Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

Local Plan
10.11 Clearly, the Local Plan could have an impact on the designated nature sites located
within or close to the Borough. The impact of additional development could be both
direct through the impact from recreation (due to increased housing numbers) and
land-take, and in-direct impacts from increased traffic and air pollution.
10.12 Some of the sites are protected by international and national laws that prevent
competent authorities such as Runnymede Borough Council from agreeing to any plan
or project that might be likely to cause a significant effect without first carrying out an
Appropriate Assessment. Appropriate Assessments assess whether the impacts of any
plan or project in combination with other plans would adversely affect the integrity of
the site in terms of its nature conservation objectives. The Local Plan therefore has a
role in determining that any proposals within it will not adversely affect the designated
nature sites.
10.13 The Local Plan’s SA/SEA could also form the basis for trigger of other national
legislation such as Environmental Impact Assessment.
Future provision
10.14 There are no known plans to designate any further nature sites in or adjacent to the
Borough at the current time (either internationally, nationally, regionally or locally
designated sites).
Costs and funding sources
10.15 As there are no known plans to designate any further nature sites in or adjacent to the
Borough at the current time, this section is not applicable in this instance.
Risk Assessment
10.16 The main risks to this capacity for this infrastructure are discussed in the Habitats
Regulations Assessment (HRA) of the emerging Local Plan and summarised in the
table below.
Conclusion
Risk ID Description Probability Severity
IDPR026 Air Quality High High
IDPR027 Water Quality Low High
IDPR028 Species Disturbance High High
IDPR029 Water Quantity High High
10.17 Overall, this existing infrastructure is considered to shape the character of the Borough.
Their continued protection will help ensure that the intrinsic qualities of the Borough are
not lost over the plan period.
Suitable alternative natural green space (SANGS)
Existing conditions
10.18 The Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (TBHSPA) was classified as an SPA
on 9th March 2005. The SPA comprises an area of lowland heath and woodland and is
a habitat protected under UK and European law, supporting a characteristic landscape
and distinctive flora and fauna under threat and in decline. It is referred to as a
"European Site" in terms of Habitats Regulations (see below at 11.20). It is classified as
a SPA under the European Birds Directive (2009/147/EC).
10.19 The SPA extends over 11 local planning authorities in Surrey, Berkshire and
Hampshire and comprises a network of 13 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of
Page | 103
Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013