Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP) - Revised Proposed Submission 2016

Support

Representation ID: 2878

Received: 14/12/2016

Respondent: Natural England

Point 10
Natural England supports the Objective 10 "to enhance the quality of, and access to... natural environment and open spaces" as a means to relieve pressure on designated sites and to enhance local biodiversity and nature conservation through connection to the green grid.

Object

Representation ID: 2879

Received: 14/12/2016

Respondent: Natural England

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

There is likely to be increased recreational and development pressures on designated international, European and nationally designated sites. While Natural England welcomes the inclusion of various measures of urban greening described in Policies: DS5, PA1, PA3, PA4, PA5, PA6, CS1, PA8, PA9, the Plan should include a strategic approach for networks of biodiversity and for green infrastructure. The SCAAP Consultation Draft Proposed Submission (2011) contained Policy PR1: Open Space Provision and the environment: a policy supported by Natural England. It contained a number of thematic-links: reducing recreational pressure on Benfleet and Southend Marshes SPA / Ramsar / SSSI and climate change mitigation within a framework of linking open spaces in the green grid. Every effort should be made to minimise the severance of green infrastructure. Therefore although we welcome the intention expressed in paragraph 96 to remedy the deficit of green spaces within the Town Centre within the relevant Policy Areas and Opportunity Sites, it is not clear that the approach described at paragraph 95 is consistent with the NPPF paragraphs 114 and 117. It is also not clear whether a robust and up-to-date assessment of the needs for open space, and opportunities for new provision has been undertaken, in accordance with paragraph 73 of the NPPF. Natural England has an Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard and has produced an analysis of the adequacy of open space provision for Essex, with details for each district.

Object

Representation ID: 2880

Received: 14/12/2016

Respondent: Natural England

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Nature Improvement Areas (NIA) are fundamental to the step-change needed to establish a coherent and resilient ecological network. Policies should ensure that any development affecting the Greater Thames Marshes NIA should be compatible with their purpose and make a positive contribution to NIA enhancement (using CIL/S106 agreements/conditions as appropriate).

Support

Representation ID: 2881

Received: 14/12/2016

Respondent: Natural England

We note that the Habitat Regulations Assessment -Screening Report (draft) dated June 2016 is still described as a Scoping Report. It is in fact a Screening Report - as previously advised on 26 January 2016 (our ref 174743) and 19 August 2016 (our ref: 191786). We note that the data presented in Table 1 - Conservation Objectives and Designated Features of European Sites on the Condition of the SSSIs has now been updated to accurately reflect the current condition of these sites. We also welcome the inclusion of the Southend-on-Sea Shoreline Strategy Plan following our advice of 26 January 2016.
Several of the Policies may result in additional development and/or intensification close to the European sites (particularly Benfleet and Southend Marshes SPA and Ramsar site). Notwithstanding this, Natural England is generally supportive of the HRA 'Scoping Report' and concurs with its conclusions that "the SCAAP, in conjunction with the Southend on Sea Core Strategy and related documents, will not have a significant effect on European sites".
NOTE The Thames Estuary 2100 Project table showing the Recommended Preferred Options for PMU Action Zones 8 & 6 contains duplicated information (pp 43-45 of the pdf).