Common use of Developing a Joint Strategy Clause in Contracts

Developing a Joint Strategy. 4.1 The organisations party to this Memorandum (MoU) agree to work together to facilitate the collection of data and evidence as outlined in section 3, in order to develop a Joint Strategy to address potential adverse impacts on the integrity of Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC), as required under the Habitats Regulations 2010. Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) will act as the coordinating competent authority in relation to Epping Forest SAC as defined by the Habitat Regulations 2010 and as described in the Defra Guidance 20125. 4.2 The Joint Strategy will be prepared in accordance with a timetable to be agreed by the partners to this MoU in due course. It is intended this Joint Strategy will be in agreed and published prior to the determination of any of the planning applications on sites around Harlow that are part of The Spatial Option detailed in the “Distribution of OAN across West Essex and East Hertfordshire” MoU. If the Joint Strategy is not in place when planning applications are submitted, applicants will be required to submit the necessary information to ascertain whether any adverse impacts will be caused in Epping Forest, and if necessary any mitigation measures that may be necessary. 4.3 The Joint Strategy will incorporate early warning monitoring to ensure that adverse impacts do not occur or are mitigated effectively for the SAC. Should this monitoring identify a deteriorating position, sustainable mitigation strategies for air quality, traffic controls, highways and recreation will be set out in the joint strategy so they can be enacted in a realistic timescale if necessary. Local Plans will include appropriate monitoring policies. 4.4 Detailed monitoring frameworks will be prepared to support each of the adopted Local Plans, and some of the required data will be made available on a regular basis through this mechanism. Where additional data is required, the scope of this will be agreed by the parties to this MoU as part of the proposed joint strategy. 4.5 Based on the agreed spatial distribution and the associated infrastructure requirements, data would need to be generated by traffic modelling to continue to monitor the likely impacts of vehicle transport on Epping Forest SAC. The traffic models would need to meet the level of resolution required to make robust predictions, to cover all the roads within the Forest boundaries, as identified in the map in Appendix 2. 4.6 From these traffic data, robust monitoring of air quality and predicted levels and rates of change would be made using the standard assessment methods for the area bounded by Epping Forest SAC (see Appendix 3). 4.7 The overall health of the Epping Forest SAC is affected by activities outside of the HMA, and therefore the remit of the Joint Strategy may need to broadened in due course. The overall purpose is to manage Epping Forest such that further deterioration is limited, and positive enhancements are introduced as necessary. 4.8 Under the joint strategy further development would be linked to any necessary mitigation such that the identified and required actions would be in place and effective prior to any development being undertaken. 4.9 Sources and levels of funding for the different levels of mitigation, if and/or when required, will be agreed and will be put in place under the joint strategy. 5 2012 DEFRA Guidance on competent authority coordination under the Habitats Regulations xxxxx://xxx.xxx.xx/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69580/pb13809-habitats- guidance.pdf 4.10 The joint strategy would be reviewed at the time of the review of this MoU or earlier should circumstances require it and be agreed by all parties.

Developing a Joint Strategy. 4.1 The organisations party to this Memorandum (MoU) agree to work together to facilitate the collection of data and evidence as outlined in section 3, in order to develop a Joint Strategy to address potential adverse impacts on the integrity of Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC), as required under the Habitats Regulations 2010. Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) will act as the coordinating competent authority in relation to Epping Forest SAC as defined by the Habitat Regulations 2010 and as described in the Defra Guidance 20125. 4.2 The Joint Strategy will be prepared in accordance with a timetable to be agreed by the partners to this MoU in due course. It is intended this Joint Strategy will be in agreed and published prior to the determination of any of the planning applications on sites around Harlow that are part of The Spatial Option detailed in the “Distribution of OAN across West Essex and East Hertfordshire” MoU. If the Joint Strategy is not in place when planning applications are submitted, applicants will be required to submit the necessary information to ascertain whether any adverse impacts will be caused in Epping Forest, and if necessary any mitigation measures that may be necessary. 4.3 The Joint Strategy will incorporate early warning monitoring to ensure that adverse impacts do not occur or are mitigated effectively for the SAC. Should this monitoring identify a deteriorating position, sustainable mitigation strategies for air quality, traffic controls, highways and recreation will be set out in the joint strategy so they can be enacted in a realistic timescale if necessary. Local Plans will include appropriate monitoring policies. 4.4 Detailed monitoring frameworks will be prepared to support each of the adopted Local Plans, and some of the required data will be made available on a regular basis through this mechanism. Where additional data is required, the scope of this will be agreed by the parties to this MoU as part of the proposed joint strategy. 4.5 Based on the agreed spatial distribution and the associated infrastructure requirements, data would need to be generated by traffic modelling to continue to monitor the likely impacts of vehicle transport on Epping Forest SAC. The traffic models would need to meet the level of resolution required to make robust predictions, to cover all the roads within the Forest boundaries, as identified in the map in Appendix 2. 4.6 From these traffic data, robust monitoring of air quality and predicted levels and rates of change would be made using the standard assessment methods for the area bounded by Epping Forest SAC (see Appendix 3). 4.7 The overall health of the Epping Forest SAC is affected by activities outside of the HMA, and therefore the remit of the Joint Strategy may need to broadened in due course. The overall purpose is to manage Epping Forest such that further deterioration is limitedlimited where possible, and positive enhancements are introduced as necessarywhen appropriate. 4.8 4.5 Under the joint strategy further development would be linked to any necessary mitigation such that the identified and required actions would be in place and effective prior to any development being undertaken. 4.9 4.6 Sources and levels of funding for the different levels of mitigation, if and/or when required, will be agreed and will be put in place under the joint strategy. 5 2012 DEFRA Guidance on competent authority coordination under the Habitats Regulations xxxxx://xxx.xxx.xx/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69580/pb13809-habitats- guidance.pdf. 4.10 4.7 The joint strategy would be reviewed at the time of the review of this MoU or earlier should circumstances require it and be agreed by all parties.