DRAFT Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Emerging Local Plan ...

housing will have a consequence for all the receptors, but the impact of the alternative SP02‐
A1 is different and so the alternative SP02 and SP02‐A2 are clearly more acceptable.
8.66 Policy SP02 overall in the SA consideration does not have an overall different impact to the
alternative SP02‐A2. However, the SEA has an adverse impact on the pathways.
Policy SP03: Gypsy and Travelling Populations
8.67 With regard to SEA receptor ER04, the overall conclusion for SP03 is a neutral effect on the
receptor (Appendix 4). This is because it has been judged that natural environment and
biodiversity are unlikely to be significantly affected by the implementation of the policy.
8.68 No SA discussion.
Policy SP04: Provision and Retention of Infrastructure and Service
8.69 SP04 does not have any alternatives. Overall in terms of SEA (Appendix 4) SP04 is deemed to
have a neutral effect on the environmental receptors.
8.70 No SA Discussion.
Policy SP05: Design
8.71 With regard to SEA receptor (Appendix 4) ER04, the overall conclusion for the policy is a
neutral effect. Policy SP05 has a neutral effect on impact pathway WRM1 (Impacts on the
flow of water), as the location of development will have an impact on the flow of water,
rather than its design. However, the policy does state that development will be permitted
that successfully incorporates flood resilient design measures in areas at risk from flooding,
and any development that does come forward will need to meet the requirements of
technical guidance set out in the NPPF and by the Environment Agency.
8.72 SP05 also has a neutral effect on impact pathway WRM2 (impacts on water quality) as design
itself will not necessarily have an impact on water quality, although the construction of a
development might, and so design would need to be carefully thought out to minimise
adverse impacts on water quality.
8.73 In relation to impact pathway WRM3 (demand for water resources), SP05 has a neutral effect
on the impact this pathway as the area already suffers from water stress, however well
designed development can reduce the demand for water resources.
8.74 No SA discussion.
Policy SP06: Tourism, Recreation and Leisure
8.75 With regard to SEA receptor ER04 (Appendix 4), the overall conclusion for SP06 is an adverse
effect. The policy option SP06 has a neutral effect on impact pathway WRM1 (Impacts on the
flow of water). SP06‐A1 also has a neutral effect because any impacts of new development
that are in areas of flooding will have to meet the requirements of EA standing advice. In
relation to WRM2 (impacts on water quality), SP06 has an adverse effect as development and
associated facilities related to tourism, recreation and leisure could be on a large scale, and
will encourage more people and so could decrease water quality if not managed properly. In
relation to SP06, water quality could be adversely affected by encouraging activity at the
River Thames and other water bodies in the Borough. Cumulative effects caused by the
preferred policy impact on the impact pathway. Impacts on water quality would also be
affected by the impacts of the SP06‐A1. In relation to impact pathway WRM3 (demand for
water resources), there will inevitably be an adverse impact on demand for water in an area
already suffering from water stress. SP06 and its alternative have an adverse effect on impact
pathway WRM3 because it encourages tourism in the Borough. Cumulative effects caused by
the SP06 impact on the impact pathway.
8.76 With regard to SA, overall, SP08 policy has a neutral effect on SA objectives, and the
alternative has mixed effects (Appendix 3). With regard to RSF objectives, where SP06 and
the alternative differ in their evaluation, RSF objective 15 (reduce risk of flooding and
resulting detriment to public well‐being, the economy and the environment). Alternative one
has a neutral impact on RSF15, but SP06 has a significantly beneficial effect because it
Page | 118 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013