Footprint Ecology HRA: North Dorset Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD Version: Habitats Regulation Assessment of Draft Core Strategy and Draft Development Management Policies. Date: 4th January 2009 Recommended citation: Liley, D., Hoskin, R., White, J., Lake, S., Underhill-Day, J., Tyldesley, D. & Sharp, J. (2009). Habitats Regulations Assessment of the North Dorset Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD. Preferred Options. Footprint Ecology. DAVID TYLDESLEY AND ASSOCIATES PLANNING, LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS 1 Footprint Ecology HRA: North Dorset Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD Summary The aim of this assessment is to identify any areas where there are likely significant effects to the Natura 2000 sites and assess these in detail. This will influence the development of the submission draft of the Core Strategy, ensuring that any elements of the plan where there is a likelihood of a significant effect on any European site are assessed and that where necessary appropriate amendments are applied or alternative options pursued. A full check for likely significant effects at preferred options stage is set out and we consider the following issues in detail within the appropriate assessment part of this report: Impacts of recreation and housing on the Dorset Heaths (Dorset Heaths SAC, Dorset Heathlands SPA/Ramsar) Impacts from recreation on chalk grassland sites (Fontmell and Melbury Downs SAC, Cerne and Sydling Downs SAC and Salisbury Plain SAC/SPA) Impacts of recreational pressure on coastal / estuarine sites (Poole Harbour SPA/Ramsar Chesil and the Fleet SAC / SPA; Isle of Portland to Studland Cliffs SAC; Dorset Heaths (Purbeck & Studland) and Studland Dunes SAC). Impacts of increased recreational pressure on the New Forest (New Forest SAC/SPA/Ramsar) Water issues: abstraction and water quality issues relating in particular to Rooksmoor SAC, the Avon Valley sites (SAC/SPA/Ramsar), Fontmell and Melbury Downs SAC. Air quality issues for sites within 200m of roads (Rooksmoor SAC and Fontmell and Melbury Downs SAC) Implications of increased traffic on the management of Lydlinch Common (Rooksmoor SAC). We identify adverse effects on integrity relating to increased recreational pressure to: the Dorset Heaths SAC, Dorset Heathlands SPA/Ramsar, Fontmell and Melbury Downs SAC, the New Forest SAC/SPA/Ramsar Poole Harbour SPA/Ramsar. 2 Footprint Ecology HRA: North Dorset Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD These sites are mostly outside of the District and located away from the main centres of new development within the core strategy. For many of the sites the impacts from increased recreation will occur in-combination with development in other nearby districts. Adverse effects on integrity relating to air quality as a result of increased traffic are addressed for Rooksmoor SAC and Fontmell & Melbury Downs SAC. Road traffic issues have further implications for Rooksmoor SAC and we are unable to rule out an adverse affect on the integrity of the site as a result of road traffic increases hindering the future management of the site. For most of the adverse effects we identify, mitigation measures are possible but these need securing prior to the core strategy being finalised. In particular further work is needed to clarify the level of impact associated with air quality and for the management of Lydlinch Common. 3 Footprint Ecology HRA: North Dorset Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Overview of process to date .......................................................................................... 6 1.2 Background to the Habitats Regulations Assessment ..................................................... 6 1.3 Outline of the Habitats Regulations Assessment process................................................ 7 2 European Sites Potentially Affected by the Core Strategy ........................................................ 11 2.2 Sites Within the District ............................................................................................... 15 Fontmell and Melbury Downs SAC ............................................................................... 15 Rooksmoor SAC ........................................................................................................... 15 2.3 Sites Outside the District ............................................................................................. 15 Holnest SAC................................................................................................................. 16 Dorset Heaths SAC, Dorset Heathlands SPA/Ramsar site and Dorset Heaths (Wareham and Purbeck) and Studland Dunes SAC ........................................................................ 16 Cerne & Sydling Downs SAC ......................................................................................... 20 Poole Harbour SPA and Ramsar ................................................................................... 21 Prescombe Down SAC ................................................................................................. 23 West Dorset Alder Woods SAC .................................................................................... 24 River Avon SAC/Avon Valley SPA/Ramsar..................................................................... 25 Chilmark Quarries SAC ................................................................................................. 26 Isle of Portland to Studland Cliffs SAC .......................................................................... 26 Bracket’s Coppice SAC ................................................................................................. 28 Mendip Woodlands SAC .............................................................................................. 28 Salisbury Plain SAC / SPA ............................................................................................. 28 Great Yews SAC ........................................................................................................... 29 Mells Valley SAC .......................................................................................................... 30 The New Forest SPA / SAC / Ramsar ............................................................................ 30 Chesil and the Fleet SAC .............................................................................................. 31 3 Screening for the likelihood of significant effects ..................................................................... 33 3.2 Screening Outcomes.................................................................................................... 33 4 Impacts of housing on the Dorset Heaths (Dorset Heaths SAC/SPA/Ramsar) ........................... 36 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 36 4.2 Disturbance to Annex I birds ........................................................................................ 38 Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus ................................................................................ 38 Woodlark Lullula arborea ............................................................................................ 39 Dartford warbler Sylvia undata .................................................................................... 39 4.3 Trampling and disturbance to other species ................................................................ 40 4.4 Dog fouling.................................................................................................................. 40 4.5 Fire risk to heathland................................................................................................... 41 4.6 Other urban effects ..................................................................................................... 41 4.7 Functional links and the connectivity between North Dorset and the European Heathland Sites ......................................................................................................................... 42 4.8 Mitigation ................................................................................................................... 45 5 Impacts from recreation on chalk grassland sites (Fontmell and Melbury Downs SAC, Cerne and Sydling Downs SAC and Salisbury Plain SAC/SPA) .................................................................................. 48 5.1 SAC interest features ................................................................................................... 48 5.2 Impacts ....................................................................................................................... 48 Effects of trampling ..................................................................................................... 48 Effects of nutrient input .............................................................................................. 49 5.3 Summary of Impacts.................................................................................................... 50 5.4 Mitigation ................................................................................................................... 50 4 Footprint Ecology HRA: North Dorset Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD 5.5 Conclusions