Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Orkney Local Development Plan Proposed Plan (2016)

Appendix C.4 Assessment of the East Mainland and Linked South Isles Land Allocations

Legend

Burray Village

Source of site suggestion: Carried forward from the Orkney LDP 2014

Summary Description: Burray Village is the main settlement on Burray. It originated as the main service centre on the island, and as a centre for the herring fishery. In the nineteenth century the village extended little beyond the main row of buildings on Village Road, a smithy and fish processing works along the shore, and the school and hall further up the hill. Whilst the sealing of Water Sound by blockships during the First World War effectively ended the village’s fishery, the construction of the Churchill Barriers in the 1940s connected the island to Mainland and South Ronaldsay, and allowed the population, extent and facilities of the village to grow significantly to the west and east in a loose grid pattern.

Sites BV-3 and BV-6 are undeveloped areas already within the settlement boundary which is indicated in the current LDP.

Site BV-3 is adjacent to the northern boundary whereas site BV-6 is in the east of the settlement.

A development brief will be required which jointly covers allocations BV-4 and BV-5.

Dalespot

Source of site suggestion: Submitted in response to the Call for Sites.

Summary Description: Dalespot is a proposed new settlement. It is located on the east side of the A961, approximately 3 km to the south of Kirkwall.

Only one option is proposed for Dalespot.

A development brief would be required for this site.

Climate change

• Is the proposal close to a range of facilities? Can these be accessed by public transport? Population and Human health. There is a garden centre and garage at Dalespot. It is located on the route of the X1 scheduled bus services which links it with St Margaret’s Hope, Kirkwall and Stromness. Scoring: +. Mitigation: N/A. Post-mitigation: +.
• Is the proposal protected from prevailing winds? It is moderately protected from westerly winds; however it is more open to the north, east and south. Scoring: 0. Mitigation: Policy 2 Design requires new development to demonstrate how it will minimise use of energy and maximise opportunities for shelter. Post-mitigation: +.
• Site aspect – does the proposal make best use of solar gain? Site is relatively open and makes good use of solar gain. Scoring: +. Post-mitigation: +.
• Is the proposal thought to be at risk of flooding or could its development result in additional flood risk elsewhere? Parts of the proposed settlement are at risk of drainage flooding; however these areas do not include the proposed land allocations. Scoring: -. Mitigation: The potential risk of flooding is noted in the settlement statement. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Could the development of the proposal help alleviate any existing flooding problems in the area? Unlikely. Scoring: 0. Mitigation: N/A. Post-mitigation: 0.

Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna

• There is no connectivity between the proposal and any of Orkney’s international and national designations. Its development is therefore unlikely to have any effect on their qualifying interests or their integrity. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Dalespot is remote from any locally important designation and is therefore unlikely to have any effect on their qualifying interests. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• The proposal is unlikely to affect any non-designated features as it is currently improved grassland. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Drainage ditches may be used by otters as access routes. Scoring: ?. Mitigation: The potential for otters to be present in areas close to waterbodies and drainage ditches is highlighted in the introduction to the settlement statements. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Vegetation on site is improved grassland and has limited ecological value. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.

Water

• There are drainage ditches in the area, including along the eastern boundary of the proposed settlement; however there is no defined water course. There is no option to connect to a public sewer. Scoring: -. Mitigation: The settlement statement notes the presence of drainage ditches. Private foul water drainage will be deemed acceptable for small scale developments, provided that they comply with the current LDP policy on waste water drainage. Post-mitigation: 0.
• The proposal is unlikely to have a direct impact on the water environment. The settlement statement notes the presence of a watercourse adjacent to site DA-1. Scoring: ?. Post-mitigation: 0.
• There are no wetlands or boggy areas on the site. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• There are no private or public water supplies within 250m of the proposal. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.

Soils, Geology and Landscape

• The site is on greenfield land which is classed as 4₂, capable of producing a narrow range of crops. Scoring: -. Mitigation: Dalespot has been identified as a rural settlement. Post-mitigation: 0.
• There are no contaminated soil issues. The site is not on peatland. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• There are no national or local geodiversity sites or wider geodiversity interests that could be affected. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Dalespot is not within the Hoy and West Mainland NSA. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• This would be a new settlement; there are already a few houses in the area which is otherwise surrounded by agricultural land. Scoring: ?. Mitigation: New development should comply with Policy 9 Natural Environment and Landscape. Policy 2 Design includes a set of fundamental principles with which all development should comply. The settlement statement provides design guidance which development should adhere to in order to ensure the settlement retains its rural character. Post-mitigation: 0.
• The Orkney Landscape Character Assessment identifies this area as the Plateau Heaths & Pasture character type. It notes that the open plateau makes built structures highly visible from within the landscape. Scoring: ?. Post-mitigation: 0.

Cultural Heritage

There are no scheduled monuments, locally important archaeological sites, listed buildings, Conservation Areas, Inventory Gardens and Designed Landscapes, or effects on the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site identified. Each is scored 0, with N/A mitigation and a post-mitigation score of 0.

Development is not expected to result in an opportunity to enhance or improve access to the historic environment. Scoring: 0. Mitigation: N/A. Post-mitigation: 0.

Service Infrastructure, Material Assets and Deliverability

• The nearest educational and health facilities are in Kirkwall, 3 km to the north. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Further development at Dalespot would not affect accessibility to open space. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• There are no core paths or other key access networks in the area. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Any options for enhancement will be considered through the development brief. Further guidance is available in the Orkney Open Space Strategy. Scoring: ?. Post-mitigation: ?.
• New development will link into existing road/path infrastructure and services. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• There is no option to connect to a public sewer. Scoring: -. Mitigation: Private foul water drainage will be deemed acceptable for small scale developments, provided that they comply with the current LDP policy on waste water drainage. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Access into Dalespot is currently from the A961 with no speed restrictions, footways or street lighting. No new accesses would be permitted onto the A961 and further development should consider upgrading the private road to a higher standard, potentially for adoption. This would be dependent on the density of housing planned and be detailed in the Traffic Assessment and Development Briefs. Scoring: -. Mitigation: The settlement statement requires future development to provide pedestrian access to local footpaths, public transport and services. Post-mitigation: 0.

Herston

Source of site suggestion: Submitted in response to the Call for Sites.

Summary Description: Herston is a proposed new settlement and is located on the south shore of Widewall Bay in South Ronaldsay. It originated as a fishing station during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, constructed as a single line of houses parallel to the shore. The settlement had reached its current extent by the beginning of the twentieth century; a notable later development was the creation of the green area along the shore at the north end of the settlement.

Only one option is proposed for Herston.

Assessment

• Herston has only a post box and slipway and is not on a scheduled bus route. Scoring: -. Post-mitigation: -.
• The higher land masses of Herston Head to the south and Hoxa Head to the west provide protection from NW, W and SW winds. Policy 2 Design requires new development to demonstrate how it will minimise use of energy and maximise opportunities for shelter. Scoring: +. Post-mitigation: +.
• Herston has a north-easterly aspect and may not benefit from direct sunlight for the entire day. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: +.
• Site 1 is not considered to be at risk of flooding. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Development is unlikely to alleviate existing flooding problems. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• There is no connectivity between the proposal and any of Orkney’s international and national designations. Its development is therefore unlikely to have any effect on their qualifying interests or their integrity. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• The proposal is remote from any of Orkney’s locally important designations and its development is unlikely to have any effect on their integrity. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• The proposal is unlikely to affect non-designated features as it is currently managed for agriculture. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• The proposal is unlikely to affect protected species. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Vegetation on site is improved grassland and has limited ecological value. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• There is currently no public sewer in Herston and this is one of the areas highlighted by SEPA where proliferation of private waste water systems has led to a cumulative impact on the water environment. Scoring: -. Mitigation: Private foul water drainage will be deemed acceptable for small scale developments, provided that they comply with the current LDP policy on waste water drainage. Post-mitigation: 0.
• There are no wetlands or boggy areas on the proposal. There are no private or public water supplies within 250m. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Site 1 is on greenfield land, category 4₂, capable of producing a narrow range of crops. Scoring: -. Mitigation: The site borders existing housing in the settlement; therefore its development is considered a sustainable option. Post-mitigation: 0.
• The proposal is remote from Orkney’s national and local geodiversity sites. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• The proposal is remote from the Hoy and West Mainland NSA. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Although there is already considerable development in the area, Herston is proposed as a new settlement. The Orkney Landscape Character Assessment classifies this area as the Coastal Basin landscape character type and recommends that new buildings should be oriented with respect to the contours of the land and with the sea. Scoring: ?. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Proximity to the sea and the semi-enclosed nature of Widewall Bay are important features of the landscape of Herston. Inappropriately designed or sited development could impact on the character of the landscape. There is no wild land in the area. Scoring: ?. Post-mitigation: 0.
• No scheduled monuments, locally important archaeological sites, listed buildings, Conservation Areas, Inventory Gardens and Designed Landscapes, or effects on the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site are identified. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• The proposal would not affect open space, connectivity, core path links or other key access networks. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Any opportunity to enhance the green network is uncertain. Guidance is available in the Orkney Open Space Strategy. Scoring: ?. Post-mitigation: ?.
• New development will link into existing road/path infrastructure and services. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.
• Development Briefs and Transport Assessments would be required for any proposed sites, outlining the full extent of the proposals. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.

Hillhead

Source of site suggestion: Brought forward from Orkney LDP 2014.

Summary Description: Hillhead is a rural settlement in Deerness. It developed during the second half of the twentieth century around a school and a cluster of farms on the main road through Deerness. To this a small amount of housing has been added along the north side of the road, together with a general store.

Assessment

Hillhead has a shop, and the Deerness Community Centre and children’s play park are located less than 1 km to the east. The settlement is on the Service 3 scheduled bus route which links Deerness with Kirkwall. Scoring: +. Post-mitigation: +.

Hillhead benefits from a degree of shelter from northerly winds. Policy 2 Design requires new development to demonstrate how it will minimise use of energy and maximise opportunities for shelter. Scoring: +. Post-mitigation: +.

The area has a southerly aspect and makes best use of solar gain in the morning and afternoon. Scoring: +. Post-mitigation: +.

There are small drainage ditches in sites 1 and 3. Buffer strips may be needed and should be considered as part of site drainage arrangements unless other information suggests they may pose a risk of flooding. Scoring: ?. Mitigation: The site statement notes the presence of drainage ditches and the possible requirement for buffer zones. Post-mitigation: 0.

There is no connectivity between the proposal and any of Orkney’s international or national biodiversity designations. The proposal is remote from locally important designations. The sites are currently improved grassland and are unlikely to affect non-designated features, protected species or habitat connectivity. These matters are scored 0, with N/A mitigation and a post-mitigation score of 0.

The existing Nethersands WWTW is very small and is approximately 300–400 m away from the sites. The developer should contact Scottish Water as early as possible to discuss whether it will be economically feasible to connect. Scoring: ?. Mitigation: The settlement statement highlights the need for early consultation with Scottish Water. Post-mitigation: 0.

The sites are on greenfield land classed as 4₂, capable of producing a narrow range of crops. Scoring: -. Mitigation: The sites are within the settlement boundary; therefore their development is considered a sustainable option. Post-mitigation: 0.

Development of the sites would not affect national or local landscape designations. The sites are within the current settlement boundary. The Orkney Landscape Character Assessment identifies the area as Undulating Island Pastures and recommends that new development be confined to areas where varied topography offers screening, with expansion respecting the existing form and vernacular building tradition.

The former Deerness School, including boundary walls and toilet block, are category C listed buildings. Scoring: 0. Mitigation: The settlement statement notes the presence of the listed buildings and requires development of HH-1 to avoid adverse effect on the buildings and their setting. Post-mitigation: 0.

St Andrews Primary School is approximately 6 km to the west and the nearest health facilities are in Kirkwall. Development is unlikely to affect open space, core paths or other key access routes. Any opportunity to enhance the green network is uncertain; guidance is available in the Orkney Open Space Strategy.

Development would require road improvement works, including new footways, extension of street lighting and the possible introduction of a speed limit. Scoring: -. Mitigation: The settlement statement requires the provision of pedestrian access. Post-mitigation: 0.

Lighthouse Corner

Source of site suggestion: Suggested following the Orkney LDP review.

Site History/Previous planning applications, existing local plan policies and proposals: Lighthouse Corner is a rural settlement in Deerness. Historically this area was occupied by loosely-scattered housing and farmsteads similar in character to the surrounding countryside. During the second half of the twentieth century the density of settlement gradually increased due to the construction of new dwellings and the expansion of existing farms.

Assessment

The cluster of houses is on the Service 3 scheduled bus route which links Deerness with Kirkwall and is less than 2 km from the local shop. The proposal benefits from a degree of shelter from northerly winds and has a southerly aspect, making best use of solar gain in the morning and afternoon. Policy 2 Design requires new development to demonstrate how it will minimise use of energy and maximise opportunities for shelter. These matters are scored +, with post-mitigation scores of +.

There is no flood risk identified and development is unlikely to alleviate existing flooding problems. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.

There is no connectivity with international or national biodiversity designations, and the proposal is remote from locally important designations. It is currently managed for agriculture and is unlikely to affect non-designated features, protected species or habitat connectivity. These matters are scored 0, with post-mitigation scores of 0.

There is no public sewer at Lighthouse Corner. A drainage ditch is located at the south end of the settlement. Private foul water drainage will be deemed acceptable for small scale developments, provided that they comply with the current LDP policy on waste water drainage. The settlement statement notes the presence of the ditch.

Sites 1 and 2 are on greenfield land classed as 4₂, capable of producing a narrow range of crops. Lighthouse Corner has been identified as a rural settlement. Scoring: -. Post-mitigation: 0.

Lighthouse Corner is not within the Hoy and West Mainland NSA. The proposal would be a new settlement, with a few houses in an area otherwise surrounded by agricultural land. The Orkney Landscape Character Assessment identifies the area as Undulating Island Pastures and recommends development that respects the existing form of the settlement and vernacular building tradition.

There are no scheduled monuments, locally important archaeological sites, listed buildings, Conservation Areas, Inventory Gardens and Designed Landscapes, or effects on the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site identified.

St Andrews Primary School is approximately 8 km to the west and the nearest health facilities are in Kirkwall. Development is unlikely to affect open space, core path links or other key access routes. Green-network enhancement is uncertain; guidance is available in the Orkney Open Space Strategy.

There is no public waste water treatment provision on site. A 3" AC water main appears to run along the inside edge of the site where it borders the road. Private foul water drainage will be deemed acceptable for small scale developments, provided that they comply with the current LDP policy on waste water drainage. The settlement statement notes the presence of the water main.

There are no footways or street lighting; the area is covered by a 40 mph speed limit. The roads are relatively narrow and may require passing places or road widening with provision for footways and associated street lighting. Development Briefs and Transport Assessments are required. Scoring: -. Mitigation: The settlement statement requires the provision of pedestrian access. Post-mitigation: 0.

St Margaret’s Hope

Source of site suggestion: Submitted in response to the Call for Sites.

Summary Description: St Margaret’s Hope is a village in South Ronaldsay, and is the third-largest settlement in Orkney. The area has been inhabited since the Norse period; the present core of the village, based around Front Road, Back Road and Cromarty Square, developed in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a centre for herring fishery. Modern development has mainly consisted of housing developments around this core, including to the west of Cromarty Square, at the east end of Marengo Road, and around St Margaret’s Road, which was built to the south of the village core in 2009 to provide better access for through traffic to the pier.

St Margaret’s Hope is the largest settlement in South Ronaldsay, and as such acts as a local service centre, providing goods and services to the immediate area. It is also a key transport hub for freight and passengers travelling between Caithness and Orkney.

Site 8 is located adjacent to the eastern boundary of St Margaret’s Hope. It is included in Option 2 but not Option 1. It has not been included in the Proposed Plan.

A Masterplan for St Margaret’s Hope was prepared in 2015.

Assessment

Facilities in the village include a primary school, doctor’s surgery, church, shops and bars/restaurants, within approximately 5–10 minutes’ walking distance. The X1 scheduled bus service links St Margaret’s Hope with Kirkwall and Stromness. Scoring: +. Post-mitigation: +.

The proposal is protected from winds from the NW, W and SW. Scoring: +. Mitigation: Policy 2 Design requires new development to demonstrate how it will minimise use of energy and maximise opportunities for shelter. Post-mitigation: +.

The proposal has a north-easterly aspect and does not make the best use of solar gain. Scoring: -. Post-mitigation: +.

Part of site 8 may be at risk of flooding, and coastal flooding is known to affect lower levels of SMH-5. Scoring: --. Mitigation: The settlement statement highlights flood risk issues and requires a development brief to be prepared for site SMH-5. Site 8 has been removed. The Orkney Local Flood Risk Management Plan includes an action to undertake a flood risk study of the village. Post-mitigation: 0.

Development is unlikely to alleviate existing flooding problems. Scoring: 0. Post-mitigation: 0.

There is no connectivity between the proposal and any of Orkney’s international or national biodiversity designations. The proposal is remote from locally important designations and is unlikely to affect non-designated features. Otters may be present near watercourses, while bats are known to be present in the village and may establish roosts in buildings and mature trees. The potential for otters and bats is highlighted in the settlement statement.

The proposal is close to St Margaret’s Hope Bay, which forms part of Scapa Flow. The water quality and overall status of Scapa Flow are currently classed as good. There is currently capacity at St Margaret’s Hope waste water treatment works; however, should demand exceed available capacity, Scottish Water will initiate a Growth Project once one development meets the 5 Growth Criteria.

A canalised burn runs through the north-east corner of the settlement. A burn runs from the south-east of the settlement across the golf course and then flows through a culvert under Cromarty Square into the sea. The settlement statement notes the watercourses and the potential requirement for a development-free buffer zone alongside the watercourse at SMH-2.

The proposal is on greenfield land, category 4₂, capable of producing a narrow range of crops. The allocations are within or adjacent to the settlement boundary, so the principle of development is considered to be a sustainable option.

The proposal is remote from the Hoy and West Mainland NSA. The allocations are within or adjacent to the settlement boundary. Design guidance is provided in the settlement statement and further guidance is provided in the St Margaret’s Hope masterplan 2016. The Orkney Landscape Character Assessment classifies the area as the Coastal Basin landscape character type and recommends that new buildings should be oriented with respect to the contours of the land and with the sea. There is no wild land in the area.

There are a number of listed buildings in St Margaret’s Hope. The settlement statement and St Margaret’s Hope masterplan 2016 address them. St Margaret’s Hope’s historic core is identified as a Conservation Area. The masterplan proposes a Conservation Area review to assess the current boundary and discuss the potential for CARS/THI with Historic Environment Scotland.

There are educational and health facilities in the village. The four areas of open space are at the Hope Community Play Park, the Hope Community School, Marengo Community Garden and Thorfinn Place. Development of the allocations is unlikely to affect open space or connectivity.

The proposal is unlikely to affect core path links or other key access networks. Access is addressed in the Masterplan. The masterplan proposes the introduction of a landscape scheme to replace the unmaintained grassland opposite the Care Facility. Post-mitigation: +.

There is currently capacity at St Margaret’s Hope waste water treatment works. Individual driveway accesses onto St Margaret’s Road should be avoided as the road is a main distributor and feeder road for the village. Limited access to site 7 could be provided through Marengo Square, depending upon the density of housing planned. Development of site 8 would require new footways and possible alterations to the current speed limit. The settlement statement provides recommendations for future vehicular access provision.

St Mary’s

Source of site suggestion: Submitted in response to the Call for Sites.

Summary Description: St Mary’s is a village in Holm. It developed as a fishing village in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, primarily in the herring trade. After the sealing of Holm Sound during the First and Second World Wars this industry declined sharply, although the construction of the Churchill Barriers did temporarily expand the settlement during the early 1940s to provide accommodation and logistics support. During the second half of the twentieth and the early twenty-first centuries the village expanded significantly through the redevelopment of former military sites, a growth in housing and some commercial development.

Sites STM-1 and STM-4 are located adjacent to the northern boundary of St Mary’s, as indicated in the current LDP.

Only one MIR option is proposed for St Mary’s.

Assessment

St Mary’s has a shop, post office and a restaurant/pub nearby, and is on the route of the X1 scheduled bus service linking St Margaret’s Hope with Kirkwall and Stromness.

The settlement benefits from a degree of shelter from westerly winds but is more open to winds from other directions. Policy 2 Design requires new development to demonstrate how it will minimise use of energy and maximise opportunities for shelter.

The settlement has a southerly aspect and makes good use of solar gain.

Sites along the coast are at risk of coastal flooding, the eastern end of STM-6 is at risk of drainage flooding, and part of site 4 is considered to be at risk of drainage flooding. The settlement statement notes these risks. A Flood Risk Assessment is required for STM-6, and development of low-lying parts of STM-8 near the coast should be avoided. The Orkney Local Flood Risk Management Plan includes an action to undertake a flood risk study of the village.

There is no connectivity between St Mary’s and any of Orkney’s international or national designations. The nearby Loch of Ayre is identified as an LNCS and is important for wintering wildfowl, especially whooper swans. Otters may be present around the loch, feeder burns and drainage ditches. Development of sites 1 and 4 would be unlikely to affect protected species.

The proposal is close to St Mary’s Bay, which forms part of Scapa Flow. The water quality and overall status of Scapa Flow are currently classed as good. There is currently capacity at St Mary’s waste water treatment works; however, should demand exceed available capacity, Scottish Water will initiate a Growth Project once one development meets the 5 Growth Criteria.

Sites 1 and 4 are on greenfield land classed as 4₁, capable of producing a narrow range of crops. Sites STM-1 and STM-4 are adjacent to the settlement boundary, so the principle of development is considered to be a sustainable option.

St Mary’s is not within the Hoy and West Mainland NSA. Sites 1 and 4 are adjacent to the current settlement boundary. The settlement statement provides design guidance, and new development should comply with Policy 9 Natural Environment and Landscape and Policy 2 Design. The Orkney Landscape Character Assessment identifies St Mary’s as being within the Coastal Basins landscape type.

Loch of Ayre Broch is located at the northern end of the loch. Development proposals in STM-2 must avoid impacting on the setting of the broch. Listed buildings in St Mary’s are the Corn Store on the shore, the pier, the former drill hall and Elrose. New development is required to retain historic features.

The nearest educational facilities are St Andrews Primary School in Toab and Kirkwall Grammar School in Kirkwall. The nearest health facilities are in Kirkwall. The proposal is unlikely to affect open space. The settlement statement requires necessary infrastructure connectivity for neighbouring allocations. Green-network enhancement is uncertain; guidance is available in the Orkney Open Space Strategy.

There is currently capacity at St Mary’s waste water treatment works. An 8" AC water main crosses site STM-8. The developer should contact Scottish Water as early as possible to discuss whether a diversion would be permitted, if required.

Sites 1, 4 and 8 would require a new access road from the A961 and extension of the existing footway network. The remaining sites could be developed from the existing road infrastructure, with some limited improvements required. The settlement statement provides guidance on vehicular and pedestrian access provision.

Toab

Source of site suggestion: Site 6 and 7 were submitted in response to the Call for Sites. The remaining sites were brought forward from the Orkney LDP 2014.

Summary Description: Toab is a village in the parish of St Andrew’s. It is a modern settlement: the only buildings which existed before 1900 are at the former school. Development has mainly occurred since the mid-twentieth century between the old school and the new school at the junction of the A960 and the B9052, taking three forms: single dwellings; the new school; and housing developments built around access roads.

Sites 6 and 7 are located to the west of the Toab settlement boundary, as indicated in the current LDP. Sites 6 and 7 were included in MIR Option 2 but not Option 1.

Option 1 has been taken forward into the Proposed Plan.

Assessment

Facilities in Toab include St Andrews Primary School, a shop and post office. A restaurant/bar, community centre and games pitches are within 10 minutes’ walking distance. The sites are on the Service 3 scheduled bus route linking Deerness, Toab and Tankerness with Kirkwall.

Higher land to the south and west provides a degree of shelter. The land slopes gently towards the north-east, has a relatively open aspect and benefits from solar gain throughout most of the day. Policy 2 Design requires new development to demonstrate how it will minimise use of energy and maximise opportunities for shelter. These matters are scored +, with post-mitigation scores of +.

Coastal flood risk is adjacent to sites TB-1, TB-2, TB-3 and TB-4. Parts of sites 6 and 7 are at risk of drainage flooding. Flood Risk Assessments are required for sites TB-1, TB-2, TB-3 and TB-4. Sites 6 and 7 are not included in the Proposed Plan. Scoring: -. Post-mitigation: 0.

Toab borders the Bay of Suckquoy Local Nature Conservation Site, which includes areas of saltmarsh and mudflats as well as patches of heather and semi-natural grassland. A narrow strip of heather and semi-natural grassland borders the coastline. Development should fulfil the requirements of Policy 9 Natural Environment and Landscape.

The nearby Burn of Quoykea and Burn of Voy enter the sea at the Bay of Suckquoy. Otters are known to use these burns and may also use drainage ditches bordering the proposal as access routes. Adjacent drainage ditches may also be used as otter access routes. Vegetation is predominantly improved grassland with limited ecological value.

The proposal is close to the Bay of Suckquoy and wider Deersound, within the Burgh Head–Mull Head coastal area. The water quality and overall status of Burgh Head–Mull Head are currently classed as high. Greentoft Waste Water Treatment Works is very small and a considerable distance from most of the settlement, so it may not be economically feasible for new development to connect to the public sewerage network. Private foul water drainage will be deemed acceptable for small scale developments, provided that they comply with the current LDP policy on waste water drainage.

The sites are greenfield land, category 4₂, capable of producing a narrow range of crops. The principle of development may be a sustainable option as the sites are located close to services and facilities.

The proposal is remote from the Hoy and West Mainland NSA. Sites 6 and 7 are currently separated from the Toab settlement boundary by one field. New development should comply with Policy 9 Natural Environment and Landscape and Policy 2 Design. The Orkney Landscape Character Assessment classifies the area as the Coastal Basin landscape character type and recommends that new buildings should be oriented with respect to the contours of the land and with the sea. There is no wild land in the area.

The Sebay Meal Mill, which is category B listed, is close to site 7. Site 7 is not included in the Proposed Plan.

St Andrews Primary School is within five minutes’ walking distance of both sites. Development of sites 6 and 7 would not affect access to open space. The proposal would not affect core path links or other key access networks. Green-network enhancement is uncertain; guidance is available in the Orkney Open Space Strategy.

There is no option to connect to a public waste water treatment facility. Greentoft Waste Water Treatment Works is located in the centre of site TB-4. The developer should contact Scottish Water as soon as possible to discuss the development of this site and to ensure it will not impact on the operation of the Works.

The council has recently constructed a new unsegregated cycle track from the Toab shop to St Andrews Primary School. Development would require road improvement works, including new footways, extension of speed limits and street lighting. Sites 6 and 7 are well outside the current settlement boundary and would therefore require fairly major infrastructure improvements. Sites 6 and 7 are not included in the Proposed Plan.

Scapa Beach

Source of site suggestion: Submitted in response to the Call for Sites.

Summary Description: Scapa Beach is located approximately 2 km to the south of Kirkwall on the northern coast of Scapa Bay.

Only one option is proposed for Scapa Beach.

This site is not included in the Proposed Plan.

Assessment

The proposal is more than 15 minutes’ walking distance from the town centre. The Council’s Marine Services are based nearby and Scapa Pier is approximately 1 km to the south-east. The proposal is located on the Kirkwall Town Service scheduled bus route.

Higher ground to the west offers protection from NW, W and SW winds. The settlement statement will provide guidance on how to achieve benefit from shelter and solar gain through the form, orientation and design of buildings. The site has a southerly aspect.

Parts of the proposal are identified as being at significant risk of coastal or drainage flooding. Areas at risk of flooding will be highlighted in the settlement statement. Scoring: -. Post-mitigation: 0.

There is no connectivity between the proposal and any of Orkney’s international and national designations. The proposal is remote from locally important designations and is unlikely to affect non-designated features.

The proposal is adjacent to both Crantit Canal and Scapa Bay. Otters are known to use the Canal as they move between the marine and freshwater environments. There is potential for development to encroach upon the banks of the Crantit Canal. SEPA recommends that a buffer of at least 6 m should be maintained between any new development and a watercourse. The Settlement Statement will highlight the presence of the watercourse.

The proposal is close to both Crantit Canal and Scapa Flow. Crantit Canal is not routinely monitored; however, the water quality and overall status of Scapa Flow are currently classed as good. There is no option to connect to the public foul sewer. Private foul water drainage will be deemed acceptable for small scale developments, provided that they comply with the current LDP policy on waste water drainage.

There are no wetlands or boggy areas on the site and no private or public water supplies within 250 m.

This is a greenfield site. The land is identified as category 4₁, capable of producing a narrow range of crops. Site 1 is adjacent to the Scapa settlement; therefore the principle of development is considered a sustainable option.

The proposal is remote from the Hoy and West Mainland NSA. Site 1 is immediately adjacent to the Scapa settlement boundary. However, development on the site is likely to be significantly restricted due to flood risk issues. The settlement statement will provide guidance on siting, layout and design in order to promote development that is sensitive to the local character of the landscape.

The Orkney Landscape Character Assessment classifies this area as the Coastal Basin landscape character type. Proximity to Scapa Bay is an important feature of the area. There is no wild land in the area.

A souterrain (underground chamber), located in the adjacent field to the north, is included in the local Sites and Monuments list. The settlement statement will highlight the presence of the monument.

The Balfour Hospital and Kirkwall Health Centre are approximately 2 km to the north. A new Healthcare Campus is due to be constructed close to the existing facilities.

Scapa is a popular amenity beach and many people enjoy walking in the area. Development of site 1 would not affect open space or connectivity. The proposal is unlikely to affect core path links or other key access networks. The Crantit Trail is a popular Core Path alongside part of the Crantit Canal; however, it does not extend along the full length of the Canal.

Green-network enhancement is unlikely due to flood risk.

There is no option to connect to public waste water treatment facilities. A low volume of housing development on site 1 does not raise any concerns. Access to the development site should be addressed, along with any necessary road improvements, in a Development Brief and Transport Assessment.

IMAGE: The document pages contain tabular site assessments showing environmental topics, comments, mitigation measures and pre- and post-mitigation scores for land allocations in the East Mainland and linked South Isles.