HRA NEWARK & SHERWOOD, UK

CASE STUDY

Habitats Regulations Assessment

Newark & Sherwood, UK

Project Type
Habitats Regulations Assessment
Client
Newark & Sherwood District Council
Location
Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK
Keywords
  • Sherwood Forest 
  • Sweetman Ruling
  • Cat Predation and ground-nesting birds
  • Colliery redevelopment

A Habitats Regulations Assessment to identify and mitigate potential adverse impacts on European sites from development in the Publication Amended Core Strategy (PACS) for Newark and Sherwood District Council (DC).

Newark and Sherwood district is located in close proximity to Birklands and Bilhaugh Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the Sherwood Forest ppSPA (possible potential Special Protection Area). Birklands and Bilhaugh is the most northerly site in the UK which has been designated for the presence of old acidophilous oak woods and is notable for its rich invertebrate fauna, particularly spiders, and diverse fungal assemblage. Sherwood Forest ppSPA supports a nationally important population of nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) and woodlark (Lullula arboreal).

Newark and Sherwood DC is in the process of reviewing its Local Development Framework through a detailed Plan Review. As part of the Core Strategy review, Lepus were commissioned to undertake a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).    

Through the process of HRA Lepus worked closely with Newark and Sherwood DC and Natural England to undertake a thorough assessment of likely significant effects (LSEs) that could arise at European sites as a result of development set out in the PACS. These LSEs included increased air pollution from traffic, recreational disturbance from visitor pressure and dog walkers and pet cat predation. A key proposal in the PACS was the redevelopment of an old colliery and its associated spoil heaps into an attractive settlement which would be likely to result in a net gain for biodiversity.

The HRA involved a detailed review of air quality work and close collaboration with the Council to help ensure that site allocations and policies were revised and honed during the plan-making process to benefit biodiversity and deliver principles of sustainable development. We concluded in the HRA that the PACS was unlikely to lead to adverse effects on the integrity of any European site. The PACS was adopted in March 2019 and the Council is now in the process of reviewing the remaining elements of the Plan. Lepus continues to work alongside Newark and Sherwood District Council providing ongoing HRA advice and guidance as part of this process.     

Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is the process of undertaking an assessment to identify any implications a development plan or project may have on the designated interest features and conservation objectives of European Sites. To find out more about HRA, please visit our services page or click here.

LET'S TALK

Lepus helps shape effective and appropriate environmental planning policy for our clients by delivering products that are meaningful, sound and insightful.  

Get in touch ➞
Share by: