals. 1.3 Natura 2000 sites, for the purpose of considering development proposals that may affect them, include European Sites - Special Protection Areas (SPA) classified under the EC Birds Directive 1979 and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSAC) designated under the EC Habitats Directive 1992, and, as a matter of Government policy, all Ramsar sites as if they are fully designated European Sites for the purpose of considering development proposals that may affect them. Ramsar sites are those designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 1971. 1.4 The definition of ‘Habitat Regulations Assessment’ is simply an assessment, which must be appropriate to its purpose under the Habitats Directive and Regulations. According to The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, regulation 61 (1) before authorising a plan, which is likely to have a significant effect on a European site, and is not connected to the management of the site, WSDC shall assess the implications for the site in view of its conservation objectives. 1.5 The purpose of HRA of land use plans is to ensure that protection of the integrity of European sites (Natura 2000 sites) is a part of the planning process at a regional and local level. The requirement for Habitats Regulations Assessment of plans or projects is outlined in Article 6(3) and (4) of the European Communities (1992) Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (known as the ‘Habitats Directive’). 1.6 West Somerset District lies on the north coast of the south west peninsula between North Devon and Sedgemoor Districts. More than half of the District’s area is within the Exmoor National Park (which has its own local planning authority). About three quarters of West Somerset’s 35,400 population10 (ONS Mid 2010 estimate) lives within the area for which this Local Plan is being prepared, outside the National Park. Figure 1 shows the Local Plan in relation to the National Park and Nature 2000 sites. About two thirds of the Local Plan 4 area’s population (c.18,000 out of c.27,000 people) live on or near the coast in the three main settlements of Minehead, Watchet and Williton. 1.7 The Local Plan area comprises: • a coastal zone between Minehead in the west and Steart Peninsula in the east, • the north western part of the Quantock Hills notable for its exposed, moorland character, • to the south, part of the Brendon Hills and • a further, detached southern area at Brushford in the Barle Valley to the south of Exmoor. The area’s geography is complex ranging from the coastal levels, parts of which are vulnerable to sea flooding between Blue Anchor and Minehead and at the Steart Peninsula, and the Brendon and Quantock Hills rising to over 300 metres. 5 2. Screening Exercise 2.1 The Department for Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) consultation document ‘Planning for the Protection of European Sites: Appropriate Assessment’ (August 2006). This document gives three main tasks to the Appropriate or Habitats Regulations Assessment1 process: 1. Likely significant effects 2. Appropriate assessment and ascertaining the effect on site integrity 3. Mitigation and alternative solutions 2.2 The process is further detailed in ‘The Appropriate Assessment of Spatial Plans in England’, published by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Dodd et al, 2007). 2.3 The RSPB guidance (2007) sets out a 3-step approach to appropriate assessment as follows. Step 1: Screening for likely significant effects. This is the initial evaluation of a plan’s effects on a Natura 2000 site. If it cannot conclude there will be no significant effect upon any Natura 2000 site, an AA is required. In the DCLG guidance this is called evidence gathering. Step 2 Appropriate Assessment – scoping and further information gathering Preparation for the AA where the screening has shown there is likely to be significant effects or where there is uncertainty about a potential significant effect upon a Natura 2000 site. Step 3 Appropriate Assessment