Sustainability Appraisal of the Sandwell Local Plan 2024-2041
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Sustainability Appraisal of the Sandwell Local Plan 2024-2041
1 Introduction
Representation ID: 1666
Received: 11/11/2024
Respondent: Natural England
Further to our response to the Regulation 19 consultation on Sandwell Local Plan dated the 11 November 2024 we provide the following addendum to clarify our position.
Natural England advises that we consider the Local Plan to be legally compliant and sound.
Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Sandwell Local Plan Regualation 19 September 2024
Cannock Chase Recreational impacts
Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is being impacted by recreation. Current evidence from vistor survey data has established a 15km Zone of Influence (ZOI) for significant impacts on the SAC from recreation. Sandwell Council is 17km from Cannock Chase SAC and outside the 15km ZOI. Therefore we can advise that increases in housing and holiday accommodation within the Sandwell plan area are unlikely to impact on the SAC and that we agree with the conclusion in the HRA that likely significant effects from recreational on Cannock Chase SAC can be ruled out.
Air Quality
Natural England agree with the conclusion that adverse effects on site integrity can now be ruled out for air quality, but we advise the HRA is updated to reflect the reasons for concluding no adverse effect on site integrity as discussed in recent meetings with the wider air quality working group. This avoids the need for Natural England to rebut some of the reasoning in the current HRA.
Natural England has been working with Sandwell Council and other members of the Cannock Chase SAC Partnership on air quality and are currently in the process of finalising and signing a Statement of Common Ground.
Further to our response to the Regulation 19 consultation on Sandwell Local Plan dated the 11 November 2024 we provide the following addendum to clarify our position.
Natural England advises that we consider the Local Plan to be legally compliant and sound.
Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Sandwell Local Plan Regualation 19 September 2024
Cannock Chase Recreational impacts
Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is being impacted by recreation. Current evidence from vistor survey data has established a 15km Zone of Influence (ZOI) for significant impacts on the SAC from recreation. Sandwell Council is 17km from Cannock Chase SAC and outside the 15km ZOI. Therefore we can advise that increases in housing and holiday accommodation within the Sandwell plan area are unlikely to impact on the SAC and that we agree with the conclusion in the HRA that likely significant effects from recreational on Cannock Chase SAC can be ruled out.
Air Quality
Natural England agree with the conclusion that adverse effects on site integrity can now be ruled out for air quality, but we advise the HRA is updated to reflect the reasons for concluding no adverse effect on site integrity as discussed in recent meetings with the wider air quality working group. This avoids the need for Natural England to rebut some of the reasoning in the current HRA.
Natural England has been working with Sandwell Council and other members of the Cannock Chase SAC Partnership on air quality and are currently in the process of finalising and signing a Statement of Common Ground.
