Dear David

Thank you for consulting us on the above application.

Natural England is a non-departmental public body. Our statutory purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development. Natural England advises the authority under Regulation 76 (4) of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, that the proposal would have relevant effects which will give rise to harm to the features of the following habitats (European) and internationally designated sites:

The proposed development lies within the hydrological catchment of the River Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Natural England considers that development which results in increased phosphates discharges to the River Avon catchment should be considered in combination to have a likely significant effect upon the River Avon SAC and therefore require an Appropriate Assessment (AA).

This development site is within the 13.8km zone of influence (ZoI) for recreational impacts to The New Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site. Natural England advises that such developments will require an Appropriate Assessment to consider the impacts, alone and in combination with other plans/projects, proceeding to appropriate assessment stage where likely significant effects cannot be ruled out.

The Regulation 76 submission includes a shadow HRA completed on behalf of the applicant. We provide the advice below on the assumption that the Wiltshire Council will adopt the submitted sHRA to fulfil their duty as competent authority.

Your sHRA entitled, “Habitats Reg Assessment for Reg 77 Application Dunns House, St Pauls Road, Salisbury. SP2 7BF” v4 dated 24 June 2026 concludes that the Wiltshire Council will be able to ascertain that the proposal will not result in adverse effects on the integrity of any of the sites in question. Having considered the assessment, and the measures proposed to mitigate for all identified adverse effects that could potentially occur as a result of the proposal, Natural England advises that we concur with the sHRA’s conclusions, providing that all mitigation measures are appropriately secured in any permission given. Please note it is the Competent Authority’s responsibility to ensure that they are confident that there is sufficient information to support the values used in the phosphorus calculation, and that the nutrient budget calculation is correct.

Natural England would expect Wiltshire Council to secure the necessary mitigation measures including:

• Ensuring the dwellings are required to limit water use to 85 l per person per day.

• That the requisite phosphorus credits (3.36kg) are secured.

• That the requisite payments are made to the New Forest Recreation Mitigation Strategy.

Natural England also advises that whilst the authority is assessing the application and until the authority has provided written notification of its approval (Reg 75), the developer may not legally commence the proposal.

I trust this advice will assist you and the planning authority in progressing the application further. Please contact me if you have any queries relating to this advice.

John Stobart

Planning and Conservation Senior Officer

john.stobart@naturalengland.org.uk

07825 844475

John Stobart

Planning and Conservation Senior Officer

john.stobart@naturalengland.org.uk

07825 844475