Contents

Non-technical summary

1.0

Introduction

2.0

Methodology

3.0

The SEA Framework

4.0 Appraisal of Objectives

5.0 Appraisal of Options

6.0 Appraisal of Policies

7.0

Implementation and monitoring

8.0

Next steps

Appendix 1: Initial SEA Screening Report
Appendix 2: SEA Scoping Report incorporating Tasks A1, A2, A3 and A4
Appendix 3: Consultation responses from Natural England and English Heritage
Appendix 4: SEA Stage B incorporating Tasks B1, B2, B3 and B4
Appendix 5: Options Considered
Appendix 6: Environmental Report checklist

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Non-technical summary

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is an important part of the evidence base which
underpins Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDP), as it is a systematic decision support process,
aiming to ensure that environmental assets, including those whose importance transcends local,
regional and national interests, are considered effectively in plan making.

Vowchurch and District Group Parish Council has undertaken to prepare an NDP and this process
has been subject to environmental appraisal pursuant to the SEA Directive. The group parish of
Vowchurch and District consists of five parish areas: Michaelchurch Escley, Newton, St Margaret’s,
Turnastone and Vowchurch. They lie within the Golden Valley situated in the west of Herefordshire
on the Welsh border.

The Group Parish area consists of 24 ancient woodland, 32 Special Wildlife Sites, 8 Ancient
Monuments, 4 Sites and Special Scientific Interest and 4 unregistered park and gardens. The area is
predominately rural with the dwellings having a high degree of physical separation between them.
Historically the area supported small family run farms providing local agricultural occupations.

Two villages; Michaelchurch Escley and Vowchurch, each contain led than 15 homes at present. Both
villages have a church. There is a school at Michaelchuch but this is some distance from the village
centre, the village also have a public house. Lower Maes-coyd consists of a small scatting of houses
with no local amenities.

The Draft Vowchurch and District NDP includes 3 objectives, which are designed to deliver the
overarching vision on the ground, and it is intended that these objectives will be supported by 9
criteria based planning policies. Alternative options were considered prior to reaching a decision over
the format of the draft plan.

The environmental appraisal of the Vowchurch and District NDP has been undertaken in line with the
Environmental Assessment of Plan and Programmes Regulations 2004.  Stage A of the SEA process
involved Scoping and Stage B provided a review and analysis of the NDP.  Stage C involved
preparing an Environmental Report and Stage D comprises a formal consultation on both this and the
Draft Plan itself.

Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) screening has been carried out as the Parish and has
determined that a full assessment is not required. Natural England have concurred with this
conclusion and a separate report have been produced.

On the whole, it is considered that the Vowchurch and District NDP is in general conformity with both
national planning policy contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and strategic policies
set within the Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy).  Nor does it propose any growth that would
be over and above that prescribed by strategic policies.  Therefore no changes to the NDP are
recommended as a result of the SEA.

Once made (adopted) by Herefordshire Council, the effects of the policies within the Vowchurch and
District NPD will be monitored annually via the Council’s Authority Monitoring Report (AMR).

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1.0

Introduction

1.1

This report forms the draft Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Vowchurch and
District Group Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP).

1.2

The Vowchurch and District Group NDP does not propose any site allocations. Michaelchurch
Escley, Vowchurch and Lower Maes-coed settlements are highlighted for proportional levels
of growth in Policy RA2 of the Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy). The NDP will,
however, provide general policies for guiding future development across the parish as a
whole.

Purpose of the SEA

1.3

SEA is a requirement of EC Directive 2001/42/EC (the SEA Directive) which requires the
assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment to ensure that
the proposals in that plan or programme contribute to the achievement of sustainable
development.

1.4

The Directive was transposed into domestic legislation through the Environmental
Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 and which applies to plans with
significant environmental effects.

1.5.

A screening opinion was carried out on the Vowchurch and District Group NDP and it
concluded that due to the range of environmental designations in and around the parish, there
may be significant environmental effects and consequently an SEA would be required.

Parish Neighbourhood Plan Context

1.6

The group parish of Vowchurch and District consists of five parish areas: Michaelchurch
Escley, Newton, St Margaret’s, Turnastone and Vowchurch. They lie within the Golden Valley
situated in the west of Herefordshire on the Welsh border.

1.7

1.8

Two villages; Michaelchurch Escley and Vowchurch, each contain led than 15 homes at
present. Both villages have a church. There is a school at Michaelchuch but this is some
distance from the village centre, the village also have a public house. Lower Maes-coyd
consists of a small scatting of houses with no local amenities.

1.9

The vision for the Vowchurch Group in 2031 is set out in a detailed Vision Statement.’
Looking ahead to 2031, we want to see an area that preserves its beautiful and essentially
rural character, whilst accommodating housing development that enable more families to live
in the area, largely, but not entirely, within the existing settlements.’

1.10

The 3 NDP objectives which underpin this vision are:

1) To meet local housing needs through the provision of additional and affordable homes to

meet the needs of the community

2) To ensure that nay new development is designed to complement the character of the

existing settlements and the wider environment

3) By enabling more families to live in the area to support local businesses, particularly

farming and support local services, not least by maintaining local schools.

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Context of Neighbourhood Plans

1.11

NDPs are a relatively new type of planning document that form a key part of the
Government’s localism agenda. They enable local communities to develop plans that reflect
local aspirations, in accordance with strategic policies.

1.12

The Vowchurch and District Group NDP must therefore conform to national planning policy
set within the NPPF and strategic level local policy including the Herefordshire Local Plan
(Core Strategy).

1.13

The Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy) is anticipated to be adopted on 16 October
2015.

1.14

Paragraph 216 of the NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance set out the weight that may be
given to relevant policies in emerging plans, including NDPs, and indicated that weight may
be given to relevant policies in emerging NDPs according to:

•

The stage of preparation of the emerging plan (the more advanced the preparation,
the grater the weight that may be given);

•

The extent to which there are unresolved objections to relevant policies (the less
significant the unresolved objections, the greater the weight that may be given); and

•

The degree of consistency of the relevant policies in the emerging plan to the policies
in this Framework (the closer the policies in the emerging plan to the policies in the
Framework, the greater the weight that may be given).

1.15

This part of the NPPF is reinforced by Planning Practice Guidance published in March 2014,
which is clear that an emerging NDP may be a material planning considered once it has
completed submission/local authorities publication stage (Regulation 16). This is reinforced
by recent ministerial statements and case law (West Sussex), all of which have demonstrated
that an emerging NDP may be a material consideration at the Regulation 16 stage.

1.16

Table 4.14 of the Local Plan (Core Strategy) lists Michaelchurch Escley, Vowchurch and
Lower Maes-coyd among the settlements which it considers to be sustainable locations for
proportional growth in line with the provisions of Policy RA2. This policy is expected to
facilitate the delivery of 5,300 homes across the areas outside Hereford and the Market
Towns in accordance with Policy RA1 and it anticipates that NDPs will be the principle
mechanism for delivering growth in the rural areas.

1.18

Once made (adopted) by Herefordshire Council, the Vowchurch and District Group NDP will
have a role in guiding future development proposals within the parish, by setting out setting
out policies against which planning applications will be determined.

Structure of SEA

1.19

The structure of the document is as follows:

•

Section 2 – Explains the SEA methodology and summarises the comments received

in respect of the SEA Scoping Report

•

Section 3 - Introduces the Vowchurch and District Group NDP objectives and the SEA

framework

•

Section 4 - Appraises the objectives set within the NDP against the SEA framework

•

Section 5 - Appraises the options set within the NDP against the SEA framework

•

Section 6 – Appraises the policies set within the NDP against the SEA framework

•

Section 7 – Discusses the implementation and monitoring of the NDP

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2.0

Methodology

2.1

The SEA process comprised several stages and which are summarised, in some detail,
below.

2.2

Stage A involved 4 tasks and culminated in a Scoping Report:

•

Task A1:

Identified and reviewed relevant policies, plans and programmes and

environmental protection objectives from European, National and Local sources.

•

Task A2:

Collected baseline information to provide a picture of past, present and

likely future conditions within the area. This helped to establish indicators which will
be used to monitor the effects and performance of the Vowchurch and District Group
NDP.

•

Task A3:

Focused on the environmental issues identified from the baseline,

highlighting key issues and problems within the neighbourhood area.

•

Task A4:

Used the information gathered from Tasks A1-A3 to develop a set of SEA

objectives, sometimes referred to as the ‘sustainability framework’.

•

Task A5:

Collated the results of Tasks A1-A4 within a Scoping Report, a document

which was subject to a statutory 5 week consultation.

2.3

Stage B involved 4 tasks and assessed the effects of the NDP.

•

Task B1:

Tested NDP Objectives against the SEA Objectives

•

Task B2:

Developed and refined the NDP options and policies.

•

Task B3/B4:

Predicted and evaluated the significant effects of the NDP

2.4

Stage C involved preparing an Environmental Report. This report presents information
compiled during Stage B of the SEA process and constitutes the Draft Environmental
Appraisal of the NDP. It accompanies the Draft Plan during its formal Regulation 14
consultation with people who live, work and carry out businesses in the neighbourhood area,
as well as statutory bodies listed in the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

2.5

Producing an Environmental Report was therefore a legal requirement and the submission of
this report to Herefordshire Council forms Stage D of the SEA process.

Scoping Report Consultation

2.6

With regard to the SEA scoping assessments, documents A1 to A4 were completed by a
Herefordshire Council Planning Officer and sent to the Parish Council for comment, in
readiness for a 5 week consultation with statutory bodies, pursuant to the Environmental
Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004.

2.7

After the document was approved by the Parish Council, Vowchurch and District Group SEA
Scoping Report was available to four

statutory bodies for consultation from 27 November

2016 to 8 January 2016.

Consultation outcomes from Statutory Consultees

2.8

The consultation resulted in 2 responses, both of which are attached at Appendix 3.

2.9

Both responses were collated and incorporated within this document where relevant.

Statutory consultation bodies: Natural England; English Heritage; Environment Agency Natural Resources Wales

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3.0

The SEA Framework

3.1

As mentioned previously, Stage A of the SEA identifies and reviews relevant policies, plans
and programmes and environmental protection objectives from European, National and Local
sources (refer to Table A1 in Appendix 2 for details of those documents that were reviewed in
completing Stage A of SEA on the Vowchurch and District Group NDP).

3.2

The requirement to undertake this ‘context review’ is contained in Annexes 1(a) and (e) of

the

SEA Directive which states that an Environmental Report should include:

“…an outline of the contents, main objectives of the plan or programme and
relationship with other relevant plans and programmes” and

“…the environmental protection objectives, established at international, Community or
Member State level, which are relevant to the plan or programme and the way those
objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account
during its preparation”

Policy context

3.3

The Vowchurch and District Group NDP will deliver the Local Plan (Core Strategy) at parish
level by adding locally specific detail to strategic policies. As a consequence, the Scoping
Report for the NDP was based on the context review Herefordshire Council undertook for its
Local Plan (Core Strategy).

3.4

The results of this assessment (context review) provide the source of the local baseline data
and have been incorporated into the SEA framework. It should be noted that:

•

No list of policies, plans and programmes can ever be exhaustive and that
Herefordshire Council has selected those considered to be of particular relevance to
the planning system;

•

New or revised plans and policies can emerge during the SEA process

3.5

The following plans, policies and programmes have been reviewed and, where appropriate,
incorporated within the SEA Framework objectives:

•

The EC Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010)

- These regulations

transpose the Habitats Directive in England, Wales and to a limited extent Scotland
by ensuring that activities are carried out in accordance with the Habitats Directive,
which is to protect biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats and
species of wild flora and fauna.

•

The EC Water Framework Directive (2000)

- Commits all EU member states to

achieve good qualitative and quantitative status of all water courses by 2015

•

The Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981)

- The major legal instrument for wildlife

protection in Britain, although other significant acts have been passed since. It has
numerous parts and supplementary lists and schedules many of which have been
amended since publication.

•

Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services (2011) -

Forms part of the UK’s Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework by setting out England’s
contribution towards the UK’s commitments under the United Nations Convention of
Biological Diversity.

•

The Countryside and Right of Way Act (2000) -

Creates a statutory right of access on

foot to certain types of open land, to modernise the public rights of way system, to
strengthen nature conservation legislation, and to facilitate better management of
AONBs

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•

The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006)

- Designed to help

achieve a rich and diverse natural environment and thriving rural communities
through modernised and simplified arrangements for delivering Government
policy.

•

Revised EU Sustainable Development strategy

(2009) - Sets out a single strategy on

how the EU will more effectively meet its long-standing commitment to meet the
challenges of sustainable development.

•

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2012)

- Consolidates the suite of

PPG/PPS into one succinct planning policy document.

•

Planning Practice Guidance (2013)

- Sets out the vision, objectives and policies for

the Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy), which will guide development across
the county up to 2031.

•

Herefordshire Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP) 2013-2015

- Sets out the Council’s

strategy for supporting economic growth, social inclusion and reducing the
environmental impacts of transport, as well as the program of investment for the
period April 2013 to April 2015.

•

Understanding Herefordshire Report (2014)

- Important to understand the place such

as the local economy natural and built environment in which people live, learn and
work as part of understanding their quality of life. Enable development for economy
and housing to the required levels and growth should be supported by sustainable
transport measures.

•

Malvern Hills AONB Management Plan 2014-2018 (20014)

- Identifies the issues and

challenges facing the special features of the area and contains 24 guiding principles
and 46 strategic objectives which will help address them.

•

Wye Valley AONB management Plan 2014-2017 (20014)

- The Management Plan is

the prime document which sets out the vision for the area and the priorities for its
management.

•

Herefordshire Economic Development Strategy 2011-2016

- Aims to increase the

economic wealth of Herefordshire by setting out proposals and to support business
growth up to 2016.

•

Herefordshire Employment Land Study (2012)

- Includes employment land

assessments for the plan period 2011-2031. The study includes Quantitative and
Qualitative assessments of employment land, assessment of market demand and
need, as well as providing forecasts and recommendations for future employment
need over the plan period.

•

Herefordshire Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) (2009)

- The

SHLAA aims to justify site allocations in plans by:

Identifying sites which are capable of delivering housing development

Assessing sites for their housing potential; and

Predicting when a site could be developed for housing.

•

Herefordshire Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA) (2013)

- Builds on an

earlier  Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) developed for Herefordshire
and Shropshire.  Its purpose is to inform the Local Plan’s policies regarding housing
need and demand (for market and affordable housing) within each of the 7 Housing
Market Areas (HMAs) in Herefordshire between 2011 and 2031.

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•

Herefordshire Local Housing Requirements Study (2012)

- Technical assessment of

the housing market and potential future local housing requirements which supports
planning policy regarding the amount of growth, housing tenure and housing type
needed within Herefordshire up to 2031.

•

Herefordshire Rural Housing Background Report (2013)

- Provides the justification for

the proportional housing growth targets outlined in the Core Strategy

•

Herefordshire Draft Gypsies and Travellers Assessment (2013)

- Assesses the

accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers across Herefordshire.

•

Herefordshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan (2007)

- Focuses conservation efforts on

the areas within Herefordshire that will result in the greatest benefit for ecological
networks, habitats and species.

•

Building Biodiversity into the LDF (2009)

- Provides the Council’s Local Plan (Core

Strategy) with evidence in respect of biodiversity and geodiversity, identifying both
opportunities and constraints across Herefordshire

•

Herefordshire Green Infrastructure Strategy (2010)

- Develops a framework of natural

and culturally important features and functions so that planning for a sustainable
future is at the heart of planning within Herefordshire.

•

Renewable Energy Study (2010)

- Assesses the energy demand within Herefordshire

and the ability for the county to accommodate renewable and low carbon energy
technologies.

•

Herefordshire Playing Pitch Assessment (2012)

- Produces a strategic framework,

audit and assessment and needs analysis of outdoor sports pitches and facilities for
Herefordshire. The document arises as a result of a recommendation in the
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Facilities Framework to develop local
standards for playing fields and sports pitches throughout Herefordshire.

•

Open Spaces Study (2006)

- The 2006 space audit and assessment of need is a snap

shot of the quality, quantity and distribution of open space across Herefordshire.

•

Play Facilities Study (2012)

- The Play Facilities Study 2012 updates the previous

play facilities analysis under the Open Spaces Study 2006 and provides guidance and
a framework for the development, delivery and continued sustainability of providing
new and improved play facilities for children and young people in Herefordshire to
2031.

•

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) and Water Cycle Study (2009)

- The SFRA

provides a summary of flood risk in Herefordshire to inform the location of future
development. The Water Cycle Study examines how water resources and water
supply infrastructure, wastewater treatment, water quality, sewerage and flood risk
could constrain growth across Herefordshire.

3.6

Appendix 1 of the Vowchurch and District Group Plan Scoping Report provides additional
detail on the Plans, Policies and Programmes mentioned above and identifies the implications
for the SEA and NDP.

SEA Objectives and baseline characteristics

3.7

The SEA objectives that were used at Stages A and B of the process are listed in the
following table.

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SEA Objective

To maintain or enhance nature conservation (biodiversity, flora and fauna)

To maintain or enhance the quality of landscapes and townscapes

To improve the quality of surroundings

To conserve or where appropriate enhance the historic environment and
culture heritage

To improve air quality

To reduce the effect of traffic on the environment

To reduce contributions to climate change

To reduce vulnerability to climate change

To improve water quality

To provide for sustainable sources of water supply

To avoid, reduce and manage flood risk

To conserve soil resources and quality

To minimise the production of waste

To improve the health of the population

To reduce crime and nuisance

To conserve natural and manmade resources

3.8

The SEA objectives detailed above conform to the SEA Directive, and are derived from the
Sustainability Appraisal undertaken for the Herefordshire Local Plan (Core Strategy) 2011-
2031.

3.9

Baseline information gathered during Stage A of the SEA process provided details of the
current environmental characteristics of the neighbourhood area and the status of its natural
assets and features (refer to Appendix 2). This information was analysed as part of Task B2
of SEA, which looked at the extent to which the emerging NDP policies will help or obstruct
these characteristics. There are four objectives for which there is no local information is
available, which provides a limitation on the baseline data and whether the NDP policies are
likely to improve or exacerbate existing problems and issues relating to these themes.

3.10

Following the completion of Task B2 of SEA it was apparent that the largest environmental
issue within the parish is objective surrounding the details of protection of the natural and built
environment. The Group parish is predominately rural in nature and very sparsely populated.
Development in this area is small scale and often individual, this mean that the full impacts on
the SEA objectives will be tested at the planning application stage when the full details of the
location are known. The need for robust environmental criteria based policy is therefore
important as the plan text is developed.

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4.0 Assessing the

NDP Objectives

4.1

The following objectives, as set out in the NDP, aim to realise the vision for Vowchurch Group
in 2031:

1) To meet local housing needs through the provision of additional and affordable homes to

meet the needs of the community

2) To ensure that any new development is designed to complement the character of the

existing settlements and the wider environment

3) By enabling more families to live in the areas to support local businesses, particularly

farming, and support local services, not least by maintaining local schools.

4.2

The table below tests these NDP objectives against the SEA objectives, providing a summary
of the results of Task B1 of SEA. The full results are available at Appendix 4 of this report.

4.3

The majority of those NDP objectives which have a relationship with the SEA framework are
positively compatible with it or have a neutral effect.

4.4

It is impossible to appraise the full implications of NDP objective 1 and 3 at this stage given
the lack of detail over the exact locations of development that may come to fruition as a result
of the implementation of this objectives; however, it is accepted that further development of
the planning policies that relate to these objectives would move them towards a compatible
outcome.

Key:

Compatible

Possible conflict

Neutral

No relationship between objectives

Unclear, more information needed

5.0 Assessing the

NDP Options

5.1

All options that were considered by the NDP steering group during the development of their
plan have been assessed as part of the SEA and the summary matrix of the assessment can
be found in Table B2 at Appendix 4.

5.2

The options covered were as follows;

Option 1 - Do nothing
Option 2 - Allocate sites for housing
Option 3 - Manage future housing using a settlement boundary
Option 4 - Manage future housing growth by criteria base policy
Option 5 - Settlement boundary for Lower Maes-coyd
Option 6 - No settlement boundary for Lower Maes-coyd
Option 7 - Design policies for parish
Option 8 - Allocation for employment

NDP
Objectives

SEA Objectives

Objective 1

Objective 2

Objective 3

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Option 9 - Criteria for small scale business development and home working
Option 10 - Specific external lighting policy
Option 11 - No specific lighting policy

5.3

A ‘do nothing’ option was also considered, i.e. not undertaking an NDP, however this was
disregarded at an early stage by the Parish Council as it was considered the majority of the
community would support the work undertaken for an NDP.

5.4

The option of designating settlement boundary would also have seen a positive effect on the
baseline. The designation of a settlement boundary would give additional certainty and help
define those areas considered as the built form and open countryside. This can aid the
direction of further growth to maintain the quality of the landscape and surroundings. There is
less certainty over the positive effects on the baseline as any growth with be adjudged by
criteria based policy. However, the nature, characteristics and form of Lower Maes-coyd
indicates that the criteria based policy rather than a settlement boundary would be the
preferred option in this particularly case.

5.5

Options with regards to policy development were also considered, mainly either the promotion
of larger scale specific employment compared to smaller scale, diversification and home
working and the development of specific design policies.

NDP options

SEA Objectives

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Option 5

Option 6

Option 7

Option 8

Option 9

Option 10

Option 11

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6.0

Appraisal of the policies

6.1

A key part of developing a plan such as the Vowchurch and District Group NDP is developing
a range of options and testing these, so that a preferred way forward can be selected.

6.2

The plan has been organised with a set of general overarching policies for the whole
neighbourhood area and these emerging set of draft policies have been appraised for the
purposes of Stage B of the SEA:

•

Policy 1 - to protect and enhance the local environment

•

Policy 2 – Location of future development

•

Policy 3 - Development in open countryside

•

Policy 4 – Nature and scale of new homes

•

Policy 5 – Housing design criteria

•

Policy 6 – Affordable housing

•

Policy 7 - External lighting

•

Policy 8 – New commercial developments

•

Policy 9 – New tourism developments

Stage B of SEA

6.3

In the context of Task B1 of SEA, the previous section of this report identified that many of the
NDP objectives are compatible with the SEA framework, although policy safeguards within
the NDP and Local Plan (Core Strategy) would help mitigate any possible conflicts.

6.4

With regard to Task B2 of SEA, the NDP policies were measured against both the SEA
framework and the baseline characteristics identified during Stage A of the process; here,
there was no baseline data available in respect of SEA Objectives 13, 14 and 15. Full details
of this appraisal are attached at Appendix 4.

6.5

The policies largely score as positive against the SEA objectives and will not, therefore, have
an adverse impact on the baseline characteristics or immediate environmental impacts. This
is because they are criteria based policies which only consider schemes on their own merits,
as and when planning applications are submitted to the local planning authority.

NDP
Policy

SEA Objectives

6.6

The results of Task B3, as shown at Appendix 4, demonstrate that the cumulative impact of
the NDP policies over the course of the plan period is generally positive.

6.7

Task B4 of SEA brings together the results of earlier tasks and thus identifies the cumulative
impact of the entire of the NDP. This task, which is also attached at Appendix 4, reveals that
the objectives and policies contained in the Vowchurch and District Group NDP are by and

Air Quality Management Areas

There are no AQMA’s within the Group
Parish

Ancient Woodland

Wallstone Wood; Greens Wood; Ton
Wood (border); Lower Park Wood;
Birchy Park Wood; Kiln Wood; Rushden
Wood; Barretts Hill Wood; Lady Coppice
and The Birches; Brampton Hill Wood 2
(border); Eaton Hill Wood; Ravenshoot
and Dunsall Woods (border); Tan House
and Hay Brooks Woods; Chanstone
Wood; Cae-Gwyn Wood; Park Wood;
Lawn Wood; Lan Awr Wood; Holly
Wood; Gigfran Wood; Cefn-Cist Wood;
Ruinsford Wood (border); Wern Fawr;
Glibes Wood

Areas of Archaeological
Interest

There are no AAIs within the Group
Parish

Areas of Outstanding Natural
Beauty

There are no AONBs within the Group
Parish

Conservation Areas

There are no Conservation Areas within
the Group Parish

European Sites

There are no SACs within the Group
Parish

Flood Areas

Flood Zones 2 and 3 follow the River
Dore through Vowchurch and
Turnastone Parishes. There are also
Flood Zones running along Escley Brook
through Michaelchurch Escley Parish

Listed Buildings

Numerous

There are numerous Listed Buildings
scattered throughout the Group Parish

Local Sites (SWS/SINCs/RIGS)

32 (SWS)

Greens & Wallstone Woods, Whitehall
Coppice; Vowchurch Common;
Timberline Wood and adjoining
Woodlands; Brampton Hill Wood
(border); Newbarns, Dunsall,
Ravenshoot, WDS and Pontapina Break
(border); Eaton Hill Wood; River Dore;
Chanstone Wood and adjoining
Woodland; Bacton Woods; Russells
Coppice and adjoining grassland
(border); St Margarets Churchyard;
Lower House Common; Crow Wood and
Meadow and adjoining Woodland;
Canon Tump Common; Meadow near
Upper Crossway; Meadow near Graig
Farm; Upper Court Meadow; Woodland
at The Folly; Wayne Herbert Quarry;
Roadside bank opposite Llanafon Farm;
Wern Ifor Wood; Ashen Coppice, Holly
and Court Woods; Escley Brook;
Rockyfold Farm (border); Glibes Wood;
Wern Fawr; Pikes Farm Meadows; Cefn
Hill Common; Caeiron Meadow and
adjoining Meadows; Vagar Hill
Common; Field near Myndd Brith
(border); Dulas Brook

Long distance footpaths/trails
(e.g. Herefordshire Trail)

Herefordshire Trail; Three Rivers Ride

Appendix 1: European Sites

The table below provides the name of each European Site, which has been screened in for the purposes of neighbourhood planning in Herefordshire; includes
their site features of integrity; and vulnerability data. This is based on the sites individual features of integrity and their vulnerabilities, which could include
distance criteria. This has been used in identifying which parishes are likely to require a full HRA Screening of their future Neighbourhood Development Plan, to
establish if their plan might have Likely Significant Effects on a European Site.

Downton Gorge
Site Features: Tilio-Acerion

forests of slopes, screes and ravines

Vulnerability data:

10km for air quality associated with poultry units or other intensive agricultural practices.

River Clun
Site Features:

Freshwater pearl mussel

Margaritifera margaritifera

Vulnerability data:

Water quality is important to maintain the site feature. Parishes either side of the River Clun will be affected.

River Wye
Site Features:

Water courses of plain to montane levels with the

Ranunculion fluitantis

and

Callitricho-Batrachion

vegetation. Transition mires and quaking

bogs. White-clawed (or Atlantic Stream) crayfish

Austropotamobius pallipes.

Sea lamprey

Petromyzon marinus.

Brook lamprey

Lampetra planeri.

River

lamprey

Lampetra fluviatilis.

Twaite shad

Alosa fallax.

Atlantic salmon

Salmo salar.

Bullhead

Cottus gobio.

Otter

Lutra lutra.

Allis shad

Alosa alosa

Vulnerability data:

Proximity: Developments should not be within 100m of the designated bank. Some developments beyond 100m may also have impacts

based on proximity and these issues should be addressed where possible when developing NDP policy and choosing site allocations.
Water Quality: Within the whole catchment of the River Wye, which includes the River Lugg, mains drainage issues with regards to water quality are being
resolved through the Core Strategy / Local Plan and development of a Nutrient Management Plan. Welsh Water should be consulted to ensure that the
proposed growth will be within the limit of their consents.
Otters:

“An otter will occupy a ‘home range’, which on fresh waters usually includes a stretch of river as well as associated tributary streams, ditches, ponds,

lakes and woodland. The size of a home range depends largely on the availability of food and shelter, and the presence of neighbouring otters. On rivers, a
male’s home range may be up to 40km or more of watercourse and associated areas; females have smaller ranges (roughly half the size) and favour quieter
locations for breeding, such as tributary streams.
Otters without an established home range are known as ‘transients’. They are mostly juveniles looking for a territory of their own, or adults that have been
pushed out of their territories. Transient otters may use an area for a short while, but they will move on if conditions are not suitable or if they are driven away
by resident otters. Transients will have been important in extending the range of otters, but they are very difficult to identify from field signs.
Within a home range an otter may use many resting sites. These include above-ground shelters, such as stands of scrub or areas of rank grass, and
underground ‘holts’ – for example, cavities under tree roots and dry drainage pipes.”

(Source: EA website:

http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/Otters_the_facts.pdf

accessed 09/04/2013)

Usk Bat Site
Site Features:

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection: European dry heaths, Degraded raised bogs still

capable of natural regeneration, Blanket bogs, Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation, Caves not open to the public,

Tilio-Acerion

forests of

slopes, screes and ravines. Annex II species of primary reason for site selection: Lesser horseshoe bat

Rhinolophus hipposideros

, UK population 5%,

although it is suggested this is an underestimate.

Vulnerability data:

Lesser Horseshoe bats are known to migrate between 5km and 10km between their summer and winter roosts. The Lesser Horseshoe

Bat is vulnerable to disturbance; light pollution; and habitat loss. Check with the planning ecologist for other issues.

Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites
Site Features:

Annex II species that are a primary reason for site selection: Lesser horseshoe bat

Rhinolophus hipposideros.

Greater horseshoe bat

Rhinolophus ferrumequinum

Vulnerability data:

Lesser Horseshoe bats are known to migrate between 5km and 10km between their summer and winter roosts. The Lesser Horseshoe

Bat is vulnerable to disturbance; light pollution; and habitat loss. Check with the planning ecologist for other issues.

Greater Horseshoe bats are known to migrate between 20-30km between their summer and winter roosts.

NDPs closest to the European Site will need to consider:
Woodland habitat buffer.
Lesser Horseshoe Bat: Old buildings; woodland locations; sheltered valleys, extensive deciduous woods or dense scrub, close to roost sites. In areas of
fragmented habitats, linear habitats such as hedgerows are important corridors. Vulnerable to loss or disturbance of both summer and winter roosts and
removal of linear habitat.
Greater Horseshoe Bat: Large buildings, pasture, edge of mixed deciduous woodland and hedgerows. Mixed land-use especially south-facing slopes, favours
beetles, moths and insects they feed on. During the winter they depend on caves, abandoned mines and other underground sites for undisturbed hibernation.
A system/series of sites required. Vulnerable to loss of insect food supply, due to insecticide use, changing farming practices and loss of broad-leaved tree-
cover and loss / disturbance of underground roosts sites.

Wye Valley Woodlands
Site Features:

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for site selection: Beech forests

Asperulo-Fagetum, Tilio-Acerion

forests of slopes, screes and

ravines,

Taxus baccata

woods of the British Isles. Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection: Lesser

horseshoe bat

Rhinolophus hipposideros

, 51-100 residents

Vulnerability data:

Lesser Horseshoe bats are known to migrate between 5km and 10km between their summer and winter roosts. The Lesser Horseshoe

Bat is vulnerable to disturbance; light pollution; and habitat loss. Check with the planning ecologist for other issues. NDPs closest to the European Site will
need to consider: Woodland habitat buffer. Lesser Horseshoe Bat: Old buildings; woodland locations; sheltered valleys, extensive deciduous woods or dense
scrub, close to roost sites. In areas of fragmented habitats, linear habitats such as hedgerows are important corridors. Vulnerable to loss or disturbance of
both summer and winter roosts and removal of linear habitat.

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Directive

qualitative and
quantitative status
of all water
courses by 2015

transitional waters, and
coastal waters) in the EU

relevant legislation and
regulations.

The Wildlife
and
Countryside
Act (1981)

Domestic
Legislation

1981 The major legal

instrument for
wildlife protection
in Britain,
although other
significant acts
have been
passed since. It
has numerous
parts and
supplementary
lists and
schedules many
of which have
been amended
since publication.

The principle mechanism
for the legislative
protection of wildlife in
Great Britain.

•

Biodiversity

•

Cultural heritage

and the
landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Soil

The Neighbourhood
Plan should be
compliant with all the
relevant legislation and
regulations.

The
Countryside
and Right of
Way Act
(2000)

Domestic
Legislation

2000

Creates a statutory
right of access on foot
to certain types of
open land, to
modernise the public
rights of way system,
to strengthen nature
conservation
legislation, and to
facilitate better
management of
AONBs.

The Act provides for a new
right of access on foot to
areas of open land
comprising: Mountain (land
over 600 metres);
Moorland; Heath;
Downland; Registered
common land.

There are provisions to
consider extending the
right in the future to coastal
land, but not woodland

•

Biodiversity

•

Cultural heritage

and the
landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Soil

The Neighbourhood
Plan should be
compliant with all the
relevant legislation and
regulations.

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despite some early
publicity suggesting this.

The Natural
Environment
and Rural
Communities
Act (2006)

Domestic
Legislation

2006 Designed to help

achieve a rich
and diverse
natural
environment and
thriving rural
communities
through
modernised and
simplified
arrangements for
delivering
Government
policy.

Provides that any public
body or statutory
undertaker in England and
Wales must have regard to
the purpose of
conservation of biological
diversity in the exercise of
their functions.

•

Biodiversity

•

Cultural heritage

and the
landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Soil

The Neighbourhood
Plan should be
compliant with all the
relevant legislation and
regulations.

Revised EU
Sustainable
Development
strategy

European
Union
Strategy

2009

Sets out a single
strategy on how the
EU will more
effectively meet its
long-standing
commitment to
meet the challenges
of sustainable
development.

Recognises the need to
gradually change current
unsustainable consumption
and production patterns and
move towards a better
integrated approach to policy
making. The Strategy sets
overall objectives, targets and
concrete actions for seven
key priority challenges,
predominantly environmental:

•

Climate change and
clean energy;

•

Sustainable transport

•

Sustainable
production and
consumption;

•

Public health threats;

•

Air

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage

and the landscape

•

Population and

human health

The Neighbourhood Plans
should take into account
the objectives of the
strategy. The aim of
sustainable development
should be implicit in its
approach.

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NDP and SEA

•

Better management
of natural resources;

•

Social inclusion,
demography and
migration;

•

Fighting global
poverty.

Biodiversity
2020: A strategy
for England’s
wildlife and
ecosystem
services

National
Strategy

2011

Forms part of the
UK’s Post-2010
Biodiversity
Framework by
setting out England’s
contribution towards
the UK’s
commitments under
the United Nations
Convention of
Biological Diversity.

Sets out to halt overall
biodiversity loss, support
healthy well-functioning
ecosystems and establish
coherent ecological networks,
with more and better places
for nature for the benefit of
wildlife and people.

•

Biodiversity

The NDP should take
account of the provisions of
the strategy, making the
most of opportunities to
enhance wildlife habitats or
restore degraded
ecosystems in the process.

National
Planning Policy
Framework
(NPPF)

National
planning
policy.

2012

Consolidates the
suite of PPG/PPS
into one succinct
planning policy
document.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage and

the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and

human health

•

Soil

•

Water

The NDP should take into
account the relevant
policies set within the
NPPF.

Planning
Practice
Guidance

Government
Guidance

2014

Provides guidance
to local planning
authorities and
others on the
operation of the
planning system.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage and

the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

The NDP should take into
account the planning
guidance provided within
these documents.

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•

Material assets

•

Population and

human health

•

Soil

•

Water

Herefordshire
Core Strategy,
Pre-submission
document
2011-2031

Development
Plan
Document
(DPD)

2013

Sets out the vision,
objectives and
policies for the
Herefordshire Local
Plan (Core
Strategy), which will
guide development
across the county
up to 2031.

Outlines the emerging suite of
countywide planning policies
relating to housing, economic
development and the
environment, which the NDP
will need to be in conformity
with where relevant.

The Core Strategy includes a
range of objectives, five of
which directly relate to rural
areas:

•

To meet the housing needs

of all sections of the
community

•

To improve access to

services in rural areas

•

To strengthen the

economic viability of the
villages and their rural
hinterlands

•

To achieve sustainable

communities and protect
the environment

•

To conserve, promote,

utilise and enjoy our
natural, built, historic and
cultural assets for the
fullest benefit of the whole
community

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage and

the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and

human health

•

Soil

•

Water

The NDP should take
account of relevant policies
set within in the Core
Strategy.

Where necessary, the NDP
should provide services,
facilities and employment
opportunities that are
accessible to both local
and neighbouring
communities.

The NDP will need to take
account of the criteria set
within Policy RA1. The
villages of Vowchurch and
Michealchurch Escley fall
within the RA1 policy.

In accordance with the
Rural Housing Background
Paper March 2013, unless
there is robust and sound
evidence to demonstrate a
more accurate existing built
form figure or the existence
of unavoidable constraints
on site delivery
approximately 7 dwellings
will need to be delivered

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Understanding
Herefordshire
Report

Built and
natural
environment

2014

Important to
understand the
place such as the
local economy
natural and built
environment in
which people live,
learn and work as
part of
understanding their
quality of life

Enable
development for
economy and
housing to required
levels.

Growth should be
supported by
sustainable
transport measures.

An air quality management
plan is in place to tackle this.
Destination Hereford project
is in place to give locals more
sustainable transport options.

Improve air quality.

Have a more diverse
range of transport
options.

None identified.

Malvern Hills
AONB
Management
Plan 2009-
2014

Corporate

2009

Identifies the issues
and challenges
facing the special
features of the area
and contains 24
guiding principles
and 46 strategic
objectives which will
help address them.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

•

Soil

•

Water

The Vowchurch & District
Group neighbourhood area
is not within or adjacent to
the Malvern Hills AONB.

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Wye Valley
AONB
management
Plan 2009-
2014

Corporate

2009

The Management
Plan is the prime
document which
sets out the vision
for the area and the
priorities for its
management.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

•

Soil

•

Water

The Vowchurch & District
Group neighbourhood area
is not within or adjacent to
the Wye Valley AONB.

Herefordshire
Economic
Development
Strategy 2011-
2016

Corporate

2011

Aims to increase
the economic
wealth of
Herefordshire by
setting out
proposals and to
support business
growth up to 2016.

The document outlines the
path and direction to foster
economic vitality within
Herefordshire. Key objectives
therefore include:

•

Sustaining business

survival and growth

•

Increasing wage levels,

range and quality of jobs

•

Having a skilled

population to meet future
work needs

•

Developing the county’s

built infrastructure so
enterprise can flourish.

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

None of merit.

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Herefordshire
Strategic
Housing Land
Availability
Assessment
(SHLAA)

Evidence

2009

The SHLAA aims to
justify site
allocations in plans
by:

•

Identifying sites

which are
capable of
delivering
housing
development

•

Assessing sites

for their housing
potential; and

•

Predicting when

a site could be
developed for
housing.

•

5 sites have been
submitted as part of the
2013 call for sites. These
sites have not been
assessed to date.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Population and
human health

•

Soil

•

Water

The SHLAA assesses the
potential availability of land
for housing in Vowchurch &
District Group.

The villages within
Vowchurch District did not
have a SHLAA assessment
undertaken in 2009 or
2012, therefore a local site
assessment exercise
should be undertaken for
these villages if site
allocations are being
considered.

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Herefordshire
Local Housing
Market
Assessment
(LHMA)

Evidence

2013

Builds on an earlier
Strategic Housing
Market Assessment
(SHMA) developed
for Herefordshire
and Shropshire. Its
purpose is to inform
the Local Plan’s
policies regarding
housing need and
demand (for market
and affordable
housing) within
each of the 7
Housing Market
Areas (HMAs) in
Herefordshire
between 2011 and
2031.

Vowchurch & District Group
fall within the Golden Valley
HMA. Here, the study reveals
that:

•

56% of households are

unable to afford market
housing.

•

There is an annual

requirement for 16
affordable dwellings
between 2012 and 2017.

The study identifies that, in
the Golden Valley HMA, there
is a need (2011-2031) for:

•

198 market houses

•

106 affordable houses.

The study highlights that
within the Golden Valley
HMA the overall estimated
housing need by size 2012-
2017 is as follows:
1 Bed- 61.6%
2 bed-

-5.0%

3 bed– 37.8%
4 bed- 5.6%.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Population and
human health

•

Soil

•

Water

The LHMA provides an
indication of housing needs
and affordability within the
Golden Valley HMA.

It provides evidence that
could be used to inform
policies or market and
affordable housing
requirements in the NDP.

•

Air

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Herefordshire
Local Housing
Requirements
Study

Evidence

2012

Technical
assessment of the
housing market and
potential future local
housing
requirements which
supports planning
policy regarding the
amount of growth,
housing tenure and
housing type
needed within
Herefordshire up to
2031.

The delivery of 5,300 homes
in the rural areas would:

•

Support growth in the
rural population by 6%

•

Increase the number of
households by 14.5%

Forecasts also predict that
growth in the population of
the rural areas is likely to be
primarily through an increase
in those aged over 75.

Moderate growth is expected
in the 30-44 and 60-74 age
brackets.

The Local Housing
Requirements Study therefore
anticipates continuing
improvements in life
expectancy; significant growth
is expected of those in their
80s, with the existing
population in their 40s and
50s moving into retirement.
As a consequence, the rural
areas will face an increasing
urgency to provide more 3
bedroom homes, with more 1
and 2 bed homes required in
the affordable sector.

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

•

Soil

•

Water

This study provides an
indication of housing
requirements in the rural
areas and the Golden
Valley HMA.

This evidence can be used
to inform the content of the
Vowchurch & District NDP,
which could include
policies to facilitate the
provision of the right types
of homes in the right
places.

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Herefordshire
Draft Gypsies
and Travellers
Assessment

Evidence

2013

Assesses the
accommodation
needs of Gypsies
and Travellers
across
Herefordshire.

Key findings from the survey
of Gypsy and Traveller
households in 2012 found
that:

•

31% of households
surveyed have some sort
of accommodation need

•

Of the 17 households
with an accommodation
need, 7 had a
requirement for at least
one additional pitch

•

10 households had a
requirement for bricks
and mortar housing

•

There is an additional
requirement for 7 pitches
and 9 units of Registered
Social Landlord
accommodation within
Herefordshire.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

•

Soil

•

Water

The Vowchurch and
District Group NDP must
establish whether any of
the need identified in this
assessment falls within the
neighbourhood area and
make appropriate
provisions for it.

Herefordshire
Local
Biodiversity
Action Plan

Evidence

2007 Focuses

conservation
efforts on the
areas within
Herefordshire that
will result in the
greatest benefit
for ecological
networks, habitats
and species.

Integrating biodiversity
objectives with other
environmental, social and
economic needs can
provide a sustainable living
and working environment
that benefits both people
and nature.

•

Biodiversity

The NDP can help to
achieve the LBAP
priorities.

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Building
Biodiversity
into the LDF

Evidence

2009

Provides the
Council’s Local
Plan (Core
Strategy) with
evidence in respect
of biodiversity and
geodiversity,
identifying both
opportunities and
constraints across
Herefordshire.

This document provides
useful information in respect
of Hereford and the market
towns only.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

•

Soil

•

Water

There is a lack of
information about rural
areas which means it will
be necessary to gather and
assess existing biodiversity
and geo diversity data, in
order to ensure that the
Vowchurch & District
Group NDP can overcome
any existing constraints
and capitalise on
opportunities to enhance
habitats and their
networks.

Herefordshire
Green
Infrastructure
Strategy

Evidence

2010

Develops a
framework of
natural and
culturally important
features and
functions so that
planning for a
sustainable future is
at the heart of
planning within
Herefordshire.

Establishes policies and
principles for the protection
and enhancement of those
features and functions that
contributes to the
environment of Herefordshire
across a range of scales.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

•

Soil

•

Water

The study provides
evidence that could be
taken into account when
preparing policies for the
Vowchurch & District
Group NDP.

The study identifies the
need to reinforce the
distinctive local character
of the Golden Valley.

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Plans and
Programmes

Type of
document

Date Overview

Key message,
target/objective/indicator

SEA topic(s)

Implications for the
NDP and SEA

Renewable
Energy Study

Evidence

2010

Assesses the
energy demand
within Herefordshire
and the ability for
the county to
accommodate
renewable and low
carbon energy
technologies.

The total energy demand
excluding transport for
Herefordshire, at that point in
time, was calculated as being:

•

Electrical: 731 GWh/yr

•

Heat: 1,810 GWh/yr

•

Total: 2,541 GWh/yr

There is scope for all types of
renewable energy production.

•

Air

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

•

Soil

•

Water

The study provides
evidence that could be
taken into account when
preparing policies for the
Vowchurch & District
Group NDP.

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Plans and
Programmes

Type of
document

Date Overview

Key message,
target/objective/indicator

SEA topic(s)

Implications for the
NDP and SEA

Open Spaces
Study

Evidence

2006

The 2006 space
audit and
assessment of need
is a snap shot of the
quality, quantity and
distribution of open
space across
Herefordshire.

The study reveals that within
the Golden Valley Area, to
which Vowchurch and District
is a part of, there are:

•

2.92 ha of amenity green
space provision within the
Golden Valley area. And
has the lowest levels of
amenity green space in
the county.

•

Extensive over provision
of natural and semi
natural green space.

•

Extensive under provision
of parks and gardens and
outdoor sport.

•

Under provision of
amenity green space.

•

Average provision for
children and young
people.

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Cultural heritage
and the landscape

•

Flora and fauna

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

The open space audit and
assessment of does not
give a specific indication of
open space shortfalls and
surpluses in Vowchurch &
District Group Parish.

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Plans and
Programmes

Type of
document

Date Overview

Key message,
target/objective/indicator

SEA topic(s)

Implications for the
NDP and SEA

Strategic Flood
Risk
Assessment
(SFRA) and
Water Cycle
Study

Evidence

2009

The Strategic Flood
Risk Assessment
(SFRA) provides a
summary of flood
risk in Herefordshire
to inform the
location of future
development.

The Water Cycle
Study examines
how water
resources and
water supply
infrastructure,
wastewater
treatment, water
quality, sewerage
and flood risk could
constrain growth
across
Herefordshire.

Vowchurch & District group
falls within the Upper Middle
Wye catchment. This area
has one of the highest risk of
fluvial flooding in the county.

•

The Upper Middle
Wye catchment has a
44.7% standard run
percentage run off by
sub catchment. This
is potentially highly
unsuitable for
infiltration source
control

•

The Upper Middle
Wye has a very slow
response (Tp-time to
peak) time at around
11 hours.

•

The WCS states that
parishes within
Vowchurch & District
group are more
susceptible to fluvial
flooding. This
requires a holistic
integrated approach
to flood risk
management.

•

Biodiversity

•

Climate factors

•

Material assets

•

Population and
human health

•

Water

New development
proposed through the
Vowchurch & District
Group NDP should be
assessed against the
capacity of local
infrastructure.

Up-to-date flood risk
information should be
gathered from the
Environment Agency, in
order to ensure that any
flood risks are considered
when preparing the
Vowchurch & District
Group NDP.

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Page

Appendix A2

– Baseline information for Vowchurch and District Group

N.B. This is based on countywide baseline information with some additions relevant to Vowchurch and District Group (in red). Where no locally specific data
is available for current status, trends and targets, only countywide data is reported. Any gaps in data may be filled following additional research.

SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

SEA Topic covered by objective:

Biodiversity, flora and fauna

13. Value,
maintain,
restore and
expand county
biodiversity.

Natural
environment

Net change in
condition of
SSSIs across
Herefordshire.

The 2011-2013 AMR
does not contain
updated conservation
data.

2010/11: 27% of
Herefordshire’s SSSI
land was in favourable
condition.

There are four SSSI’s
within Vowchurch
Group-

05/08/14 –Caerion
Meadow-Area
favourable. Pikes
Farm Meadows-Area
favourable. Wayne
Herbert Quarry-
Favourable.
Chanstone Wood-
Area favourable.

2006: 22%
2007: 22%
2008: 22%
2010: 24 %

Proportion of
SSSI land that
was in
unfavourable
condition but
recovering
increased
between 2010
and 2012 going
from 41% to
65%.
Proportion in
unfavourable
and declining
condition had
also decreased
from 4% to 1%.

% of SSSI land
in favourable
condition
(Increase)

% of SSSI land
in unfavourable
condition but
recovering
(Increase)

% of SSSI land
in unfavourable
condition and
declining
(Decrease)

Herefordshire’s
SSSIs are in
extremely poor
condition relative to
England as whole,
where 96.1% of all
SSSI land was in
favourable
condition in April
2014.

The proportion of
SSSI in
unfavourable
condition but
recovering is
greater than
England as a
whole, where the
figure currently
stands at 58.6%.

Understanding
Herefordshire: An
integrated needs
assessment (June
2013).

Derived from the Pre Submission Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Assessment (May 2014)

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

13. Value,
maintain,
restore and
expand
county
biodiversity.

Natural
environment

After use of
mineral sites
especially
wildlife
habitat
creation

There is no
countywide or locally
specific data available
at present.

Percentage of
opportunities
taken

Should be
monitored through
AMR following the
adoption of the
Core Strategy, in
line with SA
recommendations.

13. Value,
maintain,
restore and
expand
county
biodiversity.

Natural
environment

Phosphate
levels within
the River
Wye SAC
and adjoining
tributaries
that receive
increased
phosphates
from
proportional
growth.

Countywide data is
available;

this would

not apply to this
Neighbourhood Area,
as the parish falls
outside the catchment
area for the River Wye
SAC.

N/A

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

13. Value,
maintain,
restore and
expand
county
biodiversity.

Natural
environment

Changes to
protected
habitats and
impacts of
species
within the
Herefordshir
e Local
Biodiversity
Action Plan.

The 2011-2013 AMR
does not contain
updated conservation
data.

2010/11: 17 Habitat
Action Plans and 14
Species Action Plans
are currently in
operation across
Herefordshire.

There is no locally
specific data available
at present.

There are no
formal records
of any
unacceptable
adverse
impacts on
habitats or
protected
species.

Originally 156
Priority Species
were identified
for inclusion in
Herefordshire’s
LBAP.

Similarly
Herefordshire’s
LBAP covered
23 habitats with
Action Plans.

To protect and
where possible
enhance the
habitats of
protected
species
identified.

No net losses

Herefordshire
Biological
Records Centre
(HBRC)
holds limited data
on some
individual sites.

Herefordshire
Council AMR
(2010/11)

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

13. Value,
maintain,
restore and
expand county
biodiversity.

Natural
environment

Changes in the
areas of
designated
nature
conservation
sites as a
consequence of
planning
permission.

Vowchurch and
District Group has:

SSSI: 4
SWS: 32

Ancient woodlands:
24

There are no, NNRs,
SINCs and LNRs
within the parish.

SACs-

River Wye

(including the River
Lugg) SAC is 4.1KM
away from the parish,
but Vowchurch &
District watercourses
(River Dore) fall into
the River Wye SAC.

As of 2012,
there had been
no change in
the areas of
designated
nature
conservation
sites as a
consequence of
the planning
permissions
granted.

To capitalise
on
opportunities to
enhance the
areas of value
to nature
conservation
as much as
possible.

Herefordshire
Biological
Records Centre
(HBRC)
holds limited data
on some
Individual sites.

Herefordshire
Council Initial
Screening Report
for the
Neighbourhood
Plan 2013

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

13. Value,
maintain,
restore and
expand
county
biodiversity.

Natural
environment

Proportion of
local sites
where positive
conservation
management
has or is
being
implemented.

The Parish Area has
the following
landscape types:

Wooded hills and
farmlands.

Principle timbered
farmlands.

Principle settled
farmlands.

No specific
targets
identified.

Should be
monitored through
AMR following the
adoption of the
Core Strategy, in
line with SA
recommendations.

Herefordshire
Landscape
Character
Assessment (2004
updated 2009)

SEA Topic covered by objectives:

Material assets

14. Use natural
resources and
energy more
efficiently.

Resource
consumption
and climate
change

Maintaining
Herefordshire
Council’s
County Site
and
Monuments
Register.

Countywide data
would be too large to
incorporate into this
template.

There are numerous
scheduled
monuments in
Vowchurch & District
Group according to
the latest version of
the register.

No specific
targets
identified, but
need to ensure
that the
register is kept
up to date.

Should be
monitored through
AMR following the
adoption of the
Core Strategy, in
line with SA
recommendations.

Herefordshire
Environmental
Records Register
(search July 2014).

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

14. Use natural
resources and
energy more
efficiently.

Resource
consumption
and climate
change

Monitoring
changes to
historic
landscapes.

Historic Landscape
Character
assessments have
only been undertaken
for Hereford City.

Rapid townscape
Assessments (2010)
were only undertaken
for Hereford, Ledbury
and Ross

No specific
targets
identified.

Should be
monitored through
AMR following the
adoption of the
Core Strategy, in
line with SA
recommendations.

Historic Landscape
Character
Assessment for
Hereford.

Rapid townscape
Assessments
(2010)

SEA Topic covered by objective:

Population, Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna

15. Value,
protect,
enhance and
restore the
landscape
quality of
Herefordshire,
including its
rural areas and
open spaces.

Natural
environment

Number of
developments
meeting and
surpassing
national design
standards.

There is no
countywide or locally
specific data available
at present.

No specific
targets
identified.

Should be
monitored through
AMR following the
adoption of the
Core Strategy, in
line with SA
recommendations.

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

15. Value,
protect,
enhance and
restore the
landscape
quality of
Herefordshire,
including its
rural areas and
open spaces.

Natural
environment

The need for,
frequency and
outcomes of
planning
enforcement
investigations/
planning
appeals
concerning
aspects of
local loss of
heritage assets
and locally
important
buildings
particularly
within a
conservation
area

Countywide data
would be too large to
incorporate into this
template.

There is one
outstanding appeal in
Turnastone (minor
application)
concerning locally
important buildings at
present.

No historic
records of any
planning
enforcement
action
concerning
locally
important
buildings.

There are no
conservation
areas within
Vowchurch and
District Group.

To wherever
possible
improve upon
or otherwise
maintain
current status.

Current status must
be verified by Dvt
Mgt and
Enforcement
Officers, but the
NDP can help to
avoid enforcement
action and appeals
during the plan
period.

Council Dvt Mgt
records (searched
July 2014)

SEA Topic covered by objective:

Climatic Factors

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

16. Reduce
Herefordshire’s
vulnerability to
the impacts of
climate change
as well as its
contribution to
the problem.

Resource
consumption
and climate
change.

Transport
patronage by
mode

% of Herefordshire
residents who travel to
work by:

Car: 70.1%
Foot: 14.7:
Bicycle: 4.3%
Bus: 2%
Train: 0.8%
Motorbike: 0.8%
Taxi: 0.3%
Other: 7%

There is no locally
specific data available
at present

The number of
people cycling
or travelling by
bus as the main
form transport
to get to work
declined
between 2001
and 2011 –
across England
and Wales
there was little
change in
either. Walking
or driving a car
or van on the
other hand
increased.

To increase the
take up of
alternative
modes to the
private car.

There are a lack of
transport options for
many rural
communities and
therefore high car
ownership and
dependency – the
last decade has
seen a 15 per cent
increase in
household car
ownership,
although this is not
reflected in traffic
flows of recent
years with volumes
in Hereford City and
wider county having
decreased. The
proportion of people
working from home
increased over the
decade from 15 per
cent in 2001 to 17
per cent in 2011.

2011 Census

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

SEA Topic covered by objective:

Water

17. Reduce the
risk of flooding
and the
resulting
detriment to
public
wellbeing, the
economy and
the
environment.

Natural
environment

Number of
planning
permissions
granted
contrary to the
advice of the
Environment
Agency on
flood defence
grounds.

The 2011-2013 AMR
does not contain
updated conservation
data.

2010/11: None

There is no locally
specific data available
at present.

There have
been no
approvals
contrary to EA
advice since
reporting began
in 2004.

To have no
applications
permitted
contrary to EA
advice.

None identified.

Herefordshire
Council AMR
(2010/11)

SEA Topic covered by objective:

Water, air, soil, material assets

18. Minimise
local and global
pollution and
protect or
enhance
environmental
resources.

Natural
environment

Agricultural
land usage by
quality. LA to
monitor the
number of
hectares of the
best and most
versatile
agricultural land
(grades 3a and
higher) lost to
development.

The agricultural land
classification around
Vowchurch Group is
mainly Grades 3 and
4 (Good-Moderate to
Poor), and small
patches of grade 2
land which is graded
as very good.

Measure the
number of
hectares of
best and most
versatile soil
lost through
development.

Should be
monitored through
AMR following the
adoption of the
Core Strategy, in
line with SA
recommendations.

DEFRA ‘Magic’
website for land
classification

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

18. Minimise
local and global
pollution and
protect or
enhance
environmental
resources.

Natural
environment

Percentage of
river length
assessed as
good or very
good chemical
quality and
ecological
quality as
required by the
Water
Framework
Directive

Latest figure dates
back to 2005: 84%

There is no locally
specific data available
at present.

Figure steadily
improved
before going
into decline:

Herefordshire
1999 85.9%,
2000 89.5%,
2001 92.2%,
2002 91.8%

To ensure that
rivers meet
their
conservation
objectives and
do not fall
below the
required
standard of
quality.

None identified.

The State of
Herefordshire
Report
(2007)

Water Framework
Directive (2000)

SEA Topic covered by objective:

Soil

19. Ensure
integrated,
efficient and
balanced land
use.

Built
environment

Percentage of
all new
development
completed on
previously
developed land.

2010/11: 67%

2011-13: 57%

There is no locally
specific data available
at present.

Completions on
PDL had risen
to 71% by
2005.

To increase the
number of
homes built on
PDL in line with
the provisions
of national
planning policy.

The number of
brownfield
completions has
fallen slightly in
recent years,
though this is
probably the
offshoot of tough
market conditions.

Herefordshire
Council AMR
(2010/11) and
(2011-2013)

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

19. Ensure
integrated,
efficient and
balanced land
use.

Built
environment

Housing
densities in
urban and rural
areas

There is no
countywide or locally
specific data available
at present.

No specific
targets
identified.

Should be
monitored through
AMR following the
adoption of the
Core Strategy, in
line with SA
recommendations.

19. Ensure
integrated,
efficient and
balanced land
use.

Built
environment

Level of
development
in urban areas
compared to
rural.

There is no
countywide or locally
specific data available
at present.

This indicator would
not be applicable to
rural NDPs.

N/A

SEA Topic covered by objective:

Cultural heritage

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

20. Value,
protect and
enhance the
character and
built quality of
settlements and
neighbourhoods
and the
county’s
heritage assets,
including
conservation
areas, historic
environment
and cultural
heritage.

Built
environment

Number and
percentage of
listed
buildings and
Scheduled
Ancient
Monuments
on Buildings
at Risk
Register
(English
Heritage).

Up-to-date countywide
information will be
presented in the next
AMR and which is due
to be published in
2014. However, this
data would be too
large to incorporate
into this template.

There are numerous
listed buildings within
the parish and eight
Scheduled Ancient
Monuments. There
are two buildings
recorded in the
Buildings at Risk
Register.

There were 70
heritage assets
in Herefordshire
that were
considered to
be at high risk
and included in
the Heritage at
Risk Register
2014

To improve the
condition of the
II* Barn and
cowhouse,
both need
comprehensive
repair. Gibes
Farmhouse
also needs
comprehensive
repair.

To promote
opportunities to
achieve the
removal of
heritage assets
from the at risk
register.

The Barn and
attached cowhouse
as well as Gibes
Farmhouse at
Michealchurch
Escley are both
considered to be at
risk at present.

Buildings at Risk
Register (English
Heritage; search
July 2014)

SEA Scoping: Task A2 (Vowchurch and District Group)

Review of Baseline Information (July 2014)

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SA Objective

SA Theme

Proposed
indicator

Current status

Trends

Targets

Issues and
constraints

Baseline
(information)
source

Built
environment

The need for,
frequency and
outcomes of
planning
enforcement
investigations/
planning
appeals
concerning
aspects of local
loss of heritage
assets, locally
important
buildings within
the parish and
particularly
within a
conservation
area.

Countywide data
would be too large to
incorporate into this
template.

There are no
conservation areas
within Vowchurch &
District group.

There is no
outstanding
enforcement action
local loss of heritage
assets locally
important buildings
within Vowchurch &
District at present.

There is one
outstanding appeal in
Turnastone (minor
application)
concerning locally
important buildings at
present

No historic
records of any
planning
enforcement
action
concerning
locally
important
buildings .

To wherever
possible
improve upon
or otherwise
maintain
current status.

Current status must
be verified by
Development
Management and
Enforcement
Officers, but the
NDP can help to
avoid enforcement
action and appeals
during the plan
period.

Council
Development
Management
records (searched
July 2014)

SEA Scoping: Task A3 (Vowchurch & District Group)

Environmental issues (July 2014)

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Appendix A3

–

Environmental issues identified from Vowchurch & District Group baseline

These environmental issues are the same as most of those identified for the Herefordshire Core Strategy

SEA Topic

Environmental issue

SA objectives

Air

High reliance upon the private car causing high levels of air pollution and in Hereford in particular

Objective 16

Need to reduce carbon emissions by encouraging alternative modes of travel.

Biodiversity

Habitats and species of national, regional and local importance are under pressure from the
adaptation and diversification of farming and forestry employment.

Objectives 13 &15

Habitats and species of national, regional and local importance are under pressure from
development

Minimise loss of biodiversity and expand opportunities for wildlife everywhere.

Climatic factors

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through planning, design and build.

Objective 16

Cultural heritage

Vowchurch & District Group has numerous Scheduled Ancient Monuments and listed buildings, all
of which require ongoing protection and many in need of high levels of maintenance.

Objective 20

Flora and fauna

Conserve and enhance the character and quality of historic landscapes, including all types of
natural flora and fauna.

Objective 15

Material assets

How the countryside can continue to be managed in an economically, socially and environmentally
beneficial way in the face of continuing pressures on traditional farming.

Objectives 14 & 18

Population

Minimise energy waste through good designs, which help to reduce energy consumption and
maximise efficiency.

Objective 15

Need to avoid enforcement investigations/action concerning locally important buildings and those
within conservation areas in particular.

Soil

Promoting development of previously developed land and buildings as opposed to greenfield sites
or agricultural land of the highest quality.

Objectives 18 & 19

Derived from the Pre-submission Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Assessment (May 2014) and LDF General Scoping Report (June 2007)

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Template A4: SEA Framework

SEA Scoping Stage A, Task A4 - SEA Framework SEA Objectives, Indicators, Targets

Parish Council Name: Vowchurch and District Group

Neighbourhood Development Plan Name:

Vowchurch and District Group Neighbourhood Plan

Date completed: July 2014

SEA Topics

SA Objective

SEA Objective

Sub-objectives / Appraisal
Questions (Will the
option/proposal/site…)

Indicators

Targets

Nature
Conservation
(Biodiversity,
flora and
fauna)

Value, maintain,
restore or expand
county
biodiversity.

Value, protect,
enhance or
restore the
landscape quality
of Herefordshire,
including its rural
areas and open
spaces.

To maintain and
enhance nature
conservation
(biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

•

Protect or enhance
habitats of
international,
national, regional or
local importance.

•

Protect international,
national, regional or
locally important
terrestrial or aquatic
species.

•

Maintain wildlife
corridors and minimise
fragmentation of
ecological areas and
green spaces.

•

Manage access to sites
in a sustainable way
that protects or
enhances their nature
conservation value.

•

Create new appropriate
habitats.

•

Value, enhance and
protect natural
environmental assets
including AONB’s,
historic landscapes,
open spaces, parks and

Net change in condition of SSSIs
across Herefordshire.

After use of mineral sites
especially wildlife habitat creation

Changes to protected habitats
and impacts of species within the
Herefordshire Local Biodiversity
Action Plan.

% of SSSI land in
favourable condition
(Increase)
% of SSSI land in
unfavourable condition but
recovering (Increase)
% of SSSI land in
unfavourable condition and
declining (Decrease)

Percentage of opportunities
taken

To protect and where
possible enhance the
habitats of protected
species identified.
No net losses

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SEA Topics

SA Objective

SEA Objective

Sub-objectives / Appraisal
Questions (Will the
option/proposal/site…)

Indicators

Targets

gardens and their
settings

•

Encourage local
stewardship of local
environments, for
example by promoting
best practices in
agricultural
management

•

Ensure that
environmental impacts
caused by mineral
operations and the
transport of minerals
are minimised.

•

Promote the use of rural
areas and open space
by all, encourage easy
non-car based access,
and accommodate the
needs of disabled
users.

Landscape

Not covered in SA

To maintain and
enhance the quality of
landscapes and
townscapes

To improve quality of
surroundings

•

Protect and enhance the
landscape everywhere
and particularly in
designated areas

•

Value and protect
diversity and local
distinctiveness

•

Improve landscape and
ecological quality and
character of the
countryside

•

Improve the quantity
and quality of publicly
accessible open space

•

Improve satisfaction of
people with their
neighbourhoods as

Changes in the areas of
designated nature conservation
sites as a consequence of
planning permission.

Proportion of local sites where
positive conservation
management has or is being
implemented.

Monitoring changes to historic
landscapes.

Area resulting in a loss of open
space as a result of planning
permission

To capitalise on
opportunities to enhance
the areas of value to nature
conservation as much as
possible.

No specific targets
identified.

No specific targets
identified.

No specific targets
identified

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SEA Topics

SA Objective

SEA Objective

Sub-objectives / Appraisal
Questions (Will the
option/proposal/site…)

Indicators

Targets

places to live

•

Decrease litter and
graffiti in towns and
countryside

•

Result in the loss of
open space

Heritage

Value, protect or
enhance the
character and
built quality of
settlements and
neighbourhoods
and the county’s
heritage assets,
historic
environment and
cultural heritage.

To conserve and where
appropriate enhance
the historic
environment , heritage
assets and culture
heritage

•

Preserve, protect and
enhance heritage assets
including conservation
areas, listed buildings,
archaeological sites and
other culturally
important features in
both urban and rural
settings.

•

Prevent development
which is inappropriate
in scale, form or
design to its setting
or to its function or
local area.

•

Encourage
development that
creates and sustains
well-designed, high
quality built
environments that
incorporate green
space, encourage
biodiversity and
promote local
distinctiveness and
sense of place.

•

Encourage
cleanliness and/or
improve the general
appearance of the

The need for, frequency and
outcomes of planning
enforcement investigations/
planning appeals concerning the

aspects of local loss of locally
important buildings within a
conservation area.

Number and percentage of listed
buildings and Scheduled Ancient
Monuments on Buildings at Risk
Register (English Heritage).

Ensure that Herefordshire
Council’s

Sites and Monuments Register is
kept up to date.

To improve upon or
otherwise maintain current
status.

To improve upon or
otherwise maintain current
status.

No specific targets
identified, but need to
ensure that the register is
kept up to date.

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SEA Topics

SA Objective

SEA Objective

Sub-objectives / Appraisal
Questions (Will the
option/proposal/site…)

Indicators

Targets

Water

Reduce the risk
of flooding and
the resulting
detriment to
public well-being,
the economy and
the environment.

Minimise local
and global
pollution and
protect or
enhance
environmental
resources.

To improve water
quality

To provide for
sustainable sources of
water supply

To avoid, reduce and
manage flood risk

•

Reduce flood risk
both presently
and taking into
account climate
change.

•

Prevent
inappropriate
development of
the floodplain,
and include flood
protection
systems.

•

Include
sustainable urban
drainage systems
where
appropriate.

•

Minimise water,
air, soil,
groundwater,
noise and light
pollution from
current activities
and the potential
for such pollution.

•

Protect or
enhance the
quality of
watercourses.

Number of planning permissions
granted contrary to the advice of
the Environment Agency on flood
defence grounds.

Percentage of river length
assessed as good or very good
chemical quality and ecological
quality

Phosphate levels within the River
Wye SAC and adjoining tributaries
that receive increased phosphates
from proportional growth.

To have no applications
permitted contrary to EA
advice.

To ensure that rivers meet
their conservation
objectives and do not fall
below the required
standard of quality as set
out in the Water
Framework Directive.

To meet the targets set out
in the Nutrient
Management Plan (2014)

Soil

Minimise local
and global
pollution and
protect or
enhance
environmental
resources.

To conserve soil
resources and quality

Ensure integrated,
efficient and
balanced land use.

•

Minimise water, air, soil,

groundwater, noise and
light pollution from current
activities and the potential
for such pollution.

•

Provide opportunities to

improve soil quality or
reduce contaminated land.

Percentage of all new
development completed on
previously developed land.

Amount of land identified as best and
most versatile agricultural land lost to
development.

To increase the number of
homes built on PDL in line
with the provisions of
national planning policy.

Measure the number of
hectares of best and most
versatile soil lost through
development.

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SEA Topics

SA Objective

SEA Objective

Sub-objectives / Appraisal
Questions (Will the
option/proposal/site…)

Indicators

Targets

rural areas and open
space by all,
encourage easy non-
car based access,
and accommodate
the needs of disabled
users.

Material
Assets

Use natural
resources and
energy more
efficiently.

Minimise local
and global
pollution and
protect or
enhance
environmental
resources.

To conserve natural
and manmade
resources

•

Maximise energy efficiency

and minimise the
consumption of non-
renewable energy i.e. from
fossil fuels.

•

Minimise the consumption

of water, land, soil,
minerals, aggregates and
other raw materials by all?
E.g. through integrated
transport, sustainable
resource-efficient design,
local sourcing of food,
goods, materials.

•

Encourage the re-

use/enhancement (to high
standards of sustainable
resource-efficient design) of
existing buildings and
minimise the need for new
build.

•

Encourage the use of clean

technologies and water
minimisation techniques.

The need for, frequency and
outcomes of planning
enforcement investigations/
planning appeals concerning the
aspects of local loss of locally
important buildings within a
conservation area.

Maintaining Herefordshire
Council’s County Site and
Monuments Register.

Monitoring changes to historic
landscapes.

Agricultural land usage by quality

Measure the number of
hectares of best and most
versatile soil lost through
development.
No specific targets
identified.

No specific targets
identified, but need to
ensure that the register is
kept up to date.

No specific targets
identified.

Measure the number of
hectares of best and most
versatile soil lost through
development.

Page

Appendix A2

– Baseline information

Biodiversity, flora and fauna

Ballingham, Bolstone & Hentland Group
Under objective-13.

“

Value, maintain, restore or expand county biodiversity

”, proposed indicator:

“Phosphate levels within the River Wye SAC and adjoining tributaries that receive increased
phosphates from proportional growth

” there are no trends, targets, issues and constraints and would

refer you to the other Neighbourhood Area Scoping Report we have been consulted on which do
include these details.

Upton Bishop
Under objective-13.

“

Value, maintain, restore or expand county biodiversity

”, proposed indicator-

“

Net change to condition of SSSIs across Herefordshire

”, it is stated under Current Status that

“there are no SSSIs within the Neighbourhood area”. Whilst this statement is correct, consideration
should be made of impacts to SSSIs outside the Neighbourhood Area which could be impacted by
Neighbourhood Area plan.

All
Under the proposed indicator

“Changes to protected habitats and impacts of species within the

Herefordshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan”

, we advise an additional or at least the following

baseline information source -Maps of priority habitats and species are available on

Magic

, Defra’s

GIS package for environmental assets (www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk). We note that
some of the report refer to the Herefordshire Council AMR (2010/11) as a baseline information
source- could this be applied to all of them?

Water, air, soil and material assets

All
This section (or suitable alternative) should include information on geodiversity. The baseline and
assessment should make reference to geological conservation and the need to conserve, interpret
and manage geological sites and features, both in the wider environment and in relation to
designated features. The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust may be of
assistance.

Appendix A3

– Environmental issues identified from the baseline

All
Natural England welcomes the environmental issues identified.

Appendix A4

– SEA Framework

All
Under topic “

Nature Conservation”- “Value, maintain, restore or expand county biodiversity

”, we

advise that any indicators chosen should allow for the monitoring of the effects of the plan on the
objective concerned, and not the objective more generally. Thus, for example, condition of Sites of
Special Scientific Interest is not a useful thing to monitor, but impacts of the plan on Sites of Special
Scientific Interest might be.

Under the SEA topic

“Landscape”

reference could be made to the county Landscape Character

Assessment and Landscape Characterisation studies including Historic Landscape Characterisation
if this has been carried out.

Under SEA topic

“material assets”

, there are no targets identified against the indicator

“monitoring

changes to the historic landscape”

. We suggest that the LPA could utilise Historic Landscape

Characterisation studies and monitor the number of applications permitted despite a significant
impact on the landscape having been identified.

WEST MIDLANDS REGION

Neighbourhood Planning Team

Herefordshire Council

Planning Services

PO Box 230

Blueschool House

Blueschool Street

Hereford

HR1 2ZB.

Our ref:

Your ref:

Telephone

Fax

0121 625 6887

0121 625 6820

05 January 2015

Dear Sir or Madam

CONSULTATION ON SEA SCOPING REPORTS FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD

PLANS IN: Ballingham, Bolstone & Hentland Group; Kington, Kington Rural &

Lower Harpton and Huntington; Upton Bishop; Vowchurch & District Group;

Weston Beggard.

Thank you for your e-mail and the invitation to comment on the SEA Scoping Reports for

the Neighbourhood Plans listed above. We have no substantive objection to the contents of

the documents. However, having considered the above Neighbourhood Plans please note

that overall our comments and recommendations to you in relation to these remain

substantively the same as those which we communicated to you in our letter of the 15

August 2014 in response to the first tranche of SEA Scoping Reports. We urge you to refer

back to and consider these representations before finalizing the reports in relation to the

above Neighbourhood Plans also.

Specifically in relation to the seventh tranche of consultations we note that all of the SEA

Scoping Reports appear to have anomalous references to SAM’s, the Herefordshire SMR,

monitoring changes to historic landscapes and historic landscape character assessments in

relation to SA Objective 14 “Use natural resources and energy more effectively”.

Presumably this is unintentional? Is there some confusion as between the Herefordshire

Sites and Monuments Register and the Herefordshire Environmental Records Register?

Would these elements in fact be more relevant under SA Objectives 15 and 20?

Other than that we note the SEA Frameworks sections of the SEA’s submitted are generally

commendable in their approach of including references to historic landscape and townscape

quality, the maintenance of the Herefordshire SMR and conservation and wherever possible

enhancement of locally significant heritage assets. We also particularly commend the

SEA Task B1 (Vowchurch)

Review of NDP Objectives against SEA Objectives (Feb 2016)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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NDP Objectives versus SEA Objectives (SMART and Compatibility Test)

SEA Stage B1

Key:

SMART criteria:

The following matrix appraises the emerging
Vowchurch and District Group NDP
Objectives in terms of their SMART criteria
and their compatibility with the SEA
Objectives.

These objectives have been developed from
both Government guidance on SEA and
from the local evidence base gathered for
identifying the NDP issues.

Compatible

S – Specific

NDP objectives should specify what is intended to be done in detail and should not be open to a wide range of misinterpretations

Possible conflict

M – Measurable

It should be possible to monitor NDP objectives in a quantifiable way, by the use of indicators. Indicators should be measurable with limited resource
implications.

Neutral

A – Attainable/achievable

NDP objectives should be achievable and deliverable, related to the scale of growth proposed

No relationship between
objectives

R – Realistic

NDP objectives should relate to the overall vision of the plan. Likewise, chosen indicators should relate to objectives and their outcomes.

Unclear, more information
needed

T – Time-Bound

Objectives should be specific to the NDP period or another specified time-frame. Objectives should be associated with a target and indicators should
specify when the target should be achieved.

SEA Objectives

1. To maintain or enhance nature conservation (biodiversity, flora and fauna)

2. To maintain or enhance the quality of landscapes and townscapes

3. To improve quality of surroundings

4. To conserve or where appropriate enhance the historic environment and cultural heritage

5. To improve air quality

6. To reduce the effect of traffic on the environment

7. To reduce contributions to climate change

8. To reduce vulnerability to climate change

9. To improve water quality

10. To provide for sustainable sources of water supply

11. To avoid, reduce and manage flood risk

12. To conserve soil resources and quality

13. To minimise the production of waste

14. To improve the health of the population

15. To reduce crime and nuisance

16. To conserve natural and manmade resources

SEA Task B1 (Vowchurch)

Review of NDP Objectives against SEA Objectives (Feb 2016)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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NDP objectives

SEA objectives

Conclusions

Recommendations

SMART Test of NDP objective

After SMART
objective

Objective 1

Meet local
housing needs

At this stage more
information is required
to assess the
compatibility with the
SEA objectives. This
will emerge as the
policies are assessed.
However, this has the
ability to be compatible
if in conformity with the
Core Strategy.

SEA objectives should
be taken into account
during the formulation of
the policies for growth.

This objective is specific and can
be monitored via indicators within
the Annual Monitoring Report. The
Vowchurch and District
Neighbourhood Plan does not
indicates any review period which
would be a useful addition. This
objective is achievable and
deliverable and aims to meet the
overall vision for the area. It is
considered that this objective
meets the SMART criteria.

Consideration of a
period of
monitoring
policies being
included within
the plan.

Objective 2

New
development
design and
environment

The objective is
seeking to ensure that
development within the
group parish
complements the
character of the
historic and natural
environment. This has
a positive effect on the
baseline

SEA objectives should
be taken into account
during the formulation of
the policies for growth.

The objective is achievable and
realistic and specific. The vision
indicated that the time period for
the plan is 2031.

No changes
recommended

Objective 3

Local business
and service

SEA objectives should
be taken into account
during the formulation of
the policies for growth.

Consideration of a
period of
monitoring
policies being
included within
the plan.

SEA Task B2 (Vowchurch

Develop and refinement of NDP options (Feb 2016)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Objectives verses
SEA Objectives
(SMART and
Compatibility Test)

SEA Stage B1

Key:

SMART criteria:

The following matrix appraises the emerging
Vowchurch Neighbourhood Plan options in
terms of their SMART criteria and their
compatibility with the SEA Objectives. These
have been developed from Government
guidance on SEA and from the local
evidence base gathered for identifying the
NDP issues.

+ =

Compatible

S – Specific

NDP objectives should specify what is intended to be done in detail and should not be open to a wide range of misinterpretations

- =

Possible conflict

M – Measurable

It should be possible to monitor NDP objectives in a quantifiable way, by the use of indicators. Indicators should be measurable with limited resource implications.

0 =

Neutral

A –
Attainable/achievable

NDP objectives should be achievable and deliverable, related to the scale of growth proposed

X =

No relationship between
objectives

R – Realistic

NDP objectives should relate to the overall vision of the plan. Likewise, chosen indicators should relate to objectives and their outcomes.

? =

Unclear, more information
needed

T – Time-Bound

Objectives should be specific to the NDP period or another specified time-frame. Objectives should be associated with a target and indicators should specify when
the target should be achieved.

SEA Objectives

1- To maintain and enhance nature conservation (biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

2- To maintain and enhance the quality of landscapes and townscapes

3- To improve quality of surroundings

4- To conserve and where appropriate enhance the historic
environment and culture heritage

5- To improve air quality

6- To reduce the effect of traffic on the environment

7- To reduce contributions to climate change

8- To reduce vulnerability to climate change

9- To improve water quality

10- To provide for sustainable sources of water supply

11- To avoid, reduce and manage flood risk

12- To conserve soil resources and quality

13- To minimise the production of waste

14- To improve health of the population

15- To reduce crime and nuisance

16- To conserve natural and manmade resources

Baseline carried over from Stage A

1-Up-to-date countywide information will be presented in the next AMR and which is due to be published in 2014. The 2010/11 data indicates that 27% of Herefordshire’s SSSI land was in favourable
condition. At August 2014, there are four SSSI’s within Vowchurch District Group -

Caerion Meadow-Area (favourable). Pikes Farm Meadows-Area (favourable). Wayne Herbert Quarry-(Favourable).

Chanstone Wood-Area (favourable)

In 2010/11: 17 Habitat Action Plans and 14 Species Action Plans are currently in operation across Herefordshire, however no locally specific data is available.

Vowchruch District Group has: SSSI: 4, SWS: 32, Ancient woodlands:24. There are no, NNRs and SINCs within the parish. There is no locally specific data available at present.

2-There are no outstanding enforcement actions or appeals concerning locally important buildings within conservation area as there are no conservation areas within the parish.

3-In terms of Vowchurch District Group, 1.88 ha of playing pitch area.1.3ha has secured community access. There is one junior football pitch. This is rated at 50% which is average quality. The sports field hosts
2 tennis courts, football, cricket pitches. All are rated at 26% which is of poor quality.
.

4-There are numerous listed buildings within the parish and 8 Schedule Ancient Monuments. There are two buildings at risk on the register

5-Between 2005 and 2010 Herefordshire’s total and per capita carbon emission reduced by 7% and 8% respectively; while UK’s total and per capita carbon emission reduced by 8% and 12% respectively
within the same period. This suggests that air quality is improving.

6-% of Herefordshire residents who travel to work by: Car: 70.1%, Foot: 14.7:,Bicycle: 4.3%,Bus: 2%, Train: 0.8%,Motorbike: 0.8%,Taxi: 0.3%,Other: 7%.

7-Herefordshire latest figure of C02 emissions per capita-dates back to 2010: 1.61 million tonnes (mtCO²)

8-Reduce the risk of flooding-There have been no approvals contrary to EA advice since reporting began in 2004.The 2011-2013 AMR does not contain updated conservation data.

9-Percentage of river length assessed as good or very good chemical quality and ecological quality as required by the Water Framework Directive. Latest figure dates back to 2005: 84%.

10- The number of planning permissions granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency on flood defence grounds. However the 2001-13 AMR does not contain updated data Little Dewchurch
Parish is more susceptible to fluvial flooding. This requires a holistic integrated approach to flood risk management.

11-Number of planning permissions granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency on flood defence grounds. The 2011-2013 AMR does not contain updated conservation data.

12-The agricultural land classification around the Vowchurch District Group is mainly Grade 3 (good- moderate) or 4 (Poor). There are small patches of Grade 2 (very good) Percentage of all new
developments completed on previously developed land; 67% (2010) and 57% (2011-13)

16- There are numerous listed buildings within the parish and 8 Schedule Ancient Monuments. There are two buildings at risk on the register at present

SEA Task B2 (Vowchurch

Develop and refinement of NDP options (Feb 2016)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NDP
Policies

SEA objectives

10 11

Summary in relation to
baseline

Overall commentary and any initial

cumulative effects/ Recommendations

Conformity with Core Strategy

Baseline

10 11

N/A

Option 1

Do nothing

Do nothing option is essential
not to produce a
neighbourhood plan and rely
on the criteria policies within
the Core Strategy to guide
further development. Specific
policies and proposals for the
parishes would not exist.

All developments would need to be in
conformity with the Core Strategy. The
Core Strategy has been subject to a
Sustainability Appraisal and policies met
the SEA objectives.

n/a

Option 2

Allocate sites
for housing

++ ++ +

Allocation of sites for housing
or other uses would give
certainty to future development.
Specific environmental issues
could be investigated during
the site search and be
positively addressed within the
policy wording. The designation
of a settlement boundary will
give additional certainty and
help define those areas
considered as the built form
and open countryside This
option could have a positive
effect on the baseline.

Pursuing this option would give greater
certainty over future development within
the area particularly within Vowchurch,
Michealchurch Escley and Lower Maes-
coyd villages, where proportional growth
is expected. If required mitigation criteria
can be added to site allocations policies
to ensure all SEA objectives are
achieved.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA.

Option 3

Manage
future
housing
using a
settlement
boundary

The designation of a settlement
boundary will give additional
certainty and help define those
areas considered as the built
form and open countryside.
This can aid the direction of
further growth to maintain the
quality of the landscape and
surroundings. There is less
certainty over the positive
effects on the baseline as any
growth with be adjudged by
criteria based policy.

Any settlement boundary would need to
be designated to ensure that sufficient
capacity was included to permit the
proportional growth requirements within
Policy RA2 of the Core Strategy. Criteria
would need to be included within the
policy to safeguard against effects on any
SEA objectives.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA.

Option 4

Manage
future
housing
growth by
criteria base
policy

Criteria based policy does not
give the same level of certainty
as the other options as it will be
more reactionary than proactive
in terms of growth proposals.
However provide criteria is
added to the policy to
safeguard or mitigate against
any harm, the option will have a
positive effect on the baseline.

Criteria would need to be included within
the policy to safeguard against effects on
any SEA objectives.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA

SEA Task B2 (Vowchurch

Develop and refinement of NDP options (Feb 2016)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Option 5

Settlement
boundary for
Lower Maes-
coyd

The designation of a settlement
boundary will give additional
certainty and help define those
areas considered as the built
form and open countryside.
However, the historic form of
Lower Maes-coyd does not
make the designation of a
settlement boundary
characteristic. Most of the area
consists of individual dwellings
within and around common
land.

Criteria would need to be included within
the policy to safeguard against effects on
any SEA objectives.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA

Option 6

No
settlement
boundary for
Lower Maes-
coyd

Criteria would need to be included within
the policy to safeguard against effects on
any SEA objectives.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA

Option 7

Design
policies for
parish

A specific design policy for the
area would have a positive
effect on the baseline
particularly with regards to
townscape, quality of
surroundings and historic
environment. This will enable
additional local detail to
supplement the environmental
policies of the Core Strategy.

Criteria would need to be included within
the policy to safeguard against effects on
any SEA objectives.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA.

Option 8

Allocation for
employment

The allocation of employment
would add certainty however
the dominate employment
within this area has been
agricultural / land based or
small business / home working.
Purpose built employment units
would not necessary be
characteristic of the local area
and could increase traffic on
rural single track roads.

Criteria would need to be included within
the policy to safeguard against effects on
any SEA objectives.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA.

Option 9

Criteria for
small scale
business
development
and home

Criteria based policy does not
give the same level of certainty
as the other options as it will be
more reactionary than proactive
in terms of growth proposals.
However provide criteria is

Criteria would need to be included within
the policy to safeguard against effects on
any SEA objectives.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA.

SEA Task B2 (Vowchurch

Develop and refinement of NDP options (Feb 2016)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

working

added to the policy to
safeguard or mitigate against
any harm, the option will have a
positive effect on the baseline
particularly given the form and
setting of the settlements and
the nature of employment
growth within the area

Option 10

Specific
external
lighting policy

The control of lighting can have
a positive effect on the
surrounding and the
environment. Darker skies can
also have a positive effect
many nocturnal species.

Criteria would need to be included within
the policy to safeguard against effects on
any SEA objectives.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA.

Option 11

No specific
lighting policy

Policy SD1 of the Core
Strategy does provide criteria
to safeguard against light
contamination.

Criteria would need to be included within
the policy to safeguard against effects on
any SEA objectives.

This option would meet the Core
Strategy requirements in terms of
the SEA.

SEA Task B2 (Vowchurch)

Develop and refinement of NDP policies (Feb 2016)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Objectives verses
SEA Objectives
(SMART and
Compatibility Test)

SEA Stage B1

Key:

SMART criteria:

The following matrix appraises the emerging
Vowchurch and District Neighbourhood Plan
policies in terms of their SMART criteria and
their compatibility with the SEA Objectives.
These have been developed from
Government guidance on SEA and from the
local evidence base gathered for identifying
the NDP issues.

+ =

Compatible

S – Specific

NDP objectives should specify what is intended to be done in detail and should not be open to a wide range of misinterpretations

- =

Possible conflict

M – Measurable

It should be possible to monitor NDP objectives in a quantifiable way, by the use of indicators. Indicators should be measurable with limited resource implications.

0 =

Neutral

A –
Attainable/achievable

NDP objectives should be achievable and deliverable, related to the scale of growth proposed

X =

No relationship between
objectives

R – Realistic

NDP objectives should relate to the overall vision of the plan. Likewise, chosen indicators should relate to objectives and their outcomes.

? =

Unclear, more information
needed

T – Time-Bound

Objectives should be specific to the NDP period or another specified time-frame. Objectives should be associated with a target and indicators should specify when
the target should be achieved.

NDP
Policies

SEA objectives

10 11

Summary in relation to
baseline

Overall commentary and any initial

cumulative effects/ Recommendations

Conformity with Core Strategy

Baseline

10 11

N/A

Policy 1 –
Protect and
enhance local
environment

Overall the policy is compatible
and has a positive impact on
the baseline data as the criteria
is aimed at protecting the local
environment.

The policy would not lead to development
but set the environmental criteria any
development will need to address. This is
aimed at preserving and enhancing the
local characteristics and well as the
natural environment.

This policy does meet the Core
Strategy requirement for the
purposes of the SEA.

Policy 2 -
Location of
future
development

Overall the policy is compatible
and has a positive impact on
the baseline data.
Safeguarding criteria exists
within Policy 1. Some areas of
Vowchurch and Michaelchurch
Escley are subject to flooding
and this should be reflected
within the policy.

Overall this policy meets the SEA
baseline objectives. It will only lead to
small scale development in line with
Policy H2 of the Core Strategy.

Include reference to avoiding an land
liable to flooding within the policy criteria.

This policy does meet the Core
Strategy requirement for the
purposes of the SEA.

Policy 3 –
Development
in the open
countryside

Overall the policy is compatible
and has a positive impact on
the baseline data

This policy is compatible with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy. It will only lead to
very small and specific developments
required within the open countryside.

This policy does meet the Core
Strategy requirement for the
purposes of the SEA.

Policy 4 –
Nature and
scale of new
homes

Overall this policy has a
positive effect on the baseline.
Some objectives will be
dependent on the specific
location, however Policy 1
contains criteria safeguards
with regards to the natural and
built environments.

It is recommended that this policy should
be read in conjunction with Policy 2 with
regards to location. Therefore this would
need lead to development itself by guide
the type and scale of development.

Recommended that cross reference is
made within the policy text to the location
element of the new housing proposals.

This policy does meet the Core
Strategy requirement for the
purposes of the SEA.

SEA Task B2 (Vowchurch)

Develop and refinement of NDP policies (Feb 2016)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Policy 5 –
Housing
design criteria

This policy has a positive effect
on the baseline, it will net lead
to development itself but
contains criteria for new
housing developments to meet.

This policy does meet the Core
Strategy requirement for the
purposes of the SEA.

Policy 6 –
Affordable
housing

Overall the policy is compatible
and has a positive impact on
the baseline data. Some
objectives will be dependent on
location of the affordable
housing schemes.

Overall this policy meets the SEA
baseline objectives. It will only lead to
small scale development in line with
Policy H2 of the Core Strategy.

This policy does meet the Core
Strategy requirement for the
purposes of the SEA.

Policy 7 –
External
lighting

The control of lighting can have
a positive effect on the
surrounding and the
environment. Darker skies can
also have a positive effect
many nocturnal species.

The policy meets the SEA objective.

This policy does meet the Core
Strategy requirement for the
purposes of the SEA.

Policy 8 –
New
commercial
development

Overall the policy is compatible
and has a positive impact on
the baseline data

Overall the policy is positive as it will help
to reduce the need to travel and enable
additional opportunities to work from
home. Criteria has been included which
would aim to safeguard environmental
character and quality.

The principle of this policy is
compatible with the Core Strategy
Policy E3, RA5, RA6 and meets the
Core Strategy requirements for the
purpose of the SEA.

Policy 9 –
New tourism
development

Overall the policy is compatible
with the baseline data.

Overall the policy meets the SEA baseline
objectives. Additional tourism visitors and
facilities can have an effect on natural
resources. Additional policy safeguards
within the Neighbourhood plan and Core
Strategy will help mitigate these issues.

This policy does meet the Core
Strategy requirement for the
purposes of the SEA.

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Key:

++   Move
   towards
   significantly

+ Move towards
Marginally

- Move away

significantly

- Move away
marginally

0 Neutral

? Uncertain

N/A No
relationship

Policy 1 – to protect and enhance the local environment

SEA Objective

Assessment of effect

(consider cumulative

effects, significance of the effect and
magnitude of the effect in terms of the three
time periods)

Summary Explanation

Enhancement and
mitigation
opportunities

Short term

(1 – 5
years)

Medium term

(6 – 10 years)

Long term

(11 years +)

To maintain and enhance
nature conservation
(biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and
habitats.

To maintain and enhance
the quality of landscapes
and townscapes

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and
habitats.

To improve quality of
surroundings

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and
habitats.

To conserve and where
appropriate enhance the
historic environment and

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and

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cultural heritage

habitats.

To improve air quality

The preservation and enhance of
many natural features will have a
positive effect on air quality

To reduce the effect of
traffic on the environment

No relationship

To reduce contributions to
climate change

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and
habitats.

To reduce vulnerability to
climate change

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and
habitats.

To improve water quality

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and
habitats.

To provide for sustainable
sources of water supply

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and
habitats.

To avoid, reduce and
manage flood risk

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and
habitats. Vowchurch has areas
within Flood Zone 3 and
Michaelchurch Escley also

Reference to avoidance
of flood areas should be
included within the
criteria.

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experience flooding to the south
west. A criteria should be added to
include reference to flooding

To conserve soil
resources and quality

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
landscape, environment and
habitats.

To minimise the
production of waste

To improve health of the
population

To reduce crime and
nuisance

To conserve natural and
manmade resources

This is a criteria based policy which
seeks to preserve and enhance the
natural and built environment,
habitats and cultural assets.

Overall commentary
and any cumulative
effects

This policy is seeking to safeguard many features of the natural and built environment within any development
proposals. This will have a positive effect overall on the SEA baseline.

Policy 2 – Location of future developments in Michaelchurch Escley, Vowchurch and Lower Maes-coed

SEA Objective

Assessment of effect

(consider cumulative

effects, significance of the effect and
magnitude of the effect in terms of the three
time periods)

Summary Explanation

Enhancement and
mitigation
opportunities

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the policy criteria

To improve water quality

This policy is in line with Policy RA2
of the Core Strategy and does not
go over and above the proportional
growth.

To provide for sustainable
sources of water supply

This policy is in line with Policy RA2
of the Core Strategy and does not
go over and above the proportional
growth.

To avoid, reduce and
manage flood risk

This policy is in line with Policy RA2
of the Core Strategy and does not
go over and above the proportional
growth. Some areas of Vowchurch
settlement and Michaelchurch
Escley experience flooding. It would
be beneficial to include this within
the policy criteria

Include reference to
avoid of dwellings within
areas liable to flood.

To conserve soil
resources and quality

This policy is in line with Policy RA2
of the Core Strategy and does not
go over and above the proportional
growth.

To minimise the
production of waste

To improve health of the
population

To reduce crime and
nuisance

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To conserve natural and
manmade resources

This policy is in line with Policy RA2
of the Core Strategy and does not
go over and above the proportional
growth.

Overall commentary
and any cumulative
effects

This policy is seeking to direct development in line with Policy RA2 of the Core Strategy and contains criteria to
encourage future developments to reflect the historic character of this predominately rural area. Some
reference should be included within the criteria to safeguarding against areas liable to flooding.

Policy 3 – Development in the open countryside

SEA Objective

Assessment of effect

(consider cumulative

effects, significance of the effect and
magnitude of the effect in terms of the three
time periods)

Summary Explanation

Enhancement and
mitigation
opportunities

Short term

(1 – 5
years)

Medium term

(6 – 10 years)

Long term

(11 years +)

To maintain and enhance
nature conservation
(biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To maintain and enhance
the quality of landscapes
and townscapes

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To improve quality of
surroundings

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

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To conserve and where
appropriate enhance the
historic environment and
cultural heritage

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To improve air quality

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To reduce the effect of
traffic on the environment

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To reduce contributions to
climate change

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To reduce vulnerability to
climate change

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To improve water quality

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To provide for sustainable
sources of water supply

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To avoid, reduce and
manage flood risk

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

To conserve soil
resources and quality

The policy is in line with the Core
Strategy

To minimise the
production of waste

To improve health of the
population

To reduce crime and

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nuisance

To conserve natural and
manmade resources

This policy is in line with policy RA3
of the Core Strategy.

Overall commentary
and any cumulative
effects

This policy is in line with policy RA3 of the Core Strategy.

Policy 4 Nature and scale of new homes

SEA Objective

Assessment of effect

(consider cumulative

effects, significance of the effect and
magnitude of the effect in terms of the three
time periods)

Summary Explanation

Enhancement and
mitigation
opportunities

Short term

(1 – 5
years)

Medium term

(6 – 10 years)

Long term

(11 years +)

To maintain and enhance
nature conservation
(biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

This policy will not lead to
development itself and other
policies within the NDP exist to
safeguard natural environment
aspects.

Textual links to policy 2
of the NDP would be
beneficial.

To maintain and enhance
the quality of landscapes
and townscapes

This policy will not lead to
development itself and other
policies within the NDP exist to
safeguard natural environment
aspects.

To improve quality of

This policy will not lead to

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To reduce vulnerability to
climate change

Criteria should be included within
other policies of the NDP to avoid
areas which are liable to flooding.

To improve water quality

The policy is in line with the Core
Strategy

To provide for sustainable
sources of water supply

The policy is in line with the Core
Strategy

To avoid, reduce and
manage flood risk

Criteria should be included within
other policies of the NDP to avoid
areas which are liable to flooding.

To conserve soil
resources and quality

This policy is in line with the Core
Strategy

To minimise the
production of waste

To improve health of the
population

To reduce crime and
nuisance

To conserve natural and
manmade resources

This policy is in line with the Core
Strategy.

Overall commentary
and any cumulative
effects

There are some unknown effects on the SEA objectives, however there are sufficient policy safeguards within
the Core Strategy and other NDP policies.

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Policy 5 – Housing design criteria

SEA Objective

Assessment of effect

(consider cumulative

effects, significance of the effect and
magnitude of the effect in terms of the three
time periods)

Summary Explanation

Enhancement and
mitigation
opportunities

Short term

(1 – 5
years)

Medium term

(6 – 10 years)

Long term

(11 years +)

To maintain and enhance
nature conservation
(biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

This policy will not lead to
development itself, it highlights
design criteria. Criteria is included
to encourage developments to
‘blend’ with the surrounding
environment.

To maintain and enhance
the quality of landscapes
and townscapes

This policy will not lead to
development itself, it highlights
design criteria. Criteria is included
to encourage developments to
‘blend’ with the surrounding
environment.

To improve quality of
surroundings

This policy will not lead to
development itself, it highlights
design criteria. Criteria is included
to encourage developments to
‘blend’ with the surrounding
environment.

To conserve and where
appropriate enhance the
historic environment and

This policy will not lead to
development itself, it highlights
design criteria. Criteria is included

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cultural heritage

to encourage developments to
‘blend’ with the surrounding
environment.

To improve air quality

Criteria is included to encourage
energy efficient within the buildings
and developments

To reduce the effect of
traffic on the environment

No relationship

To reduce contributions to
climate change

Criteria is included to encourage
energy efficient within the buildings
and developments

To reduce vulnerability to
climate change

Criteria is included to encourage
energy efficient within the buildings
and developments. Amendments to
other policies within the NDP will
refer to flooding aspects

To improve water quality

No relationship

To provide for sustainable
sources of water supply

Criteria is included to encourage
energy efficient within the buildings
and developments

To avoid, reduce and
manage flood risk

Criteria is included to encourage
energy efficient within the buildings
and developments. Amendments to
other policies within the NDP will
refer to flooding aspects

To conserve soil

This policy will not lead to
development itself, it highlights

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Policy 6 – Affordable housing

SEA Objective

Assessment of effect

(consider cumulative

effects, significance of the effect and
magnitude of the effect in terms of the three
time periods)

Summary Explanation

Enhancement and
mitigation
opportunities

Short term

(1 – 5
years)

Medium term

(6 – 10 years)

Long term

(11 years +)

To maintain and enhance
nature conservation
(biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

This policy is specifically aimed to
encourage affordable housing. The
location and criteria associated with
the development of the sites are not
detailed within the policy itself.
Other policies of the NDP and Core
Strategy can provide this policy
detail. Although at this stage the
details of the site locations are
unknown.

Cross reference to
policy H2 would be
beneficial with regards
to locations

To maintain and enhance
the quality of landscapes
and townscapes

Cross reference to
policy H2 would be
beneficial with regards
to locations

To improve quality of

This policy is specifically aimed to
encourage affordable housing. The

Cross reference to
policy H2 would be

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the need to travel.

To reduce contributions to
climate change

The provision of affordable housing
within the parish will enable an
opportunity for young families to
continue living need to existing
service and facilities including the
local primary school thus reducing
the need to travel.

To reduce vulnerability to
climate change

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and with the Core
Strategy.

To improve water quality

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and with the Core
Strategy.

To provide for sustainable
sources of water supply

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and with the Core
Strategy.

To avoid, reduce and
manage flood risk

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and with the Core
Strategy.

To conserve soil
resources and quality

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and with the Core
Strategy.

To minimise the
production of waste

To improve health of the
population

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To reduce crime and
nuisance

To conserve natural and
manmade resources

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and with the Core
Strategy.

Overall commentary
and any cumulative
effects

This policy is seeking to encourage affordable housing in line with Policy H2 of the Core Strategy. As there are
no locational references within the policy itself, some of the objectives will be fully tested during the planning
application stage. However there are policy safeguards within the Core Strategy and other policies of the NDP.

Policy 7 – External lighting

SEA Objective

Assessment of effect

(consider cumulative

effects, significance of the effect and
magnitude of the effect in terms of the three
time periods)

Summary Explanation

Enhancement and
mitigation
opportunities

Short term

(1 – 5
years)

Medium term

(6 – 10 years)

Long term

(11 years +)

To maintain and enhance
nature conservation
(biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

This policy is aiming at reducing the
amount of unnecessary light
pollution in the open countryside.
Darker skies can help nocturnal
animals particularly bats.

To maintain and enhance
the quality of landscapes

The reduction in light pollution can
have a positive effect on the
landscape particularly in this area

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and townscapes

close to the Brecon Beacons.

To improve quality of
surroundings

The reduction in light pollution can
have a positive effect on the
landscape particularly in this area
close to the Brecon Beacons.

To conserve and where
appropriate enhance the
historic environment and
cultural heritage

The reduction in light pollution can
have a positive effect on the
landscape particularly in this area
close to the Brecon Beacons.

To improve air quality

No relationship

To reduce the effect of
traffic on the environment

No relationship

To reduce contributions to
climate change

Reduction in the use of artificial
lighting can help to reduce energy
use.

To reduce vulnerability to
climate change

No relationship

To improve water quality

No relationship

To provide for sustainable
sources of water supply

No relationship

To avoid, reduce and
manage flood risk

No relationship

To conserve soil
resources and quality

No relationship

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To minimise the
production of waste

To improve health of the
population

To reduce crime and
nuisance

To conserve natural and
manmade resources

No relationship

Overall commentary
and any cumulative
effects

Darker skies policy can assist in balancing the need for well-designed and required lighting with minimising
light pollution. The reduction in lighting can have a positive effect on the landscape, local fauna and views of
the night sky.

Policy 8 – Applications for new commercial developments

SEA Objective

Assessment of effect

(consider cumulative

effects, significance of the effect and
magnitude of the effect in terms of the three
time periods)

Summary Explanation

Enhancement and
mitigation
opportunities

Short term

(1 – 5
years)

Medium term

(6 – 10 years)

Long term

(11 years +)

To maintain and enhance
nature conservation
(biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

No relationship

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years)

(6 – 10 years)

(11 years +)

To maintain and enhance
nature conservation
(biodiversity, flora and
fauna)

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and within the Core
Strategy to assist maintain and
enhancing the natural elements of
any proposal.

To maintain and enhance
the quality of landscapes
and townscapes

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and within the Core
Strategy to assist maintain and
enhancing the natural elements of
any proposal.

To improve quality of
surroundings

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and within the Core
Strategy to assist maintain and
enhancing the natural elements of
any proposal.

To conserve and where
appropriate enhance the
historic environment and
cultural heritage

Policy safeguards exist within policy
1 of the NDP and within the Core
Strategy to assist maintain and
enhancing the natural elements of
any proposal.

To improve air quality

Tourism will have the potential to
encourage additional car trips to the
area. This will be dependent on the
location, nature and form of the
tourism development concerned.

To reduce the effect of
traffic on the environment

Tourism will have the potential to
encourage additional car trips to the

SEA Task B4 (Vowchurch)

Assessment of cumulative impact of the NDP (February 2016)

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Key:

+ +   Move
  towards
  significantly

+ Move towards
marginally

- - Move away
Significantly

Move away

marginally

0 Neutral

? Uncertain

X No
relationship

SEA Objective

Objective /

Policy

1. To
maintain
and
enhance
nature
conservation
(biodiversity,
flora and
fauna)

2. To
maintain
and
enhance
the quality
of
landscapes
and
townscapes

3. To
improve
quality of
surroundings

4. To
conserve
and where
appropriate
enhance the
historic
environment
and culture
heritage

5. To
improve air
quality

6. To
reduce the
effect of
traffic on the
environment

7. To reduce
contributions
to climate
change

8. To reduce
vulnerability
to climate
change

9. To
improve
water
quality

10. To
provide for
sustainable
sources of
water
supply

11. To
avoid,
reduce and
manage
flood risk

12. To
conserve
soil
resources
and quality

13. To
minimise the
production

14. To
improve
health of the
population

15. To
reduce crime
and
nuisance

16. To
conserve
natural and
manmade
resources

Objective 1

Objective 2

Objective 3

Policy 1

Policy 2

Policy 3

Policy 4

Policy 5

Policy 6

Policy 7

Policy 8

Policy 9

Summary of
effects of whole
plan on each SEA
Objective

Cumulative
effects of whole
plan (1 + 2 + 3…)

Overall the Vowchurch Neighbourhood Plan will contribution to meeting the SEA objectives and having a positive impact on the baseline. Policies have been drafted in general conformity with the Core Strategy objectives and contain many
policy safeguards to ensure that the effects on environmental assets can be avoided or mitigated against. None of the policies are over and above those already assessed for the Core Strategy.

Commentary for
significant
cumulative
effects

The Vowchurch neighbourhood plan is unlikely to have any significant cumulative effects on the SEA objectives.

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Objectives and context

Where referenced in NDP/SEA

•

The Neighbourhood Development Plan’s
purpose and objectives are made clear.

•

The Neighbourhood Area’s
environmental issues and constraints,
including acknowledgement of those in
the Local Plan (Core Strategy) SA, where
relevant, and local environmental
protection objectives, are considered in
developing objectives and targets.

•

SEA objectives are clearly set out and
linked to indicators and targets where
appropriate.

•

Links with other locally related plans,
programmes and policies are identified,
explained and acknowledgement for
those set out in the SA of the Local Plan
(Core Strategy) is given, where relevant.

•

Conflicts that exist between SEA and
Neighbourhood Development Plan
objectives; and between SEA objectives
and other local plan objectives are
identified and described.

•

Section 1 (paras 1.10 – 1.18).

•

Sections 2 and 3; and Tables A2 and A3

•

Section 3 (para 3.7).

•

Section 3 (para 3.1).

•

Section 4 (paras 4.4)

Scoping

•

Statutory Consultees

are consulted in

appropriate ways and at appropriate
times on the content and scope of the
Environmental Report.

•

The assessment focuses on significant
issues.

•

Technical, procedural and other
difficulties encountered are discussed;
assumptions and uncertainties are made
explicit.

•

Section 2 (paras 2.6 – 2.9) & Appendix 3

•

Sections 2 and 6

•

Sections 2 and 6

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Alternatives

•

Realistic alternatives are considered for
key issues, and the reasons for choosing
them are documented.

•

Alternatives include ‘do minimum’ and/or
‘business as usual’ scenarios wherever
relevant.

•

The environmental effects (both adverse
and beneficial) of each alternative are
identified and compared.

•

Inconsistencies between the alternatives
and other relevant local plans,
programmes or policies are identified and
explained.

•

Reasons are given for selection or
elimination of alternatives.

•

Section 5.

•

Section 5 (paras 5.2 – 5.8).

•

Section 5 & Appendix 5

•

N/A

•

Section 5 (paras 5.2 – 5.8).

Baseline information

•

Relevant aspects of the current state of
the local, neighbourhood area
environment and their likely evolution
without the Neighbourhood Development
Plan are described. Acknowledgement to
the information in the SA of the Local
Plan (Core Strategy) is given, where
relevant.

•

Environmental characteristics of the
local, neighbourhood area, likely to be
significantly affected are described,
including areas wider than the physical
boundary of the designated
neighbourhood area, where it is likely to
be affected by the Neighbourhood
Development Plan.

•

Difficulties such as deficiencies in
information or methods are explained.

•

Section 1 and 6.

•

Initial screening report and Section 1.

•

Section 2.

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Prediction and evaluation of likely significant environmental effects

•

Effects identified include the types listed
in the Directive (biodiversity, population,
human health, fauna, flora, soil, water,
air, climate factors, material assets,
cultural heritage and landscape), as
relevant; and other local likely
environmental effects are also covered,
as appropriate.

•

Both positive and negative effects are
considered, and the duration of effects
(short, medium or long-term) is
addressed.

•

Likely secondary, cumulative (growing in
quantity and strength) and synergistic
(acting together) effects are identified,
where practicable.

•

Inter-relationships between effects are
considered, where practicable.

•

The prediction and evaluation of effects
makes use of relevant accepted
standards, regulations, and thresholds
(i.e. data gathered for the evidence
base).

•

Methods used to evaluate the effects are
described.

•

Tables A2, A3 and A4 (Appendix 2)

•

Tables B2 and B3 (Appendix 4)

•

Table B4 (Appendix 4)

•

Section 6

•

Section 6

•

Section 2

Mitigation measures

•

Measures envisaged to prevent, reduce
and offset any significant adverse effects
of implementing the Neighbourhood
Development Plan are indicated.

•

Issues to be taken into account when
determining planning applications or
other projects, for example funding bids,
are identified.

•

Section 6 (paras 6.5. – 6.8)

•

Section 6.

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The Environmental Report

•

Is clear and concise in its layout and
presentation.

•

Uses simple, clear language and avoids
or explains technical terms.

•

Uses maps and other illustrations, where
appropriate.

•

Explains the methodology used.

•

Explains who was consulted and what
methods of consultation were used.

•

Identifies sources of information,
including expert judgement and matters
of opinion.

•

Contains a non-technical summary
covering the overall approach to the
SEA, the objectives of the
Neighbourhood Development Plan, the
main options considered, and any
changes to the Neighbourhood
Development Plan resulting from the
SEA.

•

N/A

•

N/A

•

N/A

•

Section 2

•

Section 2

•

Section 2

•

Included at page 1

Consultation

•

The SEA is consulted on as an integral
part of the plan-making process of the
Neighbourhood Development Plan.

•

Consultation Bodies and the public likely
to be affected by, or having an interest in,
the Neighbourhood Development Plan
are consulted in ways and at times,
which give them an early and effective
opportunity within appropriate time
frames to express their opinions on the
draft Neighbourhood Development Plan
and Environmental Report.

•

Section 2 (paras 2.4 – 2.5).

•

Section 7.

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Decision-making and information on the decision

•

The environmental report and the
opinions of those consulted are taken
into account in finalising and adopting the
Neighbourhood Development Plan.

•

An explanation is given of how they have
been taken into account.

•

Reasons are given for choosing the
Neighbourhood Development Plan as
adopted, in the light of other reasonable
alternatives considered.

•

Sections 2 and 8.

•

Following draft consultation

•

Following draft consultation

Monitoring measures

•

Measures proposed for monitoring the
Neighbourhood Development Plan are
clear, practicable and linked to the
indicators and objectives used in the
SEA.

•

Monitoring is used, where appropriate,
during implementation of the
Neighbourhood Development Plan to
make good deficiencies in baseline
information in the SEA.

•

Acknowledgement that monitoring
enables unforeseen adverse effects to be
identified at an early stage. (These
effects may include predictions which
prove to be incorrect.)

•

Proposals are made for action in
response to significant adverse effects
arising from the monitoring of the
Neighbourhood Development Plan.

•

Section 7.

•

Section 7.

•

Section 7.

•

Section 7.

Document Outline