Sustainability Appraisal of the Sandwell Local Plan 2024-2041

Air

• Increased pollutant emissions
• Exposure of human and biodiversity receptors to poor air quality

Nationally, measures to improve air quality are in place and continue to be prioritised by the UK government, which includes proposals to ban sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2035.

Local, regional and national policy including the West Midlands Transport Plan^[140] and the Sandwell Air Quality Action Plan^[141] will complement the SLP policies, seeking to increase the coverage and connectivity of public transport, pedestrian and cycle networks which would be likely to help reduce reliance on private car use.

However, due to the introduction of 10,434 dwellings and 1,221ha of employment floorspace through the SLP, all of which will lie within Sandwell AQMA, an increase in traffic flows and subsequent reduction of air quality will be expected to have residual adverse effects which cannot be fully mitigated through the SLP policies alone.

Overall, the Plan will likely result in a long-term but potentially temporary significant cumulative adverse effect on air quality, which could result in secondary effects such as for the health of residents.

Biodiversity, flora and fauna

• Threats or pressures to European sites
• Threats or pressures to locally designated and non-statutory biodiversity sites
• Fragmentation of the ecological network and priority habitats

Biodiversity sites designated for their national, international or local biodiversity value will continue to benefit from legislative protection, and the policy framework set out in the SLP will ensure biodiversity assets are protected, conserved and enhanced where possible.

The SLP seeks to increase the coverage of GI, alongside mandatory 10% BNG); however, there remains potential for the proposed development to adversely affect some biodiversity, flora and fauna features when considered together at a landscape scale. Site-based approaches to nature conservation can fail to identify strategic landscape ecological considerations. The background trends indicate an overall picture of habitat losses and reduction in species diversity in the UK.

Overall, there is potential for a cumulative adverse effect on biodiversity, owing to the fragmentation of the ecological network and incremental losses of priority habitats.

Climatic factors

• Fluvial and surface water flood risk
• Increase GHG emissions
• Loss of multi-functional green infrastructure

Climate, infrastructure, flood risk, sustainable transport and GI policies within the SLP will be likely to help reduce adverse impacts of the proposed development within the SLP in regard to climatic factors. These policies set out provisions to mitigate the increased GHG emissions, UHI effect, loss of green infrastructure and exacerbated flood risk that may potentially occur as a result of the proposed development.

Despite these policies, it is likely there will be a cumulative increase in GHG emissions during occupation of new development including those associated with increased energy demand associated with the occupation of new dwellings and employment premises, transport-related emissions, the production and use of materials during construction, and the release of embodied carbon.

Overall, the SLP could potentially result in a cumulative adverse effect on climate change which may lead to secondary effects such as flood risk, threats to the health and safety of residents and possibly the supply of water across the Plan area.

It should be noted that the Future Homes Standard is expected to come into effect in 2025 which will seek to ensure that new homes are future-proofed with low-carbon heating systems, air-source heat pumps and high levels of energy efficiency. The necessary legislation is expected to be introduced in 2024, ahead of implementation in 2025. This new standard, coupled with local interventions and consideration of carbon offsetting schemes, has the potential to limit Sandwell's contributions to the climate crisis in the longer term.

Cultural heritage

• Alter character and/or setting of designated heritage assets
• Effects on the historic environment

Sandwell supports range of designated and non-designated historic features. The SLP policies in combination with legislation such as Conservation Area Appraisals^[142] will be expected to ensure no significant impacts on the designated heritage assets arise from the proposed development sites. These will further encourage the conservation and enhancement of historic, architectural and archaeological features which may lead to longer term benefits to Sandwell's historic environment through encouraging regeneration and redevelopment of industrial land, town centres and canal corridors.

Human health

• Sustainable access to healthcare facilities
• Loss of public greenspace
• Limited access to the PRoW or cycle network

The majority of site allocations in the SLP are located in areas with good sustainable access to healthcare facilities and sustainable transport options, as well as walking and cycling links. SLP policies are likely to increase sustainable access to facilities, as well as improving the quality and capacity of existing services and ensure a range of greenspaces and recreational facilities are provided for new and existing communities. A positive cumulative effect is therefore expected in relation to sustainable access to health facilities, active travel and recreation.

Human health

• Exposure to air/noise pollution from main roads and AQMAs

Air and noise pollution associated with road traffic and AQMAs can have adverse implications for health. Although various SLP policies seek to minimise exposure to pollution, the development proposed may lead to a cumulative adverse effect on air quality as discussed in the 'air' section above.

Landscape

• Threaten or result in the loss of locally distinctive or sensitive landscapes

The SLP focuses the majority of growth within the existing urban area. The SLP policies seek to ensure that development proposals maintain and improve the distinctiveness of Sandwell's landscape and townscape character, including through the provision of GI, urban greening, the protection of historic assets, appropriate design and the consideration of views from sensitive landmarks such as the Rowley Hills. Where relevant, the SLP policies will ensure the potential for adverse effects is explored, including through LVA/LVIA to inform the development of any tall buildings. There is potential for a cumulative positive effect on the landscape in the medium-long term, where the SLP seeks to ensure development proposals enhance and regenerate Sandwell's landscape, townscape and historic environment.

Population and material assets

• Provision of housing to meet local need
• Provision of employment opportunities
• Sustainable access to services and facilities
• Increased pressure on local services and facilities
• Addressing inequalities

The SLP is likely to have a positive cumulative effect on the population and the economy, due to the provision of new homes and jobs to meet the varied needs of the community. Although issues with housing affordability are likely to continue with Sandwell and nationally, the SLP seeks to deliver affordable housing and a range of type, tenure and size of homes in line with the identified housing needs.

The SLP policies demonstrate SMBC's commitment to enhancing community cohesion and improving inequalities by addressing the diverse accommodation needs of the population, safeguarding community services and facilities, and encouraging development proposals to incorporate careful design which delivers a high-quality public realm. The SLP is anticipated to result in a positive cumulative effect on local communities through improving opportunities for social interaction, sense of place and reducing social inequalities.

Population and material assets

• Increased household waste generation

The introduction of 10,434 dwellings and 1,221ha of employment floorspace through the SLP is likely to increase waste generation over the Plan period. Although recycling rates are increasing on a national scale, it is unlikely this will help to significantly decrease waste generation within the Plan area. A long-term permanent negative cumulative effect is expected for waste.

Soil

• Loss of soil resources

Nationally, rates of soil erosion are increasing. Soil is a non-renewable resource, which performs a number of important ecosystem services and supports a diverse range of habitats.

Despite seeking to make the best use of available brownfield sites, and ensuring the protection of high-quality agricultural land, the proposed allocations within the SLP will cumulatively result in the loss of up to 224ha of previously undeveloped land or land which may have environmental / ecological value. Although the SLP aims to increase GI provision across the Plan area, the loss of permeable soils has potential to increase the risk of flooding and result in a loss of biodiversity across the Plan area. Loss of soil can also result in an increase in soil erosion and have subsequent impacts on air quality, agricultural yield and the ability of soil biome to effectively provide ecosystem services.

Overall, there is potential for a long-term, irreversible cumulative adverse effect on ecosystem services.

Water

• Reduction in water quality and ecosystem services
• Increased water demand and pressure on wastewater treatment

The increased population in the Plan area would be expected to increase demand on water supply and management. The WCS (2024)^[143] indicates that Severn Trent Water do not expect water supply infrastructure to be a constraint to development within Sandwell, and water efficiency is increasing nationally. Water abstraction, consumption and treatment in the local area will continue to be managed by the Environment Agency and water companies through the RBMP, WRMP and CAMS in line with the EU Water Framework Directive.

Development within the allocated sites has potential to lead to an increased risk of watercourse and groundwater contamination. The WCS (2024) has identified potential impacts for downstream water quality as a result of growth within the Plan area. In combination with climate change and increased storm events, this is likely to lead to increased potential for overflows of untreated sewage and storm water into nearby waterbodies.

A long-term cumulative effect has been identified in terms of water quality.