9. Air quality and the natural environment

9.1 Modelling of traffic emissions from cumulative traffic growth over the Local Plan period identified the potential for significant adverse effects on parts of the New Forest SPA and SAC and Ramsar from nitrogen deposition and ammonia, particularly near main road corridors through the New Forest in areas lacking screening woodlands.

9.2 The Habitat Regulations Assessment which accompanied the Local Plan Part 1 concluded that implementation of the Local Plan and New Forest National Park Local Plan alone will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of any European site. While there is no evidence of current negative effects from traffic related air pollution, uncertainty remains about whether in-combination traffic growth and related air pollution could adversely affect the integrity of New Forest SAC, SPA and Ramsar site during the Local Plan period up to 2036.

9.3 With this uncertainty in the data, the precautionary principle applies requiring a modest financial contribution from development for ongoing monitoring of the effects of traffic emissions on sensitive locations, to trigger management or mitigation measures and developer contributions to implement them if harmful effects are confirmed in the future.

9.4 The Council has instigated a monitoring regime to monitor the condition of sensitive vegetation within the New Forest SPA, SAC and RAMSAR sites, to assess whether or not nutrient nitrogen deposition, acid deposition and ammonia levels from traffic emissions are having an adverse effect on these designated European sites.

9.5 If air quality monitoring identifies that significant adverse effects are occurring or likely, legal agreements or other appropriate mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that homes subsequently permitted would be required to make reasonable and proportionate developer contributions for air quality management or mitigation.

9.6 The project is monitoring any adverse impacts on short habitats (wet and dry heaths) and tall habitats (woodland) at selected sites and the air quality levels at those same sites. This establishes a monitoring framework and evidence base for measuring any adverse impacts on the integrity of New Forest designated internationally protected sites.