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

Current Baseline Condition
5.19 The SEA Directive and UK SEA Regulations require that an account be given of the current and likely
future composition and condition of the environment in the area covered by the proposed plan. The
environmental baseline presented in this section has been compiled from available sources of primary
and secondary data that in the main relate to RSF Indicators that have been monitored by the Council
in one form or another since 2004.
5.20 Where appropriate data is available from both electronic and printed sources, it has been used.
However, it must be understood that the range and quality of data that is available at the level of the
borough is in a number of instances limited. This can be a problem across a number of the
environmental topics/receptors being assessed in the course of a SEA. In some cases, it has been
possible to collect consistent good quality data at a slightly lower resolution such as the county,
regional, and national levels. This data is presented in Appendix 11.
5.21 This section looks at the existing baseline in terms of natural environment and biodiversity assets
(including biodiversity designations, habitats and species) present within, and/or close to, Runnymede.
The emerging Runnymede Local Plan will be required to incorporate policies that will continue to
protect and enhance the existing habitats and species identified in the Borough and promote the
extension and creation of new habitats. The Local Plan does not have an explicit policy to meet this
requirement.
5.22 Table 35 provides a summary of the key environmental issues and challenges that have been identified
as having particular relevance to the Council’s emerging Local Plan. Those issues and challenges have
been identified from the baseline environmental information as well as through discussion with various
officers within the Council and external statutory and non‐statutory consultees.
Table 35 – ER01 Summary Key Environmental Issues and Challenges
Receptor
[ER01] Natural Environment
and Biodiversity
Key Issues, challenges and potential responses for the Local Plan
Summary: Flora, fauna are considered to be integral components of the Natural
Environment and Biodiversity environmental receptor. Runnymede contains a relatively
small but important biodiversity asset base in its protected sites and species in terms of
lowland heathland and wetland, including its ancient woodland.
Issues and Challenges: Runnymede is characterised by a diverse natural environment
and is extensively wooded. The rate of species loss observed in Surrey over the last
hundred years has been substantial, with 31 species of plants having become extinct.
Losses have also been substantial in terms of natural habitats, such as lowland heath
land, which has decreased in the county by 85% since 1762. There has also been a
12% loss of all ancient woodland including semi-natural.
Possible LP Response: The LP could bring forward proactive policies to minimise risks
to habitat condition, fragmentation and loss that might arise as a consequence of the
construction or use of new development and supporting infrastructure. Policies could
include proactive management of nature conservation sites to preserve and enhance
biodiversity.
How LP Responded: The local plan does not include a policy set for Biodiversity. It
could be argued that biodiversity would be protected through the other policies which
focus development in existing town centres (with the exception) of DERA as well as the
tourism policy (SP06).
Page | 68 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013