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

11.83 SP06 has a neutral effect on impact pathway CC3 (associated with heating, electricity and
waste management resulting form proposed residential and commercial property in
Runnymede), the same applies to the alternative. This is because any development that
comes forward would need to meet BREEAM standards and therefore construction of new
development would not have a negative effect on the impact pathway as it would need to
reach the minimum standards of construction and it would be required to be energy efficient.
11.84 Having regard to SA, overall, (Appendix 3) the preferred policy has a neutral effect on SA
objectives, and the alternative has mixed effects. AP06‐A1 has a beneficial effect on RSF 17
RSF objective 17 (to address the cause of climate change through reducing emissions of
greenhouse gases), however SP06 has an adverse impact, as SP06‐A1 discusses tourism
recreation and leisure to be accessible by public transport (and reduce the need to travel by
car). Overall, the SP06 has a neutral effect on SA objectives, and SP06‐A1 has mixed effects.
SP06 is not very different to SP06‐A1, as more hotel provision will be viewed positively, and
existing facilities will be utilised more, making a contribution towards social aspects within
Runnymede.
Policy SP07: Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area
11.85 There is no reasonable alternative to the policy, as it provides a tested mechanism to
facilitate development. However, the overall impact on the receptor is mixed positive with
regard to the SEA (Appendix 4)
11.86 No discussion of SA
Policy SP08: Employment Development
11.87 With regard to the SEA (Appendix 4) the positive mixed impact of SP08 is noted,. The affect
of LP08‐A1 on the pathways is generally benign. This is encouraging for a policy that
promotes employment growth.
11.88 Having regard to the conclusion of SA in Appendix 3, overall, all the policy approaches have a
neutral/positive impact. However, there is an adverse affect form the alternative SP08‐A1 on
RSF 3 (reducing poverty) , RSF 6 (creating vibrant communities), RSF 9 and 11 (stimulating the
economy), and RSF 12 (developing a dynamic economy), RSF 13 (maintaining a skilled
workforce), RSF 21 (improving transport), The alternative SP08‐A1 is less acceptable in the SA
analysis. The need to accommodate growth will have a consequence for all the receptors, but
the impact of the alternatives is different in a negative way and so the SP08 is clearly more
acceptable.
11.89 The preferred approach overall in the SA consideration does not have an overall different
impact to the alternative but it is more positive.
Policy SP09: Sustainable Transport
11.90 With regard to SEA receptor ER06 (Appendix 4), the overall conclusion for the impact of the
policy on climate change is significantly beneficial. SP09 has a significantly beneficial effect on
impact pathway CC1 (traffic on Runnymede’s roads), as the policy has a requirement for
relevant development to contribute where appropriate to new public transport, new
development to be located in accessible locations, and reduce car use, therefore the policy’s
impacts on traffic will be significantly reduced.
11.91 SP09 has a significantly beneficial effect on impact pathway CC2 (Greenhouse gases
associated with the construction and/or maintenance of transport, residential and
commercial assets/networks and other infrastructure in Runnymede), as contributing
positively to new transport-related infrastructure will reduce greenhouse gases.
11.92 SP09 has a neutral effect on impact pathway CC3 (associated with heating, electricity and
waste management resulting from proposed residential and commercial property in
Runnymede), as SP09 requires the location of the relevant development to be sustainably
located, and therefore reduce energy consumption from vehicles, which are associated with
new residential and commercial development. The combination of indirect benefits on this
impact pathway results in a significantly beneficial effect.
Page | 155 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013