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

on the air quality is adverse (RSF 16), whilst it also has a negative impact on the desire to
conserve and enhance the region’s bio‐diversity (RSF 19).
16.128 The preferred approach overall does not result in a significantly different (either adverse or
beneficial) impact to its alternatives and has therefore been chosen.
Location Policy 2 (LP02) – Housing Provision and Distribution
16.129 The Council’s HRA considered three Local Plan policies – LP01, LP02 and LP08 and their ability
alone or in combination with other plans or projects to adversely affect the integrity of two
European site – Thames Basin Heaths SPA and Thursley, Ash, Pirbright and Chobham SAC.
Based on the information available but against the advice of Natural England, the Council was
able to ascertain that implementation of policies LP01, LP02 and LP03 would not alone or in
combination with other plans or projects adversely affect the integrity of either European
site.
16.130 Three core alternatives were considered. LP02‐ A1 145 units are identified representing an
annual provision over 15 years of about 2000 units within the urban area. However, LP02
and LP02‐A2 provides for 161 units p/a involving three additional sub‐divisions involving
variously reserve site and green belt releases. LP02‐A3 (a)/(b) would also require either
higher density development in the urban area or additional land to be released from the
green belt to accommodate this scale of growth (550 units p/a).
16.131 It is observed that LP03‐A3 (a)/(b) have a consistent trend towards a significant adverse
impact and so these were excluded in the first iteration. In the next iteration it is noted that
the remaining alternatives mostly have an uncertain/adverse impacts on the environmental
receptor’s impact pathways. However, for LP02‐A2(c) was assessed to have an adverse
impact on ER06 but it performed best on ER10. The Council concluded that all the remaining
alternatives should remain in the second iteration as they had varying degrees on impact with
no overall alternative emerging as clear choice.
16.132 As the aggregate appraisal concluded no clear preferred alternative with LP02, LP02‐A1 and
LP02‐A2, it was appropriate to consider the wider perspective of the SA. This became an
important part of the appraisal as the Council wished to ensure that the development desired
by the local community was recognised. However, the overall conclusion of the SA was
positive for all alternatives. With the background of not excluding the LP02, LP02‐A1 and
LP02‐A2 alternatives the following final appraisal was undertaken.
16.133 From the data in the SHLAA, the housing allocation in the previous plans has never acted as a
constraint on development and each application is considered within the policy guidelines.
Accordingly, whilst a locally set housing requirement should be viewed as guidance, for the
purposes of national guidance it is necessary to ensure an adequate land supply is available
and this requires a formal housing figure to be established.
16.134 The Coalition Government wants to boost housing delivery, therefore, LP02‐A1 which would
reduce the annual housing target from 161 units to 145 units is not considered to be realistic
or justified approach given this national guidance. Alternative 3 would set house building
targets beyond those achieved in the Borough even in the boom times. This alternative was
however eliminated through the SEA process. Alternative 2 emerged as the preferred
alternative as being consistent with the evidence base in the South East Plan
16.135 From the perspective of the SEA/SA there were 3 sub‐alternatives of LP02 A, A1 – A2 for
consideration. There was no definitive view as to which sub‐alternative emerged as the
preferred alternative. It would either require the release of the DERA size site from the green
belt, the release of reserve sites or the release of urban edge SHLAA green belt sites.
16.136 Planning for future homes in Runnymede is a key function of this Strategy and a major
component of the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS). A range of housing is needed to
meet the future needs of the population in the Borough; this includes homes for families and
for first time buyers, and for the elderly, who are forming a growing proportion of the total
population. There is a particularly strong need to provide affordable housing to meet the
needs of those who cannot afford to buy or rent at market levels. Previous consultations on
Page | 218 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013