engaging with the water framework directive · how can the development reduce harmful inputs of...

Engaging with the Water Framework Directive Engaging with the Water Framework Directive

Engaging with the Water Framework Directive

Training Workshop


Planning and the Water Framework

Directive


What is this session about?

Statutory duty

But more importantly….

From this…

To this…

Or this…?

Policy Legislation


WFD – a material consideration

WFD is implemented in England and Wales though

The Water Environment (Water Framework

Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003

which require that:

‘each public body must, in exercising their

functions so far as affecting a river basin district,

have regard to the river basin management plan

for that district’

Remember that RBMPs set out the actions

required to meet ‘good’ water body status

which is required under WFD

What if WFD

requirements are not

met?


‘Good’ water body status and the biodiversity duty

Good overall status

Good

chemical

status

Good

ecological

status +

=

Biodiversity duty

Duty of planners under the

NERC Act 2006

‘every public body must, in exercising

its functions, have regard, so far as is

consistent with the proper exercise of

those functions, to the purpose of

conserving biodiversity’

To further illustrate the links between

biodiversity and WFD, consider some

of the European Protected Species

which rely on a high quality water

environment


Environmental legislation

• Convention on Biological Diversity 1992

• Council Directive of the Conservation of Wild Birds 1979

• Council Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna

and Flora 1992

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)

• Environmental Protection Act 1990

• Land Drainage Act 1991

• Protection of Badgers Act 1992

• Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (and as amended)

• Environment Act 1995

• Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

What about other legislation linking to WFD and biodiversity…


National Planning Policy Framework Guidance on integrating biodiversity and ecological considerations into the planning process


How can planning contribute to WFD targets for improving water body status?

Biological quality Are there improvements which

could be made to benefit

aquatic flora and fauna? For

example, is there an

opportunity for habitat creation

or enhancement? What about

protection of existing

biodiversity – have appropriate

surveys and impact

assessments been carried out?

Include landscaping with

native, locally appropriate

species

Encourage use of reedbeds

to improve water quality

Create buffer zones to

protect habitat areas

Require green

infrastructure connections

Hydromorphology Can channel improvements be

made, for example to revert to

a more natural structure? Is it

feasible to reduce culverting,

make changes to flow rates or

find better flood storage

options such as floodplain

reconnection or upstream

storage?

Reduce physical

modifications

Create more natural

drainage

Incorporate permeable

areas

Introduce water efficiency

measures e.g. greywater

systems

Specific pollutants, Physico-chemical quality & Chemical quality How can the development

reduce harmful inputs of

sediments, chemicals and

other compounds? Can

solutions be found to reduce or

eliminate inputs from farming,

industry, residential and/or

commercial operations?

Use SuDs to reduce run off

volumes and improve

quality, also remove silt

Request a drainage plan

from applicant

Require remediation of

contaminated land


Opportunities and threats…


How can you identify impacts and opportunities?

Environmental

Impact

Assessment

Flood

Risk

Assessment

Ecological

Impact

Assessment

Ask the experts…

Evidence base

Detailed design

WFD

Assessment


Water Framework Directive Assessment

1. Collect up to date waterbody baseline data

2. Collect proposed scheme baseline data

3. Preliminary assessment

4. Design and options appraisal

5. Detailed impact assessment

6. Apply Article 4.7 tests

7. Reporting

8. Follow-up post-project appraisal work

No deterioration Ecological improvements


Case Studies


Case Study 1 Asda, Abbey Lane Leicester

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE7IyIvG0Lg


Case Study 2 Hucknall Town Centre Improvement Scheme


Case Study 2 Hucknall Town Centre Improvement Scheme

EIA

WFD assessment

Reduced culverting

Improved flood storage

Off-site habitat improvements


Case Study 3 Nottingham Ring Road


Case Study 3 Nottingham Ring Road

Benefits…

Maintained river bed

Allowed upwelling of groundwater

Improved habitat

Off-site riparian improvements

But…

Opportunity to make further benefits?

Earlier consultation?

Removal of culverts?

Restoring canalised sections of Brook?


Lessons learned…


Summary

Water

Framework

Directive

Material considerations

WFD Duty ↔ Biodiversity Duty

Good

ecological

status

Improving

water quality

elements

Development

sectors

Consultation

and impact

assessment

Case study

learnings


For more information...

http://www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/best-practice/build/laguidance





Questions?

engaging with the water framework directive · how can the development reduce harmful inputs of...

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