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

and the potential to improve existing infrastructure and public realm will have a beneficial
effect. SP06‐A1 also looks to the improvement of the quality of existing visitor attractions,
and therefore the impacts on built structures may also be improved in this way.
13.64 SP06 has an uncertain effect on impact pathway BE3 (impacts on the ambience of
settlements), as the effect would be dependent on the location of tourism, recreation and
leisure facilities and the level of related development, in particular around the River Thames.
SP06‐A1 has a positive effect on impact pathway BE3, but it also depends on the location and
proposal of development. However, SP06‐A1 has a beneficial effect on the impact pathway as
it supports the improvement of the quality of existing visitor attractions. Although SP06‐A1
has a more beneficial effect on impact pathway BE3, overall SP06 is more beneficial to the
environment.
13.65 No SA Discussion.
Policy SP07: Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area
13.66 No reasonable alternative to the policy SP07 were considered, as it provides a tested
mechanism to facilitate development. With regard to the SEA (Appendix 4) the overall
impact on the receptors is mixed .
13.67 No SA Discussion.
Policy SP08: Employment Development
13.68 The neutral impact of the policy options with regard to the SEA (Appendix 4) is noted.
13.69 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 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), 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 SP08 is clearly more acceptable.
13.70 SP08 overall in the SA consideration does not have an overall different impact to the
alternative but it is more positive.
Policy SP09: Sustainable Transport
13.71 With regard to SEA receptor ER08 (Appendix 4), the overall conclusion for SP09 is a neutral
effect on the receptor. SP09 has a neutral effect on impact pathway BE1 (quality of design in
new development), as the policy doesn’t specify the location or design of sustainable
transport infrastructure within developments, and is more focused on the provision of new
public transport, around the Borough more generally. However, the design policy does
discuss the provision of transport –related infrastructure in new development.
13.72 SP09 has a neutral effect on BE2 (impacts on built structures). This is due to new transport
infrastructure and maintenance of existing transport infrastructure not being a built
structure, such as buildings, and the policy considers the way of transporting people between
different buildings, and so a neutral effect is recorded.
13.73 SP09 has a neutral effect on impact pathway BE3 (impacts on the ambience of settlements),
as the policy relies on improvements to the existing provision of public transport, provision of
new public transport, and schemes/travel plans, rather than new buildings, and so it is
considered the policy would have a relative neutral impact on the ambience of settlements.
13.74 No SA Discussion.
Policy SP10: Development and Flood Risk
13.75 Policy SP10 has neutral impact with regard to the SEA (Appendix 4).
13.76 No SA discussion.
Page | 178 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013