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Residential development in the zone between about 400m and 5km from Dorset heathland SSSIs containing internationally important sites.
The application site lies in the vicinity of heathlands that are notified as SSSIs for the special interest of their heathland habitats and associated plant and animal species. These SSSIs are part of the Dorset Heathlands Special Protection Area (SPA) on account of rare or vulnerable heathland bird species and are also part of a Ramsar site on account of rare or vulnerable heathland wetlands and associated rare wetland species. They are additionally part of the Dorset Heaths (or Dorset Heaths [Purbeck and Wareham] and Studland Dunes) Special Area of Conservation (SAC) on account of rare or vulnerable heathland and associated habitats and some individual species.
The proximity of the European sites (SPA and SACs) raises considerations on the requirements of the Habitats Directive 1992 for these sites to be maintained or, where necessary, restored at a favourable conservation status (Article 3 (1)). Determination of the application should be undertaken with regard to the Habitats Regulations 1994 and in particular Regulations 48 and 49, the requirements of the Habitats Directive by virtue of Regulation 3(4); and other legislative and policy considerations on the protection, conservation and enhancement of the heathland special interest features of the SSSIs.
In recent years research has demonstrated that there is a connection between adverse impacts on Dorset heathland and the proximity of developed land and also the amount of development on adjacent land. A study commissioned by the then Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions has shown that fires on heathland sites tend to increase in frequency with the proportion of adjacent land that is developed. Also fires are most frequent between April and August when they are likely to cause most damage to heathland vegetation and wildlife.
Other research has shown that urban development near heathland is associated with an adverse effect on three of the SPA interest features: nightjar, woodlark and Dartford warbler. The density of nightjars on heathland sites has been found to decline with the amount of development on adjacent land. Furthermore the research indicates that the breeding success of those nightjars present also declines with the amount of development. This appears, at least in part, to be related to human disturbance from visitor pressure, especially disturbance by dogs. Research on woodlarks and disturbance has reached similar conclusions. For Dartford warblers, emerging research shows that cats are a predator of young Dartford warblers and were recorded to take over 10% of all young raised on an urban part of the Dorset Heathlands SPA.
These urban pressures have been recognised as a significant issue on the Dorset heathlands by the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention. On urban development, the Committee has formally recommended to the UK Government (No. 67 1998) among various matters to avoid any more development close to existing heathland; for new housing to provide areas for playgrounds, sport or leisure in areas other than heathlands, to avoid unwanted pressure on heathlands.
It is English Natures view, based on recent research into access onto heathlands and other factors, that the area within about 400m of European sites is where additional small scale residential development is likely to have the most substantial further adverse effect on these sites; and where these effects cannot be mitigated.
Nevertheless residential developments beyond this area are also likely to contribute to increasing the urban pressures on the European sites. The development proposed by this application is situated in this wider area beyond the nearest part of the European sites. English Nature is concerned about the cumulative effects of this type of development. However, we are awaiting results of reviews and further research being undertaken both here and in the Thames Basin Heaths before finalising our advice in relation to this type of development.
In general terms, we believe that the most appropriate way of avoiding further adverse urban pressures on the European sites, due to additional small scale development in a zone generally between 400m and 5km from the sites, would be through the implementation of a comprehensive package of measures by the local authorities and other bodies to mitigate such pressures. These measures should include enhancements to existing open space and other publicly owned land; the provision of alternative open space that would pull recreational use away from the European sites; local community actions similar in scope to those previously funded by the Urban Heaths LIFE Project; and also measures to increase the ecological robustness of the European sites through the sympathetic use of adjacent open land. Further considerations can apply to some proposals, for example those that are large in scale, raise hydrological effects or are on undeveloped land that may compromise biodiversity or the provision of alternative open space.
English Nature is working with planning authorities at regional and local level on the development of policy and measures for dealing with small scale urban intensification through increased residential units in the vicinity of European heathland sites. The aim of this work is to ensure that the integrity of these sites is not further incrementally eroded or diminished by a steady increase in urban pressures due to additional development.
Where mitigation would be appropriate to remove a likely addition to urban pressures on the European sites, we are not generally seeking to provide specific advice on the individual circumstances of each small scale development proposal, such as the currently proposed development. Rather this development is likely to have significant effects only in combination with other such developments and that this requires a sound package of mitigation measures that must account for their cumulative impact.
It will be some time before such policy and measures can be delivered formally through the Regional Spatial Strategy and Local Development Frameworks. However, in the interim there is a rapidly developing understanding between you and other local authorities in South East Dorset to have in place as a soon as possible, and no later than the end of November 2006, an interim strategy to provide for effective mitigation of the effects of further development on the interest features of the designated heathland sites. These measures will include Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace and access and visitor management, and it is a matter of weeks before the details are finally agreed. These measures will need to be financed by contributions. On the basis of the commitment to both interim and longer term mitigation strategies and with measures funded by developer contributions, English Nature believes that an appropriate assessment of this application may reasonably conclude that there would not be an adverse cumulative impact on the integrity of the European sites. It follows that in this respect English Nature has no objection to permission being granted for the proposed development.
The implementation of appropriate mechanisms to collect developer contributions is a matter for the planning authorities involved.
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