Designated site details and development pressures
Development in the Uttlesford District Council area has the potential to increase recreational pressure upon Hatfield Forest SSSI and also upon Essex Coast European sites.
Natural England and the National Trust have developed a Mitigation Strategy outlining a package of on-site Strategic Access Management Measures (SAMM) to protect and restore the condition of Hatfield Forest. New housing development within the Hatfield Forest Zol will be required to contribute to the Hatfield Forest SAMM to mitigate the recreational impact. In addition, new development is required to provide sufficient green open space to meet Natural England criteria to help provide alternative access and divert visitors away from Hatfield Forest, this is known as Sustainable Accessible Natural Greenspace (SANG).
Residents of Uttlesford have recreational access to protected European sites in the vicinity of the Essex Coast, including internationally designated SPAs, SACs and Ramsar sites. A strategic recreational mitigation strategy has been developed to mitigate recreational impacts at these coastal designations, known as the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS).
Local plan details and best practice
The Uttlesford District Council local plan has been through an Examination in Public. The Inspectors' Report concludes that with the recommended main modifications, the Uttlesford Local Plan 2021-2041 is sound, legally compliant and capable of adoption. Policy Core Policy (CP) 38 (Sites Designated for Biodiversity or Geology) ensures that appropriate mitigation is secured for Hatfield Forest SSSI and the Essex Coast RAMS is implemented.
The following policy text has been extracted from the proposed main modifications schedule to the submission Uttlesford Local Plan (Uttlesford Local Plan 2021 – 2041, Schedule of Main Modifications to the Submission Plan). This policy clearly links to current consultee advice and relevant mitigation strategies. It also provides transparent information on spatial zoning and financial contribution requirements. In addition it contains links to wider initiatives such as Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework Standards.