South Staffordshire Council SAD...i South Staffordshire Site Allocations DPD – Options...

South Staffordshire Council

South Staffordshire Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Options Consultation (March 2014) Habitats Regulations Assessment Review March 2014

i

South Staffordshire Site Allocations DPD – Options Consultation: HRA Review

Notice

This report is prepared by Atkins Limited for the sole and exclusive use of South Staffordshire Council in response to their particular instructions. No liability is accepted for any costs claims or losses arising from the use of this report or any part thereof for any purpose other than that for which it was specifically prepared or by any party other than South Staffordshire Council. No information provided in this report can be considered to be legal advice.

Document History

JOB NUMBER: 5079339.004

DOCUMENT REF: P:\GBBMA\DE2\Div54\Ecology Jobs\5079339 South Staffs HRA work (CES)\004\40\Reporting\South Staffordshire Allocations DPD - HRA Review - Final Draft to Client.docx

Revision Purpose Description Originated Checked Reviewed Authorised Date

1 Draft for Client Comment C Sellars - J Box J Box 15/06/12

2 For client issue J Glossop M Oakley J Box J Box 14/02/14

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Table of Contents

Section Pages

1. Introduction and Background 1

Background to this Assessment 1 Background to Habitats Regulations Assessment 1 Outline of this HRA Review Report 2

2. Methodology 3

The Plan 3 Determination of the International Sites included in the HRA 3 Obtaining Information on International Sites with the Potential to be Affected 4 Review of the DPD 4 Information Used to Inform HRA Review 5 Consultation 6 Assessing the Likely Significant Effects of the Plan 6

3. The International Sites 7

4. Plan Details 11

5. Findings of the HRA Review 13

Groundwater Flows 13 Summary of Key Findings 14

6. Recommendations 24

7. Conclusions 27

Tables

Table 3.1: Information about Mottey Meadows SAC 7 Table 3.2: Information about Cannock Chase SAC 8 Table 3.3: Information about Cannock Extension Canal SAC 9 Table 5.1: Results of the HRA Review 15

Appendices

Appendix A: Response from Environment Agency in relation to Humber Estuary and Severn Estuary International Sites 30

Appendix B: Environment Agency Confirmation of No Likely Significant Effects on Cannock Chase SAC from Reduced Abstraction Rates at Milford and Bednall 31

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1. Introduction and Background

Background to this Assessment

1.1. This Habitats Regulations Assessment Review has been carried out by Atkins Limited (Atkins) on behalf of South Staffordshire Council for the South Staffordshire Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Issues & Options Consultation (March 2014).

1.2. The Site Allocations Document – Issues and Options Consultation is hereafter referred to as the DPD. The DPD contains a total 133 potential allocation sites in sixteen locations across South Staffordshire. The allocation sites identified are potential sites only that are currently being considered by the Council for future housing and employment development. This is a high level strategic document that will be issued for public consultation (in March 2014) in order to determine the final list of allocation sites to be included in the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document.

1.3. The allocation sites identified in the DPD conform to the proposed distribution of housing identified in the South Staffordshire Core Strategy

1 and the sites identified as suitable in the

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)2

. The Issues and Options Consultation DPD is based on these documents in order identify the final allocation sites (i.e. those that are most suitable and sustainable) for inclusion in the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document.

1.4. The Options Consultation DPD will be put out for public consultation in March 2014. The Consultation DPD will be split into five documents, one for each locality within the district, with specific workshops for each locality. The consultation will run for a minimum of 12 weeks.

Background to Habitats Regulations Assessment

1.5. Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) is required by Regulation 61 the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) (the Habitat Regulations) for all plans and projects which may have likely significant effects on European sites and are not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the European site. The Habitats Regulations state that projects and/or plans must be assessed in combination with other projects and plans. Although impacts from an individual project or plan may have no likely significant effect on an international site, cumulative impacts from other plans and projects may result in an in combination effect on one or more interest features of the international site

3.

1.6. European sites include Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), candidate SACs (cSAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). HRA is also required, as a matter of UK Government policy, for potential SPAs (pSPA), possible SACs (pSAC) and proposed and listed Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites) for the purposes of considering plans and projects which may affect them

4. Hereafter all of the above designated nature conservation sites are

referred to as ‘international sites’.

1.7. The stages of HRA process are:

Stage 1 – Screening: To test whether a plan or project either alone or in combination with

other plans and projects is likely to have a significant effect on an international site;

Stage 2 – Appropriate Assessment: To determine whether, in view of an international

site’s conservation objectives, the plan (either alone or in combination with other projects

1 South Staffordshire Core Strategy Development Plan Document (Adopted 11

th December 2012)

2 South Staffordshire Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (2013)

3 Habitat Regulations Guidance Note 4: Alone or In Combination, English Nature, May 2001.

4 Paragraph 118 of National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012)

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and plans) would have an adverse effect (or risk of this) on the integrity of the site with

respect to the structure, function and conservation objectives of the international site. If

adverse impacts are anticipated , potential mitigation measures to alleviate impacts should

be proposed and assessed;

Stage 3 – Assessment of alternative solutions: Where a plan is assessed as having an

adverse impact (or risk of this) on the integrity of an international site, there should be an

examination of alternatives (e.g. alternative locations and designs of development); and,

Stage 4 – Assessment where no alternative solutions remain and where adverse

impacts remain: In exceptional circumstance (e.g. where there are imperative reasons of

overriding public interest), compensatory measures to be put in place to offset negative

impacts.

HRA Review

1.8. This report completes a review of each of the allocation sites within the DPD, undertaken as part of the initial stages of HRA Stage 1 screening process. This HRA Review will highlight whether any of the allocation sites are likely to lead to significant effects on the international sites within and adjacent to South Staffordshire. The HRA Review also makes recommendations, where relevant, on how likely significant effects could be avoided (e.g. by excluding certain allocation sites from the future Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document). Recommendations are also made for any additional information that should be included in the Publication Document of the DPD to help prevent likely significant effects on international sites occurring when this final draft of the DPD is produced.

1.9. The potential for likely significant effects of the Plan on the Mottey Meadows SAC, Cannock Chase SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC in combination with other projects and plans have not been considered in this HRA Review. This is because the purpose of this document is to review the effects of the DPD alone and to make recommendations about how the Plan can be amended going forward to avoid any likely significant effects.

1.10. The HRA Review will help to satisfy Natural England (and other statutory bodies) that the HRA process is being followed and that due consideration has been paid to the Habitat Regulations throughout the development of the Site Allocations DPD.

1.11. Stage 1 of the HRA process (Screening) will be completed once the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document has been produced.

Outline of this HRA Review Report

1.12. Following this introduction:

Section 2 of this report sets out the methodology used for the HRA Review;

Section 3 provides details relating to the international sites (including their Conservation

Objectives and site sensitivities);

Section 4 outlines details of the DPD;

Section 5 details the results of the HRA Review for the international sites;

Section 6 provides recommendations for the Publication Document of DPD; and,

Section 7 provides the conclusions of the HRA Review.

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2. Methodology

The Plan

2.1. The first step of the HRA process is to gather all available information regarding the Site Allocations DPD. This information is pivotal for the analysis of the DPD and its impact on international sites.

2.2. This includes a review of the Plan to determine if any of the proposals within the DPD are directly connected with, or necessary to, the nature conservation management of the international sites included in the HRA process.

2.3. A summary of the DPD and its contents is given in Section 4.

Determination of the International Sites included in the HRA

2.4. The international sites that should be included in the HRA must also be identified. An initial review of the Plan in light of the Habitats Regulations was undertaken at the beginning of the HRA Review process. This initial review looked at the geographic extent or zone of influence of any impacts which could arise as a result of the Plan and considered which international sites should be included within the assessment.

2.5. All international sites within South Staffordshire and up to 20 km from its boundaries were identified

5. There is one international site within South Staffordshire: the Mottey Meadows SAC.

This site is designated for its lowland hay meadows.

2.6. There are also an additional six international sites present within 20 km of the South Staffordshire district boundary:

Cannock Chase SAC: Located directly adjacent to the north-eastern boundary of South

Staffordshire;

Cannock Extension Canal SAC: Located approximately 750 m east of South Staffordshire,

near Wyrley Common, Cannock;

Fens Pools SAC: Located approximately 2.5 km east of South Staffordshire, in Pensnett,

Dudley;

Midland Meres and Mosses Ramsar Site (Phase 2 site): Located approximately 4.2 km

north of South Staffordshire, near Newport, Stafford;

Pasturefields Saltmarsh SAC: Located approximately 6.1 km north-east of South

Staffordshire, near Hixon, Stafford; and,

West Midland Mosses SAC: Located approximately 10 km north-east of South

Staffordshire, near Stowe-by-Chartley, Stafford.

2.7. There are no cSACs, pSPAs or pRamsar sites present within South Staffordshire or within 20 km of the boundary of South Staffordshire.

5 The Environment Agency Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) and Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) guidance

notes that a proposal to construct an coal or oil fired power station should consider impacts on European sites up to 15 km away (Page 4 of the Habitats Directive – Work Instruction: Appendix 7 Technical and Procedural Issues Specific to IPC and PPC produced by the Environment Agency in July 2004). The most recent England Leisure Visits report states that people will travel up to 17.3 km to a countryside destination (England Leisure Visits: Summary of the 2005 Leisure Visits Survey, Natural England, 2005). These distances have been rounded up to 20

km on a precautionary basis to ensure that all sites that may be impacted by a new development are considered as part of the HRA process.

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2.8. The allocation sites within the DPD are of a localised nature and focus on an increase in housing and employment in the district. Significant effects from the Plan are considered very unlikely to extend far beyond the Plan boundary. There are unlikely to be significant emissions to air or water which could be generated through developments such as large scale power stations, quarry operations and large scale pig or poultry units as allocation sites for these types of development are not included in any of allocations present in the DPD.

2.9. It is recognised that indirect effects such as recreational pressures may lead to effects outside of the Plan boundary and there are some international sites which may have features that are sensitive to disturbance. The following international sites have been eliminated from the HRA Review process because the sites are not considered to be vulnerable to recreational or disturbance effects from allocations within the DPD: Midland Meres and Mosses Ramsar Site (Phase 2 site), Pasturefields Saltmarsh SAC and West Midland Mosses SAC. This is because the allocations in the Core Strategy and the nature of the designated features of these international sites are such that it is extremely unlikely that there will be any likely significant effects on these sites given their distance from the boundary of South Staffordshire.

2.10. The Fens Pools SAC is designated for its population of great crested newts, a European protected species. The vulnerabilities of the SAC relate to water quality, loss of terrestrial habitat and changes to ponds used by great crested newts to breed within (e.g. through desiccation, human disturbance, fish introductions and pollution). Due to distance and the lack of links between the Plan boundary and the SAC, the allocation sites in the DPD will not have any effect on the habitats on which the great crested newts depend. Therefore, the Fens Pools SAC has been eliminated from this HRA Review process.

2.11. The inclusion in this HRA Review of the Severn Estuary SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites and the Humber Estuary SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites has also been considered. These international sites were included in the HRA of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy. Consultation with the Environment Agency as well as South Staffordshire Water (SSW) and Severn Trent Water (STW) (the two local water utility companies that provide the water for South Staffordshire) was completed as part of this HRA Review. The Environment Agency has confirmed that no licences within the region that covers South Staffordshire have been found to have likely significant effects on the Severn Estuary SAC, SPA and Ramsar sites or the Humber Estuary SAC, SPA and Ramsar sites (see Appendix A). One change to the licence at Keadby Power Station was required to ensure no significant effects on the Humber Estuary international sites (the licence was changed to include a condition that when the power station next has planned outage (2014) changes would be made to the fish screens on the intake and to the return system to prevent impingement of lamprey, one of SACs qualifying species). As such, there is no need to include the Severn Estuary SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites and the Humber Estuary SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites within this HRA Review.

2.12. Therefore this HRA Review focuses on possible likely significant effects of the DPD on the following international sites: Mottey Meadows SAC, Cannock Chase SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC. Further information on the reasons for designation for each of these sites is included in Section 3 below.

Obtaining Information on International Sites with the Potential to be Affected

2.13. The Conservation Objectives and Favourable Conditions Tables for Mottey Meadows SAC, Cannock Chase SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC have been obtained from Natural England for the purpose of this assessment

6.

Review of the DPD

2.14. The DPD was reviewed to identify if any of the allocation sites in the Plan are likely to have a significant effect on the international sites.

6 Information taken from Information on Natura 2000 Sites in the West Midlands prepared for Natural England by

Treweek Environmental Consultants (Version 2, dated 14/07/09)

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2.15. The assessment of the DPD and its allocation sites has taken account of Natural England guidance

7.

2.16. Where possible likely significant impacts have been noted, recommendations on how to avoid these impacts have been made. Furthermore, recommendations to strengthen the Publication Document DPD when it is produced, in relation to its consideration of international sites, have also been made.

2.17. The assessment of the DPD for the purpose of this HRA Review is summarised in Table 5.1 (see Section 5 below) which contains the following information:

Allocation Site Reference;

Assessment of whether or not the allocation site will have a likely significant effect on the

international sites and a justification for this finding; and

Recommendations for the final Core Strategy.

2.18. Allocation sites have been assessed as falling into one of three categories:

Red: Allocation site that is extremely likely to lead to likely significant effects on an

international site. The allocation site will therefore require detailed assessment (and

mitigation) as part of the HRA of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document –

Publication Document (including Stage 1 – Screening and Stage 2 – Appropriate

Assessment);

Amber: Allocation site that may lead to likely significant effects on an international site. The

allocation site may require detailed assessment (and mitigation) as part of the HRA of the

Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document (including Stage 1 –

Screening and potentially Stage 2 – Appropriate Assessment);

Green: Allocation site will not lead to likely significant effects on an international site. Stage

1 – Screening of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document

is likely to conclude that there will be no significant effects on the international site from the

allocation.

2.19. The Site Allocations DPD issued to Atkins for the purpose of this HRA Review included the maps showing the locations of the potential allocation sites only. The number of houses or type of employment site to be provided are also not specified. Furthermore, no supporting text has been provided. As such this HRA Review assesses the location of each potential allocation site only.

Information Used to Inform HRA Review

2.20. Documents that have been reviewed for additional information on Cannock Chase SAC and to help inform this HRA Review include:

Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Management Plan 2009-14 (Final

Draft, Cannock Chase AONB Unit, 2009);

Cannock Chase AONB Visitor Survey 2000; (Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Beauty

(AONB) Unit);

The West Midlands Regional Planning Body Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Phase

II Revision of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands (October 2007);

Evidence Base relating to Cannock Chase SAC and the Appropriate Assessment of Local

Authority Core Strategies (Footprint Ecology, November 2009);

Cannock Chase Visitor Impact Mitigation Strategy (Footprint Ecology, March 2010);

7 The Habitats Regulations Assessment of Local Development Documents – Revised Draft Guidance, David

Tyldesley and Associates for Natural England (February 2009)

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Cannock Chase SAC Visitor Observation Study – (Footprint Ecology, June 2012)

Cannock Chase ANOB Visitor Survey – (Footprint Ecology, February 2013);

Cannock Chase ANOB Visitor Survey: Map Annex – (Footprint Ecology, September 2012);

Impacts of Recreation to Cannock Chase SAC (Footprint Ecology, September 2012); and,

Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report (Footprint Ecology, December 2012).

Consultation

2.21. This HRA Review will be sent to Natural England for their comments and approval.

Assessing the Likely Significant Effects of the Plan

2.22. Likely significant effect is defined as any effect that may reasonably be predicted as a consequence of a plan or project that may affect the conservation objectives of the features for which the site was designated, but excluding trivial or inconsequential effects. Likely significant effect is defined within the Habitats Regulations Guidance Note 3

8 (English Nature 1999) and

would include any of the following:

Causing change to the coherence of the site or to the Natura 20009 series (e.g. presenting a

barrier between isolated fragments, or reducing the ability of the site to act as a source of

new colonisers);

Causing reduction in the area of habitat or of the site;

Causing direct or indirect change to the physical quality of the environment (including the

hydrology) or habitat within the site;

Causing ongoing disturbance to species or habitats for which the site is notified;

Altering community structure (species composition);

Causing direct or indirect damage to the size, characteristics or reproductive ability of

populations on the site;

Altering the vulnerability of populations etc to other impacts;

Causing a reduction in the resilience of the feature against external change (for example its

ability to respond to extremes of environmental conditions); and,

Affecting restoration of a feature where this is a conservation objective.

2.23. HRA is an iterative process. Where necessary, suggestions can be made of how to amend the Plan to avoid likely significant effects on an international site. This iterative approach has been adopted as part of this HRA Review: recommendations for the Plan have been provided to South Staffordshire Council as part of this document.

2.24. The precautionary principle (as enshrined in the Habitats Regulations) has been taken into account during this HRA Review. The precautionary principle is used when an HRA cannot objectively demonstrate that there will be no likely significant effects on the international sites. If this occurs the subsequent stages of HRA must be completed for the project or plan.

8 Produced by English Nature in 1999

9 Natura 2000 sites are ‘international sites’ as defined earlier in this report.

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3. The International Sites

3.1. This section includes information about Mottey Meadows SAC, Cannock Chase SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC, their designation status, their location in relation to the Plan boundary, a brief description of each international site, their conservation objectives and their sensitivities

10.

Table 3.1: Information about Mottey Meadows SAC

Site Designation

Status

Mottey Meadows SAC

Location of

International Site

Mottey Meadows SAC is located within South Staffordshire.

The closest settlement to the SAC is Wheaton Aston, located approximately

0.8 km east of the international site.

Brief Description of

the European Site

Mottey Meadows is designated for its Annex I habitats: lowland hay

meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis). The site holds a

relatively large area of the habitat (approximately 40 ha).

The site contains grassland with limited influence of agricultural

intensification and so demonstrates good conservation of structure and

function. There are transitions to other dry and wet grassland types. The site

is important for a range of rare meadow species, including fritillary Fritillaria

meleagris at its most northerly native locality.

Conservation

Objectives

To maintain the lowland hay meadows in favourable condition, with particular

reference to the MG4 and MG8 NVC communities.

Sensitivities of the

International Site

The site is vulnerable for a number of reasons, including the threat of:

Increase in water levels: Waterlogging from increased flooding levels

has potential to affect the site, particularly if nutrient-rich water is able to

lie on the meadows for any length of time. This may facilitate competition

by more generalist plant species, leading to a loss of species that make

up the designated habitat;

Changes in water quality leading to eutrophication: This may change

the composition and structure of the vegetation on the site and may lead

to the invasion by generalist native and non-native species;

Physical damage: Site-specific management requires grazing and/or

mowing annually. Early grazing may affect Snake’s-head Fritillary

populations, whilst poaching, stock feeding and late flooding also cause

problems;

Changes in air quality leading to eutrophication: As with water

pollution inputs, increases the risk of competitive exclusion by other plant

species, changes vegetation composition and structure; and,

Changes in air quality leading to acidification: The vegetation of this

site is sensitive to increased acidification, which will change the

vegetation composition and structure.

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Conservation Objectives and Sensitivities have been taken from Information on Natura 2000 Sites in the West

Midlands prepared for Natural England by Treweek Environmental Consultants (Version 2, dated 14/07/09).

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Table 3.2: Information about Cannock Chase SAC

Site Designation

Status

Cannock Chase SAC

Location of

International Site

Cannock Chase SAC is located in Staffordshire, to the north of Cannock. It

is located directly adjacent to the north-eastern boundary of South

Staffordshire.


the International Site

The area of lowland heath that forms Cannock Chase SAC is the most

extensive in the Midlands. The character is intermediate between the upland

or northern heaths of England and Wales and those of southern counties.

The dry heath communities present belong to National Vegetation

Classification types H8 (Calluna vulgaris - Ulex gallii) and H9 (Calluna

vulgaris – Deschampsia flexuosa) heaths (British Plant Communities Volume

2: Mires and Heaths, J.S. Rodwell, 1998). These habitats are the primary

reason for the selection of the site.

Cannock Chase has the main British population of hybrid bilberry (Vaccinium

x intermedium), a plant of restricted occurrence. There are also important

populations of butterflies and beetles, as well as European nightjar and five

species of bats.

Also present are northern Atlantic wet heaths with cross leafed heath (Erica

tetralix). This habitat is a qualifying feature of the SAC but is not the primary

reason for the selection of this site.

Conservation

Objectives

Maintain European dry heaths and North Atlantic wet heaths with Erica

tetralix (cross-leaved heath) in a favourable condition, with particular

reference to the NVC communities present: H8, H9 and M16.


International Site


Recreational pressure and disturbance: A variety of activities are

popular on-site, including horse-riding, mountain biking, dog-walking,

orienteering and informal activities – all contribute to erosion and

fragmentation (see below);

Fragmentation: A consequence of site management and of visitor

pressure, affecting plant communities through increased isolation and

access for competitive species;

Burning and/or grazing: Often required to maintain open heathland,

helping prevent invasion by scrub and grasses;

Invasive species: These species affect the extent and distribution of

habitats on site. Individual species, for example gorse and bracken, that

are natural components of the heathland community can have a

damaging effect on the site if allowed to become dominant through lack

of management. Other species such as heather beetle and phytophthora

can affect individual species;

Succession of habitats: Management is required to prevent succession

to woodland, including non-native species such as pine;

Changes in air quality leading to eutrophication: Heathlands are

naturally low nitrogen habitats and therefore inputs of nitrogen tend to be

detrimental in increasing the relative competitive advantage of grasses

and scrub (see also invasive species above);

Changes in air quality leading to acidification: Acidification of

heathland ecosystems, through aerial inputs of nitrogen and sulphur, may

change the species composition of the habitat and lead to premature

death of desired species;

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Toxic contamination: Direct contamination of habitats through toxic

pollutants, leading to direct mortality;

Reduction in water levels: Erica tetralix is restricted to wetter or

waterlogged ground. Therefore abstraction that causes drying will affect

distribution and abundance; and,

Changes in water quality leading to eutrophication: The vegetation

of wet heath is particularly sensitive to nutrient nitrogen, whether from

atmospheric or aquatic sources.

Table 3.3: Information about Cannock Extension Canal SAC

Site Designation

Status

Cannock Extension Canal SAC

Location of

International Site

The SAC is located near Wyrley Common in Cannock. It is located

approximately 750 m east of the boundary of South Staffordshire.


the International Site

Cannock Extension Canal SAC is designated for the Annex II species that it

supports: floating water plantain (Luronium natans). Cannock Extension

Canal is an example of anthropogenic, lowland habitat supporting floating

water-plantain at the eastern limit of the plant’s natural distribution in

England.

A very large population of the species occurs in the Canal, which has a

diverse aquatic flora and rich dragonfly fauna, indicative of good water

quality.

The low volume of boat traffic on this terminal branch of the Wyrley and

Essington Canal has allowed open-water plants, including floating water-

plantain, to flourish, while depressing the growth of emergents.

Conservation

Objectives

Maintain habitat for floating water-plantain, with particular reference to open

standing water habitats in which it occurs.


International Site


Recreational pressure and disturbance: Floating water plantain

requires relatively undisturbed water. Excessive quantities or higher

speed boat traffic may cause physical damage and destruction;

Change in water quality leading to eutrophication: Polluted runoff is

likely to affect the quality of the water where floating water plantain is

found. This increases biological oxygen demand, reducing the levels of

dissolved oxygen in water and increasing mortality of aquatic flora and

fauna;

Changes in water quality leading to increase sediment load:

Discharge of water carrying a high sediment load can affect water clarity;

Changes in water quality leading to toxic contamination: Road

drains discharge to the site and could carry pollutant in the event of a

spillage from, for example, a road tanker;

New supply affecting water quality: Any changes, for example canal

restoration, that require a new water source could affect the chemical

composition of the water;

Changes in air quality leading to eutrophication and acidification:

Increased levels of nitrogen, and perhaps sulphur will have detrimental

effects on water quality (and an increased effect in combination with

impacts of runoff, see above);

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Invasive species: Introductions of species such as American pondweed

may out-compete floating water-plantain; and,

Physical disturbance: Restoration to provide an additional connection

to the canal network could result in a flow through the canal which could

have a damaging effect to the plant communities present.

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4. Plan Details

4.1. The Site Allocations DPD outlines the allocation sites currently being considered by South Staffordshire Council to deliver housing and employment across the area.

4.2. The DPD includes a total of 133 allocation sites in 16 villages across South Staffordshire including:

Bilbrook: Four potential allocation sites - 209, 210, 211, 213 and two potential Employment

allocation sites – E7, E8;

Brewood: Five potential allocation sites – 053, 054, 055, 068, 376

Cheslyn Hay: Eight potential allocation sites – 115, 116, 118, 119, 120, 424

Codsall: Ten potential allocation sites – 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 228, 406, 419, 425;

Coven: Seven potential allocation sites – 080, 082, 084, 085, 086, 087, 100;

Essington: Six potential allocation sites – 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 157

Featherstone: A total of ten potential allocation sites – 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 395,

396, 397, 433 and eight potential employment sites – E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E9, E10;

Great Wyrley: Eight potential allocation sites – 134, 136, 137, 138, 139, 141, 145, 440, 441

Huntington: Six potential allocation sites (for safeguarded land) – 012, 013, 014, 015, 016,

017

Kinver: Seven potential allocation sites – 270, 271, 272, 273, 274a, 274b, 409;

Pattingham: Seven potential allocation sites –249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 401, 421;

Penkridge: Seven potential allocation sites – 001, 003, 004, 005, 006, 420, 430;

Perton: Six potential allocation sites – 238a, 239, 241, 246a, 402, 407;

Swindon: Five potential allocation sites – 312a, 313, 314, 315, 437;

Wheaton Aston: Ten potential allocation sites – 089, 090, 091, 092, 094, 93/377, 378, 379,

422, 426;

Wombourne: A total of 16 potential allocation sites – 279, 280, 281a, 281b, 282, 283, 284,

285, 287/288, 289, 300, 302, 415, 416, 417, 438

4.3. The number of houses and/or proposals for employment at each allocation site has not been identified as part of the DPD. However, the development to be provided in each village will adhere to the proposals outlined in the Core Strategy. For example, the number of houses will comply with ‘Core Policy 6 – Housing Delivery’ of the Core Strategy. However, the distribution of the housing numbers across site(s) within each village has not yet been determined and will be formulated through the Options Consultation DPD (e.g. distribution may be centred on one allocation site or spread across several allocation sites).

4.4. Within the Core Strategy the villages are grouped into five localities. Each locality area and the number of houses to be provided in each village (in accordance with the Core Strategy are outlined below. It is important to note that these numbers take account of applications approved between 2010 and 2013 and are subject to Member and community approval before they can be taken to constitute the required allocation for each village:

Locality Area 1 – Northern Area: Penkridge (0 dwellings);

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Locality Area 2 – North-Western Area: Brewood (53 dwellings), Coven (40 dwellings) and

Wheaton Aston (21 dwellings);

Localilty Area 3 – North-Eastern Area: Cheslyn Hay (52 dwellings), Great Wyrley (87

dwellings), Essington (0 dwellings) and Featherstone (43 dwellings);

Locality Area 4 – Central Area: Bilbrook (102 dwellings), Codsall (221 dwellings), Perton

(163 dwellings) and Pattingham (3 dwellings); and,

Locality Area 5 – Southern Area: Kinver (86 dwellings), Wombourne (176 dwellings) and

Swindon (23 dwellings).

4.5. The Core Strategy, through Policy GB2 - Land Safeguarded for Longer Term Needs (White Land), states that areas of land will be safeguarded for future development. This includes land within the greenbelt. These areas will not be built upon within the Core Strategy period (e.g. no housing will be constructed on these sites before 2028). The Site Allocations DPD identifies six potential sites for safeguarded land within Huntingdon. No development is currently proposed on these sites (pre 2028).

13


5. Findings of the HRA Review

5.1. None of the proposals within the Plan are directly connected with or necessary to the management of Mottey Meadows SAC, Cannock Chase SAC or Cannock Extension Canal SAC.

5.2. The findings of the HRA Review are provided in Table 5.1 below. As outlined in Section 2 above, allocation sites have been assessed as falling into one of three categories:

Red: Allocation site that is extremely likely to lead to likely significant effects on an

international site. The allocation site will therefore require detailed assessment (and

mitigation) as part of the HRA of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document –

Publication Document (including Stage 1 – Screening and Stage 2 – Appropriate

Assessment);

Amber: Allocation site that may lead to likely significant effects on an international site. The

allocation site may require detailed assessment (and mitigation) as part of the HRA of the

Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document (including Stage 1 –

Screening and potentially Stage 2 – Appropriate Assessment);

Green: Allocation site will not lead to likely significant effects on an international site. Stage

1 – Screening of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document

is likely to conclude that there will be no significant effects on the international site from the

allocation.

Groundwater Flows

5.3. The Environment Agency (EA) has confirmed that their Review of Consents (RoC) process determined that there were no likely significant effects on Cannock Extension Canal SAC or Mottey Meadows SAC from the abstraction licences held by South Staffordshire Water (SSW) and Severn Trent Water (STW) (see Appendix A).

5.4. Furthermore both the EA and Natural England have confirmed, through the RoC process, that none of the SSW abstraction points are having significant effects on any international sites (including Cannock Chase SAC). SSW has confirmed that there is no deficit in water supplied for the South Staffordshire area over the next 25 years and that there will be no change to current consented abstraction licences and no schemes for new water resources. As such SSW has not been required to progress to the next stage of the RoC process and have had no HRA work completed on their Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP)

11. SSW can therefore

supply water to the increased levels of housing in the areas of South Staffordshire that SSW supply without this operation leading to likely significant effects on the three international sites.

11

Personal communication with Matt Hudson (Water Resource Manager at South Staffordshire Water) on

30/06/2010.

14


5.5. STW and the EA have confirmed that the RoC Stage 4 carried out in March 2010 concluded the abstraction licences at Milford and Bednall could adversely impact the qualifying features of Cannock Chase SAC at fully licensed rates (see Appendix A). To ensure no adverse effect on site integrity of this SAC, the Milford licence needs to be reduced by 6 megalitres a day (Ml/d) and the licence at Bednall needs to be varied to reduce the average daily rate of abstraction by 0.5Ml/d to 2.81Ml/d

12. The water abstraction at these points have been reduced accordingly and

the EA will limit the abstraction at both points until STW are able to provide evidence of that abstraction at the fully licensed quantity does not lead to significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC.

5.6. The STW WRMP13

concludes that it has the capacity to supply water to its local authorities over the WRMP period (2010 to 2035) which covers the length of the DPD document. The WRMP has been subject to HRA Stage 1 Screening

14 and this has concluded that there are no likely

significant effects on international sites (including Cannock Chase SAC).

5.7. Given the abstraction limits that have been enforced by the EA at Milford and Bednall, and the conclusion of the HRA of STW WRMP, water can be supplied by STW to the additional housing proposed in South Staffordshire without causing likely significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC.

5.8. Taking into account all of the information provided above, the effects of water abstraction from increased levels of housing in South Staffordshire on Mottey Meadows SAC, Cannock Chase SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC can be screened out of this HRA Review.

Summary of Key Findings

Mottey Meadows SAC

5.9. Likely significant effects on Mottey Meadows SAC may only occur from potential allocation sites proposed in one village location: Wheaton Aston. Allocation sites in this location have been assessed as being amber (i.e. allocation site(s) that may lead to likely significant effects on an international site and may require detailed assessment (and mitigation) as part of the HRA of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document).

5.10. No likely significant effects are anticipated from any of the allocation sites proposed in the remaining fifteen of the villages on Mottey Meadows SAC (including Penkridge , Brewood, Coven, Cheslyn Haye, Great Wryley, Essington, Featherstone, Bilbrook, Codsall, Perton, Pattingham, Kinver, Wombourne, Swindon and Huntington).


5.11. There are no likely significant effects on Cannock Extension Canal SAC anticipated from any of the allocation sites proposed in any of the sixteen village locations.

Cannock Chase SAC

5.12. Likely significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC may only occur from potential allocation sites proposed in fourteen village locations: Penkridge, Brewood, Coven, Wheaton Aston, Cheslyn Haye, Great Wryley, Essington, Featherstone, Codsall, Bilbrook, Perton, Kinver, Wombourne and Huntington. Allocation sites in these locations have been assessed as being amber (allocation sites may lead to likely significant effects on an international site and may require detailed assessment (and mitigation) as part of the HRA of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document).

5.13. No likely significant effects are anticipated from any of the allocation sites proposed in the remaining two villages on Cannock Chase SAC (including Pattingham and Swindon).

12

The Environment Agency has determined that there would be no likely significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC

from these reduced abstraction rates. Natural England has confirmed they are in agreement with this conclusion (see Appendix B).

13 Water Resources Management Plan – Final Version (June 2010), Severn Trent Water.

14 The findings of this report were summarised in Section 4.4.6 of Severn Trent Waters WRMP.

15


Table 5.1: Results of the HRA Review

Allocation Site Reference

Likely Significant Effects on International Sites?

Justification of Finding Recommendations Mottey

Meadows SAC


Cannock Chase SAC

LOCALITY AREA 1 – NORTHERN AREA

Penkridge (0 dwellings)

001 Given the distance of the allocation sites in Penkridge from the Cannock Extension Canal SAC (all

approximately 10.8 km away) it is unlikely that impacts from the development at any of these allocation sites

would extend to this SAC. This includes effects on groundwater flows, water quality, air quality and

increased recreation.

The allocation sites are all located over 7.7 km away from Mottey Meadows SAC. Given this distance it is not

anticipated that the development at these allocation sites would lead to a deterioration in air quality at this

SAC. Mottey Meadows SAC is not a tourist destination and as such there are no likely significant effects

from increased recreation levels as a result of development in Penkridge. Furthermore, Mottey Meadows

SAC will be protected from a decrease in water quality and to alterations in groundwater flow by policies in

the overarching Core Strategy (Policy EQ7 – Water Quality and Policy EQ1 – Protecting, Enhancing and

Expanding Natural Assets respectively). All development will be expected to comply with the policies and

supporting text within the Core Strategy.

Therefore there are no likely significant effects predicted from the potential allocation sites on Mottey

Meadows SAC or Cannock Chase Extension Canal.

Cannock Chase SAC is approximately 5 km west of the allocation sites identified in Penkridge. Cannock

Chase SAC is a popular tourist destination and should any of these allocations be taken forward in Penkridge

it may lead to an increase in the number of people visiting this SAC. However, Policy EQ2 – Cannock Chase

Special Area of Conservation of the overarching Core Strategy states that the provision of suitable alternative

natural greenspace within development proposals may be required (to be assessed on a case by case basis)

in order to avoid this occurring. As outlined above all development will be expected to comply with the

policies and supporting text within the Core Strategy.

The Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication

Document should include a cross-reference to Policies EQ1, EQ2 and

EQ7 and re-iterate their key points. This will help to protect all three

international sites.


Document must commit to mitigation measures that accord with the

findings of the Footprint Ecology Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report15

and any other relevant evidence which emerges. In order to comply this

report the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication

Document may need to provide suitable alternative natural greenspace

or any other suitable mitigation measures as part of all allocation sites

within 15 km of the Cannock Chase SAC. The requirement for

developer contributions towards mitigation for new residential

accommodation within all allocation sites within 15 km of the SAC (with

additional measures for large developments of 50+ houses) must also be

stated. These measures may change and therefore, the Site Allocations

Development Plan Document – Publication Document must include the

most up to date mitigation measures. These measures will help to avoid

increased recreational pressure on Cannock Chase SAC and thus avoid

any likely significant effects on this international site.

003

004

005

006

420

430

LOCALITY AREA 2 – NORTH-WESTERN AREA

Brewood (53 dwellings)

053 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Brewood and the three international sites (at their closest,

approximately 4.9 km, 13.2 km and 11.6 km respectively) it is unlikely that impacts from development at

these allocation sites would extend to the SACs (see reasons outlined for allocation sites in Penkridge

above). This includes effects on groundwater flows, water quality and air quality. Mottey Meadows SAC and

Cannock Extension Canal SAC are not popular tourist destinations and as such there are no likely significant

effects from increased recreation levels as a result of development in Brewood.



Cannock Chase SAC is a popular tourist destination and should any of these allocations be taken forward in

Brewood it may lead to an increase in the number of people visiting this SAC. However, Policy EQ2

Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation of the overarching Core Strategy states that the provision of

suitable alternative natural greenspace within development proposals may be required (to be assessed on a

case by case basis) in order to avoid this occurring.

As outlined for Penkridge above.

054

055

068

15

Most recent version at the time of writing this report is the Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report (Footprint Ecology, December 2012).

16





Meadows SAC


Cannock Chase SAC

376

Coven (40 dwellings)

080 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Coven and the three international sites (at their closest,


these allocation sites would extend to the SACs. This includes effects on groundwater flows, water quality

and air quality. Both Mottey Meadows SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC are not popular tourist

destinations and as such there are no likely significant effects from increased recreation levels as a result of

development in Coven.




Coven may lead to an increase in the number of people visiting this SAC. However, Policy EQ2 Cannock

Chase Special Area of Conservation of the overarching Core Strategy states that the provision of suitable

alternative natural greenspace within development proposals may be required (to be assessed on a case by

case basis) in order to avoid this occurring.


082

084

085

086

087

100

Wheaton Aston (21 dwellings)

089 Mottey Meadows SAC

Mottey Meadows SAC is located approximately 600 m west of the nearest allocation site (378). Development

in Wheaton Aston, although in close proximity to Mottey Meadows SAC, is unlikely to have a significant effect

on the international site through a deterioration in air quality due to the small number of dwellings proposed to

be constructed. The SAC is further protected from changes in air quality due to two policies in the

overarching Core Strategy16

(Policy EV11 – Sustainable Travel which states that all proposals for

development must include provisions for sustainable transport and Policy EV5 – Rural Employment which

states the carbon emission reductions all developments are expected to achieve). The SAC will also be

protected from a decrease in water quality and to alterations in groundwater flows by two other policies in the

overarching Core Strategy (Policy EQ7- Water Quality and Policy EQ1 – Protecting, Enhancing and

Expanding Natural Assets respectively).

Mottey Meadows SAC is not a tourist destination. The potential allocation sites in Wheaton Aston are

located in close proximity to the SAC. There are public rights of way that link the village to the SAC.

However, these footpaths pass along the edge of the SAC only (no public access is present within the SAC

itself).

Cannock Extension Canal SAC and Cannock Chase SAC

Given the distances between the allocation sites in Wheaton Aston and these two international sites (at their

It is strongly recommended that Allocation Sites 089, 094 and the New

Housing Site (378) Suggestion to the North of 089 are not taken forward

within the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication

Document. These allocation sites will bring development closer to Mottey

Meadows SAC, outside the existing development boundary of Wheaton

Aston.


Document should include a cross-reference to Policies EV5, EV11,

EQ1, EQ2 and EQ7 and re-iterate their key points. This will help to

protect all three international sites.


Document must commit to mitigation measures that accord with the

findings for the Footprint Ecology Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report

and any other relevant evidence which emerges. In order to comply with

this report the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication

Document may need to provide suitable alternative natural greenspace or

any other suitable mitigation measures as part of all allocation sites within

15 km of the Cannock Chase SAC. The requirement for developer

090

091

092

094

16

All policies within the Core Strategy must be considered by developers when planning applications are put forward to the Local Planning Authority. All development will be expected to comply with the policies and supporting text within the Core Strategy.

17





Meadows SAC


Cannock Chase SAC

093 and 377 closest, approximately 17.3 km and 13.3 km respectively) it is unlikely that impacts from development at

these allocation sites would extend to the SACs. This includes effects on groundwater flows, water quality

and air quality. Cannock Extension Canal SAC is not popular tourist destination and as such there are no

likely significant effects from increased recreation levels as a result of development in Wheaton Aston.

Therefore there are no likely significant effects predicted from the potential allocation sites on Cannock

Chase Extension Canal.


Wheaton Aston may lead to an increase in the number of people visiting this SAC. However, Policy EQ2 -




contributions towards mitigation for new residential accommodation within

all allocation sites within 15 km of the SAC (with additional measures for

large developments of 50+ houses) must also be stated. These

measures may change and therefore, the Site Allocations Development

Plan Document – Publication Document must include the most up to date

mitigation measures. These measures will help to avoid increased

recreation on Cannock Chase SAC and thus avoid any likely significant

effects on this international site.

378

379

422

426

439

442

LOCALITY AREA 3 – NORTH-EASTERN AREA

Cheslyn Hay (63 dwellings)

115 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Cheslyn Haye and the three international sites (at their

closest, approximately 14.3 km, 4.3 km and 6.8 km respectively) it is unlikely that impacts from development

at these allocation sites would extend to the SACs. This includes effects on groundwater flows, water quality,

and air quality. Mottey Meadows SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC are not popular tourist


development in Cheslyn Haye.




Cheslyn Haye may lead to an increase in the number of people visiting this SAC. However, Policy EQ2





116

118

119

120

424

Great Wyrley (87 dwellings)

18





Meadows SAC


Cannock Chase SAC

134 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Wyrley and the three international sites (at their closest,

approximately 15.7 km, 2.5 km and 6.3 km respectively) it is unlikely that impacts from development at these

allocation sites would extend to the SACs. This includes effects on groundwater flows, water quality, and air

quality. Mottey Meadows SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC are not popular tourist destinations and

as such there are no likely significant effects from increased recreation levels as a result of development in

Great Wyrley.

The Cannock Extension Canal SAC is relatively close to the potential allocation sites. However,

development in these locations is unlikely to have a significant effect on this SAC through changes to air

quality due to the requirements of two policies in the overarching Core Strategy including Policy EV11 –

Sustainable Transport (which states that all proposals for development must include provisions for

sustainable transport) and Policy EV5 – Rural Employment (which states the carbon emission reductions all

developments are expected to achieve).




Cheslyn Hay may lead to an increase in the number of people visiting this SAC. However, Policy EQ2





In addition the Site Allocations Development Plan Document –

Publication Document should include a cross-reference to Policies EV5

and EV11 and re-iterate their key points in relation to sustainable

development. This will help to protect all three international sites. 136

137

138

139

141

145

440

441

Essington (0 dwellings)

150 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Essington and the three international sites (at their





development in Essington.




Essington may lead to an increase in the number of people visiting this SAC. However, Policy EQ2 Cannock

Chase Special Area of Conservation of the overarching Core Strategy states that the provision of suitable

alternative natural greenspace within development proposals may be required (to be assessed on a case by

case basis) in order to avoid this occurring.


151

152

153

154

157

Featherstone (43 dwellings)

19





Meadows SAC


Cannock Chase SAC

167 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Featherstone and the three international sites (at their





development in Featherstone.




Featherstone may lead to an increase in the number of people visiting this SAC. However, Policy EQ2





168

169

170

171

172

395

396

397

433

E1 – Employment site suggestion






E9 - Employment site suggestion


20





Meadows SAC


Cannock Chase SAC

LOCALITY AREA 4 – CENTRAL AREA

Bilbrook (102 dwellings)

209 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Bilbrook and the three international sites (at their closest,

approximately 10.9 km, 12.6 km and 15 km respectively) it is unlikely that impacts from development at these


quality. Mottey Meadows SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC are not popular tourist destinations and

as such there are no likely significant effects from increased recreation levels as a result of development in

BIlbrook.



All allocation sites lie on the edge of the 15 km zone of influence for Cannock Chase SAC identified by the

Footprint Ecology Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report. This SAC is a popular tourist destination. This

document states that additional large developments (of 50+ houses) may need to supply additional mitigation

measures to protect the Cannock Chase SAC from the effects of increased recreational pressure. As a total

of 105 dwellings are to be provided within Bilbrook, and the potential distribution of these houses is currently

unknown, it is possible that development at this location may lead to significant effects on Cannock Chase

SAC through recreational pressure.

The HRA Screening of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document

– Publication Document must consider the allocation sites in this location

to determine if significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC are likely.

In addition, it may be necessary for the Site Allocations Development

Plan Document – Publication Document to commit to mitigation measures

that accord with the findings for the Footprint Ecology Cannock Chase

SAC Mitigation Report and any other relevant evidence which emerges.

This may include the provision of suitable alternative natural green space

and developer contributions. The required measures may change with

new evidence coming to light and therefore, the Site Allocations

Development Plan Document – Publication Document must include the

most up to date mitigation measures. These measures will help to avoid

increased recreation on Cannock Chase SAC and thus avoid any likely

significant effects on this international site.

210

211

213



Codsall (221 dwellings)

220 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Codsall and the three international sites (at their closest,

approximately 8.6 km, 14 km and 15.6 km respectively) it is unlikely that impacts from development at these


quality.

Mottey Meadows SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC are not popular tourist destinations and as such

there are no likely significant effects from increased recreation levels as a result of development in Codsall.



All allocation sites lie on the edge of the 15 km zone of influence for Cannock Chase SAC identified by the

Footprint Ecology Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report. This SAC is a popular tourist destination. This

document states that additional large developments (of 50+ houses) may need to supply additional mitigation

measures to protect the Cannock Chase SAC from the effects of increased recreational pressure. As a total

of 222 dwellings are to be provided within Codsall, and the potential distribution of these houses is currently

unknown, it is possible that development at this location may lead to significant effects on Cannock Chase

SAC through recreational pressure.

As outlined for Bilbrook above.

221

222

223

224

225

228

406

419

425

Perton (163 dwellings)

21





Meadows SAC


Cannock Chase SAC

238a Given the distances between the allocation sites in Swindon and the three international sites (at their closest,


these allocation sites would extend to the SACs. This includes effects on groundwater flows, water quality,

air quality and from increased recreation levels as a result of development in Swindon.


Meadows SAC and Cannock Chase Extension Canal.

Although all allocation sites lie outside of the 15 km zone of influence identified by the Footprint Ecology

Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report this document states that additional large developments (of 50+

houses) may need to supply additional mitigation measures to protect the Cannock Chase SAC from the

effects of increased recreational pressure. As a total of 166 dwellings are to be provided within Perton, and

the potential distribution of these houses is currently unknown, it is possible that development at this location

may lead to significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC through recreational pressure.


239

241

246a

402

407

Pattingham (3 dwellings)

249 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Swindon and the three international sites (at their closest,

approximately 12.9 km, 20 km and 22.2 km respectively) it is unlikely that impacts from development at these

allocation sites would extend to the SACs, especially as such a small number of houses are proposed at this

location. This includes effects on groundwater flows, water quality, air quality and from increased recreation

levels as a result of development in Swindon.


Meadows SAC, Cannock Chase Extension Canal or Cannock Chase SAC.

None required.

250

251

252

253

401

421

LOCALITY AREA 5 – SOUTHERN AREA

Kinver (86 dwellings)








Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report, this document states that additional large developments (of 50+



271

272

273

22





Meadows SAC


Cannock Chase SAC

274a effects of increased recreational pressure. As a total of 91 dwellings are to be provided within Kinver, and

the potential distribution of these houses is currently unknown, it is possible that development at this location

may lead to significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC through recreational pressure.

274b

409

Wombourne (176 dwellings)








Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report this document states that additional large developments (of 50+


effects of increased recreational pressure. As a total of 256 dwellings are to be provided within Wombourne,

and the potential distribution of these houses is currently unknown, it is possible that development at this

location may lead to significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC through recreational pressure.


280

281a

281b

282

283

284

285

287/288

289

300

302

415

416

417

438

23





Meadows SAC


Cannock Chase SAC

Swindon (23 dwellings)

312a Given the distances between the allocation sites in Swindon and the three international sites (at their closest,


these allocation sites would extend to the SACs, especially as such as small number of houses are proposed

at this location. This includes effects on groundwater flows, water quality, air quality and from increased

recreation levels as a result of development in Swindon.


Meadows SAC, Cannock Chase Extension Canal or Cannock Chase SAC.

None required.

313

314

315

437

SAFEGUARDED LAND

Huntington (0 dwellings)

012 Given the distances between the allocation sites in Huntington and the Mottey Meadows SAC and Cannock

Extension Canal SAC (at their closest, approximately 13.5 km and 6.9 km respectively) it is unlikely that

impacts from development at these allocation sites would extend to the SACs. This includes effects on

groundwater flows, water quality, and air quality. Neither of these SACs are not popular tourist destinations

and as such there are no likely significant effects from increased recreation levels as a result of development

in Huntington. Therefore there are no likely significant effects predicted from the potential allocation sites on

Mottey Meadows SAC or Cannock Chase Extension Canal.

Cannock Chase SAC is a popular tourist destination. A total of five allocation sites (for the purpose of

safeguarded land) are located on the eastern edge of Huntington, approximately 1.2 km west of the SAC

(Allocation Sites 012, 013, 014, 015, and 017). Should the land be safeguarded there is the potential for

future development to bring the development limit of this village closer to the Cannock Chase SAC. The

number and distribution of housing on any of the allocation sites identified for this location could lead to an

increase in the number of people visiting the SAC and, also given the close proximity of the allocation sites to

the SAC, a deterioration in air quality (through development related traffic and the waste management site

suggestion).

It is strongly recommended that Allocation Sites located on the eastern

side of Huntington are not taken forward within the Site Allocations

Development Plan Document – Publication Document. This includes

following allocation sites: 012, 013, 014, 015, and 017. These allocation

sites will bring the development limit of Huntington closer to Cannock

Chase SAC.

The HRA Screening of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document

– Publication Document must consider the allocation sites in this location

to determine if significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC are likely. This

may include the need for detailed air quality impact assessments. The

Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document

must commit to mitigation measures that accord with the findings for the

Footprint Ecology Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report and any other

relevant evidence which emerges. In order to comply with this report the

Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document

may need to provide suitable alternative natural greenspace or other

suitable mitigation measures as part of all allocation sites within 15 km of

the Cannock Chase SAC. The requirement for developer contributions

towards mitigation for new residential accommodation within all allocation

sites within 15 km of the SAC (with additional measures for large

developments of 50+ houses) must also be stated. These measures may

change and therefore, the Site Allocations Development Plan Document

– Publication Document must include the most up to date mitigation

measures. These measures will help to avoid increased recreation on

Cannock Chase SAC and thus avoid any likely significant effects on this

international site.

013

014

015

016

017

24


6. Recommendations

6.1. It is recommended that the following measures are taken forward in the publication draft of the DPD. These measures will help to avoid and/or reduce the likelihood of any likely significant effects on Mottey Meadows SAC, Cannock Extension Canal SAC and Cannock Chase SAC.

Recommendation 1: Commitment to HRA

6.2. It is recommended that the Council make a commitment to completing the necessary stages of the HRA process of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document.

6.3. The supporting text of the Consultation Draft of the DPD should include words based on the following text:

“Under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) the relevant stages of the Habitats Regulations Assessment process will be completed of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document. This will include the completion of a Stage 1 – Screening report to determine if the allocation sites could have likely significant effects alone or in combination with other projects and plans on European sites and sites of international importance for nature conservation. If necessary, Stage 2 - Appropriate Assessment will also be completed.”

6.4. This will demonstrate to Natural England that the necessary stages of the HRA process will be completed on the document as it is developed.

6.5. Furthermore, the HRA process completed on the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document must pay particular attention to the allocation sites in the following locations to determine if significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC are likely: Penkridge, Brewood, Coven, Wheaton Aston, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wryley, Essington, Featherstone, Codsall, Bilbrook, Perton, Kinver, Wombourne and Huntington. This may include the need for detailed air quality impact assessments.

6.6. The HRA process must also pay particular attention to the allocation sites in the following location to determine if significant effects on Mottey Meadows SAC are likely: Wheaton Aston.

Recommendation 2: HRA Text to Be Included In the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document

6.7. Text relating to the HRA process should be included within the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document.

6.8. This should include a form of words similar to those below. The exact wording should be finalised once the HRA process has been completed:

A Habitats Regulations Assessment has been undertaken of this DPD as required by Regulation 61 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) in order to see whether its proposals could have the potential to result in likely significant effects upon European sites and sites of international importance for nature conservation that include:

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) designated under European Council Directive 92/43/EEC(a) on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild

25


Fauna and Flora (the Habitats Directive) and candidate SACs;

Special Protection Areas (SPA) designated under the European Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the Birds Directive);

Proposed and listed Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites), possible SACs (pSACs) and potential SPAs (pSPAs) for which the UK Government has as a matter of policy chosen to apply the Habitats Regulations Assessment procedures even though these are not European sites as a matter of law (National Planning Policy Framework, para 118).

There is one European site within South Staffordshire: Mottey Meadows SAC near Wheaton Aston. There are also two European sites in close proximity to the South Staffordshire Council boundary: Cannock Chase SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC. The first stage of the Habitats Regulations Assessment process (HRA) Stage 1 Screening of the Core Strategy has found that there are no likely significant effects on these three European sites

17. Further information on the HRA process and how it will

be taken forward for future projects and plans arising from this DPD is explained in the HRA Assessment.(a copy of the which can be found on the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk)

Recommendation 3: Cross Reference to Policies within the South Staffordshire Core Strategy

6.9. It is recommended that the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document includes cross-references to policies within the Core Strategy

18 that are of particular

importance to the allocation site proposals and. how the international sites will be protected from development. This includes the following policies:

Policy EQ1 – Protecting, Enhancing and Expanding Natural Assets;

Policy EQ2 – Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation;

Policy EQ7 – Water Quality;

Policy EV5 – Rural Employment;

Policy EV11 – Sustainable Travel.

6.10. It is recommended that the salient points of these policies (i.e. the measures they require in order to protect international sites) are also included in the supporting text of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document.

Recommendation 4: Inclusion of Relevant Mitigation Measures from Footprint Ecology Reports

6.11. It is strongly recommended that the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document commits to the mitigation measures outlined in the most up to date version of the Footprint Ecology Cannock Chase SAC Mitigation Report

19.

6.12. In order to comply with the Footprint Ecology report the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document may need to commit to suitable alternative natural greenspace being provided alongside any other appropriate mitigation measures as part of all allocation sites within 15 km of the Cannock Chase SAC. The Plan should also commit to a requirement for developer contributions towards mitigation for new residential accommodation within all allocation sites within 15 km of the SAC (with additional measures for large developments of 50+ houses).

17

This sentence must be based on the conclusions of the HRA Stage 1 – Screening assessment once it is completed. 18

South Staffordshire Local Development Framework – Core Strategy Development Plan Document (Version 4,

February 2012) 19

http://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/

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6.13. It should be noted that these measures may change as any other relevant evidence emerges and, therefore, the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document must include the most up to date mitigation measures available at the time of the HRA of the DPD.

Recommendation 5: Exclusion of Certain Allocation Sites from the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document

6.14. It is strongly recommended that the following allocation sites are not taken forward into the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document to avoid likely significant effects on Mottey Meadows SAC:

089 – Wheaton Aston;

094 – Wheaton Aston;

378 – Wheaton Aston.

6.15. It is also strongly recommended that the following allocation sites are not taken forward into the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document to avoid likely significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC:

012 – Huntington;

013 – Huntington;

014 – Huntington;

015 – Huntington; and,

017 – Huntington.

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7. Conclusions

7.1 Atkins Limited (Atkins) has been commissioned by South Staffordshire Council to undertake a Habitats Regulations Assessment Review of the South Staffordshire Site Allocations Document – Issues and Options Consultation (March 2014).

7.2 Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is required by Regulation 61 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) (the Habitat Regulations) for all plans and projects which may have likely significant effects on international sites. This report completes a review of each of the potential allocation sites outlined within the Site Allocations DPD, undertaken as part of the initial stages of HRA Stage 1 screening process. There are a total of 133 potential allocation sites in 16 village locations across South Staffordshire. The purpose of this HRA Review is to highlight whether any of the potential allocation sites are likely to lead to significant effects on the international sites within and in proximity to South Staffordshire.

7.3 There is one international site within South Staffordshire (Mottey Meadows SAC) and an additional six international sites within 20 km. A total of eleven international sites were eliminated from the HRA Review including Fens Pools SAC, Midlands Meres and Mosses Ramsar site (Phase 2 site), Pasturefields Saltmarsh SAC, West Midland Mosses SAC, Severn Estuary SPA/SAC/Ramsar site and Humber Estuary SPA/SAC/Ramsar site. These international sites have been eliminated from the HRA process because the international sites are not considered to be vulnerable to effects arising from policies within the Site Allocations DPD.

7.4 The international sites considered in this HRA Review are Mottey Meadows SAC, Cannock Chase SAC and Cannock Extension Canal SAC. None of the proposals within the Plan are directly connected with or necessary to the management of these three international sites.

7.5 It is considered that potential allocation sites in one village location (Wheaton Aston) could lead to likely significant effects on Mottey Meadows SAC and that the potential allocation sites in fourteen village locations (Penkridge, Brewood, Coven, Wheaton Aston, Cheslyn Haye, Great Wryley, Essington, Featherstone, Codsall, Bilbrook, Perton, Kinver, Wombourne and Huntington) could lead to likely significant effects on Cannock Chase SAC. The allocation sites in the aforementioned locations have been assessed as potentially requiring detailed assessment (and mitigation) as part of the HRA of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document (including Stage 1 – Screening and potentially Stage 2 – Appropriate Assessment).

7.6 The HRA Review confirmed that there are no likely significant effects on Cannock Extension Canal SAC anticipated from any of the allocation sites proposed in any of the sixteen village locations.

7.7 A number of recommendations have been put forward to help avoid and/or reduce the likelihood of any likely significant effects on Mottey Meadows SAC and Cannock Chase SAC when the Site Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document is produced. These recommendations include:

A commitment to completing the necessary stages of the HRA process on the Site

Allocations Development Plan Document – Publication Document when it is produced

(including Stage 1 – Screening as a minimum);

The inclusion of text relating to HRA and the HRA process within the Site Allocations

Development Plan Document – Publication Document;

Providing cross-references and key salient points to pertinent policies within the overarching

South Staffordshire Core Strategy Development Plan Document including policies EQ1,

EQ2, EQ7, EV5 and EV11;

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Inclusion of relevant mitigation measures to protect Cannock Chase SAC from the most up

to date evidence available at the time of the production of the Site Allocations Development

Plan Document – Publication Document, including the Footprint Ecology Cannock Chase

SAC Mitigation Report (December 2012)

Exclusion of certain potential allocation sites from the Site Allocations Development Plan

Document – Publication Document in Wheaton Aston and Huntington.

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Appendices

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A. Appendix A

Response from Environment Agency in relation to Humber Estuary and Severn Estuary International Sites

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B. Appendix B

Environment Agency Confirmation of No Likely Significant Effects on Cannock Chase SAC from Reduced Abstraction Rates at Milford and Bednall

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Atkins The Axis 10 Holliday Street Birmingham B1 1TF Email: [email protected]

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