The Orkney Local Development Plan

Appendix C.6: Assessment of the Policies of the Proposed Plan (2016) for their Compatibility with the SEA Objectives

Key:

• ++ Fully compatible with the SEA Objectives which are relevant to the policy
• + Broadly compatible with SEA Objectives which are relevant to the policy
• - Incompatible with the SEA Objectives relevant to the policy
• 0 No link
• ? Compatibility with SEA Objectives is uncertain

IMAGE: The first page presents the document title, the compatibility key, and the assessment table for Policy 1, “Criteria for All Development,” including its SEA receptor ratings, assessment, recommendations, and incorporation of recommendations.

1: Criteria for All Development

How recommendations were incorporated

In criterion A character was accepted; coastal was inserted in preference to seascape.

The remaining recommendations are addressed in Policy 8 Historic Environment & Cultural Heritage and Policy 9 Natural Environment.

Policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Climate change by supporting the transformational change to a low carbon economy and increasing the use of sustainable techniques in development.
• Landscape by facilitating positive change while maintaining and enhancing distinctive landscape character.
• Population and human health by contributing to the protection of human health.
• Material assets by promoting the efficient use of resources and the minimisation of wastes and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.

SEA recommendations:

A - townscape, landscape or seascape character.

Add a further criterion: It protects, and where appropriate enhances the natural environment and cultural heritage resources.

2: Design

IMAGE: The second page continues the assessment table and presents Policy 2, “Design,” with its SEA receptor ratings, assessment, recommendation, and incorporated amendment.

How recommendations were incorporated

Criterion A v. was amended to:

It promotes sustainable design, minimising use of energy and materials at all stages of the development, and maximising opportunities for shelter.

This version promotes development which benefits from shelter from either landscape features or other built form.

Policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Climate change by promoting development which is designed to facilitate a reduction in energy usage;
• Landscape and cultural heritage by enabling positive change whilst maintaining and enhancing distinctive landscape/townscape character; and improving the quality and design of the built environment. The policy requires development to reinforce the distinctive identity of Orkney’s built environment and to be sympathetic to the character of its local area.
• Population and climate change by promoting patterns of development which enable active travel in a safe environment and the use of public transport;
• Material assets by promoting the efficient use of resources. The policy requires new development to allow for future conversion, extension or adaptation to other uses.

SEA recommendations:

Criterion A v. It minimises use of energy and materials at all stages of the development and maximises opportunities for shelter in the landscape or through the use of building forms to create shelter and microclimates.

3: Settlements, Town Centres and Primary Retail Frontages

IMAGE: The third page presents the assessment table for Policy 3, “Settlements, Town Centres and Primary Retail Frontages,” and begins the table for Policy 4, “Housing.”

How recommendations were incorporated

N/A

Policy is broadly compatible with objectives relating to all the SEA receptors as it directs the majority of development to the existing suite of settlements where infrastructure, facilities and services are already in place. It also requires development proposals to avoid significant environmental impact or adverse impacts on amenity of surrounding users.

No further recommendations.

4: Housing

How recommendations were incorporated

Part C was amended to include reference to “The Isles Approach” which is set out in the Spatial Strategy. This clarifies that development in the Isles must accord with the relevant Plan policies.

Policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Climate change and population / human health by encouraging a pattern of development which has potential to reduce the need to travel. It also supports patterns of development which provide safe and convenient opportunities for walking and cycling and facilitate travel by public transport.
• Cultural heritage by safeguarding cultural heritage features.

The policy promotes new housing development in areas which already include services, facilities, road and path infrastructure and access to public transport.

• Soils and material assets by promoting the use of vacant and derelict land as well as existing infrastructure and buildings.
• Population and human health by promoting increased availability of affordable housing,

IMAGE: The fourth page continues the assessment for Policy 4 and presents Policy 5, “Business, Industry and Employment,” with its receptor ratings, assessment, recommendations, and amendments.

SEA recommendations:

Part C The Isles Approach for Housing – policy promotes a presumption in favour of new housing on the non-linked isles. Suggested inserting subject to other policies in the Plan.

5: Business, Industry and Employment

How recommendations were incorporated

Part D amended:

The provision of new waste management facilities, including landfill sites for inert waste, will be supported on business and industrial allocations or other sites where a locational justification has been provided and where there are no unacceptable adverse impacts.

Part I has been amended:

A buffer distance that takes into account the specific circumstances of the proposal, including information on the location and its surroundings, size, expected duration, methods of working, local topography and environment;

Part ii has been amended:

Details of the secondary materials and waste arising from the process (extraction and processing) and how these will be stored and used in the site restoration;

Policy is broadly compatible with objectives relating to all the SEA receptors as it directs business and industry to appropriate locations. Whilst it permits the development of a new business on a greenfield site, it requires the developer to demonstrate that there is a location requirement for the business that precludes its development within a settlement or on a brownfield site. However, development proposals will also have to fulfil the requirements of other policies in the Plan.

SEA recommendations:

Part D Waste management facilities: policy should avoid impact on the environment and public amenity. Policy should also make provision for the development of new landfill facilities. These would be unlikely to be accommodated in areas such as Hatston and Garson industrial estates which are used for handling recyclate and municipal waste, and instead would require a rural location.

Part E Minerals (i) A buffer distance that takes into account the specific circumstances of the proposal that will include the location and surroundings, size, expected duration, method of working, local topography, the characteristics of the environmental effects likely to arise and the mitigation that can be achieved.

Part ii Details of the secondary materials and wastes arising from the process.

6: Advertisements and Signage

IMAGE: The fifth page presents Policy 6, “Advertisements and Signage,” with its receptor ratings and assessment, and shows that no further recommendations were made.

How recommendations were incorporated

N/A

Policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Landscape by enabling positive change whilst protecting the diversity and local distinctiveness of Orkney’s landscapes and townscapes; and improving the quality and design of the built environment.

The policy seeks to ensure high quality in design and materials used. Cumulative effect is addressed, and the policy also encourages the use of communal signage where possible. It requires justification for the use of illumination; this will help mitigate visual impact and will also minimise energy usage in new signage.

• Cultural heritage by safeguarding cultural heritage features and their settings through responsible design and siting of development.

The policy addresses the need for new signage to be sympathetic to the character and style of listed buildings and Conservation Areas.

• Population and human health by contributing to the protection of public health.

The policy requires signage to avoid compromising driver or pedestrian safety.

No further recommendations.

7: Energy

IMAGE: The sixth page presents Policy 7, “Energy,” with mixed positive and uncertain SEA receptor ratings, its assessment of renewable energy and Strategic Wind Energy Development Areas, and the statement that the recommendation was declined.

How recommendations were incorporated

Recommendation declined.

The policy is compatible with SEA objectives on:

• Climatic factors by supporting the transformational change to a low carbon economy; it addresses proposals to develop electricity generation from renewable energy techniques as well as heat networks, energy from waste and district heating.
• Material assets by promoting the efficient use of resources and the minimisation of wastes through their recovery through energy recovery.

It is also broadly compatible with objectives relating to the other SEA receptors as it seeks to ensure that energy-related developments would have no unacceptable impacts on environmental and community considerations.

However, the likely environmental effects of establishing Strategic Wind Energy Development Areas (SWEDA) remain uncertain. A number of possible SWEDAs were identified in the Main Issues Report. Some of these were in locations that the Spatial Framework highlights as Areas of Significant Protection due to their sensitivity to wind energy development. Strategic environmental assessment noted the potential for development in these locations to result in significant adverse effects on a range of environmental receptors and identified a number of issues which would require further research and assessment. Until the agreed location and extent of a final suite of SWEDAs is confirmed, it will not be possible to determine the compatibility of this policy with the SEA objectives.

SEA recommendations:

Part iii d Suggest - Wind farm developments will be supported in principle within Strategic Wind Energy Development Areas.

8: Historic Environment and Cultural Heritage

IMAGE: The seventh page presents Policy 8, “Historic Environment and Cultural Heritage,” and begins Policy 9, “Natural Heritage and Landscape,” with their SEA receptor ratings and assessments.

How recommendations were incorporated

N/A

Policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Cultural heritage by promoting the care and protection of the designated and non-designated historic environment; enabling positive change whilst ensuring the future use of Orkney’s heritage assets; safeguarding cultural heritage features and their settings through responsible design and siting of development; and protecting the integrity and Outstanding Universal Value of the heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
• Landscape by protecting features which contribute to the character of Orkney’s distinctive landscapes and townscapes.
• Population and human health by supporting opportunities for enjoying and learning about Orkney’s cultural environment.

No further recommendations.

9: Natural Heritage and Landscape

How recommendations were incorporated

N/A

Policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Biodiversity by affording appropriate protection to natural heritage sites and protected species; enabling the protection of ecosystems which provide important services to communities; safeguarding valuable habitat from loss and fragmentation; affording appropriate protection to trees and woodland and promoting the protection of biodiversity as well as the appropriate enhancement or restoration of habitats.
• Water by promoting protection and improvement of the water environment.
• Geology by protecting designated and undesignated sites which are valued for their geological or geomorphological importance.
• Landscape by facilitating positive change while maintaining and enhancing distinctive landscape character.
• Climate change by protecting natural features which contribute towards community resilience to the effects of climate change.
• Soils and peat, by recognising the environmental benefits they provide and protecting their quality and quantity.
• Cultural heritage by recognising and protecting the contribution of built features within landscapes.
• Population and human health by supporting opportunities for enjoying and learning about Orkney’s natural environment.

No further recommendations.

10: Green Infrastructure

IMAGE: The eighth page continues Policy 9 and presents the assessment table for Policy 10, “Green Infrastructure,” including its ratings, assessment, and incorporation of recommendations.

How recommendations were incorporated

The introduction to Policy 10 confirms that allotments are identified as Open Space through the Plan and will be retained where there is a recognised demand.

It also confirms that the temporary greening of underused sites in settlements is encouraged, for example as community growing areas or locations for informal play.

Policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Population and Human Health by making provision for development which improves community environments and quality of life; providing the appropriate level of protection for publicly accessible open spaces and enabling opportunities for improving their quality and extent; recognising green infrastructure as an integral element of places and enabling easy and safe public access to paths and open spaces.

IMAGE: The ninth page continues the assessment for Policy 10 and presents Policy 11, “Sports, Recreation and Community Facilities,” with its SEA receptor ratings and assessment.

• Biodiversity by seeking to ensure that development that may impact upon a green infrastructure network is designed in such a manner as to effectively conserve recognised biodiversity or habitats and to enhance existing provision wherever possible.
• Landscape by facilitating positive change while maintaining and enhancing distinctive landscape character.

SEA recommendations:

Allotment land should be safeguarded.

The policy should make provision for the temporary use of unused or underused land as green infrastructure.

11: Sports, Recreation and Community Facilities

How recommendations were incorporated

N/A

The policy is broadly compatible with objectives relating to each of the SEA receptors as it directs the majority of development to locations within settlement boundaries.

Whilst it also enables the development of a new business on a greenfield site, it requires the developer to demonstrate that there are demonstrable functional and/or location requirements.

The policy acknowledges the risk of impact on groundwater from burial sites by requiring applications to be supported by the information detailed in SEPA’s Groundwater Protection Policy.

No further recommendations.

12: Coastal Development

IMAGE: The tenth page presents Policy 12, “Coastal Development,” with its receptor ratings, assessment, and the incorporated criteria for coastal development and coastal change.

How recommendations were incorporated

A. Criteria for all coastal development:

Part i the scale, location, siting and design of the development will not have a significant adverse effect, either individually or cumulatively on the landscape, coastal or townscape….;

Part ii the integrity of coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as geomorphological features, have been safeguarded…….

B. Coastal change

New development will not generally be supported in areas that are vulnerable to adverse effects of coastal erosion and/or wider coastal change as identified in the National Coastal Change Assessment. Where new development is adaptive to anticipated coastal change, and therefore avoids the need for intervention over its lifetime, the development may be permitted.

When there is clear justification for a departure from the general policy to avoid new development in areas that are vulnerable to adverse effects of coastal erosion and/or wider coastal change, development proposals will be required to demonstrate that appropriate resilience and adaptation strategies have been incorporated over the lifetime of the development.

D Aquaculture

Proposals for finfish and shellfish farming developments will be supported where it can be demonstrated that there will be no significant adverse effects, directly, indirectly or cumulatively on:

i. the interests of the natural, built and cultural environment including:

• landscape / seascape character and visual amenity, taking account of the SNH commissioned report Orkney Landscape Capacity for Aquaculture Scapa Flow and Wide Firth;
• historic environment resources;
• habitats and species, including designated sites and protected species;
• wider biodiversity interests, including wild salmonids and other Priority Marine Features; and
• biological carrying capacity and seabed impacts.

ii existing users of the marine environment including:

• existing and consented aquaculture sites;
• Disease Management Areas;
• commercial inshore fishing grounds and activities;
• established ports and harbours, anchorages and defined navigational routes;
• tourism, recreational and leisure activities.

The policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Climate change by addressing vulnerability to the likely effects of climate change.
• Biodiversity by conserving protected sites and species; maintaining healthy ecosystems and working with the natural processes which provide important services to communities; safeguarding valuable habitat from loss and fragmentation through development and protecting biodiversity.
• Water by promoting protection and improvement of the water environment.
• Soils by addressing issues which lead to increased risk of erosion.
• Geology by protecting designated and undesignated sites that are recognised and valued for their geological or geomorphological importance.
• Landscape by facilitating positive change while maintaining distinctive landscape character.
• Cultural heritage by safeguarding cultural heritage features and their settings through responsible design and siting of development.
• Population and Human Health by protecting access to core paths and other important routes.
• Material assets by optimising the use of existing infrastructure and buildings.

SEA recommendations:

C Criteria for all coastal development:

Part i the scale, location, siting and design of the development will not have a significant adverse effect, either individually or cumulatively on the landscape, seascape or townscape….;

Part ii the integrity of coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as geomorphological features, have been safeguarded…….

B Coastal change is rather ambiguous and needs to state that new development new development generally will not be supported in areas that are vulnerable to adverse effects of coastal erosion and/or wider coastal change as identified in the National Coastal Change Assessment. However, when there is clear justification for a departure from the general policy………………….

D Aquaculture

Part i suggest:

• landscape / seascape character and visual amenity;
• wider biodiversity interests, including wild salmonids and other Priority Marine Features.

Part ii

• tourism, recreational and leisure activities..

13: Flood Risk, SuDS and Waste Water Drainage

IMAGE: The eleventh and twelfth pages continue the detailed coastal aquaculture recommendations and present Policy 13, “Flood Risk, SuDS and Waste Water Drainage,” with its receptor ratings and assessment.

How recommendations were incorporated

N/A

The policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Climatic factors by promoting a precautionary approach to flood risk from all sources; and promoting measures to increase resilience to the effects of climate change.
• Population and Human Health by contributing to the protection and, where possible, enhancement of human health;
• Biodiversity by encouraging habitat enhancement or restoration;
• Water by promoting protection and improvement of the water environment.
• Soils by reducing the threat of contamination and protecting soils from erosion.

No further recommendations.

14: Transport, Travel & Road Network Infrastructure

IMAGE: The thirteenth page presents Policy 14, “Transport, Travel & Road Network Infrastructure,” and begins Policy 15, “Digital Connectivity,” with their SEA receptor ratings.

How recommendations were incorporated

N/A

Policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Climatic factors by supporting the transformational change to a low carbon economy; and reducing the need to use energy.
• Population and Human Health by supporting patterns of development which provide safe and convenient opportunities for walking and cycling and facilitate travel by public transport.
• Landscape by facilitating positive change while maintaining distinctive landscape character.
• Material assets by optimising the use of existing infrastructure and buildings.

No further recommendations.

15: Digital Connectivity

IMAGE: The fourteenth page completes the assessment for Policy 15, “Digital Connectivity,” showing its receptor ratings, assessment, mitigation measures, and conclusion that no further recommendations were made.

How recommendations were incorporated

N/A

Policy is compatible with SEA objectives for:

• Climate change by increasing the use of sustainable techniques in development
• Biodiversity and geology by conserving protected sites and species and safeguarding valuable habitat from loss and fragmentation;
• Landscape by facilitating positive change while maintaining distinctive landscape character;
• Cultural heritage by safeguarding cultural heritage features and their settings through responsible design and siting of development.

The policy requires new development to avoid impacts on the natural, built and cultural heritage. Encouragement to share or adapt existing facilities, minimise the scale of equipment necessary, and identify measures to conceal or disguise equipment will further mitigate potential impacts, as will the requirement to remove redundant infrastructure.

• Population and Human Health by improving social inclusion and improving community environments and quality of life. Better connectivity has potential to improve access to health, social and recreational facilities.
• Material assets by optimising the use of existing infrastructure and buildings.

No further recommendations.