Policy HAS2: Land at Michael Tyler Furniture, Woodlands Way, Hastings
Object
Proposed Submission Development and Site Allocations (DaSA) Local Plan
Representation ID: 24117
Received: 05/12/2018
Respondent: High Weald AONB Unit
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
Criteria iii only refers to the impact on views from the AONB. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 says "In exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in an AONB, a relevant authority shall have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB". Whether a development outside an AONB 'affects' it depends not just on views but also other connections between the site and the AONB such as watercourses, habitats and public access routes.
In the case of this site, there are watercourses which flow north into gills within Park Wood (an area of Ancient Woodland within the AONB). These gills are a very special and vulnerable habitat which is vulnerable to changes in water quantity and quality. This impact will need to be considered when the site is designed and should be included in the allocation criteria.
It is recommended that criteria (iii) be amended to "the development conserves and enhances the AONB to the north, taking into account views into the site and the impact of drainage proposals on the watercourses flowing into Park Wood".
Criteria iii only relates to the impact of the development on views from the AONB. Section B5 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 says ""In exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a relevant authority shall have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area of outstanding natural beauty". Whether a development outside an AONB will 'affect' the AONB depends not just on views but also other connections between the site and the AONB such as watercourses, habitats and public access routes.
In the case of the land at Michael Tyler Furniture, Woodlands Way, Hastings, there are watercourses which rise either on or in very close proximity to the site which then flow north into gills within Park Wood which is an area of Ancient Woodland within the AONB. These gills are a very special and vulnerable habitat which is vulnerable to changes in water quantity and quality. This impact will need to be considered when the site is being designed and therefore should be included in the allocation criteria.
It is recommended that criteria (iii) be amended to "the development conserves and enhances the AONB to the north, taking into account views into the site and the impact of drainage proposals on the watercourses flowing into Park Wood".
Support
Proposed Submission Development and Site Allocations (DaSA) Local Plan
Representation ID: 24382
Received: 07/12/2018
Respondent: Hastings Borough Council
We support this residential allocation.
We support this residential allocation.