Microsoft Word - TESS-0023_meeting

Record of Meeting
Project
Habitats Regulation Assessment for the Mid Sussex Core Strategy
Date
28th April 2008
Time
10:00
Venue
Planning Conference Room Mid Sussex District Council Offices
Subject
Stakeholder engagement
Page
1 of 4
Attendees
Marina Brigginshaw
Wealden DC
Howard Colmer
Tesserae Environmental
Alma Howell
Mid Sussex DC
Cath Lang
Natural England
Chris Marrable
Conservators of Ashdown Forest (CAF)
Nick Pincombe
Tesserae Environmental
Ed Sheath
Mid Sussex DC
Apologies
Neil Davidson
Tesserae Environmental
Harriet Dennison
RSPB
Jayne Field
Natural England
Rebbeca Pearson
Natural England
Andrew Shaw
High Weald AONB
Paul Smith
Environment Agency

Item
Action
Introductions

AH  welcomed  everyone  and  thanked  them  for  coming,  then  suggested  a  round  table
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introduction of names and roles.
1.  Outline of Habitats Regulation Methodology and Stages – where are we now?

NP described the HRA methodology being implemented for the Mid Sussex Core Strategy
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giving a brief overview of the process involved and the current status of the Strategy.
2.  Update on progress with Mid Sussex Core Strategy and Sustainability Appraisal

ES further described the Core Strategy development to date.  AH informed attendees that over
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5,000 responses were received from the pre-submission consultation.  With such a large number
of responses, Mid Sussex DC has proposed a number of topic papers to address these with
proposed publications due in September and November 08.  ES and AH informed that draft Core
Strategy was proposed for internal circulation in late December 08, to be reviewed at members
meeting on 13th January 2009.  Submission to full council would then take place in March 2009,
with public consultation May 2009.

Record of meeting: Stakeholder engagement
Page 2

Item
Action
Update on progress with CS and SA (contd.)

AH  also  outlined  that  several  responses  were  received  from  the  CS  consultation  regarding
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alternative locations, specifically in relation to housing.  These alternative areas will need to be
considered and incorporated into the SA/HRA.
3.  Responses to consultation on HRA Scoping Report

NP supplied “Analysis of Consultation Responses” spreadsheets and began to briefly describe
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each stakeholder’s response to the consultation on the HRA Screening / Scoping report.

It was agreed that the HRA should focus only on existing qualifying features, not other features
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of interest which could become qualifying features in the future (ie, the woodlark), however all
agreed that any positive actions taken with regard to the nightjar and Dartford warbler were also
like to positively affect the woodlark.
4.  Issues arising

a)  vulnerability of Ashdown Forest SAC/SPA

NP informed attendees that during the scoping study, the SAC at Castle Hill (east of Brighton)
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was screened-out due to its distance from the MSDC Boundary.  Therefore the HRA of the Core

Strategy  will  concentrate  on  impacts  and  associated  vulnerabilities  of  the  Ashdown  Forest
SAC/SPA.  In studying the potential affects upon the Ashdown forest, NP informed group that

the draft Tyldesley methodology would be adapted and applied (David Tyldesley and Associates

(for  English  Nature,  draft  2006):    The  Assessment  of  Regional  Spatial  Strategies  and  Sub-
Regional Strategies under the Habitats Regulations).  AH and CL also suggested that the Thames

Basin SPA and associated strategy would be worth sourcing and gaining guidance on.

NP  raised  that  councils  north  of  Mid  Sussex  DC  should  be  involved  in  joint  working
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arrangements where possible.  AH confirmed that Tandridge and Tunbridge Wells have been

consulted  with  regards  to proposals and their assessment, and will continue to be so.  The
vulnerabilities of the Forest were discussed and agreed, with the main issues of concern being

air quality and disturbance from recreation.

b)  recreational disturbance

Although research has been undertaken into recreational disturbance to ground nesting birds,
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specifically Dartford warbler and nightjar, surveys assessing visitor numbers and pressure on

Ashdown Forest are somewhat limited.  In order to quantify and establish visitor pressure on the
Ashdown Forest, NP proposed an approach to University of Brighton in relation to establishing a

student project to survey visitor numbers with questionnaires.  Tesserae to devise a suitable

survey methodology and approach UofB in the first instance.

CM  informed  attendees  that  visitor  surveys  for  the  proposed  new  AFC  visitor  centre  were
currently being undertaken, and data could be made available, although CM informs that data is

not robust.

CM informed that a large proportion of the Ashdown Forest is open access, however, other
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landowners include MoD and other private owners where access is not possible.  CL suggested
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downloading shape file from NE website for SSSI units and to discuss ownership.

NP proposed costing a visitor survey to commence this summer, and CM suggested obtaining
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ornithological data from the Ashdown Forest bird group.

May 2008
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Record of meeting: Stakeholder engagement
Page 3
Item
Action
c)  air pollution

Difficult to analyse, however NP suggested costing a diffusion tube monitoring programme.
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Current data on the Ashdown Forest is unavailable, however, CL suggested reviewing the South

East Plan for data on air pollution and/or methodology, and that also Rebecca Pearson (NE) may
be able to provide assistance.  NP to investigate.

Transport  modelling  may  also  be  relevant;  NP  to  contact  RP  and  also  Ian  Moody  re.  East
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Grinstead AAP as modelling reports are available.

d)  in combination effects of other plans and strategies

MB  confirmed  that  Wealden  DC  propose  to  have  CS  consultation  in  Jan  09,  with  current
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allocations for housing at 9,600 dwellings to 2026.  Dwellings would predominately be in the

south  of  the  district,  although  other  locations  are  being  considered  due  to  environmental

designations in the south and the lack of suitable resources, namely waste water treatment.  MB
confirmed  that  initial  screening  for  HRA  will  be  conducted  in  house,  examining  each  site

separately, with consultants brought onboard later in the process if required.

MB further highlighted South East Water’s (SEW) proposed new water supply reservoir at Clay
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Hill, near Ringmer.

e)  other effects (hydrology, eutrophication)

Hydrology was screened-out of the HRA, however CM confirmed that several bore holes are
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utilised on Ashdown Forest.  Again it is difficult to quantify hydrological / abstraction issues.  NP
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to contact SEW.  AH is investigating

Eutrophication – CM confirmed that large areas of the forest are being encroached by grasses.
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CAF have proposed a grazing regime to reduce grass encroachment and also eutrophication
throughout the Forest.  Others issues with eutrophication include dog faeces.  Currently no dog
bins on the Forest, with dog faeces being an important issue to investigate.  With 50+ car parks
throughout the Forest, CM confirmed that dog bins would be difficult and time consuming to
staff.  However, issue still to be investigated.
5. Evidence gathering and further information required – scope for shared working

CL suggested BRANCH (tool for climate change modelling) and also the Dorset and Thames
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Basing  Heath  projects.    CL  to  contact  Dorset  NE  Team  regarding  obtaining  or  potentially
CL
sourcing traffic monitoring data for the Dorset Heaths.

Further evidence relates to the Green Crescent around East Grinstead and other main towns,
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specifically for information in regards to mitigation.  NP to request GIS data and also look into

EG AAP and open space survey from Andrew Marsh.

BAP and SANGS targets to be investigated by NP, and also general avoidance / mitigation.
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Data on birds to be sourced from CAF; CL suggested that SxBREC does not hold Annex I birds.

MB confirmed Wealden DC’s willingness in principle to share resources on additional survey
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activities.
MB
6. Availability of data

Data, where possible, to be sourced and made freely available.
All

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Item
Action
7. Opportunities for avoidance, mitigation and compensation

NP confirmed that avoidance will be key to the MSDC CS.  However mitigation, where required,
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should  be  a  direct  benefit  to  the  Ashdown  Forest.    Grazing  regimes,  visitor  management,
provision of dog bins and signage, and diversion of visitors away from sensitive ground nesting
breeding bird habitat all to be investigated.  Again Dorset Heaths could provide good examples.
8. AOB

None.
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May 2008
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