Dorset Heaths Air Quality Interim Strategy EqIA

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Aims of the strategy

An additional impact on Dorset Heaths protected sites has been identified. There is an existing Dorset Heaths SPD in place which addresses recreation impacts on the protected sites.

The purpose of this strategy is to address the adverse effects of airborne nitrogen oxides from a range of pollution sources upon the protected Dorset Heathlands sites designated for nature conservation and achieve the conservation objectives for air quality. A build-up of airborne nitrogen deposited on heathland soils results in changes in the composition of vegetation and protected species are lost.

Reducing the amount of nitrogen oxides falling on protected heathland sites will lead to an improvement in the overall condition of the protected sites. Currently the Dorset Heaths are not in a favourable condition due to the amount of nitrogen in the heathland soils. New development will add to this problem through vehicle emissions.

Background to the proposal

The lowland heaths in South East Dorset are covered by several international, European and national designations:

Dorset Heathlands Special Protection Area (SPA)

Dorset Heathlands Ramsar Site

Dorset Heaths Special Area of Conservation (SAC); and

Dorset Heaths (Purbeck and Wareham) and Studland Dunes SAC

Collectively these designations are referred to as the Dorset Heathlands and cover an extensive area of South East Dorset fragmented by urban development, forestry, agriculture and other land uses. The site includes lowland dry heath, wet heath and mire, in particular, the lower plant and lichen communities as well as functional aspects of the habitats. Species impacted by nitrogen include Erica tetralix and Rhynchosporion.

Natural England’s Site Improvement Plan for the Dorset Heaths SAC identifies the needs for control, reduction and amelioration of atmospheric nitrogen impacts.

The UK Air Pollution Information System (APIS) gives an indication of the contributions of different sources to total nitrogen deposition on the Dorset Heaths SAC, including vehicle emissions.

The Council is required to ensure that any development does not have a likely significant effect on protected habitats, alone or in combination with other projects/developments.

The interim strategy identifies projects and policies to reduce nitrogen on the heaths, particularly the 200m zone either side of main roads through heathlands (the most affected area from vehicle emissions) and a monitoring programme and allow the Council to grant planning permission.

Dorset Council has worked with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Natural England to develop the interim strategy.

Intelligence and Communication

Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process

The proposal will not have impact on any individual. The proposal is about addressing the impact of vehicular emissions on a protected habitat.

An EQIA is not required because the strategy is about addressing pollution on protected habitats and will not impact any individuals.