THE PARTNERSHIP’S PLAN 2010–2015. THE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK 2010-2015.
SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL
1. BACKGROUND
A Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is a systematic analysis of a plan and its policies and / or actions to identify any potential negative outcomes on
the environment, economy or community of an identified area.
We (the Lake District National Park Authority) are legally required to carry out a Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental
Assessment of our strategic plans for the Lake District National Park. This includes the Local Development Framework (the development plan)
and the Partnership’s Plan (the management plan). The Sustainability Appraisal meets the requirements of the Strategic Environmental
Assessment.
This report focusses on the Partnership’s Plan 2010-2015 at the core of which is the 2030 Vision for the Lake District National Park ‘An
inspirational example of sustainable development in action’ and four key outcomes, namely:




Prosperous economy,
World class visitor experiences
Vibrant communities
Spectacular landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage
2. IDENTIFIED TASKS
Several discrete tasks were identified in the Sustainability Appraisal of the Partnership’s Plan. These are outlined in the following sections.
2.1 DEVELOPING SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL OBJECTIVES
The Sustainability Appraisal of our plans has, to date, been based on a common set of SA objectives. This ensures that we continue to work,
through our policies and actions, towards the same sustainable outcomes, which are unique to the Lake District National Park. The process we
adopted to develop the SA objectives is outlined below:

The issues facing the Lake District National Park were identified (for example freshwater habitats suffering from pollution caused by
agricultural run-off).



A set of SA objectives was developed based on the identified issues (for example, we decided that there should be an SA objective ‘to
improve water quality’). The development of SA objectives was done in collaboration with other local planning authorities in Cumbria.
A scoping paper, outlining the issues and proposed SA objectives, was sent to statutory consultees (English Heritage, Natural England,
Environment Agency) for comment.
The feedback from the consultees was used to inform the final set of SA objectives.
Sixteen SA objectives were identified:
1. To increase public participation in the democratic process
2. To improve access to services, facilities, the countryside and open space
3. To provide everyone with a decent home
4. To improve the level of skills, education and training
5. To improve the health and well-being of people
6. To increase vibrant, active, inclusive and open minded communities with a strong sense of local history
7. To protect and enhance biodiversity and geo-diversity
8. To preserve and enhance and manage landscape quality and character for future generations
9. To improve the quality of the built environment
10. To improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
11. To improve water quality and water resources
12. To restore and protect land and soil
13. To manage mineral resources sustainably and minimise waste
14. To retain existing jobs and create new employment opportunities
15. To improve access to jobs
16. To diversify and strengthen the local economy
These SA objectives have been used to assess the Local Development Framework Core Strategy and Land Allocations Development Plan
Document (SA scoping and full reports available on www.lake-district.gov.uk ) and the Partnership’s Plan 2010-2012 (SA report available on
request from the LDNPA offices, Murley Moss).
If, at some future date, we decide that the issues facing the National Park are changing significantly, then we can review the SA objectives.
2.2 IDENTIFYING CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS PARTNERSHIP PLAN
We decided to appraise only those actions which are new to the Partnership’s Plan 2010-2015. In order to do this, we established which
actions have been carried over from the previous Partnership’s Plan 2010-2012.
Annex 1 and Annex 2 track all the ‘Strategic Activities’ and ‘Actions’ of the Partnership’s Plan 2010-2012 and record which actions have been
carried forward as ‘Delivery Aims’ and ‘Actions’ into the Partnership’s Plan 2010-2015.
The analysis establishes that there are seven new delivery aims, and twenty nine new actions reflecting all four themes of the vision.
These new delivery aims and actions have been the subject of this SA. The ‘sub actions’ have not been appraised separately.
A professional judgement has been made in relation to positive, negative or uncertain outcomes, and the relevance of actions in achieving SA
objectives.
2.3. ANALYSING THE NEW DELIVERY AIMS AGAINST THE SA OBJECTIVES
The following tables indicate, for each new delivery aim, whether there is a potential positive or negative outcome in relation to the SA
objectives, whether this impact is certain, and whether the delivery aim would directly affect the SA objectives. It is acknowledged that most of
the delivery aims will indirectly affect most SA objectives.
PROSPEROUS ECONOMY
SO=Sustainability Appraisal Objective
No.
PE2
PE6
Delivery aim
Connect the special qualities
of the National Park,
including landscape features
and cultural heritage, to the
economy through
imagination approaches,
including use of traditional
skills
Encourage small businesses
and entrepreneurial
P=positive
N=negative
?=uncertain NDE=no direct effect
SO1
NDE
SO2
NDE
SO3
NDE
SO4
P
SO5
NDE
SO6
P
SO7
P
SO8
P
SO9
P
SO10
NDE
SO11
NDE
SO12
P
SO13
NDE
SO14
P
SO15
NDE
SO16
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
P
aspirations to develop by
providing appropriate
support
WORLD CLASS VISITOR EXPERIENCE
SO=Sustainability Appraisal Objective
Delivery
aim no.
VE1
VE4
P=positive
N=negative
?=uncertain NDE=no direct effect
Delivery aim
SO1
SO2
SO3
SO4
SO5
SO6
SO7
SO8
SO9
SO10
SO11
SO12
SO13
SO14
SO15
SO16
Promoting a welcoming
National Park for all,
which encourages
people to visit again
Celebrate and protect
what is special about
the Lake District by
promoting and
restoring its rich
cultural heritage and
wildlife, local traditions
and products
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
P
P
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
?P
VIBRANT COMMUNITIES
SO=Sustainability Appraisal Objective
Delivery
aim no.
VC1
P=positive
N=negative
?=uncertain NDE=no direct effect
Delivery aim
SO1
SO2
SO3
SO4
SO5
SO6
SO7
SO8
SO9
SO10
SO11
SO12
SO13
SO14
SO15
SO16
Develop and deliver
balanced employment
and housing
opportunities that
enable people to live
and work in the
community
NDE
P
P
NDE
?P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
P
VC2
VC3
Ensure effective
access to a broad
range of lifelong
learning opportunities
Enable communities to
influence and work with
others to support the
retention of local
services and ensure
access to essential
services such as
health, information
technology, childcare
and support for the
elderly
NDE
P
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
NDE
?P
P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
?P
SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPES
There were no new delivery aims for spectacular landscapes
2.4. ANALYSING THE NEW ACTIONS AGAINST THE SA OBJECTIVES
The following tables indicate, for each new action, whether there is a potential positive or negative outcome in relation to the SA objectives,
whether this impact is certain, and whether the action would directly affect the SA objectives. It is acknowledged that most of the actions will
indirectly affect most SA objectives.
PROSPEROUS ECONOMY
SO=Sustainability Appraisal Objective
Action
No
2
P=positive
N=negative
?=uncertain NDE=no direct effect
Action
SO1
SO2
SO3
SO4
SO5
SO6
SO7
SO8
SO9
SO10
SO11
SO12
SO13
SO14
SO15
SO16
Through the ‘cultural
edge’ project explore
priority opportunities that
strengthen the link
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
P
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
?P
NDE
P
4
5
6
7
between special qualities
and the economy
Maximise economic and
environmental benefits of
land management in the
NP with current Common
Agricultural Policy
Prepare for sustainable
land management in the
NP for the future (CAP
ending 2014)
Support farmers to adapt
to the changing
economic situation,
helping identify and
resolve issues
Agree how our
woodlands and forestry
within the NP should be
managed over the long
term and influence
Government thinking
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
P
?N
NDE
NDE
?P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
NDE
?N
?N
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
P
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
WORLD CLASS VISITOR EXPERIENCE
SO=Sustainability Appraisal Objective
Action
No
12
13
P=positive
N=negative
?=uncertain NDE=no direct effect
Action
SO1
SO2
SO3
SO4
SO5
SO6
SO7
SO8
SO9
SO10
SO11
SO12
SO13
SO14
SO15
SO16
Raise the quality of
visitor accommodation
for all sectors through the
Tourism Connect
accommodation
improvement programme
Deliver a network of
modern visitor facilities
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
?P
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
?P
NDE
NDE
14
15
19
21
22
throughout the NP
Deliver a priority project
on low carbon tourism
Support sustainable food
and drink across the NP
Promote and develop a
range of sport and
adventure opportunities
in the NP, which
encourage competition,
participation and sporting
excellence during the
2012 Olympic Games
year
Maintain, improve and
promote both land and
water related access and
recreational opportunities
across the NP
Deliver an agreed
strategy to increase
investment opportunities
which will contribute to
the sustainability of the
NP
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
?P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
?N
?N
NDE
NDE
?N
?N
NDE
NDE
NDE
?P
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
?N
?N
NDE
NDE
?N
?N
NDE
?P
NDE
?P
NDE
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
VIBRANT COMMUNITIES
SO=Sustainability Appraisal Objective
Action
No
23
24
P=positive
N=negative
?=uncertain NDE=no direct effect
Action
SO1
SO2
SO3
SO4
SO5
SO6
SO7
SO8
SO9
SO10
SO11
SO12
SO13
SO14
SO15
SO16
Facilitate the delivery of
new housing
opportunities throughout
the NP
Ensure we have an up to
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
?N
?N
?P
NDE
NDE
?N
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
25
26
28
29
30
date (within 5 years)
housing needs survey
across the NP
Consider proposal to
prevent further depletion
of existing housing stock
and help address the
balance
Improve the co-ordination
and delivery of the range
of NP learning messages
(residents and visitors)
currently being
undertaken
Deliver a skills based
programme for farmers,
foresters and land based
contractors and others
working or based within
the NP or Cumbria
Help communities
develop up to date plans
for all rural service
centres, villages and
cluster communities to
identify and deliver
actions using community
led planning as the
foundation
Work with public, private
and third sector partners
to develop a shared set
of priorities for transport
and travel options to and
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
?P
P
P
?P
NDE
P
P
?P
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
?P
P
NDE
P
NDE
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
31
32
33
34
35
around the central and
south east and southern
distinctive areas (Beacon
Area) for all transport
users (residents, visitors
and business)
Deliver projects against
schedule defined in Local
Sustainable Transport
Fund (LSTF) bid
Identify options for longer
term transformation of
how to travel to the Lake
District including strategic
entry points and required
services
Develop transport
initiatives and projects
across other areas of the
NP from learning lessons
from the Beacon Area
(see action 30)
Establish a Windermere
and Bowness Business
Improvement District
(BID)
Deliver an area based
energy efficiency scheme
for households in the LD
NDE
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
?N
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
P
P
NDE
NDE
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPES
SO=Sustainability Appraisal Objective
Action
No
39
P=positive
N=negative
?=uncertain NDE=no direct effect
Action
SO1
SO2
SO3
SO4
SO5
SO6
SO7
SO8
SO9
SO10
SO11
SO12
SO13
SO14
SO15
SO16
Implement the
NDE
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
NDE
NDE
P
P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
40
41
43
47
Government’s Natural
Environment White
Paper
Understand and plan for
a changing coastline
Prepare a Local Flood
Risk Management
Strategy with an
emphasis on working
with natural processes
Develop and deliver
priority projects which
celebrate and protect our
special qualities
Raise awareness about
climate change issues in
the NP
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
NDE
NDE
?P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
NDE
NDE
P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
?P
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
P
P
P
NDE
P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
NDE
P
?P
P
P
NDE
NDE
NDE
2.5. IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL NEGATIVE OUTCOMES
The above analysis shows that for all delivery aims and actions there are many positive outcomes.
However, for a few actions there are some potential negative outcomes:
Action
No.
4
Action
Sustainability objective - potential negative outcome
Maximise economic and environmental benefits of land
management in the NP with current Common Agricultural Policy
Preserve, enhance and manage landscape character and quality (SO8)
6
Support farmers to adapt to the changing economic situation,
helping identify and resolve issues
Protect and enhance biodiversity and geo-diversity (SO7)
Preserve, enhance and manage landscape character and quality (SO8)
19
Promote and develop a range of sport and adventure
opportunities in the NP, which encourage competition,
participation and sporting excellence during the 2012 Olympic
Games year
Protect and enhance biodiversity and geo-diversity (SO7)
Preserve, enhance and manage landscape character and quality (SO8)
Improve water quality and water resources (SO11)
Restore and protect land and soil (SO12)
21
Maintain, improve and promote both land and water related
access and recreational opportunities across the NP
Protect and enhance biodiversity and geo-diversity (SO7)
Preserve, enhance and manage landscape character and quality (SO8)
Improve water quality and water resources (SO11)
Restore and protect land and soil (SO12)
23
Facilitate the delivery of new housing opportunities throughout
the NP
Protect and enhance biodiversity and geo-diversity (SO7)
Preserve, enhance and manage landscape character and quality (SO8)
Restore and protect land and soil (SO12)
35
Deliver an area-based energy efficiency scheme for households
in the LD
Preserve, enhance and manage landscape character and quality (SO8)
3. ADRESSING THE SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL FINDINGS
The potential negative outcomes are all related to environmental factors:




Landscape character and quality
Biodiversity and geo-diversity
Land and soil
Water resources
We have a number of safeguards in place that aim to conserve and enhance these factors including:

Local Development Framework Core Strategy Policies, in particular Policies CS01 (National significance and distinctive nature of the
Lake District), CS11 (Sustainable development principles), CS25 (Protecting the spectacular landscape), CS26 (Geo-diversity and
biodiversity) and CS28 (Lakeshore development)



The Lake District National Park Landscape Character Assessment (2008)
Sustainability Appraisal of Allocations of Land Development Plan Document (2012)
Codes of practice relating to recreational activities (see www.lake-district.gov.uk)
We will investigate, further, ways in which the impacts of 1) changes in agricultural practices and 2) land and water-based recreational activities
can be managed to minimise environmental impact and monitor our progress.
ANNEX 1
TABLE COMPARING THE PARTNERSHIP’S PLANS 2010-2012 AND 2010-2015
SA=Strategic Activity, DA=Delivery Aim, Figures in brackets refer to the 2010-2015 plan i.e. the most recent plan.
PROSPEROUS ECONOMY (PE)
SA1
SA2
SA3
(DA PE1)
SA4
(DA PE3)
SA5
(DA PE4)
SA6
(DA PE5)
SA7
1.01
2.04
3.06 (10)
4.07 (3)
5.08
6.13
1.02
2.05 (8)
5.09 (4)
6.14
5.10
6.15 (9)
7.16 (28 of Vibrant
Communities)
7.17 (28 of Vibrant
Communities)
7.18 (28 of Vibrant
Communities)
7.19 (28 of Vibrant
Communities)
7.20 (28 of Vibrant
Communities)
7.21 (28 of Vibrant
Communities)
1.03 (1)
5.11
5.12
WORLD CLASS VISITOR EXPERIENCE (WCVE)
SA8
(DA VE2)
(DA VE6)
8.22 (11)
8.23 (13)
8.24 (12)
8.25
8.26 (12)
8.27 (12)
8.28 (12)
SA9
SA10
(DA VE5)
SA11
(DA SL6)
SA12
SA13
(DA SL6)
SA14
(DA VE3)
SA15
9.33
10.34 (17)
10.35 (20)
11.36 (21)
11.37
11.38 (21)
11.39
12.40
12.41
12.42
12.43
12.44
13.45
13.46
13.47 (16)
13.48
14.49 (15)
14.50 (22)
15.51 (18)
15.52 (18)
8.29
8.30
8.31
8.32
VIBRANT COMMUNITIES (VC)
SA16
SA17
16.53
16.54 (23)
16.55 (23)
16.56
16.57 (24)
17.58
17.59
17.60
17.61 (25)
SA18
(DA VC6)
18.62 (29)
18.63
18.64
18.65
18.66
18.67
18.68
SA19
19.69
SA20
(DA VC3)
20.70
SA21
(DA VC4)
21.71
21.72
21.73
21.74
21.75
21.76
21.77
21.78
SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPES (SL)
SA22
SA23
(SL4)
SA24
(SL1)
(SL2)
(SL3)
SA25
SA26
SA27
SA28
SA29
SA30
(SL5)
SA31
(SL5)
SA32
(SL5)
22.79(45)
22.80
22.81(46)
22.82
22.83
22.84
22.85
23.86(46)
23.87(38)
24.88
24.89(37)
24.90
24.91(38)
24.92(38)
24.93(38)
24.94(38)
24.95(37)
24.96
24.97
24.98
25.99
25.100
25.101
25.102
26.103
26.104
26.105
27.106
27.107
28.108
29.109(44)
29.110
29.111(43)
30.112(42)
30.113
30.114(42)
31.115
32.116
32.117(48)
ANNEX 2
TABLE SHOWING PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2010-2012 (ACTIONS ABANDONED / COMPLETED AND ON-GOING) AND PARTNERSHIP
PLAN 2010-2015 (ACTIONS NEW)
PROSPEROUS ECONOMY
Actions abandoned / completed
1.01
1.02
2.04
3.06
4.07
5.08
5.10
5.11
5.12
6.13
6.14
Actions on-going (figures in brackets=20102015 plan)
1.03 (1)
2.05 (8)
3.06 (10)
4.07 (3)
5.09 (4)
6.15 (9)
7.16 (28 Vibrant Communities)
7.17 (28 Vibrant Communities)
7.18 (28 Vibrant Communities)
7.19 (28 Vibrant Communities)
7.20 (28 Vibrant Communities)
7.21 (28 Vibrant Communities)
Actions new
Actions on-going
8.22 (11)
8.23 (13)
8.24 (12)
8.26 (12)
8.27 (12)
8.28 (12)
10.34 (17)
10.35 (20)
11.36 (21)
11.38 (21)
Actions new
12
13
14
15
19
21
22
2
4
5
6
7
WORLD CLASS VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Actions abandoned / completed
8.25
8.29
8.30
8.31
8.32
9.33
11.37
11.39
12.40
12.41
12.42
12.43
12.44
12.45
13.46
13.48
13.47 (16)
14.49 (15)
14.50 (22)
15.51 (18)
15.52 (18)
VIBRANT COMMUNITIES
Actions abandoned / completed
16.53
16.56
17.58
17.59
17.60
18.63
18.64
18.65
18.66
18.67
18.68
19.69
20.70
21.71
21.72
21.73
21.74
21.75
21.76
21.77
21.78
Actions on-going
16.54 (23)
16.55 (23)
16.57 (24)
17.61 (25)
18.62 (29)
Actions new
23
24
25
26
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Actions on-going
22.79 (45)
22.81 (46)
Actions new
39
40
SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPES
Actions abandoned / completed
22.80
22.82
22.83
22.84
22.85
24.88
24.90
24.96
24.97
24.98
25.99
25.100
25.101
25.102
26.103
26.104
26.105
27.106
27.107
28.108
29.110
30.113
31.115
32.116
23.86 (46)
23.87 (38)
24.89 (37)
24.91 (38)
24.92 (38)
24.93 (38)
24.94 (38)
24.95 (37)
29.109 (44)
29.111 (43)
30.112 (42)
30.114 (42)
32.117 (48)
41
43
47