Natural Environment

5.10 Wholly support this ambition

Particular regard ought to be specified to protect and increase Stag Beetle habitats.

In Wivenhoe we are especially concerned about the riverscape, access to and safeguarding of the river and paths and wetlands along the river. We are worried about the capacity of the sewers and concerns about pollution. There is a real appetite for paths and cycleways and the proposed park at Salary Brook. There is a mass of evidence to support this provided for the Neighbourhood plan

Natural England is a non-departmental public body. Our statutory purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
Habitats Regulations Assessment
To date Natural England has not been consulted upon the Habitats Regulations Assessment Report (HRA). We note that you have undertaken a HRA Screening exercise and concluded that there are likely significant effects due to the amount of growth proposed and therefore the plan will need to be subject to the appropriate assessment stage. We may therefore need to amend our advice in light of any future HRA work. We would like to request to see a copy of the screening report and would also advise that you liaise with Natural England as soon as possible (and before the next formal consultation stage) to agree the methodology, sites to be included and the issues and policies which will be subject to the appropriate assessment.
PART ONE: SHARED STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Objectives paragraph 2.29 - Natural England advises that to ensure the Local Plan is consistent with paragraph 156 of the NPPF it should include a high level strategic objective / priority which addresses the need to protect and enhance the natural environment, including landscape, and the challenges surrounding climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Policy SP1 - SP1: Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development - does not refer to para 119. The presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply where development requiring appropriate assessment under the Birds or Habitats Directives is being considered, planned or determined.
Policy SP4 Infrastructure and Connectivity - This policy proposes the dualling of the A120 between the A12 junction and Braintree A120 / A12 junction. Marks Tey Brickpit Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is in close proximity to these proposals and we would not wish to see any adverse impacts on the SSSI as a result of these proposals. We would also recommend that the policy could be expanded to ensure that any road transport schemes incorporate biodiversity
enhancements and the creation of habitat corridors where possible. We would expect the Sustainability Appraisal to identify any potential impacts and any mitigation measures which may be required. Natural England has been engaged in initial meetings around the dualling proposals and will continue to be involved in discussions around the issues and options for the scheme.
SP5 Place Shaping Principles - Natural England generally supports this policy but would recommend that the policy should be strengthened to ensure that new development also incorporates biodiversity creation and enhancement into its design.
SP6 Spatial Strategy for North Essex - Natural England generally supports this policy pending the HRA findings. We would welcome early consultation on the mater plans.
Policy SP7 Development and Delivery of New Garden Communities in Essex - Natural England welcomes the planning principles in this policy, particularly the requirement for all garden communities to be subject to master planning and to ensure green infrastructure is incorporated and the natural environment is to be celebrated as part of the approach. The policy could be further strengthened by requiring these new communities to deliver green infrastructure which is in line with Natural England's Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards (ANGsT). Please see Annex 1 for further information on green infrastructure and NE's ANGst standards
We have not yet been consulted on the HRA Report for Colchester Local Plan, therefore we may require this policy to be strengthened or amended to include any mitigation or avoidance measures to address potential adverse impacts on European protected sites. This also applies to Policies SP8, SP9 and SP10.
Policy SP 8 East Colchester/West Tendring New Garden Community Strategic Growth Areas & New Garden Communities - Natural England welcomes the fact that a considerable amount of the Garden Community will be green infrastructure and a country park. We would also like to see this policy make specific reference to the need to enhance and incorporate biodiversity into the design of the Garden Communities to specifically deliver some of the priorities / targets in the Essex Biodiversity Action Plan. The location of the proposed Garden Community doesn't appear to impact directly on any statutory designated sites or protected landscapes but they are in close proximity to a few SSSI's namely Bullock Wood, Ardleigh Gravel Pit, Wivenhoe Gravel Pit and Upper Colne Marshes. We would expect the more detailed design of the Garden Community to avoid any indirect impacts (such as recreational or water related impacts) and we would therefore like to see the policy strengthened to address this issue.
Policy SP9 West of Colchester/East of Braintree New Garden Community - Currently, the approximate location of this garden community is overlapping the boundary of Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. We would not wish to see any development proposals (housing or transport proposals) have an adverse effect. We would expect the more detailed design of the Garden Community to avoid any impacts on this site and we would therefore like to see the policy strengthened to address this issue. In the Other requirements section, point 20. Should also include protection and enhancement of geological assets, alongside the heritage and biodiversity assets. We do however welcome the approach taken with this policy in relation to the commitment to ensuring green infrastructure is integral to the Garden Community and to protect and enhance biodiversity assets.
SP10 West of Braintree New Garden Community - Natural England welcomes the commitment to ensuring green infrastructure is integral to the development of the new Garden Community as well as the requirement for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity assets.
PART TWO - LOCAL PLAN FOR COLCHESTER
Objectives - 3.14 Natural Environment

Natural England welcomes this objective, particularly the bullet point to 'Protect and enhance landscapes, biodiversity, green spaces, air and water quality, and river corridors'. This could be strengthened by also including the protection and enhancement of designated sites, geodiversity and soils.
SG8 - Developer Contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy - Community Infrastructure Levy and S106 need to include provisions for strategic mitigation for impacts to coastal designated sites, as may be appropriate.
5. Environmental Assets Policies
Para 5.2 - Natural England would welcome early conversations regarding "the river's recreation and nature conservation values".
Para 5.3 - Should be rephrased to "likely to have a significant effect on..." in line with the Habitats Regulations.
Para 5.4 - We advise adding the word appropriate: "supported by appropriate ecological surveys" and amending the paragraph wording:
"Where there is a confirmed presence, or reasonable likelihood, of a legally protected species or Species of Principal Importance, on an application site, (or where present on adjacent land), and where the species is likely to be affected, the applicant will be required to demonstrate that adverse impacts upon the species have been avoided, and where they cannot be avoided adequately mitigated."
Para 5.9 - We advise including the following wording: "accommodating future flood waters and inter-tidal habitats through managed realignment projects..."
Policy ENV1: Natural Environment
We are pleased to see this policy aims to conserve and enhance the natural environment, protected sites and species. The Colne Estuary SPA, Blackwater Estuary SPA and Essex Estuaries SAC are specifically cited within this section, however Abberton Resevior SPA, Ramsar and SSSI are not referred to. For the avoidance of doubt, all designated sites should be listed within the policy.
The second paragraph of the policy should also be amended to include Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI'S), as well as N2K sites and AONB's. It should also include impacts upon the setting of the AONB: "In particular, developments that have an adverse impact on Natura 2000 sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or its setting will not be supported".
It is not clear from the proposals map if Local Wildlife Sites have been included. We advise clearly marking on the map all statutory and non-statutory sites to assess if there would be a direct impact from allocation proposals. For example, as outlined above the West of Colchester/East of Braintree New Garden Community is partly within the Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. Paragraph 110 of the NPPF states that plans should allocate land with the least environmental or amenity value, having sites clearly marked on the map will help to avoid detrimental impacts to them when choosing the location of sites.
Natural England advises that this policy is either expanded or an additional policy is added for protected species, which includes the following:
 Include policy seeking to create a network of wildlife corridors and avoid fragmented and isolated pockets of habitat.
 Inclusion of a more specific policy requiring specialist design features in new development to provide habitat and thereby improve bio-diversity.
 Inclusion in policy of measures to identify and protect species rich and local habitats of importance, including irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodlands.
This would ensure the plan is compliant with paragraphs 114 and 117 of the NPPF.
Point I: should also be amended to "reason to suspect the presence of (and impact to) protected species".
An amendment is also required to the line: "proposals likely to have a significant adverse effect on SPAs.... Will require a full appropriate assessment in line with...."
This policy may also need to be amended to reflect any impacts on European protected sites which are identified in the Habitats Regulations Assessment. We will provide a separate response to this once we have been consulted.
Coastal Areas Policy
Para 5.12 - We advise caution around use of the term "irreplaceable" in relation to natural assets (i.e. coastal habitats). This may imply that inter-tidal habitats (especially saltmarsh) cannot be replaced, and this does not align with the aspirations of the Shoreline Management Plan (one major aim of which is to replace lost saltmarsh, which cannot therefore be regarded as "irreplaceable"). We suggest that a different term is used to express the importance of coastal habitats.
Para 5.13 - with reference to the wording "obligations to protect the important natural and cultural assets have to be balanced against the wider socio-economic needs of the Borough's coastal communities", NPPF para 119 (the presumption in favour of sustainable development not applying for development requiring Appropriate Assessment) suggests that the term "balance" in this context may be inappropriate. Natural England accepts the principle of the wording, and is committed to finding solutions where competing coastal interests come into apparent conflict.
Policy ENV2: Coastal Areas
This policy includes landscape character of the coast, however, this could be strengthened to include the seascape as well.
We would like to see some policy support for the England Coast Path and we would be happy to work with you to develop appropriate wording for inclusion in the policy. Please refer to further information in Annex 1.
Policy ENV3: Green Infrastructure
Natural England welcomes the policy for green infrastructure. Provision of green infrastructure can provide recreational opportunities and may also relieve damaging or disturbing impacts on sensitive locations. Good design should enable communities to access permanent green corridors using non-motorised means of transport. Natural England produced an analysis of the adequacy of open space provision for the whole of Essex, with further details set out for each district. The report is available here: greenspace. Natural England advises that this analysis is included within the evidence base. Please see Annex 1 for more details on Green Infrastructure and Greenspace.
Policy ENV4: Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
This policy should include a point that major development proposals within or in the setting of the Dedham Vale AONB will require a Landscape Visual Assessment at the time of submission.

Policy CC1: Climate Change
We welcome the aspiration of this policy, that planned development should take account of and minimise vulnerability to climate change impacts. We note that paragraph 5.39 recognises the role of green infrastructure in aiding climate change adaptation, however, this is not included within the policy itself. We would recommend reviewing this, to include the natural environment as well as the built environment in the delivery of measures to reduce the effects of climate change. Green Infrastructure and resilient ecological networks play an important role in aiding climate change adaptation. The Authority should embrace the opportunities for climate change adaption through Green Infrastructure as part of the master-planning of the proposed 'new garden communities'. For more information, see PPG on Climate Change and Natural England's climate change risk assessment and adaptation plan (http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/216300
6. Places
Sustainable Settlements
The following allocation sites fall within Natural England's Impact Risk Zones (IRZ's) and all direct and indirect impacts to designated sites need to be assessed, for impacts such as recreational disturbance, water quality, water dependency and direct land take of functionally linked land. This should be fully covered in the SA, which have commented on below. The policies may need to be amended after the findings of the HRA. Many of the SSSI's such as Tiptree Heath and The Roman River are open access and already show signs of being under pressure from visitors. Green infrastructure provision is essential to reduce impacts from recreational disturbance at these sites. Some sites are also within or in the setting of Dedham Vale AONB and will need an appropriate landscape assessment.
 SS6 Dedham Heath Housing Sites - within or adjacent to the AONB. IRZ for Cattawade Marshes SSSI
 SS11 Langham - allocations at closest point 0.6km from AONB.
 SS12 Layer de le Haye - IRZ for Abberton Resevoir SPA, Ramsar, SSSI.
 SS13 Marks Tey - IRZ for Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. This policy should make reference to the Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI ("including an appropriate buffer area"), in view of the concerns in this location.
 SS14 Land to the south of Battleswick Farm, Rowhedge Road - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Upper Colne Marshes SSSI.
 SS15 Tiptree - Tiptree Heath SSSI.
 SS17a Mersea Housing and Employment - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Blackwater Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 4) SPA, Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SSSI.
 SS17b: Coast Road - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Blackwater Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 4) SPA, Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SSSI.
We advise that the final paragraph regarding "houseboat proposals for new moorings" should be clarified to explain that "proposals for houseboats on vacant historic moorings may also be acceptable, subject to an installation method statement which avoids impacts to saltmarsh habitats."
 SS17c: Caravan Parks - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Blackwater Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 4) SPA, Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SSSI.
Para 6.230 - We advise the wording could be improved by inserting "appropriate" before reference to "mitigation measures".
 SS18: Wivenhoe - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Upper Colne Marshes SSSI.

7. Development Management Policies
Policy DM11: Gypsies, Travellers, and Travelling Show people
This policy seeks to allocate the remaining requirement of pitches, (outside of Severalls Hospital Development), within the garden communities. Consideration needs to be given to any impact this could have on protected sites, particularly within the Marks Tey area which is within/adjacent to the SSSI.
Soil and land quality
There is currently no policy for the protection of soils. Natural England advises the inclusion of a policy which aims to protect soil quality during development to protect good quality land and to protect the ability of soil to allow water penetration by avoiding compaction, should be undertaken.
The Plan should recognise that development (soil sealing) has a major and usually irreversible adverse impact on soils. Mitigation should aim to minimise soil disturbance and to retain as many ecosystem services as possible through careful soil management during the construction process. The Authority should refer to the Defra Code of practice for the sustainable use of soils on construction sites. Please see Annex 1 for further details on Soils.
Best and Most Versatile Agricultural land (BMV)- The plan should safeguard the long term capability of best and most versatile agricultural land (Grades 1, 2 and 3a in the Agricultural Land Classification) as a resource for the future in line with paragraph 112 of the NPPF.
We therefore advise that the plan take a holistic approach to the assessment of sustainable development sites in respect of agricultural land quality. We recommend the inclusion of a specific Policy on Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land. Retaining higher quality land enhances future options for sustainable food production and helps secure other important ecosystem services. In the longer term, protection of BMV land may also reduce pressure for intensification of other land.
We would request that reference is made to the information in the Sustainability Appraisal regarding the impacts on soils to support the statement in para 8.28 "Whilst the Council will seek to develop poorer quality agricultural land, it is inevitable that due to the significant increased housing provision requirement, this will lead to unavoidable development on 'best and most versatile agricultural land', as there are insufficient brownfield sites to meet this demand.". It would also be helpful if the plan could confirm that the selection of sites has been undertaken using a sequential test to develop the poorer quality agricultural land. For more information, see the PPG on Soils and agricultural land
Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
Natural England's comments for the Local Plan Part 1 SA relate only to Colchester.
Part 1 Local Plan SA
 4.3.4 Landscapes - we recommend using the National Character Areas which divide England into 159 natural areas, each defined by a unique combination of landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity and economic and cultural activity. The new NCA profiles provide an integrated, locally specific evidence base that can be used for making decisions about the natural environment. The NCAs highlight the significant opportunities in each area and therefore provide a useful planning tool that can help guide the design of projects so that they are appropriate to the locality and deliver the maximum benefits for the natural environment. Colchester falls within NCA Profile: 86 South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland, NCA Profile:111 Northern Thames Basin, and NCA Profile: 81 Greater Thames Estuary.

 Natural England is generally supportive of the Sustainability Objectives used in the SA of the Part 1 Local Plan.
 The assessment of GCWC1 needs to acknowledge the proximity of Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI to the road and dualling proposals around Marks Tey and the potential for significant impacts on the SSSI.
 Policy SP4 - Infrastructure and Connectivity - has identified 0 for Sustainability Objective 5, however this has not taken into account the impacts to Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI.
 Table 18: Impact on Sustainability Objectives: Policy SP9 states that, paragraph 6.11.2 Significant and Temporal Effects states that - 'Despite requirements ensuring the protection and/or enhancement of biodiversity assets within and surrounding the site including the Domsey Brook and Roman River corridors, there will be only minor impacts associated with impacts on sites of nature conservation interest; this is due to no specific mention of Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. Any site option explored in Policy SP6 would have some degree of impact on this designation, as indicated by being in the SSSI's Impact Risk Zone (IRZ) which requires consultation with Natural England.' Natural England disagrees with the assessment of only minor impacts, due to no specific mention of the Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. The allocation has been located partially within/in very close proximity to the SSSI. This needs to be appropriately assessed. GCWC1
 Indicators - we would not recommend using SSSI condition as an indicator, a better indicator would be impacts (direct and indirect) on designated sites.
From the information provided the strategic locations for growth in Colchester appear to be broadly located in areas which are likely to have the least impact on nationally and internationally designated sites and landscapes.
Part 2 Local Plan SA
Natural England would expect further commentary on the SSSI's in the area. The SA should identify all SSSI's, what the impacts will be to each and what mitigation will be required to avoid impacts, or if there isn't an impact, it should identify which ones are low risk.
Natural England advises the Table 4: The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Framework Objectives should be strengthened to include an objective which aims to conserve and enhance protected landscapes. Currently the Assessment Criteria only says 'Will it maintain and enhance the landscape character of the borough?' Which doesn't take into account Dedham Vale AONB.
Green Infrastructure - The lack of a specific green infrastructure (GI) objective is disappointing and we strongly suggest one is included in the report. Natural England considers that the environmental SA Objectives, and some of the social and economic objectives could be improved by emphasising the importance of GI and its multifunctional benefits, which would assist in the delivery of a range of SA topic areas, e.g. biodiversity, landscape, health and wellbeing and climate change. This would assist in ensuring that GI is an integral, cross-cutting theme. Good quality local accessible green space, ecosystems and actions to manage them sustainably offer a range of benefits, e.g.
 Access to local greenspace can reduce health inequalities
 Increased and improved accessibility to greenspace can help increase
 physical activity
 Contact with greenspace can help improve health and wellbeing
 Green space contributes to functioning ecosystem services that can have a positive influence on health. Ecosystem services can assist in adapting to the extremes of climate change, e.g. green areas have less heat-island effect than built up areas.
 Greenspace can also help improve air quality and respiratory irritants. Function ecosystem services can also mitigate the risks associated with flooding from extreme rainfall events.
Indicators - along with the advice above to look at impacts to designated sites rather than SSSI condition, we also recommend the following:
 Protected species - Quantified data might include numbers of applications where protected species are considered, numbers with conditions imposed to ensure working practices and works to protect/ enhance protected species, and numbers of planning applications which result in need for protected species licence in order to be carried out . This will indicate that protected species are being given appropriate consideration within the planning system and begin to build up information on their occurrence within the plan area. Updated information following the publication of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 is available from our website.
 BAP habitat - created/ managed as result of granting planning permission (monitored via planning obligations) and which meet Biodiversity Action Plan targets.
 Landscape Character and Quality - Indicators/targets could be established from assessing changes in landscape character for National Character Areas (as measured by Countryside Quality Counts data).
We would be happy to comment further should the need arise but if in the meantime you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us. We would also be happy to meet with you in particular to discuss the Habitats Regulations Assessment of your plan, as well as any other issues which we have raised in this response.
For any queries relating to the specific advice in this letter only please contact Kayleigh Cheese on 02080 260981. For any new consultations, or to provide further information on this consultation please send your correspondences to consultations@naturalengland.org.uk.
We really value your feedback to help us improve the service we offer. We have attached a feedback form to this letter and welcome any comments you might have about our service.
Yours faithfully
Miss Kayleigh Cheese
Essex Local Delivery Team

ANNEX 1
Green Infrastructure
ANGSt aims to address the spatial distribution of natural greenspace, its accessibility at different size limits and the hectarage of Local Nature Reserve per head of population with the aim of securing access to natural greenspace close to where people live. These standards recommend that people living in towns and cities should have an accessible natural greenspace: (ANGST): two kilometres of home; on
More information on the Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard can be found http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40004
Soils
The plan should give appropriate weight to the roles performed by the area's soils. These should be valued as a finite multi-functional resource which underpins our wellbeing and prosperity. Decisions about development should take full account of the impact on soils, their intrinsic character and the sustainability of the many ecosystem services they deliver. Soils of high environmental value should also be considered as part of ecological connectivity
England Coast Path
We do not believe that the Essex stretch of the England Coast Path has been mentioned in the Local Plan preferred options. Natural England is charged with implementing the England Coast Path, which is due for completion as a whole project by 2020. This new long-distance trail will eventually allow people to walk around the whole English coast. Work on the Colchester section of the Path is currently underway with our team of coastal path advisers, and Natural England would seek to achieve Policy support for the Coast Path in the Council's Local Plan.
The England Coast Path is possible because of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. As well as a long-distance walking route, there may be areas of 'spreading room' beside the route where people can explore, relax and admire the view. The Act also means that for the first time, where existing footpaths erode into the sea, a replacement route can be quickly put in place - securing people's right to walk around the coast forever. The new path will avoid certain areas such as private houses and gardens, major ports and in some locations, areas that are important for sensitive species.
Designating the route as part of the England Coast Path will bring more support for local services like shops, hotels and pubs through increased visitor spending where additional visits are made, and therefore aligns well with the Council's proposed approach to tourism. As we have already commented above, the Coast Path does present challenges in certain locations, where access to the coast may cause recreational disturbance to some of the interest features of sites designated for their nature conservation interest. The Path will be subject to the same tests of the Habitats Regulations, and will therefore seek to achieve consistency in its approach to safeguarding sensitive features of these sites as any other plan or project. We would be pleased to discuss this with you in more detail should you wish. Colchester Borough covers both the Salcott to Jaywick and Mersea Island England Coast Path stretches. Further information can be found in the following links:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-salcott-to-jaywick
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-mersea-island

Natural England is a non-departmental public body. Our statutory purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
Habitats Regulations Assessment
To date Natural England has not been consulted upon the Habitats Regulations Assessment Report (HRA). We note that you have undertaken a HRA Screening exercise and concluded that there are likely significant effects due to the amount of growth proposed and therefore the plan will need to be subject to the appropriate assessment stage. We may therefore need to amend our advice in light of any future HRA work. We would like to request to see a copy of the screening report and would also advise that you liaise with Natural England as soon as possible (and before the next formal consultation stage) to agree the methodology, sites to be included and the issues and policies which will be subject to the appropriate assessment.
PART ONE: SHARED STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Objectives paragraph 2.29 - Natural England advises that to ensure the Local Plan is consistent with paragraph 156 of the NPPF it should include a high level strategic objective / priority which addresses the need to protect and enhance the natural environment, including landscape, and the challenges surrounding climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Policy SP1 - SP1: Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development - does not refer to para 119. The presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply where development requiring appropriate assessment under the Birds or Habitats Directives is being considered, planned or determined.
Policy SP4 Infrastructure and Connectivity - This policy proposes the dualling of the A120 between the A12 junction and Braintree A120 / A12 junction. Marks Tey Brickpit Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is in close proximity to these proposals and we would not wish to see any adverse impacts on the SSSI as a result of these proposals. We would also recommend that the policy could be expanded to ensure that any road transport schemes incorporate biodiversity
enhancements and the creation of habitat corridors where possible. We would expect the Sustainability Appraisal to identify any potential impacts and any mitigation measures which may be required. Natural England has been engaged in initial meetings around the dualling proposals and will continue to be involved in discussions around the issues and options for the scheme.
SP5 Place Shaping Principles - Natural England generally supports this policy but would recommend that the policy should be strengthened to ensure that new development also incorporates biodiversity creation and enhancement into its design.
SP6 Spatial Strategy for North Essex - Natural England generally supports this policy pending the HRA findings. We would welcome early consultation on the mater plans.
Policy SP7 Development and Delivery of New Garden Communities in Essex - Natural England welcomes the planning principles in this policy, particularly the requirement for all garden communities to be subject to master planning and to ensure green infrastructure is incorporated and the natural environment is to be celebrated as part of the approach. The policy could be further strengthened by requiring these new communities to deliver green infrastructure which is in line with Natural England's Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards (ANGsT). Please see Annex 1 for further information on green infrastructure and NE's ANGst standards
We have not yet been consulted on the HRA Report for Colchester Local Plan, therefore we may require this policy to be strengthened or amended to include any mitigation or avoidance measures to address potential adverse impacts on European protected sites. This also applies to Policies SP8, SP9 and SP10.
Policy SP 8 East Colchester/West Tendring New Garden Community Strategic Growth Areas & New Garden Communities - Natural England welcomes the fact that a considerable amount of the Garden Community will be green infrastructure and a country park. We would also like to see this policy make specific reference to the need to enhance and incorporate biodiversity into the design of the Garden Communities to specifically deliver some of the priorities / targets in the Essex Biodiversity Action Plan. The location of the proposed Garden Community doesn't appear to impact directly on any statutory designated sites or protected landscapes but they are in close proximity to a few SSSI's namely Bullock Wood, Ardleigh Gravel Pit, Wivenhoe Gravel Pit and Upper Colne Marshes. We would expect the more detailed design of the Garden Community to avoid any indirect impacts (such as recreational or water related impacts) and we would therefore like to see the policy strengthened to address this issue.
Policy SP9 West of Colchester/East of Braintree New Garden Community - Currently, the approximate location of this garden community is overlapping the boundary of Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. We would not wish to see any development proposals (housing or transport proposals) have an adverse effect. We would expect the more detailed design of the Garden Community to avoid any impacts on this site and we would therefore like to see the policy strengthened to address this issue. In the Other requirements section, point 20. Should also include protection and enhancement of geological assets, alongside the heritage and biodiversity assets. We do however welcome the approach taken with this policy in relation to the commitment to ensuring green infrastructure is integral to the Garden Community and to protect and enhance biodiversity assets.
SP10 West of Braintree New Garden Community - Natural England welcomes the commitment to ensuring green infrastructure is integral to the development of the new Garden Community as well as the requirement for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity assets.
PART TWO - LOCAL PLAN FOR COLCHESTER
Objectives - 3.14 Natural Environment

Natural England welcomes this objective, particularly the bullet point to 'Protect and enhance landscapes, biodiversity, green spaces, air and water quality, and river corridors'. This could be strengthened by also including the protection and enhancement of designated sites, geodiversity and soils.
SG8 - Developer Contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy - Community Infrastructure Levy and S106 need to include provisions for strategic mitigation for impacts to coastal designated sites, as may be appropriate.
5. Environmental Assets Policies
Para 5.2 - Natural England would welcome early conversations regarding "the river's recreation and nature conservation values".
Para 5.3 - Should be rephrased to "likely to have a significant effect on..." in line with the Habitats Regulations.
Para 5.4 - We advise adding the word appropriate: "supported by appropriate ecological surveys" and amending the paragraph wording:
"Where there is a confirmed presence, or reasonable likelihood, of a legally protected species or Species of Principal Importance, on an application site, (or where present on adjacent land), and where the species is likely to be affected, the applicant will be required to demonstrate that adverse impacts upon the species have been avoided, and where they cannot be avoided adequately mitigated."
Para 5.9 - We advise including the following wording: "accommodating future flood waters and inter-tidal habitats through managed realignment projects..."
Policy ENV1: Natural Environment
We are pleased to see this policy aims to conserve and enhance the natural environment, protected sites and species. The Colne Estuary SPA, Blackwater Estuary SPA and Essex Estuaries SAC are specifically cited within this section, however Abberton Resevior SPA, Ramsar and SSSI are not referred to. For the avoidance of doubt, all designated sites should be listed within the policy.
The second paragraph of the policy should also be amended to include Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI'S), as well as N2K sites and AONB's. It should also include impacts upon the setting of the AONB: "In particular, developments that have an adverse impact on Natura 2000 sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or its setting will not be supported".
It is not clear from the proposals map if Local Wildlife Sites have been included. We advise clearly marking on the map all statutory and non-statutory sites to assess if there would be a direct impact from allocation proposals. For example, as outlined above the West of Colchester/East of Braintree New Garden Community is partly within the Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. Paragraph 110 of the NPPF states that plans should allocate land with the least environmental or amenity value, having sites clearly marked on the map will help to avoid detrimental impacts to them when choosing the location of sites.
Natural England advises that this policy is either expanded or an additional policy is added for protected species, which includes the following:
 Include policy seeking to create a network of wildlife corridors and avoid fragmented and isolated pockets of habitat.
 Inclusion of a more specific policy requiring specialist design features in new development to provide habitat and thereby improve bio-diversity.
 Inclusion in policy of measures to identify and protect species rich and local habitats of importance, including irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodlands.
This would ensure the plan is compliant with paragraphs 114 and 117 of the NPPF.
Point I: should also be amended to "reason to suspect the presence of (and impact to) protected species".
An amendment is also required to the line: "proposals likely to have a significant adverse effect on SPAs.... Will require a full appropriate assessment in line with...."
This policy may also need to be amended to reflect any impacts on European protected sites which are identified in the Habitats Regulations Assessment. We will provide a separate response to this once we have been consulted.
Coastal Areas Policy
Para 5.12 - We advise caution around use of the term "irreplaceable" in relation to natural assets (i.e. coastal habitats). This may imply that inter-tidal habitats (especially saltmarsh) cannot be replaced, and this does not align with the aspirations of the Shoreline Management Plan (one major aim of which is to replace lost saltmarsh, which cannot therefore be regarded as "irreplaceable"). We suggest that a different term is used to express the importance of coastal habitats.
Para 5.13 - with reference to the wording "obligations to protect the important natural and cultural assets have to be balanced against the wider socio-economic needs of the Borough's coastal communities", NPPF para 119 (the presumption in favour of sustainable development not applying for development requiring Appropriate Assessment) suggests that the term "balance" in this context may be inappropriate. Natural England accepts the principle of the wording, and is committed to finding solutions where competing coastal interests come into apparent conflict.
Policy ENV2: Coastal Areas
This policy includes landscape character of the coast, however, this could be strengthened to include the seascape as well.
We would like to see some policy support for the England Coast Path and we would be happy to work with you to develop appropriate wording for inclusion in the policy. Please refer to further information in Annex 1.
Policy ENV3: Green Infrastructure
Natural England welcomes the policy for green infrastructure. Provision of green infrastructure can provide recreational opportunities and may also relieve damaging or disturbing impacts on sensitive locations. Good design should enable communities to access permanent green corridors using non-motorised means of transport. Natural England produced an analysis of the adequacy of open space provision for the whole of Essex, with further details set out for each district. The report is available here: greenspace. Natural England advises that this analysis is included within the evidence base. Please see Annex 1 for more details on Green Infrastructure and Greenspace.
Policy ENV4: Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
This policy should include a point that major development proposals within or in the setting of the Dedham Vale AONB will require a Landscape Visual Assessment at the time of submission.

Policy CC1: Climate Change
We welcome the aspiration of this policy, that planned development should take account of and minimise vulnerability to climate change impacts. We note that paragraph 5.39 recognises the role of green infrastructure in aiding climate change adaptation, however, this is not included within the policy itself. We would recommend reviewing this, to include the natural environment as well as the built environment in the delivery of measures to reduce the effects of climate change. Green Infrastructure and resilient ecological networks play an important role in aiding climate change adaptation. The Authority should embrace the opportunities for climate change adaption through Green Infrastructure as part of the master-planning of the proposed 'new garden communities'. For more information, see PPG on Climate Change and Natural England's climate change risk assessment and adaptation plan (http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/216300
6. Places
Sustainable Settlements
The following allocation sites fall within Natural England's Impact Risk Zones (IRZ's) and all direct and indirect impacts to designated sites need to be assessed, for impacts such as recreational disturbance, water quality, water dependency and direct land take of functionally linked land. This should be fully covered in the SA, which have commented on below. The policies may need to be amended after the findings of the HRA. Many of the SSSI's such as Tiptree Heath and The Roman River are open access and already show signs of being under pressure from visitors. Green infrastructure provision is essential to reduce impacts from recreational disturbance at these sites. Some sites are also within or in the setting of Dedham Vale AONB and will need an appropriate landscape assessment.
 SS6 Dedham Heath Housing Sites - within or adjacent to the AONB. IRZ for Cattawade Marshes SSSI
 SS11 Langham - allocations at closest point 0.6km from AONB.
 SS12 Layer de le Haye - IRZ for Abberton Resevoir SPA, Ramsar, SSSI.
 SS13 Marks Tey - IRZ for Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. This policy should make reference to the Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI ("including an appropriate buffer area"), in view of the concerns in this location.
 SS14 Land to the south of Battleswick Farm, Rowhedge Road - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Upper Colne Marshes SSSI.
 SS15 Tiptree - Tiptree Heath SSSI.
 SS17a Mersea Housing and Employment - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Blackwater Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 4) SPA, Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SSSI.
 SS17b: Coast Road - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Blackwater Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 4) SPA, Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SSSI.
We advise that the final paragraph regarding "houseboat proposals for new moorings" should be clarified to explain that "proposals for houseboats on vacant historic moorings may also be acceptable, subject to an installation method statement which avoids impacts to saltmarsh habitats."
 SS17c: Caravan Parks - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Blackwater Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 4) SPA, Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SSSI.
Para 6.230 - We advise the wording could be improved by inserting "appropriate" before reference to "mitigation measures".
 SS18: Wivenhoe - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Upper Colne Marshes SSSI.

7. Development Management Policies
Policy DM11: Gypsies, Travellers, and Travelling Show people
This policy seeks to allocate the remaining requirement of pitches, (outside of Severalls Hospital Development), within the garden communities. Consideration needs to be given to any impact this could have on protected sites, particularly within the Marks Tey area which is within/adjacent to the SSSI.
Soil and land quality
There is currently no policy for the protection of soils. Natural England advises the inclusion of a policy which aims to protect soil quality during development to protect good quality land and to protect the ability of soil to allow water penetration by avoiding compaction, should be undertaken.
The Plan should recognise that development (soil sealing) has a major and usually irreversible adverse impact on soils. Mitigation should aim to minimise soil disturbance and to retain as many ecosystem services as possible through careful soil management during the construction process. The Authority should refer to the Defra Code of practice for the sustainable use of soils on construction sites. Please see Annex 1 for further details on Soils.
Best and Most Versatile Agricultural land (BMV)- The plan should safeguard the long term capability of best and most versatile agricultural land (Grades 1, 2 and 3a in the Agricultural Land Classification) as a resource for the future in line with paragraph 112 of the NPPF.
We therefore advise that the plan take a holistic approach to the assessment of sustainable development sites in respect of agricultural land quality. We recommend the inclusion of a specific Policy on Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land. Retaining higher quality land enhances future options for sustainable food production and helps secure other important ecosystem services. In the longer term, protection of BMV land may also reduce pressure for intensification of other land.
We would request that reference is made to the information in the Sustainability Appraisal regarding the impacts on soils to support the statement in para 8.28 "Whilst the Council will seek to develop poorer quality agricultural land, it is inevitable that due to the significant increased housing provision requirement, this will lead to unavoidable development on 'best and most versatile agricultural land', as there are insufficient brownfield sites to meet this demand.". It would also be helpful if the plan could confirm that the selection of sites has been undertaken using a sequential test to develop the poorer quality agricultural land. For more information, see the PPG on Soils and agricultural land
Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
Natural England's comments for the Local Plan Part 1 SA relate only to Colchester.
Part 1 Local Plan SA
 4.3.4 Landscapes - we recommend using the National Character Areas which divide England into 159 natural areas, each defined by a unique combination of landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity and economic and cultural activity. The new NCA profiles provide an integrated, locally specific evidence base that can be used for making decisions about the natural environment. The NCAs highlight the significant opportunities in each area and therefore provide a useful planning tool that can help guide the design of projects so that they are appropriate to the locality and deliver the maximum benefits for the natural environment. Colchester falls within NCA Profile: 86 South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland, NCA Profile:111 Northern Thames Basin, and NCA Profile: 81 Greater Thames Estuary.

 Natural England is generally supportive of the Sustainability Objectives used in the SA of the Part 1 Local Plan.
 The assessment of GCWC1 needs to acknowledge the proximity of Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI to the road and dualling proposals around Marks Tey and the potential for significant impacts on the SSSI.
 Policy SP4 - Infrastructure and Connectivity - has identified 0 for Sustainability Objective 5, however this has not taken into account the impacts to Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI.
 Table 18: Impact on Sustainability Objectives: Policy SP9 states that, paragraph 6.11.2 Significant and Temporal Effects states that - 'Despite requirements ensuring the protection and/or enhancement of biodiversity assets within and surrounding the site including the Domsey Brook and Roman River corridors, there will be only minor impacts associated with impacts on sites of nature conservation interest; this is due to no specific mention of Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. Any site option explored in Policy SP6 would have some degree of impact on this designation, as indicated by being in the SSSI's Impact Risk Zone (IRZ) which requires consultation with Natural England.' Natural England disagrees with the assessment of only minor impacts, due to no specific mention of the Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. The allocation has been located partially within/in very close proximity to the SSSI. This needs to be appropriately assessed. GCWC1
 Indicators - we would not recommend using SSSI condition as an indicator, a better indicator would be impacts (direct and indirect) on designated sites.
From the information provided the strategic locations for growth in Colchester appear to be broadly located in areas which are likely to have the least impact on nationally and internationally designated sites and landscapes.
Part 2 Local Plan SA
Natural England would expect further commentary on the SSSI's in the area. The SA should identify all SSSI's, what the impacts will be to each and what mitigation will be required to avoid impacts, or if there isn't an impact, it should identify which ones are low risk.
Natural England advises the Table 4: The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Framework Objectives should be strengthened to include an objective which aims to conserve and enhance protected landscapes. Currently the Assessment Criteria only says 'Will it maintain and enhance the landscape character of the borough?' Which doesn't take into account Dedham Vale AONB.
Green Infrastructure - The lack of a specific green infrastructure (GI) objective is disappointing and we strongly suggest one is included in the report. Natural England considers that the environmental SA Objectives, and some of the social and economic objectives could be improved by emphasising the importance of GI and its multifunctional benefits, which would assist in the delivery of a range of SA topic areas, e.g. biodiversity, landscape, health and wellbeing and climate change. This would assist in ensuring that GI is an integral, cross-cutting theme. Good quality local accessible green space, ecosystems and actions to manage them sustainably offer a range of benefits, e.g.
 Access to local greenspace can reduce health inequalities
 Increased and improved accessibility to greenspace can help increase
 physical activity
 Contact with greenspace can help improve health and wellbeing
 Green space contributes to functioning ecosystem services that can have a positive influence on health. Ecosystem services can assist in adapting to the extremes of climate change, e.g. green areas have less heat-island effect than built up areas.
 Greenspace can also help improve air quality and respiratory irritants. Function ecosystem services can also mitigate the risks associated with flooding from extreme rainfall events.
Indicators - along with the advice above to look at impacts to designated sites rather than SSSI condition, we also recommend the following:
 Protected species - Quantified data might include numbers of applications where protected species are considered, numbers with conditions imposed to ensure working practices and works to protect/ enhance protected species, and numbers of planning applications which result in need for protected species licence in order to be carried out . This will indicate that protected species are being given appropriate consideration within the planning system and begin to build up information on their occurrence within the plan area. Updated information following the publication of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 is available from our website.
 BAP habitat - created/ managed as result of granting planning permission (monitored via planning obligations) and which meet Biodiversity Action Plan targets.
 Landscape Character and Quality - Indicators/targets could be established from assessing changes in landscape character for National Character Areas (as measured by Countryside Quality Counts data).
We would be happy to comment further should the need arise but if in the meantime you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us. We would also be happy to meet with you in particular to discuss the Habitats Regulations Assessment of your plan, as well as any other issues which we have raised in this response.
For any queries relating to the specific advice in this letter only please contact Kayleigh Cheese on 02080 260981. For any new consultations, or to provide further information on this consultation please send your correspondences to consultations@naturalengland.org.uk.
We really value your feedback to help us improve the service we offer. We have attached a feedback form to this letter and welcome any comments you might have about our service.
Yours faithfully
Miss Kayleigh Cheese
Essex Local Delivery Team

ANNEX 1
Green Infrastructure
ANGSt aims to address the spatial distribution of natural greenspace, its accessibility at different size limits and the hectarage of Local Nature Reserve per head of population with the aim of securing access to natural greenspace close to where people live. These standards recommend that people living in towns and cities should have an accessible natural greenspace: (ANGST): two kilometres of home; on
More information on the Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard can be found http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40004
Soils
The plan should give appropriate weight to the roles performed by the area's soils. These should be valued as a finite multi-functional resource which underpins our wellbeing and prosperity. Decisions about development should take full account of the impact on soils, their intrinsic character and the sustainability of the many ecosystem services they deliver. Soils of high environmental value should also be considered as part of ecological connectivity
England Coast Path
We do not believe that the Essex stretch of the England Coast Path has been mentioned in the Local Plan preferred options. Natural England is charged with implementing the England Coast Path, which is due for completion as a whole project by 2020. This new long-distance trail will eventually allow people to walk around the whole English coast. Work on the Colchester section of the Path is currently underway with our team of coastal path advisers, and Natural England would seek to achieve Policy support for the Coast Path in the Council's Local Plan.
The England Coast Path is possible because of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. As well as a long-distance walking route, there may be areas of 'spreading room' beside the route where people can explore, relax and admire the view. The Act also means that for the first time, where existing footpaths erode into the sea, a replacement route can be quickly put in place - securing people's right to walk around the coast forever. The new path will avoid certain areas such as private houses and gardens, major ports and in some locations, areas that are important for sensitive species.
Designating the route as part of the England Coast Path will bring more support for local services like shops, hotels and pubs through increased visitor spending where additional visits are made, and therefore aligns well with the Council's proposed approach to tourism. As we have already commented above, the Coast Path does present challenges in certain locations, where access to the coast may cause recreational disturbance to some of the interest features of sites designated for their nature conservation interest. The Path will be subject to the same tests of the Habitats Regulations, and will therefore seek to achieve consistency in its approach to safeguarding sensitive features of these sites as any other plan or project. We would be pleased to discuss this with you in more detail should you wish. Colchester Borough covers both the Salcott to Jaywick and Mersea Island England Coast Path stretches. Further information can be found in the following links:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-salcott-to-jaywick
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-mersea-island

Natural England is a non-departmental public body. Our statutory purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
Habitats Regulations Assessment
To date Natural England has not been consulted upon the Habitats Regulations Assessment Report (HRA). We note that you have undertaken a HRA Screening exercise and concluded that there are likely significant effects due to the amount of growth proposed and therefore the plan will need to be subject to the appropriate assessment stage. We may therefore need to amend our advice in light of any future HRA work. We would like to request to see a copy of the screening report and would also advise that you liaise with Natural England as soon as possible (and before the next formal consultation stage) to agree the methodology, sites to be included and the issues and policies which will be subject to the appropriate assessment.
PART ONE: SHARED STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Objectives paragraph 2.29 - Natural England advises that to ensure the Local Plan is consistent with paragraph 156 of the NPPF it should include a high level strategic objective / priority which addresses the need to protect and enhance the natural environment, including landscape, and the challenges surrounding climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Policy SP1 - SP1: Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development - does not refer to para 119. The presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply where development requiring appropriate assessment under the Birds or Habitats Directives is being considered, planned or determined.
Policy SP4 Infrastructure and Connectivity - This policy proposes the dualling of the A120 between the A12 junction and Braintree A120 / A12 junction. Marks Tey Brickpit Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is in close proximity to these proposals and we would not wish to see any adverse impacts on the SSSI as a result of these proposals. We would also recommend that the policy could be expanded to ensure that any road transport schemes incorporate biodiversity
enhancements and the creation of habitat corridors where possible. We would expect the Sustainability Appraisal to identify any potential impacts and any mitigation measures which may be required. Natural England has been engaged in initial meetings around the dualling proposals and will continue to be involved in discussions around the issues and options for the scheme.
SP5 Place Shaping Principles - Natural England generally supports this policy but would recommend that the policy should be strengthened to ensure that new development also incorporates biodiversity creation and enhancement into its design.
SP6 Spatial Strategy for North Essex - Natural England generally supports this policy pending the HRA findings. We would welcome early consultation on the mater plans.
Policy SP7 Development and Delivery of New Garden Communities in Essex - Natural England welcomes the planning principles in this policy, particularly the requirement for all garden communities to be subject to master planning and to ensure green infrastructure is incorporated and the natural environment is to be celebrated as part of the approach. The policy could be further strengthened by requiring these new communities to deliver green infrastructure which is in line with Natural England's Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards (ANGsT). Please see Annex 1 for further information on green infrastructure and NE's ANGst standards
We have not yet been consulted on the HRA Report for Colchester Local Plan, therefore we may require this policy to be strengthened or amended to include any mitigation or avoidance measures to address potential adverse impacts on European protected sites. This also applies to Policies SP8, SP9 and SP10.
Policy SP 8 East Colchester/West Tendring New Garden Community Strategic Growth Areas & New Garden Communities - Natural England welcomes the fact that a considerable amount of the Garden Community will be green infrastructure and a country park. We would also like to see this policy make specific reference to the need to enhance and incorporate biodiversity into the design of the Garden Communities to specifically deliver some of the priorities / targets in the Essex Biodiversity Action Plan. The location of the proposed Garden Community doesn't appear to impact directly on any statutory designated sites or protected landscapes but they are in close proximity to a few SSSI's namely Bullock Wood, Ardleigh Gravel Pit, Wivenhoe Gravel Pit and Upper Colne Marshes. We would expect the more detailed design of the Garden Community to avoid any indirect impacts (such as recreational or water related impacts) and we would therefore like to see the policy strengthened to address this issue.
Policy SP9 West of Colchester/East of Braintree New Garden Community - Currently, the approximate location of this garden community is overlapping the boundary of Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. We would not wish to see any development proposals (housing or transport proposals) have an adverse effect. We would expect the more detailed design of the Garden Community to avoid any impacts on this site and we would therefore like to see the policy strengthened to address this issue. In the Other requirements section, point 20. Should also include protection and enhancement of geological assets, alongside the heritage and biodiversity assets. We do however welcome the approach taken with this policy in relation to the commitment to ensuring green infrastructure is integral to the Garden Community and to protect and enhance biodiversity assets.
SP10 West of Braintree New Garden Community - Natural England welcomes the commitment to ensuring green infrastructure is integral to the development of the new Garden Community as well as the requirement for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity assets.
PART TWO - LOCAL PLAN FOR COLCHESTER
Objectives - 3.14 Natural Environment

Natural England welcomes this objective, particularly the bullet point to 'Protect and enhance landscapes, biodiversity, green spaces, air and water quality, and river corridors'. This could be strengthened by also including the protection and enhancement of designated sites, geodiversity and soils.
SG8 - Developer Contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy - Community Infrastructure Levy and S106 need to include provisions for strategic mitigation for impacts to coastal designated sites, as may be appropriate.
5. Environmental Assets Policies
Para 5.2 - Natural England would welcome early conversations regarding "the river's recreation and nature conservation values".
Para 5.3 - Should be rephrased to "likely to have a significant effect on..." in line with the Habitats Regulations.
Para 5.4 - We advise adding the word appropriate: "supported by appropriate ecological surveys" and amending the paragraph wording:
"Where there is a confirmed presence, or reasonable likelihood, of a legally protected species or Species of Principal Importance, on an application site, (or where present on adjacent land), and where the species is likely to be affected, the applicant will be required to demonstrate that adverse impacts upon the species have been avoided, and where they cannot be avoided adequately mitigated."
Para 5.9 - We advise including the following wording: "accommodating future flood waters and inter-tidal habitats through managed realignment projects..."
Policy ENV1: Natural Environment
We are pleased to see this policy aims to conserve and enhance the natural environment, protected sites and species. The Colne Estuary SPA, Blackwater Estuary SPA and Essex Estuaries SAC are specifically cited within this section, however Abberton Resevior SPA, Ramsar and SSSI are not referred to. For the avoidance of doubt, all designated sites should be listed within the policy.
The second paragraph of the policy should also be amended to include Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI'S), as well as N2K sites and AONB's. It should also include impacts upon the setting of the AONB: "In particular, developments that have an adverse impact on Natura 2000 sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or its setting will not be supported".
It is not clear from the proposals map if Local Wildlife Sites have been included. We advise clearly marking on the map all statutory and non-statutory sites to assess if there would be a direct impact from allocation proposals. For example, as outlined above the West of Colchester/East of Braintree New Garden Community is partly within the Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. Paragraph 110 of the NPPF states that plans should allocate land with the least environmental or amenity value, having sites clearly marked on the map will help to avoid detrimental impacts to them when choosing the location of sites.
Natural England advises that this policy is either expanded or an additional policy is added for protected species, which includes the following:
 Include policy seeking to create a network of wildlife corridors and avoid fragmented and isolated pockets of habitat.
 Inclusion of a more specific policy requiring specialist design features in new development to provide habitat and thereby improve bio-diversity.
 Inclusion in policy of measures to identify and protect species rich and local habitats of importance, including irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodlands.
This would ensure the plan is compliant with paragraphs 114 and 117 of the NPPF.
Point I: should also be amended to "reason to suspect the presence of (and impact to) protected species".
An amendment is also required to the line: "proposals likely to have a significant adverse effect on SPAs.... Will require a full appropriate assessment in line with...."
This policy may also need to be amended to reflect any impacts on European protected sites which are identified in the Habitats Regulations Assessment. We will provide a separate response to this once we have been consulted.
Coastal Areas Policy
Para 5.12 - We advise caution around use of the term "irreplaceable" in relation to natural assets (i.e. coastal habitats). This may imply that inter-tidal habitats (especially saltmarsh) cannot be replaced, and this does not align with the aspirations of the Shoreline Management Plan (one major aim of which is to replace lost saltmarsh, which cannot therefore be regarded as "irreplaceable"). We suggest that a different term is used to express the importance of coastal habitats.
Para 5.13 - with reference to the wording "obligations to protect the important natural and cultural assets have to be balanced against the wider socio-economic needs of the Borough's coastal communities", NPPF para 119 (the presumption in favour of sustainable development not applying for development requiring Appropriate Assessment) suggests that the term "balance" in this context may be inappropriate. Natural England accepts the principle of the wording, and is committed to finding solutions where competing coastal interests come into apparent conflict.
Policy ENV2: Coastal Areas
This policy includes landscape character of the coast, however, this could be strengthened to include the seascape as well.
We would like to see some policy support for the England Coast Path and we would be happy to work with you to develop appropriate wording for inclusion in the policy. Please refer to further information in Annex 1.
Policy ENV3: Green Infrastructure
Natural England welcomes the policy for green infrastructure. Provision of green infrastructure can provide recreational opportunities and may also relieve damaging or disturbing impacts on sensitive locations. Good design should enable communities to access permanent green corridors using non-motorised means of transport. Natural England produced an analysis of the adequacy of open space provision for the whole of Essex, with further details set out for each district. The report is available here: greenspace. Natural England advises that this analysis is included within the evidence base. Please see Annex 1 for more details on Green Infrastructure and Greenspace.
Policy ENV4: Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
This policy should include a point that major development proposals within or in the setting of the Dedham Vale AONB will require a Landscape Visual Assessment at the time of submission.

Policy CC1: Climate Change
We welcome the aspiration of this policy, that planned development should take account of and minimise vulnerability to climate change impacts. We note that paragraph 5.39 recognises the role of green infrastructure in aiding climate change adaptation, however, this is not included within the policy itself. We would recommend reviewing this, to include the natural environment as well as the built environment in the delivery of measures to reduce the effects of climate change. Green Infrastructure and resilient ecological networks play an important role in aiding climate change adaptation. The Authority should embrace the opportunities for climate change adaption through Green Infrastructure as part of the master-planning of the proposed 'new garden communities'. For more information, see PPG on Climate Change and Natural England's climate change risk assessment and adaptation plan (http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/216300
6. Places
Sustainable Settlements
The following allocation sites fall within Natural England's Impact Risk Zones (IRZ's) and all direct and indirect impacts to designated sites need to be assessed, for impacts such as recreational disturbance, water quality, water dependency and direct land take of functionally linked land. This should be fully covered in the SA, which have commented on below. The policies may need to be amended after the findings of the HRA. Many of the SSSI's such as Tiptree Heath and The Roman River are open access and already show signs of being under pressure from visitors. Green infrastructure provision is essential to reduce impacts from recreational disturbance at these sites. Some sites are also within or in the setting of Dedham Vale AONB and will need an appropriate landscape assessment.
 SS6 Dedham Heath Housing Sites - within or adjacent to the AONB. IRZ for Cattawade Marshes SSSI
 SS11 Langham - allocations at closest point 0.6km from AONB.
 SS12 Layer de le Haye - IRZ for Abberton Resevoir SPA, Ramsar, SSSI.
 SS13 Marks Tey - IRZ for Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. This policy should make reference to the Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI ("including an appropriate buffer area"), in view of the concerns in this location.
 SS14 Land to the south of Battleswick Farm, Rowhedge Road - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Upper Colne Marshes SSSI.
 SS15 Tiptree - Tiptree Heath SSSI.
 SS17a Mersea Housing and Employment - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Blackwater Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 4) SPA, Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SSSI.
 SS17b: Coast Road - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Blackwater Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 4) SPA, Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SSSI.
We advise that the final paragraph regarding "houseboat proposals for new moorings" should be clarified to explain that "proposals for houseboats on vacant historic moorings may also be acceptable, subject to an installation method statement which avoids impacts to saltmarsh habitats."
 SS17c: Caravan Parks - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Blackwater Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 4) SPA, Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SSSI.
Para 6.230 - We advise the wording could be improved by inserting "appropriate" before reference to "mitigation measures".
 SS18: Wivenhoe - Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex Estuary SAC, Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2) SPA and Ramsar. Upper Colne Marshes SSSI.

7. Development Management Policies
Policy DM11: Gypsies, Travellers, and Travelling Show people
This policy seeks to allocate the remaining requirement of pitches, (outside of Severalls Hospital Development), within the garden communities. Consideration needs to be given to any impact this could have on protected sites, particularly within the Marks Tey area which is within/adjacent to the SSSI.
Soil and land quality
There is currently no policy for the protection of soils. Natural England advises the inclusion of a policy which aims to protect soil quality during development to protect good quality land and to protect the ability of soil to allow water penetration by avoiding compaction, should be undertaken.
The Plan should recognise that development (soil sealing) has a major and usually irreversible adverse impact on soils. Mitigation should aim to minimise soil disturbance and to retain as many ecosystem services as possible through careful soil management during the construction process. The Authority should refer to the Defra Code of practice for the sustainable use of soils on construction sites. Please see Annex 1 for further details on Soils.
Best and Most Versatile Agricultural land (BMV)- The plan should safeguard the long term capability of best and most versatile agricultural land (Grades 1, 2 and 3a in the Agricultural Land Classification) as a resource for the future in line with paragraph 112 of the NPPF.
We therefore advise that the plan take a holistic approach to the assessment of sustainable development sites in respect of agricultural land quality. We recommend the inclusion of a specific Policy on Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land. Retaining higher quality land enhances future options for sustainable food production and helps secure other important ecosystem services. In the longer term, protection of BMV land may also reduce pressure for intensification of other land.
We would request that reference is made to the information in the Sustainability Appraisal regarding the impacts on soils to support the statement in para 8.28 "Whilst the Council will seek to develop poorer quality agricultural land, it is inevitable that due to the significant increased housing provision requirement, this will lead to unavoidable development on 'best and most versatile agricultural land', as there are insufficient brownfield sites to meet this demand.". It would also be helpful if the plan could confirm that the selection of sites has been undertaken using a sequential test to develop the poorer quality agricultural land. For more information, see the PPG on Soils and agricultural land
Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
Natural England's comments for the Local Plan Part 1 SA relate only to Colchester.
Part 1 Local Plan SA
 4.3.4 Landscapes - we recommend using the National Character Areas which divide England into 159 natural areas, each defined by a unique combination of landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity and economic and cultural activity. The new NCA profiles provide an integrated, locally specific evidence base that can be used for making decisions about the natural environment. The NCAs highlight the significant opportunities in each area and therefore provide a useful planning tool that can help guide the design of projects so that they are appropriate to the locality and deliver the maximum benefits for the natural environment. Colchester falls within NCA Profile: 86 South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland, NCA Profile:111 Northern Thames Basin, and NCA Profile: 81 Greater Thames Estuary.

 Natural England is generally supportive of the Sustainability Objectives used in the SA of the Part 1 Local Plan.
 The assessment of GCWC1 needs to acknowledge the proximity of Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI to the road and dualling proposals around Marks Tey and the potential for significant impacts on the SSSI.
 Policy SP4 - Infrastructure and Connectivity - has identified 0 for Sustainability Objective 5, however this has not taken into account the impacts to Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI.
 Table 18: Impact on Sustainability Objectives: Policy SP9 states that, paragraph 6.11.2 Significant and Temporal Effects states that - 'Despite requirements ensuring the protection and/or enhancement of biodiversity assets within and surrounding the site including the Domsey Brook and Roman River corridors, there will be only minor impacts associated with impacts on sites of nature conservation interest; this is due to no specific mention of Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. Any site option explored in Policy SP6 would have some degree of impact on this designation, as indicated by being in the SSSI's Impact Risk Zone (IRZ) which requires consultation with Natural England.' Natural England disagrees with the assessment of only minor impacts, due to no specific mention of the Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI. The allocation has been located partially within/in very close proximity to the SSSI. This needs to be appropriately assessed. GCWC1
 Indicators - we would not recommend using SSSI condition as an indicator, a better indicator would be impacts (direct and indirect) on designated sites.
From the information provided the strategic locations for growth in Colchester appear to be broadly located in areas which are likely to have the least impact on nationally and internationally designated sites and landscapes.
Part 2 Local Plan SA
Natural England would expect further commentary on the SSSI's in the area. The SA should identify all SSSI's, what the impacts will be to each and what mitigation will be required to avoid impacts, or if there isn't an impact, it should identify which ones are low risk.
Natural England advises the Table 4: The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Framework Objectives should be strengthened to include an objective which aims to conserve and enhance protected landscapes. Currently the Assessment Criteria only says 'Will it maintain and enhance the landscape character of the borough?' Which doesn't take into account Dedham Vale AONB.
Green Infrastructure - The lack of a specific green infrastructure (GI) objective is disappointing and we strongly suggest one is included in the report. Natural England considers that the environmental SA Objectives, and some of the social and economic objectives could be improved by emphasising the importance of GI and its multifunctional benefits, which would assist in the delivery of a range of SA topic areas, e.g. biodiversity, landscape, health and wellbeing and climate change. This would assist in ensuring that GI is an integral, cross-cutting theme. Good quality local accessible green space, ecosystems and actions to manage them sustainably offer a range of benefits, e.g.
 Access to local greenspace can reduce health inequalities
 Increased and improved accessibility to greenspace can help increase
 physical activity
 Contact with greenspace can help improve health and wellbeing
 Green space contributes to functioning ecosystem services that can have a positive influence on health. Ecosystem services can assist in adapting to the extremes of climate change, e.g. green areas have less heat-island effect than built up areas.
 Greenspace can also help improve air quality and respiratory irritants. Function ecosystem services can also mitigate the risks associated with flooding from extreme rainfall events.
Indicators - along with the advice above to look at impacts to designated sites rather than SSSI condition, we also recommend the following:
 Protected species - Quantified data might include numbers of applications where protected species are considered, numbers with conditions imposed to ensure working practices and works to protect/ enhance protected species, and numbers of planning applications which result in need for protected species licence in order to be carried out . This will indicate that protected species are being given appropriate consideration within the planning system and begin to build up information on their occurrence within the plan area. Updated information following the publication of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 is available from our website.
 BAP habitat - created/ managed as result of granting planning permission (monitored via planning obligations) and which meet Biodiversity Action Plan targets.
 Landscape Character and Quality - Indicators/targets could be established from assessing changes in landscape character for National Character Areas (as measured by Countryside Quality Counts data).
We would be happy to comment further should the need arise but if in the meantime you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us. We would also be happy to meet with you in particular to discuss the Habitats Regulations Assessment of your plan, as well as any other issues which we have raised in this response.
For any queries relating to the specific advice in this letter only please contact Kayleigh Cheese on 02080 260981. For any new consultations, or to provide further information on this consultation please send your correspondences to consultations@naturalengland.org.uk.
We really value your feedback to help us improve the service we offer. We have attached a feedback form to this letter and welcome any comments you might have about our service.
Yours faithfully
Miss Kayleigh Cheese
Essex Local Delivery Team

ANNEX 1
Green Infrastructure
ANGSt aims to address the spatial distribution of natural greenspace, its accessibility at different size limits and the hectarage of Local Nature Reserve per head of population with the aim of securing access to natural greenspace close to where people live. These standards recommend that people living in towns and cities should have an accessible natural greenspace: (ANGST): two kilometres of home; on
More information on the Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard can be found http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40004
Soils
The plan should give appropriate weight to the roles performed by the area's soils. These should be valued as a finite multi-functional resource which underpins our wellbeing and prosperity. Decisions about development should take full account of the impact on soils, their intrinsic character and the sustainability of the many ecosystem services they deliver. Soils of high environmental value should also be considered as part of ecological connectivity
England Coast Path
We do not believe that the Essex stretch of the England Coast Path has been mentioned in the Local Plan preferred options. Natural England is charged with implementing the England Coast Path, which is due for completion as a whole project by 2020. This new long-distance trail will eventually allow people to walk around the whole English coast. Work on the Colchester section of the Path is currently underway with our team of coastal path advisers, and Natural England would seek to achieve Policy support for the Coast Path in the Council's Local Plan.
The England Coast Path is possible because of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. As well as a long-distance walking route, there may be areas of 'spreading room' beside the route where people can explore, relax and admire the view. The Act also means that for the first time, where existing footpaths erode into the sea, a replacement route can be quickly put in place - securing people's right to walk around the coast forever. The new path will avoid certain areas such as private houses and gardens, major ports and in some locations, areas that are important for sensitive species.
Designating the route as part of the England Coast Path will bring more support for local services like shops, hotels and pubs through increased visitor spending where additional visits are made, and therefore aligns well with the Council's proposed approach to tourism. As we have already commented above, the Coast Path does present challenges in certain locations, where access to the coast may cause recreational disturbance to some of the interest features of sites designated for their nature conservation interest. The Path will be subject to the same tests of the Habitats Regulations, and will therefore seek to achieve consistency in its approach to safeguarding sensitive features of these sites as any other plan or project. We would be pleased to discuss this with you in more detail should you wish. Colchester Borough covers both the Salcott to Jaywick and Mersea Island England Coast Path stretches. Further information can be found in the following links:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-salcott-to-jaywick
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-mersea-island

1. Introduction - Local Plan: the process
Para. 1.21 states that Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) screening has been carried out, with a full Appropriate Assessment (AA) to be published alongside the submission version of the plan. The HRA screening does not appear to be available as part of this consultation, although para. 1.22 states that all evidence is publically available.

Under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) ('the Habitats Regulations') local authorities have a duty to ensure that Local Plans have no adverse effect on sites of European importance - Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) (collectively known as Natura 2000 sites). It is government policy that the internationally important Ramsar sites are also considered within a HRA.

At this stage of the Local Plan process, we would expect to see a full, up to date HRA that assesses all proposed policies - unfortunately this has not been presented for consultation. This fails to demonstrate that adverse effects on Natura 2000 sites will be avoided. The benefit of HRA at this stage is that it also objectively assesses the council's preferred options and identifies amendments now to strengthen the policies where appropriate and ensure that the most appropriate policies will be taken forward to the submission stage (i.e. policies will be justified and effective).
Critically, it is important to ensure that the evidence base for an HRA is available, specifically with regards to visitor use of particular areas to understand recreational pressure. Where evidence gaps exist this may require survey work to be undertaken.

As a full, up to date HRA has not been presented at this stage, which is a fundamental element to such a strategic approach, the RSPB considers the plan is not consistent with national policy or justified given that the evidence is currently absent and therefore cannot be considered to be sound at this time. We therefore request the opportunity to comment again before submission of the final AA.

SP5: Place-shaping principles
After "Provide public open space or larger scale green infrastructure", we recommend the addition of the following: "which contributes to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity", in line with paras. 109 and 114 of the NPPF.

SP6: Spatial Strategy for North Essex
We note the statement that "Beyond the main settlements the authorities will support diversification of the rural economy and conservation and enhancement of the natural environment." Whilst we welcome the support for conservation and enhancement of biodiversity beyond the main settlements, we consider that certain measures would be possible within the main settlements. There are three bird species which have undergone steep declines in numbers (Starling, House Sparrow and Swift)1 whose breeding success and conservation is intimately linked to the built environment. Simple measures as part of the green infrastructure (GI) network, can be incorporated within an SPD to benefit these species (and many species of bats and hibernating insects). We refer you to Appendix 2 of Exeter City Council's award-winning residential design SPD.2

SP7: Development and delivery of new garden communities in North Essex
We welcome principle xi, "Secure a smart and sustainable approach that fosters climate resilience and a 21st century environment in the design and construction of each garden community to secure net gains in local biodiversity, highest standards of technology to reduce impact of climate change, water efficiency (with the aim of being water neutral in areas of serious water stress), and sustainable waste and mineral management." We consider that this principle would be more fully reflected in the subsequent site-specific policies (SP8, SP9 and SP10) if the requirement within those policies to protect and/or enhance biodiversity assets were reworded to require the protection and enhancement of biodiversity assets.

SP8, SP9 and SP10 regarding Garden Communities
In addition to the above, we recommend that the sections on masterplanning specify that green infrastructure provision should be described at this stage.
We also recommend that the clause requiring "appropriate and sustainable long term governance and stewardship arrangements for the new garden community including provision for management and maintenance of the public realm and community assets" should include reference to the need to secure management of biodiversity assets.

SG8: Developer Contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy
We recommend that this policy (and subsequent development of SPDs) should include provision for developer contributions to a strategic mitigation package for recreational disturbance impacts on Natura 2000 sites. Councils in Suffolk are currently developing a package of measures to address in-combination impacts identified by HRAs at the Plan and individual project level on the Stour and Orwell Estuaries SPA and Ramsar site which would be funded through developer contributions. As allocations within this Plan have the potential to affect Natura 2000 sites (the Colne Estuary SPA and Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SPA and Ramsar, Abberton Reservoir SPA and Ramsar, Stour and Orwell Estuaries SPA and Ramsar and the Essex Estuaries SAC) through increased recreational pressure, we would advocate that the Council should take a similar approach. We would be pleased to offer further advice if this would be helpful.

5. Environmental Assets Policies: Natural Environment Policy
We recommend rewording para. 5.3 to reflect the protection afforded to internationally designated conservation sites more fully, for example as follows:
Plans or projects which may have a likely significant effect on a European site will require appropriate assessment under Reg. 61 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) ('the Habitats Regulations'). Accordingly, local authorities can only consent plans or projects where it can be ascertained that they will have no adverse effect on the integrity of a European Site, unless the exceptional requirements of Regs. 62 and 66 of the Habitats Regulations relating to the absence of alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest and provision of compensation have been met.

Para. 5.9 states that "A major threat to the low lying coastal and estuary areas is rising sea levels as a result of climate change. This will be addressed through increasing the network of green corridors and sites to aid the dispersal of species that will need to move as climate change renders their existing habitat unsuitable." We query how the Local Plan will achieve this; what evidence has been used to identify vulnerable species and the necessary corridors to enable them to disperse and how will developers will be able to contribute to such measures?

ENV1: Natural Environment
We welcome point iv), that development will only be supported where it "Incorporates beneficial biodiversity conservation features and habitat creation where appropriate."

For clarity, we recommend that the statement that "Proposals likely to have an adverse effect on Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Ramsar sites will require a full assessment in line with European legislation" should be amended in line with our recommendations for para. 5.3, above.

We also consider that provisions should be made within this policy to address para. 117 of the NPPF regarding the need for planning policies to promote ecological networks:
"To minimise impacts on biodiversity and geodiversity, planning policies should:...
o identify and map components of the local ecological networks, including the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity, wildlife corridors and stepping stones that connect them and areas identified by local partnerships for habitat restoration or creation;
o promote the preservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations, linked to national and local targets, and identify suitable indicators for monitoring biodiversity in the plan;..."

ENV3: Green infrastructure
This policy (and the preceding section) refers to the Colchester Orbital route as a key element of the Council's green infrastructure network. We are concerned that this is limited in geographical scope as well as having a strong focus on access, without sufficient recognition of the other functions of green infrastructure. We recommend that greater reference is made to the potential for green infrastructure to contribute to ecological networks (see our comments on ENV1 above). This policy should also be used to address the aims in para. 5.9; to use green corridors as a method of aiding the dispersal of species in response to climate change.

We welcome the provision to require developer contributions to provide additional green infrastructure, but we also consider that reference could be made to the potential for provision of green infrastructure as mitigation to reduce recreational pressure on designated sites, with links made to the findings of the HRA. As above, we also recommend that new provision by developers is aimed at providing multiple benefits (for wildlife and people) rather than having a sole focus on access.

Climate Change Policy
This section should make reference to para. 5.9, which explains how impacts of climate change on the ability of species to disperse can be mitigated through the green infrastructure network. Para. 5.39 discusses climate change adaptation through green infrastructure, but omits any reference to biodiversity. We recommend that this paragraph, and Policy CC1: Climate Change incorporates the measures described in para. 5.9.

Para. 5.41 explains that renewable energy projects would be supported provided there are no adverse effects on a Natura 2000 site or AONB. Whilst we welcome this statement, we recommend that this should be extended to include SSSIs, in line with the guidance in para. 118 of the NPPF, that development likely to have an adverse effect on a SSSI should not normally be permitted.

WC4: West Colchester
We support the policy regarding the development of an Ecological Management Plan and Mitigation Plan to enhance the ecological value of the orchard and recommend that provisions are made to secure the long-term ecological management of the site.

SS1 Abberton and Langenhoe Housing Sites
It should be acknowledged that these sites will require screening under the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended) due to proximity to the Abberton Reservoir SPA and Ramsar site, and that, if required, mitigation for in-combination impacts could be provided through developer contributions to a strategic mitigation scheme (see comments on SG8, above).

SS2 Land East of Birch Street
It should be acknowledged that the site will require screening under the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended) due to proximity to the Abberton Reservoir SPA and Ramsar site, and that, if required, mitigation for in-combination impacts could be provided through developer contributions to a strategic mitigation scheme (see comments on SG8, above).

SS6 Dedham Heath Housing Sites
It should be acknowledged that these sites will require screening under the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended) due to proximity to the Stour and Orwell Estuaries SPA and Ramsar site, and that, if required, mitigation for in-combination impacts could be provided through developer contributions to a strategic mitigation scheme (see comments on SG8, above).

SS12 Layer de la Haye
It should be acknowledged that the site will require screening under the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended) due to proximity to the Abberton Reservoir SPA and Ramsar site, and that, if required, mitigation for in-combination impacts could be provided through developer contributions to a strategic mitigation scheme (see comments on SG8, above).

SS17a-c Mersea Island
Para. 6.215 acknowledges that Mersea Island is situated at the confluence of the Colne and Blackwater Estuaries. Both of these estuaries are internationally important wildlife sites, designated for their breeding little terns, wintering waders and wildfowl, saltmarsh habitats and invertebrates and are potentially vulnerable to increased recreational disturbance resulting from housing development in the area. We recommend that their designations as SPAs and Ramsar sites should therefore be referenced in the text.

Policy SS17a Mersea Housing and Employment also lacks reference to the Natura 2000 sites. Due to the potential for development to result in increased recreational pressure on these sites, reference should be made to both the findings of the HRA for the Plan and the need for HRA at the project level for both these allocations. As mitigation is likely to be required for these allocations for recreational disturbance impacts (from the projects alone and/or in-combination), reference should also be made in this policy to the need for developer contributions towards a strategic mitigation scheme (as discussed under policy SG8, above).

Policies SS17b Coast Road and SS17c Caravan Parks should also note the requirement to screen projects with regard to the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended).

DM15: Design and Amenity
Point i) refers to the integration of built/landscape/heritage assets - we recommend this is expanded to include biodiversity assets.

DM24: Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
We are supportive of the policy promoting the use of SuDS and recommend that opportunities are sought to enhance biodiversity through this provision.

DM25: Renewable Energy, Water, Waste and Recycling
We suggest that the following should be reworded to better reflect the protection afforded to Natura 2000 sites:
"Within internationally designated sites and nationally designated landscapes (Dedham Vale AONB) renewable energy schemes, will only be supported in exceptional circumstances..."

This could be amended as follows:
"Renewable energy schemes with potential for adverse effects on internationally designated sites or nationally designated landscapes (Dedham Vale AONB), will only be supported in exceptional circumstances..."

We would be happy to discuss any of the issues we have identified, specifically regarding biodiversity and protected areas. We look forward to seeing a copy of the HRA at the earliest opportunity and would be pleased to meet to discuss its development.

1. Introduction - Local Plan: the process
Para. 1.21 states that Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) screening has been carried out, with a full Appropriate Assessment (AA) to be published alongside the submission version of the plan. The HRA screening does not appear to be available as part of this consultation, although para. 1.22 states that all evidence is publically available.

Under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) ('the Habitats Regulations') local authorities have a duty to ensure that Local Plans have no adverse effect on sites of European importance - Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) (collectively known as Natura 2000 sites). It is government policy that the internationally important Ramsar sites are also considered within a HRA.

At this stage of the Local Plan process, we would expect to see a full, up to date HRA that assesses all proposed policies - unfortunately this has not been presented for consultation. This fails to demonstrate that adverse effects on Natura 2000 sites will be avoided. The benefit of HRA at this stage is that it also objectively assesses the council's preferred options and identifies amendments now to strengthen the policies where appropriate and ensure that the most appropriate policies will be taken forward to the submission stage (i.e. policies will be justified and effective).
Critically, it is important to ensure that the evidence base for an HRA is available, specifically with regards to visitor use of particular areas to understand recreational pressure. Where evidence gaps exist this may require survey work to be undertaken.

As a full, up to date HRA has not been presented at this stage, which is a fundamental element to such a strategic approach, the RSPB considers the plan is not consistent with national policy or justified given that the evidence is currently absent and therefore cannot be considered to be sound at this time. We therefore request the opportunity to comment again before submission of the final AA.

SP5: Place-shaping principles
After "Provide public open space or larger scale green infrastructure", we recommend the addition of the following: "which contributes to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity", in line with paras. 109 and 114 of the NPPF.

SP6: Spatial Strategy for North Essex
We note the statement that "Beyond the main settlements the authorities will support diversification of the rural economy and conservation and enhancement of the natural environment." Whilst we welcome the support for conservation and enhancement of biodiversity beyond the main settlements, we consider that certain measures would be possible within the main settlements. There are three bird species which have undergone steep declines in numbers (Starling, House Sparrow and Swift)1 whose breeding success and conservation is intimately linked to the built environment. Simple measures as part of the green infrastructure (GI) network, can be incorporated within an SPD to benefit these species (and many species of bats and hibernating insects). We refer you to Appendix 2 of Exeter City Council's award-winning residential design SPD.2

SP7: Development and delivery of new garden communities in North Essex
We welcome principle xi, "Secure a smart and sustainable approach that fosters climate resilience and a 21st century environment in the design and construction of each garden community to secure net gains in local biodiversity, highest standards of technology to reduce impact of climate change, water efficiency (with the aim of being water neutral in areas of serious water stress), and sustainable waste and mineral management." We consider that this principle would be more fully reflected in the subsequent site-specific policies (SP8, SP9 and SP10) if the requirement within those policies to protect and/or enhance biodiversity assets were reworded to require the protection and enhancement of biodiversity assets.

SP8, SP9 and SP10 regarding Garden Communities
In addition to the above, we recommend that the sections on masterplanning specify that green infrastructure provision should be described at this stage.
We also recommend that the clause requiring "appropriate and sustainable long term governance and stewardship arrangements for the new garden community including provision for management and maintenance of the public realm and community assets" should include reference to the need to secure management of biodiversity assets.

SG8: Developer Contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy
We recommend that this policy (and subsequent development of SPDs) should include provision for developer contributions to a strategic mitigation package for recreational disturbance impacts on Natura 2000 sites. Councils in Suffolk are currently developing a package of measures to address in-combination impacts identified by HRAs at the Plan and individual project level on the Stour and Orwell Estuaries SPA and Ramsar site which would be funded through developer contributions. As allocations within this Plan have the potential to affect Natura 2000 sites (the Colne Estuary SPA and Ramsar, Blackwater Estuary SPA and Ramsar, Abberton Reservoir SPA and Ramsar, Stour and Orwell Estuaries SPA and Ramsar and the Essex Estuaries SAC) through increased recreational pressure, we would advocate that the Council should take a similar approach. We would be pleased to offer further advice if this would be helpful.

5. Environmental Assets Policies: Natural Environment Policy
We recommend rewording para. 5.3 to reflect the protection afforded to internationally designated conservation sites more fully, for example as follows:
Plans or projects which may have a likely significant effect on a European site will require appropriate assessment under Reg. 61 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) ('the Habitats Regulations'). Accordingly, local authorities can only consent plans or projects where it can be ascertained that they will have no adverse effect on the integrity of a European Site, unless the exceptional requirements of Regs. 62 and 66 of the Habitats Regulations relating to the absence of alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest and provision of compensation have been met.

Para. 5.9 states that "A major threat to the low lying coastal and estuary areas is rising sea levels as a result of climate change. This will be addressed through increasing the network of green corridors and sites to aid the dispersal of species that will need to move as climate change renders their existing habitat unsuitable." We query how the Local Plan will achieve this; what evidence has been used to identify vulnerable species and the necessary corridors to enable them to disperse and how will developers will be able to contribute to such measures?

ENV1: Natural Environment
We welcome point iv), that development will only be supported where it "Incorporates beneficial biodiversity conservation features and habitat creation where appropriate."

For clarity, we recommend that the statement that "Proposals likely to have an adverse effect on Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Ramsar sites will require a full assessment in line with European legislation" should be amended in line with our recommendations for para. 5.3, above.

We also consider that provisions should be made within this policy to address para. 117 of the NPPF regarding the need for planning policies to promote ecological networks:
"To minimise impacts on biodiversity and geodiversity, planning policies should:...
o identify and map components of the local ecological networks, including the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity, wildlife corridors and stepping stones that connect them and areas identified by local partnerships for habitat restoration or creation;
o promote the preservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations, linked to national and local targets, and identify suitable indicators for monitoring biodiversity in the plan;..."

ENV3: Green infrastructure
This policy (and the preceding section) refers to the Colchester Orbital route as a key element of the Council's green infrastructure network. We are concerned that this is limited in geographical scope as well as having a strong focus on access, without sufficient recognition of the other functions of green infrastructure. We recommend that greater reference is made to the potential for green infrastructure to contribute to ecological networks (see our comments on ENV1 above). This policy should also be used to address the aims in para. 5.9; to use green corridors as a method of aiding the dispersal of species in response to climate change.

We welcome the provision to require developer contributions to provide additional green infrastructure, but we also consider that reference could be made to the potential for provision of green infrastructure as mitigation to reduce recreational pressure on designated sites, with links made to the findings of the HRA. As above, we also recommend that new provision by developers is aimed at providing multiple benefits (for wildlife and people) rather than having a sole focus on access.

Climate Change Policy
This section should make reference to para. 5.9, which explains how impacts of climate change on the ability of species to disperse can be mitigated through the green infrastructure network. Para. 5.39 discusses climate change adaptation through green infrastructure, but omits any reference to biodiversity. We recommend that this paragraph, and Policy CC1: Climate Change incorporates the measures described in para. 5.9.

Para. 5.41 explains that renewable energy projects would be supported provided there are no adverse effects on a Natura 2000 site or AONB. Whilst we welcome this statement, we recommend that this should be extended to include SSSIs, in line with the guidance in para. 118 of the NPPF, that development likely to have an adverse effect on a SSSI should not normally be permitted.

WC4: West Colchester
We support the policy regarding the development of an Ecological Management Plan and Mitigation Plan to enhance the ecological value of the orchard and recommend that provisions are made to secure the long-term ecological management of the site.

SS1 Abberton and Langenhoe Housing Sites
It should be acknowledged that these sites will require screening under the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended) due to proximity to the Abberton Reservoir SPA and Ramsar site, and that, if required, mitigation for in-combination impacts could be provided through developer contributions to a strategic mitigation scheme (see comments on SG8, above).

SS2 Land East of Birch Street
It should be acknowledged that the site will require screening under the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended) due to proximity to the Abberton Reservoir SPA and Ramsar site, and that, if required, mitigation for in-combination impacts could be provided through developer contributions to a strategic mitigation scheme (see comments on SG8, above).

SS6 Dedham Heath Housing Sites
It should be acknowledged that these sites will require screening under the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended) due to proximity to the Stour and Orwell Estuaries SPA and Ramsar site, and that, if required, mitigation for in-combination impacts could be provided through developer contributions to a strategic mitigation scheme (see comments on SG8, above).

SS12 Layer de la Haye
It should be acknowledged that the site will require screening under the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended) due to proximity to the Abberton Reservoir SPA and Ramsar site, and that, if required, mitigation for in-combination impacts could be provided through developer contributions to a strategic mitigation scheme (see comments on SG8, above).

SS17a-c Mersea Island
Para. 6.215 acknowledges that Mersea Island is situated at the confluence of the Colne and Blackwater Estuaries. Both of these estuaries are internationally important wildlife sites, designated for their breeding little terns, wintering waders and wildfowl, saltmarsh habitats and invertebrates and are potentially vulnerable to increased recreational disturbance resulting from housing development in the area. We recommend that their designations as SPAs and Ramsar sites should therefore be referenced in the text.

Policy SS17a Mersea Housing and Employment also lacks reference to the Natura 2000 sites. Due to the potential for development to result in increased recreational pressure on these sites, reference should be made to both the findings of the HRA for the Plan and the need for HRA at the project level for both these allocations. As mitigation is likely to be required for these allocations for recreational disturbance impacts (from the projects alone and/or in-combination), reference should also be made in this policy to the need for developer contributions towards a strategic mitigation scheme (as discussed under policy SG8, above).

Policies SS17b Coast Road and SS17c Caravan Parks should also note the requirement to screen projects with regard to the Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended).

DM15: Design and Amenity
Point i) refers to the integration of built/landscape/heritage assets - we recommend this is expanded to include biodiversity assets.

DM24: Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
We are supportive of the policy promoting the use of SuDS and recommend that opportunities are sought to enhance biodiversity through this provision.

DM25: Renewable Energy, Water, Waste and Recycling
We suggest that the following should be reworded to better reflect the protection afforded to Natura 2000 sites:
"Within internationally designated sites and nationally designated landscapes (Dedham Vale AONB) renewable energy schemes, will only be supported in exceptional circumstances..."

This could be amended as follows:
"Renewable energy schemes with potential for adverse effects on internationally designated sites or nationally designated landscapes (Dedham Vale AONB), will only be supported in exceptional circumstances..."

We would be happy to discuss any of the issues we have identified, specifically regarding biodiversity and protected areas. We look forward to seeing a copy of the HRA at the earliest opportunity and would be pleased to meet to discuss its development.

Thank you for the consultation on your draft Local Plan. We have provided our comments below in the same format as the draft Plan for ease.
Part 1
1 North Essex Authorities
Paragraph 1.19 - No reference is made in this section to the Strategic Flood risk Assessment (SFRA) update as a key evidence base document. As highlighted further on in this response, the SFRA will have an essential role in ensuring that the flood risk Sequential and Exception test have been appropriately applied to the Local plan. The Water Cycle Study is referred to, but is not available in the webpage of accessible evidence base documents. Paragraph 1.22 suggests that all of this evidence base is publically available, but this does not currently appear to be the case.
Policy SP4 - Infrastructure and Connectivity
Whilst we acknowledge that this policy currently focuses principally on transport and broadband, we would highlight that there is no similar overarching policy that addresses other 'environmental' infrastructure requirements. For example, there is no reference to the need to provide further waste water or flood risk infrastructure to help accommodate the proposed growth. We suggest that the need for similar overarching policy references are considered.

Policy SP5 - Place Shaping Principles
We support the inclusion of this policy, and would take this opportunity to highlight the positive role that a comprehensive design approach (in the form of development frameworks and master-plans) can have in helping to deliver well designed and multifunctional green infrastructure. Public open space and green infrastructure can serve to provide benefits such as sustainable drainage, amenity and ecological habitat improvements. It would be useful for reference to such multiple benefits to be included in the bullet points.
The inclusion of areas of ditches and watercourses within areas of public open space (as opposed to putting these within or bounding property curtilages), will help to ensure that these features are retained. This will ensure that the benefits that they can provide, in terms of managing surface water, enhancing ecology and amenity etc., can continue to be realised through on going management into the future. There also is likely to be lesser potential for watercourse related problems if the site layout allows for these features to be incorporated within land areas that are to be maintained by management companies or community trusts or organisations, rather than being the responsibility of individual property owners.
Policy SP7 - Development and Delivery of New Garden Communities in Essex
We welcome Policy SP7 and the aspiration for the new Garden Communities to be climate resilient and water neutral, for there to be net gains in biodiversity and high standards of innovation, water efficiency and waste management. We look forward to engaging on these issues further as the design of these communities' progresses.
We particularly support point iv) of this policy, which states that 'Sequencing of development and infrastructure provision (both on-site and off-site) to ensure that the latter is provided in tandem with or ahead of the development it supports.' The addition of 30-40,000 new homes in total will influence the quality and capacity of existing waste water treatment works and we would expect to be consulted further in future planning phases to discuss potential impacts on the water environment and any potential upgrades to existing infrastructure. In particular, early consultation with ourselves and Anglian Water is strongly recommended regarding the foul water treatment arrangements of the three new garden communities. It is likely that they will need either complete new works, or substantial upgrades to existing works.
We are disappointed, however, that there is no specific text to support the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems and the multifunctional use of green space to provide areas for recreation and flood risk management. We do, however, note that the provision of sustainable drainage systems is mentioned in Policies SP8, SP9 and SP10.
Policy SP8 - East Colchester / West Tendring new garden community
Policy SP9 - West of Colchester / East Braintree new garden community
Policy SP10 - West of Braintree new garden community
We are very supportive of these policies, which are specific to each proposed New Garden Community.
We are also pleased to see that a high proportion of green infrastructure is planned for the East Colchester/West Tendring New Garden Community, with a country park planned around Salary Brook. We would advise that the outer boundary of the new country park should be commensurate with the outer boundary of Flood Zone 2 to
assist the Council in its duty to demonstrate compliance with the required flood risk sequential approach.
When producing a masterplan for the development of this area, both Councils should consider flood risk from all sources, using the Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRA), the Flood Map for Planning, and surface water flood risk maps from the Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) and/or our published Risk of Surface Water Flooding maps as useful evidence base documents.
We support the specific references to the provision of sustainable surface water drainage measures. As above, we would highlight the potential multiple functions of such systems which can form part of public open space or other green-grid infrastructure, and provide biodiversity benefits if well designed.
In respect of foul drainage capacity, the minimum provision scheduled for the east and west new settlements up to 2033 can be accommodated within the current capacity of Colchester WRC. As has correctly been identified, upgrades and a new permit will at some point be required to serve the entire planned development. However, this is a much better option, both environmentally and in terms of permit restrictions, than trying to direct the waste water from these developments to smaller works. New discharges from smaller works will be subject to permits with extremely tight discharge limits, which would be very difficult and expensive to achieve. Upgrades to Colchester WRC are much more achievable and we are therefore supportive of this approach.
Part 2 Local Plan for Colchester
3. Vision and Objectives for Part Two
Objectives
Section 3.13: Sustainable Growth
We support the references to new development addressing the causes and potential impacts of climate change and of focusing development at sustainable locations. This is very important in the context of flood risk, both in the broad-scale siting of development and the chosen land use as well as in the final design of the development. The SFRA should be used as evidence base to help inform the conformity of both the LPA and developers to this objective through the application of the Sequential Test.
Where new development and re-developments will benefit from existing flood defence infrastructure, you should consider seeking contributions (directly or through CIL), to ensure that this type of infrastructure can be renewed or raised as required in future. New developments (post Jan 2012), built within recognised flood risk areas cannot be included in the cost benefit and outcome measure calculations used for determining investment from Central Government's Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid.
(See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-and-coastal-resilience-partnership-funding)
Section 3.14: Natural Environment
We support the inclusion of objectives to protect the countryside and coast, and to ensure that new development avoids areas of flood risk and seeks to reduce future flood risk where possible. The SFRA, Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) and the published Flood Maps are the key evidence base documents to help inform this objective.
We also fully support and welcome the objective to "protect and enhance ...biodiversity, green spaces...water quality and river corridors".
4. Sustainable Growth Policies
The Spatial Strategy, and in turn allocated sites for all development proposals, must be informed by the application of the flood risk Sequential Test as part of the plan making process. The Exception Test should then also be applied as necessary and to the degree required for a Local Plan allocation. We note the reference to the Sequential Test in policy DM23, but currently we have not seen any evidence that the Sequential or Exception Tests have been applied to and informed the emerging plan. This evidence will need to support the submission version of the plan for it to be sound. The SFRA will have a key role in informing this process. It must also be ensured that appropriate regard is given to future flood risk (flood risk is considered throughout the lifetime of any proposed development), and that the latest climate change allowances are used to assess this.
Sustainable Settlements
We are pleased to see that flood risk was one of the environmental constraints that was assessed when developing the list of sustainable settlements (although see comments in respect of the Sequential Test, above).
In communities where specific development locations will be decided through the evolution of Neighbourhood Plans, we would hope to see the evidence base of the SFRA, SWMP and the Flood Map for Planning and Risk of Surface Water Flooding Map used to influence those decisions. We would welcome early engagement to help with interpretation of the flood risk evidence base, and to be consulted on early draft Neighbourhood Plans where flood risk is a key issue.
Strategic Infrastructure Policy
Paragraph 4.57 and Policy SG6: Strategic Infrastructure
We are pleased to see and support the inclusion this policy. We welcome the consideration of flood risk management and resilience, and water quality within the categories of infrastructure covered in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and highlighted in 4.57. "Necessary infrastructure" as stated in the policy should include all of these infrastructure types, and this should be made clear.
We would also highlight the Government Policy on Flood Defence and Partnership Funding, and the potential need to support the construction of new or replacement flood risk management infrastructure with local contributions as the full funding of schemes from central government finances may not be applicable in all cases.
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-and-coastal-resilience-partnership-funding)
Neighbourhood Plan Policy
Policy SG7: Neighbourhood Plans
We would welcome the opportunity to assist the LPA in providing advice to those communities producing Neighbourhood Plans, where flood risk is identified as a constraint within the boundaries of the Plan area. Early engagement would be beneficial to all parties.
Developer Contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy Policy
Paragraph 4.65 & Policy SG8: Developer Contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy
We would welcome the opportunity to contribute to CIL and developer contribution considerations. Where new development and re-developments will benefit from existing flood defence infrastructure, it is important that the Council seeks contributions (directly or through CIL) to ensure that this type of infrastructure can be renewed or raised in future. As mentioned above, new developments (post Jan 2012) built within recognised flood risk areas, cannot be included in the cost benefit and outcome measure calculations used for determining investment from Central Government's Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid.
New development on sites that have passed the Sequential test and are proposed on land without an adequate standard of flood protection will have to fund improvements in wider flood defence infrastructure or alternatively will be expected to develop and fund their own independent flood defences.
5. Environmental Assets Policies
Natural Environment Policy
Paragraph 5.4 & 5.5: While we welcome the inclusion of this text, there should also be reference to taking opportunities to enhance and improve the natural environment, to enable Strategic Objective 5 from the Sustainability Appraisal to be met and to further support the implementation of Policy ENV1. We welcome the reference to "conserve and enhance" the natural environment in ENV1, but would suggest the use of "providing net gains for biodiversity" to better reflect the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Specific reference should be made within the Plan to the Water Framework Directive (WFD). WFD objectives and local River Basin Management Plan actions should be used to inform the Local Plan making process, to ensure that waterbodies are protected and wherever possible improved. We are happy to discuss this with you further.
WFD requires EU member states to divide up the water environment into management units called water bodies. Environmental objectives are set for each water body to help protect and improve its quality. Each water body has an objective to achieve 'good status' and to protect the water body by preventing deterioration in its status.
Colchester Borough falls within the Combined Essex Catchment within the Anglian River Basin Management Plan (2015). Environmental objectives have been set for each of the protected areas and water bodies in the River Basin District. They were identified through a process involving technical and economic appraisals and formal public consultation. Achieving the objectives will optimise the benefits to society from using the water environment. These are legally binding. All public bodies must have regard to these objectives when making decisions that could affect the quality of the water environment. Policies that could be included refer to de-culverting, removal of redundant structures from main rivers, creation and maintenance of wildlife-rich corridors to buffer watercourses, appropriate planting with native species and removal of non- native species.
The environmental objectives of the WFD are:
* to prevent deterioration of the status of surface waters and groundwater
* to achieve objectives and standards for protected areas
* to aim to achieve good status for all water bodies or, for heavily modified water bodies and artificial water bodies, good ecological potential and good surface water chemical status
* to reverse any significant and sustained upward trends in pollutant concentrations in groundwater
* the cessation of discharges, emissions and loses of priority hazardous substances into surface waters
* progressively reduce the pollution of groundwater and prevent or limit the entry of pollutants
Coastal Areas Policy
Paragraph 5.12: We agree that the coastal area is an extremely valuable asset. This section should also include mention of the Blackwater, Crouch, Roach and Colne Estuaries Marine Conservation Zone.
Paragraph 5.13: We support the inclusion of this text. Paragraph 071 of the NPPF PPG (7-071-20140306) suggests that a coastal change management area should be identified by a Local Plan. This is described as an area which is likely to be affected by physical change to the shoreline through erosion, coastal landslip, permanent inundation or coastal accretion. Furthermore, paragraph 072 (ID 7-072-201403060) states 'A Coastal Change Management Area will only be defined where rates of shoreline change are significant over the next 100 years, taking account of climate change. They will not need to be defined where the accepted shoreline management plan policy is to hold or advance the line (maintain existing defences or build new defences) for the whole period covered by the plan, subject to evidence of how this may be secured.' The Essex and South Suffolk Shoreline Management Plan section 4.6 provides a plan summary for Management Unit E (Mersea Island). The variance in policy can be seen on policy maps 4-17 to 4-20 and includes areas of 'managed realignment' and 'no active intervention'. You therefore may wish to consider the definition of coastal change management areas at Mersea Island.
Paragraph 5.15: We note the restrictions on development due to the Coastal protection belt. We would also highlight that where development is proposed in these areas (where flood risk is also a constraint), it must be an appropriate land use with regard to the flood zone in which it is proposed to be sited and to the flood vulnerability classification.
Policy ENV2: Coastal Areas: We would suggest that bullet point (ii) includes the addition of "Is a land use type that is appropriate to the Flood Zone, will be safe from flooding over its planned lifetime and will not have an unacceptable impact on coastal change;"
Green Infrastructure Policy
Para 5.22 and Policy ENV3: Green Infrastructure - We support the protection of green spaces and links along river corridors within the Borough. We would like to see specific mention of the use of green infrastructure that contributes to protecting and enhancing water bodies. This could include policies to require de-culverting, creation and management of ecological buffer strips and new wetland areas to help manage flood risk and reduce diffuse pollution.
Climate Change Policy
Paragraph 5.37: We would highlight that the preference should be to avoid development in areas that are considered to be most vulnerable to future flood risk rather than looking to mitigate against future risks; i.e. preference for avoid rather than mitigate wherever possible. Mixed use sites should look to direct land uses with the lowest vulnerability to flooding in the areas that are known to be more susceptible to future flooding as a consequence of climate change.
Paragraph 5.38: We would suggest that flood risk, as above, should also be referenced within this section, as should water efficiency. In respect of water efficiency, it should be noted that 5.5% of UK greenhouse gas emissions arises from hot water for cooking and showers (this does not include space heating). 89% of the total CO2 emissions are associated with heating water in the home, while 11% is associated with the emissions resulting from abstracting, conveying and treating domestic water outside the home. Installing simple water-saving measures, such as water-efficient taps and showers, therefore saves both water and energy by minimising heated water. All saving of water helps to reduce greenhouse gas emission in the UK as well as reduce the use of this resource.
The Local Plan should also highlight the importance of identifying and using opportunities to help wildlife to adapt to climate change through design. This may be through use of sustainable drainage systems, wetland creation and restoration, promoting urban green space, protecting new wildlife corridors and developing new corridors which ideally link in with existing sites.
Paragraph 5.44: We would suggest that the long standing problems of surface water sewer and ordinary watercourse flooding in the area of the Hythe would need to be resolved prior to establishing a heat network scheme in that area.
Policy CC1: Climate Change - We would wish to see some reference to flood risk relative to climate change in respect of locating developments, to water resource efficiency and to biodiversity improvements.
Section 6. Places
Colchester
Central Colchester
Town Centre
Paragraph 6.9: With reference to the residential allocation for the Britannia Street car park, we would draw your attention to the published 'Risk of Flooding from Surface Water' maps which suggest that there is a frequent surface water flooding risk to that site in its current form. We would advise that discussions are held with Essex County Council with regard to the existing flood risk at this site and the surrounding St Boltolph's area and establishes whether there are any potential flood alleviation measures that are proposed relative to the Action Plan/Preferred Options of the Colchester Surface Water Management Plan which the developer and the Borough Council might look to support.
Policy TC1: Town Centre Policy
Policy TC3: Town Centre Allocations
Significant parts of the St Boltolph's , Middleborough and Town Centre fringe areas have been identified to be at risk of flooding from surface water (Flood Modelling and
mapping for both the Colchester Borough Surface Water Management Plan and the Risk of Surface Water Flooding maps shows these risks).
Essex County Council and Colchester BC have identified Action Plans and Preferred Options for addressing and reducing the current flood risk from surface water in "Critical Drainage Areas" (CDAs) within the Borough and we would advise that the council and developers look to support flood risk reduction projects (potentially through developer contributions or the adaption of useful land for flood management purposes) that will benefit both these sites and existing developments in the surrounding areas.
North Colchester
Policy NC1: North Colchester and Severalls Strategic Economic Area
Some of the land within zones in the policy area are shown to be at risk of surface water flooding and care should be taken with development designs to avoid those areas.
We would advise that the LPA and prospective developers enter into discussions with Essex County Council's Flood Management team with regard to addressing the existing flood risk at these sites and to bring about opportunities to support schemes to reduce flood risk through the adaptive use of land for flood management infrastructure or to seek developer contributions towards solutions that will address this (to the benefit of the site) on lands elsewhere.
Any existing watercourses should be located ideally in open space without residential plot curtileges extending to the banks or centreline of the watercourse. The benefits of this will be to prevent residents from culverting or modifying the channel in future. Maintenance will be easier if a watercourse is left visible in open space.
Policy NC2: North Station Special Policy area and adjacent existing mixed use commercial areas north of Cowdray Avenue.
No consideration is currently given to fluvial or surface water flooding issues. The Risk of Flooding map for Surface Waters shows flooding along Cowdray Avenue. North Station Special Policy Area is partially located in Flood Zone 2 & 3. For all locations, the flood risk Sequential Test should be applied. This should consider all sources of flooding.
We would advise that the LPA and prospective developers enter into discussions with Essex County Council's Flood Management team with regard to addressing the existing flood risk at these sites and to bring about opportunities to support schemes to reduce flood risk through the adaptive use of land for flood management infrastructure or to seek developer contributions towards solutions that will address this (to the benefit of the site) on lands elsewhere.
There is Main River at St Botolphs Brook with housing development shown adjacent (NGR TL9748927334). As above, this site must be sequentially considered in line with the NPPF. There is currently 'J-flow' flood modelling only at this location, which means that further detailed modelling should be carried out prior to site development. This is to establish detailed flood extents and to assist the LPA in advocating a sequential approach to flood risk, avoiding the areas shown to be at highest risk of flooding from the Brook.
Policy NC3: North Colchester
We would suggest that there may be a need to support Preferred Scheme options for existing Surface Water flooding issues (as identified in the Colchester SWMP) as developer contribution either through CIL or through S106 obligations. This should be discussed in detail with Essex County Council who are the lead Flood Risk Management Authority for the delivery of Surface Water Management Schemes.
We are pleased to see the references to avoiding areas of land at St Boltophs Farm shown to be within Flood Zone 3, but the developer and LPA may need to rely on more detailed modelling to fully understand fluvial flood risk extents on the sites near to St Boltolphs Brook as our flood map for planning relies on a very simplistic modelling techniques for that area.
East Colchester
Knowledge Gateway and University Strategic Economic Area (East Colchester)
Policy EC1: Knowledge Gateway and University of Essex Strategic Economic Area: We would recommend reference made to the avoidance of built development within the flood plain of the Salary Brook.
East Colchester/Hythe Special Policy Area
Paragraphs 6.49 & 6.50: We welcome recognition and reference to the existing surface water and ordinary watercourse flooding and infrastructure issues. We would recommend that these are addressed through infrastructure improvements between Colchester BC, Essex County Council and Anglian Water. You should consider developer contributions or CIL levied to support infrastructure schemes that will resolve the existing problem and provide capacity in the drainage network for incoming developments and regeneration.
Paragraph 6.51: We would have concerns that the use of tidal flows to generate power may increase fluvial flood risk in the town given that such schemes require the maintenance of a high upstream head of water. Flood Modelling will be required to develop this beyond a very outline concept as there could be large flood risk management infrastructure implications associated with power generation through the potential restriction of tidal inflows and outflows.
A flood risk activity permit would most likely be required from us in advance of any such works, and early engagement is recommended. In addition to flood risk, other issues such as maintaining fish and eel passage would need to be addressed.
The bridging of the river would also require a permit and need careful consideration to ensure that flood flows are not impeded within the river channel and that access to flood defences and the river's edge is maintained. We would wish to seek early dialogue with the Borough about outline ideas for such a crossing.
Paragraph 6.54: We appreciate the inclusion of this paragraph, and again would reference the importance of the flood risk Sequential and Exception Tests. We would also highlight that currently the most frequent flood risk in this area is from surcharging of the surface water sewers. It would be useful to identify this within the supporting text as this is where investment in infrastructure is a vital requirement to support the aspirations for regeneration.
There are significant constraints in this area due to flooding from various sources. Engagement of ECC as the LLFA /CBC and AW should be carried out in order to strategically inform this development area.
Policy EC2: East Colchester - The Hythe Special Policy Area
While we support many parts of this policy (for example maximising opportunities to enhance biodiversity), we are unsure of the inference in the bullet point with the wording "Manage flood risk pragmatically, further to Flood Risk Management policy DM23". We would welcome further discussions on this point.
Residential moorings, referenced in the final bullet point, should also consider any flood risk implications. This should include for example access to the moorings from land in a flood scenario. We would be happy to discuss this issue further.
The final paragraph of this policy should make reference to the need for development to contribute towards infrastructure that is currently needed to provide adequate capacity for surface water management (and not just responding to constraints).
East Bay Mill
Paragraph 6.59: Please note that it is not the "Environment Agency's exception test for development" in flood risk areas. The Exception Test is a DCLG test laid down within the NPPF to be addressed through the planning process. Additionally, the first requirement is always to satisfy the Sequential Test. We welcome the specific references that development will have to adequately address flood risk issues.
Policy EC3: East Colchester
If deemed necessary, replace reference to "Environment Agency exception test" with "the NPPF Exception Test". However, this test is to be applied to all development proposals as indicated in Table 3 of the Flood Risk and Coastal Change section of the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).
Sustainable Settlements
Boxted
Boxted and Langham are both served by Langham Water Recycling Centre (WRC). The WRC is over capacity by a figure equivalent to roughly 133 houses. This must not be exacerbated by further connections. Either upgrades need to be undertaken by Anglian Water and a new permit applied for, or sufficient capacity needs to be created by reducing infiltration into the system. In the latter case, bear in mind that the volume of capacity that will be created cannot be predicted in advance, and in order to plan for a specific amount of development the cost and difficulty of upgrades and a revised permit will need to be considered and quantified. Development must not occur until it has been demonstrated that there is adequate wastewater treatment and sewerage infrastructure capacity in the catchment. This isn't currently referenced in the plan.
Chappel and Wakes Colne
Paragraph 6.123: we welcome the reference to water infrastructure capacity constraints within this section and within Policy SS4.
For information, there is a fluvial flow path from an ordinary water course flowing to Colne adjacent to proposed residential area at grid ref TL8947628069. There is also a potential constraint of a culvert near the development.
Copford and Copford Green
Paragraph 6.132: we welcome the reference to water infrastructure capacity constraints within this section. Copford and Copford Green (and Marks Tey) are all served by Copford WRC. The WRC is over capacity by a figure equivalent to roughly
500 houses. This must not be exacerbated by further connections. Either upgrades need to be undertaken by Anglian Water and a new permit applied for, or sufficient capacity needs to be created by reducing infiltration into the system. In the latter case, bear in mind that the volume of capacity that will be created cannot be predicted in advance, and in order to plan for a specific amount of development the cost and difficulty of upgrades and a revised permit will need to be considered and quantified. Development must not occur until it has been demonstrated that there is adequate wastewater treatment and sewerage infrastructure capacity in the catchment.
For information, fluvial flood risk from Roman River could impact on development. We currently only have J-flow data so further detailed flood modelling will be required to inform the siting of development within the site.
Dedham & Policy SS6: Dedham Heath Housing Sites
Dedham currently shows sufficient capacity for the development allocated. However, last year indications showed that the WRC was at over-capacity for the existing settlement. For additional security we would recommend that the infiltration into this network is investigated and reduced by Anglian Water, otherwise there may not be capacity for new developments to connect to once they are completed.
Eight Ash Green & Policy SS7: Eight Ash Green
There is an un-modelled Main River running through existing developed areas. We would wish to seek early engagement with the Parish and the LPA over the preferred locations of development when these are considered during the evolution of the Neighbourhood Plan. This is to help the community to avoid siting development in areas that may potentially be at risk of flooding.
Great Horkesley
For information, there is a tributary of Black Brook running to the rear of the identified residential development area on School Lane TL9832929404. This is currently un-modelled Main River and the degree of flood risk is therefore unknown. We do, however know that there is a very small and restrictive culvert which takes the ditch under the conservatory of Yew Tree Cottage and there have been flooding problems in this area historically. The Updated Map for Surface Water shows some water out of channel in this area.
Marks Tey & Policy SS13: Marks Tey
Please see comments above in respect of waste water capacity at Coptford WRC (Coptford and Coptford Green). Those comments also apply to Marks Tey.
No specific development site options are shown on the plan. Main River and surface water constraints must be considered as part of the strategic planning for this development area. The Main River - 'Roman River' will require detailed modelling to be carried out to fully understand the fluvial flood risk and inform a sequential approach to the siting of development and the design requirements. We would seek to work with the Parish in the consideration of development site options during the evolution of the Neighbourhood Plan.
Mersea Island
Residential development of up to 150 dwellings at Dawes Lane, is shown in an area of Surface water flooding TM0222413585 this site should be considered sequentially. The Updated Map for Surface Water shows a significant proportion of the proposed development area is subject to surface water flooding.
Policy SS17b: Coast Road
We support the presumption against residential development in the Coast Road area.
Caravan Parks
Paragraph 6.228: We welcome reference to flood risk and waste water infrastructure requirements. We would also suggest that reference is included to the requirement (in the NPPF) that sites must have adequate flood warning and evacuation arrangements for them to be acceptable. The reference to these required measures is however in the policy (Policy SS17c).
Rowhedge
Housing development proposed immediately adjacent to Main River. The defended flood source shown on our mapping is tidal. However the undefended fluvial main river at this location (the Birch Brook) has only got a J-Flow outline and therefore we would suggest that further modelling be carried out to understand the fluvial flood risk, this will need to take into account new climate change allowances.
Tiptree
We would welcome the opportunity to work closely with the Borough and Tiptree Parish Council to ensure that flood risk is not increased elsewhere as a consequence of growth in Tiptree
West Bergholt
We would welcome the opportunity to be involved with the strategic development of the Neighbourhood Plan.
Wivenhoe
We would wish to be involved with the strategic development of the Neighbourhood Plan. There are flood risk issues with regard to the location of development, including access to the Colne Flood Barrier, an essential element of infrastructure for the whole Borough.
Section 7. Development Management Policies
Policy DM5: Leisure & Tourism
Given the vulnerability to flood risk of visitor accommodation in particular, we recommend that flood risk is highlighted as a significant constraint. Public safety and emergency planning will be key issues in relation to some of these sites.
Housing Standards
Paragraph 7.57: We welcome the current reference to waste and recycling facilities, but note there is no reference to this issue in Policy DM12. New developments should include easy recycling systems for the householder, but also recycling on the go in public areas. This should also be included either in this section, or all waste and recycling requirements moved to fall under Policy DM25.
Policy DM12: Housing Standards: We would suggest that this policy is more closely linked to Policy DM25, or is revised. There is some overlap with water efficiency and waste in particular.
Policy DM13: Domestic development: Residential alterations, extensions and outbuildings
We note that for replacement dwellings in the countryside, the rebuild should be "on a one-for-one basis and the property to be demolished is a permanent lawful dwelling". This will have potential flood risk benefits as there have been past cases
where uninhabitable former dwellings on plots with high flood risk have had applications for rebuilds where there had been no residential occupancy of the former property for years.
Policy DM14: Rural Workers Housing
A reference within the policy to avoid the siting of rural workers housing in recognised flood risk areas would be welcomed. This is particularly with regard to temporary housing which tend to have the same vulnerabilities and safety issues, in flood risk terms, as static caravans and Park Homes. These are deemed, by the NPPF, to be inappropriate development within Flood Zone 3 and can only be sited in Flood Zone 2 after the Exception Test is passed and that there are adequate warning and evacuation arrangements.
Policy DM17: Retention of Open Space and Recreation Facilities and Policy DM18: Provision of Public Open Space
We support the inclusion of these policies protecting green links. We would welcome the inclusion of existing ditches and watercourses as specific protected features within both policies. This is to ensure that such features can continue to be maintained and serve as drainage and biodiversity features.
Flood Risk and Water Management
Some updating of the text and policies within this section is required, and there is scope to provide further detail relevant to development in Colchester Borough. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you, but have provided some initial comments below:
Paragraph 7.133: This paragraph is one of several parts of this section that refers to the NPPF Technical Guidance. This is no longer current, having been replaced by the Flood Risk and Coastal Change section of the Planning Practice Guidance. The flood zones quoted are in relation to tidal and fluvial flood risk. They do not show surface water flooding and are not shown on the surface water flood maps.
Paragraph 7.134: This text requires some re-working. The text currently does not accurately define the process for applying the Sequential Test. Application of the Sequential Test is a pre-requisite before any other flood risk considerations apply. It should consider all sources of flooding and development should only be further considered once it has been shown to have been passed.
Paragraph 7.138: We support the inclusion of this paragraph.
Paragraph 7.140: Reference could be made to the Environment Agency's 'Risk of Surface Water Flooding' maps to help identify surface water flooding constraints in areas of the Borough not covered by the SWMP. Reference could also be made to the potential need for new developments to support the provision of the SWMP CDA preferred management options, possibly through developer contributions (particularly where the development will benefit from such the construction of flood alleviation infrastructure/measures).
Paragraph 7.141: While we feel that this is a useful paragraph, we would suggest that it may be clearer if 'flood risk' and 'water management' were separated? Water management in this context would appear to be more appropriate in the Renewable Energy, Water, Waste and Recycling section.
Policy DM23: Flood Risk and Water Management
We support the reference in this policy to the Sequential Test. However, we have not seen evidence of it being applied to the preparation of the Local Plan. As mentioned
above, this is a key issue for all proposed allocations and must be demonstrated for the plan to be deemed sound.
As above, we would suggest that the current policy text requires some updating and rewording for clarity. We would welcome the opportunity to assist with this.
We would also add at this time that the use of CIL to support future interventions for tidal and fluvial flood management should not be overlooked and should relate to any new development located in defended flood plain areas where there will be future investment required to renew or raise existing flood defences.
There is also the potential for future small flood defence projects at Dedham and Ford Street, Aldham to proceed following project appraisal. The ability to deliver such schemes is likely to depend upon partnership funding contributions to supplement Central Government Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid and CIL or developer contributions can help the Council to support projects that lower flood risk in these communities.
Policy DM24: Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
As above, this policy would also benefit from some re-wording and we would welcome the opportunity to contribute to that. While the LLFA lead on managing surface water flooding, it is essential that run-off does not have the potential to pollute receiving surface or groundwaters. Further text in relation to required treatment steps should be added to the existing policy. We would also add at this stage that all new developments should be required to include SuDS, not just major development as stated. Many small scale measures are available, but we would not consider water butts to be a SuDS measure. We welcome the reference to integrated SuDS and biodiversity improvements.
Renewable Energy, Water, Waste and Recycling
Paragraph 7.150 & Policy DM25: Renewable Energy, Water, Waste and Recycling: We note and welcome that developers are to be encouraged to meet higher than minimum standards for water efficiency. We would suggest that you may wish to consider requiring the higher water efficiency standards for new development through the Local Plan. The 'Water supply, waste water and water quality' section of the Planning Practice Guide identifies this as an option. We would be happy to discuss this further, including the evidence required to pursue this approach. You may also wish to consider adding further guidance as to how residential and non-residential developments can voluntarily achieve further efficiency gains, and the benefits (environmental and economic) of doing so.
Please also note our comments on waste recycling facilities in new developments made in respect of Housing Standards, above. It may be more appropriate to address those points in this section.
We trust this advice is useful, please contact me if you would like to discuss any aspect of this response further.