Page 352 - All files for Planning Inspectorate update

the period 2014 to 2019.

EU obligations
MSDC has determined that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Ashurst
Wood Neighbourhood Plan will be required under the EU SEA Directive.
This is incorporated into the Sustainability Appraisal (SA). More detail is given about
the SA in section 2.3.

The EU Habitats and Wild Bird Directives provide protection for important habitats
and species.

Ashdown Forest is located to the south of Ashurst Wood within Wealden District. It is
designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to the important heathland
habitats present and is classified as a Special Protection Area (SPA) due to the
presence of breeding nightjars and dartford warblers. It is a site of European Nature
Conservation Importance comprising heathland and woodland habitats of around
3,000Ha.
A Habitats Regulations Assessment carried out by MSDC as part of their work on the
emerging District Plan concluded that new housing developments within 7km of the
Forest would have a harmful impact on the Forest due to increasing numbers of
visitors. Developers will be required to mitigate this impact by providing or paying
towards the provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace sites (SANGs) and
paying financial contributions towards a Strategic Access Management and
Monitoring Strategy. The entire area covered by this Plan falls within the 7km zone.

MSDC has determined that a full Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Ashurst
Wood Neighbourhood Plan will be required.

Human Rights
The Neighbourhood Plan must comply with the Human Rights Act 1998 and be
compatible with the rights protected by the European Convention of Human Rights,
including those dealing with privacy, discrimination and property.

The Basic Conditions Statement explains in detail how the Ashurst Wood
Neighbourhood Plan complies with the Basic Conditions and other legal requirements.

2.3 Sustainability Appraisal

A Sustainability Appraisal incorporating SEA has been prepared. It is available to read
on the Village Council’s website www.ashurstwood-vc.gov.uk and can be viewed at the
Village Council’s office during normal working hours.

AWNP March 2016 Page 9