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

RHA2

Designated sites - Rye Harbour SSSI; part within.

Our records show that most of this proposed extension to the boundary is within the Rye Harbour SSSI (Saltmarsh by Rye Harbour Road).

This site would not, therefore, be suitable for allocation as part of the Employment Area.

WF26
WES1
AONB - High Weald: site is within.

The policy needs to refer to the consideration of the site's AONB location.

The allocation needs to protect and enhance the character of AONB, in line the Management Plan, NCA and LCAs.

WF23
WES2
AONB - High Weald: site is within.

The policy needs to refer to the consideration of the site's AONB location.

The allocation needs to protect and enhance the character of AONB, in line the Management Plan, NCA and LCAs.

WF6e
WES3
AONB - High Weald: site is within.

The policy needs to refer to the consideration of the site's AONB location.

The allocation needs to protect and enhance the character of AONB, in line the Management Plan, NCA and LCAs.

GU4
GUE1
AONB - High Weald: site is within.

The policy needs to refer to the consideration of the site's AONB location.

The allocation needs to protect and enhance the character of AONB, in line the Management Plan, NCA and LCAs.

MAR1
AONB - High Weald: site is within.

The policy needs to refer to the consideration of the site's AONB location.

The allocation needs to protect and enhance the character of AONB, in line the Management Plan, NCA and LCAs.

RVR1

Priority habitats
- Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh; within part of the proposed route (west end)
- deciduous woodland: within part of the proposed route (adjacent to original railway, where new route will re-join it, to east of Junction Road).

Impact on these habitats needs to be considered and if necessary, appropriate mitigation measures specified.

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.

SA Appendices 1 and 2:

Designated sites

We welcome the inclusion of the mapping of designated sites (Map 17). However, the amount of information mapped makes clear identification of the national and international designated sites and their boundaries difficult.

Recommendation: In addition to map 17, nationally designated sites should also be shown on a separate map.

Soils

In table 3, the SA Objective 9 (Improve efficiency in land use and encourage the prudent use of natural resources) includes a decision aiding question and indicator, relevant to protecting the soils of best and most versatile land. However there is no reference to soils in the text in the Environment section, under 'Prudent use of natural resources (SA Objective 9)'.
Recommendation: Include some background text in the Environment section, on the sustainability value of such soils.

If there are issues I have not covered, please let me know and I will respond as quickly as possible. If discussion would be helpful, please give me a call.

If you wish to comment on the service provided by Natural England, please use the appended form.