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

16.70 Policy LP03 and its two alternatives, all exhibit a range of effects from mixed through to
adverse for alternative LP03‐A2 which if implemented would result in considerably more
development coming forward in Addlestone. As with other environmental receptors, the
effects observed in the Level 4 SEA are not same always replicated in the wider Level 3 SA
appraisal. This is similar for LP05 – LP07.
16.71 Policy LP08 and its three alternatives, all exhibit the same effect profile and all result in an
adverse affect on this receptor. In terms of the Level 3 SA, with the exception of alternative
LP08‐A3 all score neutral effects on ER04; LP08‐A3 scored uncertain. The Level 5 assessment
did not differentiate significantly between any of the policies.
16.72 The strategy policy set SP01 – SP10 scored between mixed and uncertain across the range of
assessments Level 4 SEA and Level 3 SA
16.73 The potential for cumulative effects has also been considered in terms of this environmental
receptor (see: Table 65). This CEA concludes that policies LP01, LP02, LP04, LP05 and LP08
have the potential to cumulatively act in a negative manner on this receptor, however, given
the spatial extent of the area of influence over which the Local Plan has influence, it was not
considered appropriate for the CEA to be taken any further at this time.
16.74 Overall, the effect of the accepted policies contained within this Local Plan on ER04 is
considered to be neutral.
ER06 – Climate Change
16.75 The climate change receptor covers the cumulative effects on the atmosphere in terms of
emissions of greenhouse gases as a result of the generation of energy and its use for heating,
lighting, power, and transportation. The climate change receptor is closely aligned to the air
quality receptor ER05.
16.76 Issues of climate change are divided into two distinct groups; mitigation and adaptation.
Mitigation addresses a 30+ year time horizon and involves reduction in emissions and
improvements in energy efficiency. On the other hand, adaptation deals with the ‘locked‐in’
climate we can expect to get up to 30 years and generally involves adaptation measures. The
impacts of climate change or the effectiveness adaptation measures are difficult to assess as
they are outside the bounds of certainty required to trigger any meaningful action at this
local level. In terms of impacts, Runnymede can expect an increased risk of fluvial and pluvial
flooding, increased storminess, extremes of heat and cold.
16.77 Current indicator data suggests (see: Table 67) that the condition of this environmental
receptor is unfavourable. A number of its sustainable development objectives are considered
to be in a severely unfavourable condition, such as SO16 – Air quality improvement; SO17 –
Addressing the causes of climate change; and SO18 – Runnymede’s preparedness for the
impact of climate change. This condition assessment has also transferred to its SEA Factor
status. Similar to ER05, it is also accepted that mitigating through restricting/preventing
further contributions to climate change, not to mention adapting to the inevitable impacts is
exceptionally difficult at the level of a Borough due in part to the cumulative nature and
geographic range of the stressor and the lack of expressed governance at this level.
16.78 Urban development such as promoted by LP01, LP02 and LP08 that are intended to result in
development that will required and use carbon based energy and transport; all major sources
of carbon emissions, will consequently be a significant contributor to emissions resulting in
climate change from the borough. This has been reflected in the Level 4 SEA were
alternatives promoting increased development volume result in more adverse affects. This
assessment consideration was not replicated in the more strategic Level 3 SA appraisal.
16.79 The Local Plan could have brought forward policies that promote the active management of
energy use plus traffic levels and demand for transport. It could have identified objective
targets to reduce carbon emissions from new development and redevelopment and a policy
that protects the ability of the main urban centres to install and run ‘district heating systems’.
The Local Plan could have brought forward a policy that ensures the Boroughs infrastructure
network capacity is capable of coping with the expected consequences of climate change –
however, it did not.
Page | 211 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013