Andy Jeffery Coastal Process Scientist Canterbury City Council Use of Regional Monitoring Data in the Isle of Grain to South Foreland SMP Habitats Regulations Assessment Andy Jeffery Coastal Process Scientist Canterbury City Council

Background Isle of Grain to South Foreland Shoreline Management Plan 2 Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) SMP policies may affect a number of designated sites “A plan or project likely to have a significant effect on a European site [must] be subject to Habitats Regulations Assessment” “Determine the impact of all policy options proposed by the plan where there is a likelihood of an adverse effect on the integrity of a European site, either alone or in combination with other plans, programmes and projects” 1) SMP2 begun 2006, public consultation completed in September 2007, and the main body of the SMP completed by March 2008. 2) A number of additional sections to complete, including the HRA (Habitats Regulations Assessment) 3) …SPA, SAC, Ramsar

Case Study; Graveney Marshes HRA focused on 5 MR sites, one of which is Policy Unit 7, Graveney Marshes Location, SMP flooding epochs, Habitat designations – Swale SPA & Ramsar, designated for breeding & over-wintering bird populations Dominant habitat is grazing marsh

Case Study; Graveney Marshes Methodology partly based on that developed for the Solent CHaMP by Sam and Ghose at CCO 2007 Lidar Trim & Reclassify – DEFRA SLR predictions Trim to MR area Trim to designations Trim habitat mapping to designation The two habitats that are specifically designated at this site – standing water and grazing marsh Displacement of Standing Water features would have an adverse effect on the designated invertebrate species and flora associated with this feature. However, this can be mitigated by establishing the distribution and health of these populations and any mitigation needs. The Grazing marsh supports significant populations of over wintering and breeding birds, so the displacement of this habitat and associated bird populations would have an adverse effect on site integrity. The SMP policies for the whole Swale SPA & Ramsar area would result in the creation of 456Ha of intertidal habitat but will displace a similar area of Freshwater Habitat, a substantial proportion of which is located in Policy Unit 7.

Case Study; Graveney Marshes HRA Stage 4; In combination assessment Policy alternatives Natural England advice Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest (IROPI) Compensatory habitat However, because we concluded adverse effect for the grazing marsh habitat, the HRA was taken to Stage 4 of the assessment process. Assessed in combination with Medway Estuary & Swale SMP2 & local plans such as the Faversham Creek to Whitstable Harbour Defence Strategy Plan Looked at MR alternatives NAI & ATL considered not viable, would cause Adverse Effect through uncontrolled freshwater habitat displacement and the offshore displacement of intertidal habitat. MR with a controlled extent = As the MR extents are only indicative, they could be changed to implement managed realignment policies in a way that best manages site integrity. HTL = Already part of the management strategy for Graveney Marshes. Natural England were consulted for advice on their preferred option, and they concluded that MR with a controlled extent was the least damaging alternative Despite this, the SMP is still likely to cause adverse effect, so the HRA was progressed to the Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest stage. In order for the plan to be approved, it was necessary to demonstrate that any adverse effect is necessary for a number of reasons, including; 1) There is a need to address serious risks to human health and public safety (uncoordinated and uncontrolled flood and erosion risks); 2) Whilst this is a damaging plan, it is the least damaging option for the designated sites, as the SMP has beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment. Part of justifying the IROPI case involves obtaining compensatory habitat for any designated habitat that will be lost. In this case, designated habitat lost at Graveney marshes can be compensated by habitat set aside as part of the Regional Habitat Creation Programme.

HRA – where are we now? Originally completed December 2008 Problem with the chalk reef habitat, needed more detail as to the effects, can explain more afterwards HRA resubmitted in September 2009 Currently in the process of being approved by DEFRA

Thank you for listening Any questions?