Comment

Development and Site Allocations (DaSA) Local Plan - Options and Preferred Options

Representation ID: 23467

Received: 20/02/2017

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

Air Quality - biodiversity impact

Text in the Environment section (3.1.23) 'Air Quality', does refer to designated sites.

However, Table 3, under SA Objective 10 which lists biodiversity amongst the related SEA Directive topics, there are no specific decision aiding question or indicator re biodiversity.

In table 3, the SA Objective 14-Does include decision aiding questions and an indicator, relevant to air quality impact on designated sites.

Recommendation: Move consideration of air quality impacts on designated sites to objective 14; so that all text, SEA directive topic references, decision aiding questions and indicators, are all under the same objective.

Full text:

Air Quality - biodiversity impact

Text in the Environment section, 'Air Quality', does refer to designated sites, as follows:
"3.1.23 In their consultation comments, Natural England highlight that traffic growth
on roads within 200m of sensitive designated habitats has the potential for
development to impact on the natural environment (in particular designated
habitats)."

However, in Table 3, under SA Objective 10 (Reduce road congestion and pollution levels and ensure air quality continues to improve by increasing travel choice and reducing car usage), which lists biodiversity amongst the related SEA Directive topics, there are no specific decision aiding question or indicator re biodiversity.

In table 3, the SA Objective 14 (Conserve and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity).

Does include decision aiding questions and an indicator, relevant to air quality impact on designated sites.

Recommendation: Move consideration of air quality impacts on designated sites to objective 14; so that all text, SEA directive topic references, decision aiding questions and indicators, are all under the same objective.