Core Strategy Preferred Options document - Amazon Web Services

Strategies, Activities and Actions – Environmental Issues
The EU Habitats
Directive requires the
designation of Special
Areas of Conservation.
These are designed to
protect ecologically
important areas which
harbour a diverse array
of natural habitats and
animal species.
There are currently 611
designated SACs in the
UK covering over
2,504,016 hectares.
We are required to
“indicate the location of
designated sites” and
“identify any areas or
sites for the restoration
or creation of new
priority habitats” within
the LDF process.
The character of the
District is split, having a
clear east-west divide.
The District’s areas at
risk of flooding and
areas of ecological
importance are
predominantly situated
in the sparsely
populated, relatively
inaccessible east.
ENV1 Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Landscape and
Habitats – Preferred Option
We will seek to maintain, restore and enhance sites of international,
national and local natural conservation importance. These will include
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas
(SPAs), Ramsar Sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's),
Ancient Woodlands, Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and Local Wildlife
Sites (LoWSs).
In particular, we will support the implementation of the Crouch and
Roach Management Plan.
Coastal Protection Belt
The undeveloped coast is one of the most important landscape assets of
the District, matching the special landscape areas. It has long been our
policy to promote the control of development along the coast and
estuaries due to the fact that the coast is an irreplaceable natural
resource. Views of the coast, across river valleys and from one part of
the boundary to another are important elements of the Coastal Protection
Belt, and largely contributed to the drawing up of the boundary,
demonstrating the coastal character of the whole area.
The District's coast and estuaries are of great importance recognised
through national and international designations for their wildlife and
natural habitats.
At the national level, PPG20 (Coastal Planning) provides guidance to
Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) on planning for development and
protecting the coastal environment (paragraph 1.2). This document is
clear on the need to protect the undeveloped coast and this is especially
true for the Rochford District, where much of the coast is covered by
international and national nature conservation designations.
At regional level, the Coastal Protection Subject Plan, a statutory plan
adopted in 1984, defined the extent of the coastal areas within Essex
where there would be the most stringent restriction on development, due
to the special character of the open and undeveloped coast. Policy CC1
of the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan (2001)
embodies the commitment to the Coastal Protection Belt. This will be
replaced by our own policies once the Development Plan Documents are
adopted.
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