Consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment
As part of the preparation of the Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) have been prepared by consultants AECOM on behalf of Lambourn Parish Council.
SEA is required under UK legislation for all plans which might have a significant impact on the environment. The purpose of SEA is to provide high level protection of the environment and to integrate considerations of the environment into the preparation and adoption of plans with a view to promoting sustainable development.
HRA is a process which looks at the potential impacts of proposals within a plan on what are termed as “Habitats Sites”. In relation to Lambourn Parish, the relevant Habitats Site is the River Lambourn Special Area of Conservation.
To determine whether SEA and HRA needed to be prepared, West Berkshire Council undertook a screening in July 2023. The screening confirmed that both a SEA and HRA were required. The screening can be viewed at: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/lambournnp
The SEA confirms that the policies in the emerging Lambourn NDP will not have any significant negative effects. The HRA confirms that the policies in the emerging Lambourn NDP will not result in adverse effects on the River Lambourn Special Area of Conservation. AECOM is satisfied that the Lambourn NDP meets the requirements of both Assessments.
When the Pre-Submission (Regulation 14) Version of the Lambourn NDP went out for public consultation in September-October 2024, the SEA and HRA had not been received. Now they have arrived, they must be subject to consultation.
Consultation Period
In line with regulations, Lambourn Parish Council are consulting on the SEA and HRA between Friday 9th May and 11.59pm on Friday 13th June.
How to view the consultation documents
The SEA and HRA are available to view online below:
The Pre-Submission (Regulation 14) Version of the Lambourn NDP is also published online. Please note that comments are only being sought on the SEA and HRA.
Hard copies may be viewed at Lambourn Parish Council Office, Memorial Hall, Oxford Street, Lambourn, RG17 8XP during its normal opening hours, details of which can be found at: https://lambourn-pc.gov.uk/contact-us/
If you have difficulty accessing copies, please email lambourn.ndp@gmail.com or call Lambourn Parish Council on 01488 72400.
How to submit responses
The Comments form can be found online: Click here
Or you can download a printable version here:
Hard copies are also available at Lambourn Parish Council Office, Memorial Hall, Oxford Street, Lambourn, RG17 8XP during its normal opening hours, details of which can be found at: https://lambourn-pc.gov.uk/contact-us/
Please submit your responses:
- By email: lambourn.ndp@gmail.com
- By post: Lambourn NDP, Memorial Hall, Oxford Street, Lambourn, RG17 8XP
Please note that personal information provided in your responses will be kept confidential and processed in line with the General Date Protection Regulations. So that respondents can be contacted at the next stage of the Consultation (i.e. the “publication consultation”) please confirm you are happy to have your contact details (name, address/email) passed to West Berkshire Council.
What happens next?
Following the close of consultation, all responses will be carefully considered by the Lambourn NDP Steering Group, and SEA, HRA and draft Lambourn NDP will be amended as necessary.
The Lambourn NDP will then be formally submitted to West Berkshire Council, who will then become responsible for taking the NDP forward. This will involve consultation on the submitted version of the Lambourn NDP, known as the Regulation 16 consultation. Following the consultation, there will be an independent Examination and a Local Referendum. If successful at the Local Referendum, the Lambourn NDP will be “made” and will become part of the statutory Development Plan for West Berkshire and used to help determine planning applications in the civil Parish of Lambourn.
Further information
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email: lambourn.ndp@gmail.com or call 01488 72400.
Sue Cocker, Chair, Lambourn NDP Steering Group.