A. POLICY, PRACTICE, FUNCTION OR PROJECT TO BE ASSESSED

A1. Please describe what are the main aims, objectives, purpose and intended outcomes of the policy or function?

The purpose of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) is to expand on policies set out in Development Plan Documents (DPD) and to provide additional detail. The SPD relates to policies contained within the adopted Development Control Polices DPD.

The Biodiversity SPD provides guidance to applicants and agents preparing development proposals that may impact on biodiversity, including protected habitats (i.e. those covered by international, national or local designations) and biodiversity that is unprotected but of significance. It also guides prospective developers on the application process and criteria used to assess those applications.

Specific objectives of this document are to:

• Assist applicants' understanding of the role of biodiversity within the wider environment and how biodiversity features should be incorporated within development proposals as part of a high quality design.

• Assist applicants to gain planning permission quickly by informing them of the level of information required to accompany planning applications.

• Explain terminology associated with biodiversity conservation.

• Ensure that development works are undertaken in an appropriate manner to avoid harm to biodiversity.

A2. Is this policy or function associated with any other Council policy or priority?

Supplements adopted Development Plan Document policy.

Council Aim E. We are Committed to Providing a Voice for Rural Life, Approach i. Protecting existing communities, villages and the countryside.

A3. Who are the intended beneficiaries/stakeholders of the policy or function? How many people are affected and from what sections of the community?

The SPD builds on national policy in Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 1: Delivering Sustainable Development and PPS9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation. These promote sustainable, well-designed development. In addition, they seek to ensure that biodiversity and appropriate landscaping are fully integrated to new developments in order to create accessible green spaces for wildlife and people, to contribute to a high quality natural and built environment, and to contribute to a better quality of life.

A4. Is the policy/function corporate and far-reaching?

Yes. District wide. One of Council aims (see A.2 above).

A5. Are you expecting to make any significant change to the policy or service in the near future? If so, please give details.

No.

A6. Is this a new or existing policy or function?

Supplements adopted Development Plan Document policy.

B. EVIDENCE/ DATA and CONSULTATION

It is important to consider all information that is available in determining whether the policy or function could have a differential impact. Please attach examples of monitoring information, research or consultation reports.

B1. What monitoring or other information do you have about relevant target groups, which will show the impact of the policy or function?

Local Development Framework Annual Monitoring Report indicators:

• Core Output Indicator CO-E2 - Change in areas of biodiversity importance;

• Local Output Indicator LOI1 - Amount of new development completed within, or likely to adversely affect, internationally or nationally important nature conservation areas;

• Local Output Indicator LOI2 - Habitats and species affected by new developments;

• Significant Effect Indicator SE6 - % of SSSIs in 'favourable' or 'unfavourable recovering' condition;

• Significant Effect Indicator SE7 - Total area designated as SSSIs;

• Significant Effect Indicator SE8 - Area of Local Nature Reserves per 1,000 people;

• Significant Effect Indicator SE9 - Progress achieving BAP targets; and

• Significant Effect Indicator SE10 - % rights of way that are easy to use.

B2. Have you compared the data you have with the equality profile of the local population? What does it show?

Biodiversity not only occurs in areas recognised and designated for their importance, but also in undeveloped areas and spaces such as public parks, residential gardens and along public rights of way. Therefore everyone has the opportunity to experience and impact on biodiversity.

B3. Have you identified any improvements or other changes that could be made from monitoring the data?

There have been no sites of international or national importance for nature conservation lost to development between 2004/5 and 2007/8. The number of sites of biodiversity importance affected by development has remained at zero from 2005/6 to 2007/8, whilst the change in hectares of sites of biodiversity importance has increased in 2007/8 by 1.89ha. (Source: Local Development Framework Annual Monitoring Report 2007/8). The Annual Monitoring Report will be updated annually and will identify if there is a change in trend. If necessary the SPD will be updated to ensure the continual protection of Biodiversity.

B4. Have you consulted or involved external stakeholders about the policy or function? If so, what were their views?

The draft SPD will be subject to six-weeks public consultation with a range of external stakeholders from 27 February to 14 April 2009. A Statement of Consultation will be produced and will detail the representations received and any subsequent amendments proposed to the draft SPD before it is adopted.

B5. Have you undertaken any consultation with staff to assess their perception of any impacts of the policy or function? If so, what has been learnt from them?

Yes, internal consultation was undertaken during the preparation of the SPD. The Consultation Statement details the comments received.

B6. Please provide information about any other consultation, research, or involvement in relation to this impact assessment.

The SPD will be published for six-weeks public consultation, as detailed in B4 above. A public notice will be placed in the Cambridge News at the start of the public consultation. A number of stakeholders will be sent a letter and CD-Rom containing each of the public participation documents, supporting documents, and forms for making comments. All documents will be available to view and / or download from the Council's website:http://www.scambs.gov.uk/Environment/Planning/DistrictPlanning/LocalDevelopmentFramework/SPD.htm, and a link will be included from the home page. Interactive online versions of documents will also be available to enable people to make comments online during the consultation period, as well as Word and PDF versions of a response form that can be completed and emailed / posted to the Council. South Cambs Magazine, which is delivered to every household in the district, will also include information on the consultation. Printed copies of the document are also available to view or purchase at the Council's offices.

C1. IMPACT OF THE POLICY OR FUNCTION

Assess the potential impact on each of the equality strands/groups. The impact could be negative, positive or neutral. If you assess a negative impact for any of the groups then you will need to assess whether that impact is low, medium or high. Refer to the evidence you use.

DESCRIPTION OF IMPACT

Nature of Impact

Extent of Impact (Low, Medium, High)

GENDER:

RACE:

DISABILITY:

AGE:

SEXUAL ORIENTATION:

RELIGION/FAITH:

OTHER:

C2. Could you minimise or remove any adverse or potential impact that is high, medium or low significance, in advance of a full impact assessment? Explain how.

N/A

C3. Does the policy or function actively promote equal opportunities and good community relations? Or could changes be made so that it does so?

No

C4. Please provide any further information, qualitative or quantitative that does not fit into the questions but you feel has a likely impact on this assessment.

D. CONCLUSIONS

D1. Was there sufficient data to complete the partial assessment?

Yes?

No?

D2. Is the outcome of the partial assessment that the policy or function would have an adverse impact (medium or high impact) on one or more target group?

Yes?

No?

D3. Is the outcome of the partial assessment that the policy or function would have a neutral or positive impact on equalities?

Yes?

D4. Do you have any other conclusions/outcomes from the partial assessment?