NM11: Mitigating Effects on European Sites
Policy NM11: Mitigating Effects on European Sites
Residential schemes will be required to include proposals for mitigating their effects on European sites. This could be through on-site provision or off-site financial contributions in accordance with the requirements of the development plan, including compliance with the Mitigation for European Sites SPD as it applies to New Forest SPA, SAC and Ramsar site, Solent Maritime SAC, Solent and Southampton Water SPA and Ramsar site, and where necessary financial contributions for ongoing monitoring of the New Forest SAC.
In addition to the above requirements, all development proposals should have regard to:
- water quality and the mitigation of nutrient enrichment so as not to undermine Policy 13 of the South Hampshire Strategy October 2012; and
- treatment and infrastructure capacity to avoid water quality impacts on the integrity of European sites within the Solent.
This policy is proposed to remain unchanged from the current Neighbourhood Plan
Supporting Text
The Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) has concluded that the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan will not affect the integrity of European sites in relation to recreational pressure or air quality matters. The provision of alternative recreational opportunities away from the European nature conservation sites is identified as a key objective within the Countryside Access Plan produced by Hampshire County Council for the New Forest and South West Hampshire (http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/countryside/access/new-forest.pdf). Its vision is “To provide a network of access to the countryside where local people and visitors continue to gain pleasure and inspiration from the countryside within South West Hampshire, while understanding and respecting its landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage.”
Residential development proposals are required to mitigate recreational impacts as set out in the development plan as follows:
- Schemes of 50 homes or fewer must make a financial contribution towards NFDC’s ‘Greenway’ mitigation projects;
- Schemes of more than 50 homes will be required to make provision of alternative natural recreational green space in accordance with NFDC policy DM3 and the emerging policy 10 or other appropriate arrangements demonstrated by a site specific Appropriate Assessment to be sufficient and effective.
The HRA also concluded that water quality is not an issue that the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan can address on its own, however the Plan can provide support to the agencies that are developing strategic solutions to reduce nutrient input into the Solent.
The South Hampshire Strategy (October 2012) provides a framework for local plan preparations and the Submission Local Plan recognises that there is a need to reduce nutrient inputs to the Solent designated sites. The Strategy commits to support other agencies and includes additional mitigation measures for development that directly or indirectly discharges waste water into the Solent. The Neighbourhood Plan therefore requires development to have regard to Policy 13 (Infrastructure) of that Strategy and to take this matter into consideration in preparing development proposals.