South Hams (Local Environment Profile 2011)

KEY FACTS

> South Hams produced 846 kt of end user CO2 in 2008, the third highest for a local authority in Devon. Between 2005 and 2008, end user CO2 emissions decreased by 7%.

> South Hams produced the second highest (after Exeter) amount of Industry and Commercial CO2 emissions for a local authority in Devon in 2008.

> South Hams residents were responsible for a total of 10.1 tonnes of CO2 per capita in 2008, higher than the average for Devon and the South West. This was the third highest recorded by a local authority in Devon and the eighth highest in the South West (out of 45).

> Between 2005 and 2008 per capita emissions reduced by 8% in South Hams.

> There are 80 river water bodies within South Hams. Our latest assessment of these classified 2.5% as poor, 51.2% as moderate and 46.2% as good.

> In 2009/10, South Hams had the lowest level of residual waste in Devon and the South West with 341.04kg/household.

> South Hams District in 2009/10 had the second highest level of recycling in the South West with 57.2%.

> The population of South Hams was estimated to be 83,700 in June 2010, 1.6% of the South West’s total population of 5,273,700.

> South Hams is predicted to have a household increase of 22.2% between 2008 and 2033, a total of 8,000 additional households. This is below the 30% predicted increase for the South West.

> Larger population centres within South Hams where there is risk of flooding include: Totnes and Dartmouth.

> There are two Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy's (CAMS) for South Hams :the Teign, Torbay and South Hams, and the Tamar.

> South Hams citizens had an average eco-footprint of 4..97 gha. The was the highest recorded in Devon and the fifth highest recorded in the Region.

> Devon County Council had an allocation of 156,679 tonnes and only landfilled 133,376 tonnes (85.1%) of their Biodegradable Municipal Waste.

Devon County (showing districts, plus Plymouth and Torbay)

Act to reduce climate change and its consequences

CLIMATE CHANGE

The UK climate projections (UKCP09) provide information on how the UK’s climate is likely to change in the 21st century, as it responds to rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

CARBON DIOXIDE - END USER

South Hams produced 846 kt of end user CO2 in 2008, the third highest for a local authority in Devon.
Between 2005 and 2008, end user CO2 emissions decreased by 7%, from 912 kt to 846 kt.
The highest proportion of end user emissions in South Hams in 2008 came from Industry and Commerce, accounting for 37% (309 kt), followed by Domestic with 31% (262 kt). South Hams produced the second highest (after Exeter) amount of Industry and Commercial CO2 emissions for a local authority in Devon in 2008.

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CO2 Levels 2005-08: South Hams

South Hams residents were responsible for a total of 10.1 tonnes of CO2 per capita in 2008, 19% higher than the 8.2 tonnes average for Devon and 23% higher than the South West 7.8 tonnes per capita. This was the third highest recorded by a local authority in Devon and the eighth highest in the South West (out of 45).
Between 2005 and 2008 per capita emissions reduced by 8% in South Hams, from 11.0t to 10.1t.

Please note- we are reporting on end user CO2 emissions, which are used as the National Indictor for Sustainable Development for the UK. An alternative measure of CO2 is available from the Stockholm Institute. As the data presented is from 2008, the local authority comparisons for the South West include district authorities in Cornwall and Wiltshire which have now been replaced by Unitary Authorities.

Source: Sub-national energy consumption statistics, DECC

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

There were 43,300 domestic electricity meter points in South Hams in 2009, 2% of the regional total of almost 2.4 million.
An average of 4,882kWh of electricity was used per consumer in South Hams during 2009, 10% (434kWh) higher than the regional average of 4,448kWh and 18% (730kWh) higher than the Great Britain average of 4,152kWh. This was the third highest recorded by a local authority in Devon, behind Mid Devon (4,999kWh) and West Devon (4,979kWh).

Source : AEA for DECC

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Energy Consumption 2005-09: South Hams

TRANSPORT

Between 1993 and 2009, the total number of vehicle kilometres travelled within the Devon area increased by 28% (1,711 million km). This was a slightly higher rate of increase compared to the South West (26%).
7,722 million vehicle kilometres were made in Devon Authority area in 2009. This was the highest recorded by a unitary or county council in the South West, accounting for almost 16% of the 48,588 million km total for the region as a whole.

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A graph showing estimated vehicle kilometers in Devon (1993-2009)

Source: Department of Transport

COMMUTING

Driving was the most popular way of getting to work with 58.3%, slightly higher than the South West average of 58.7%, and higher than the UK average of 54.9%.
Walking was the second most popular commuting method in South Hams with 13.3%, higher than both the Regional and UK averages of 12.1% and 9.99% respectively.

Source : Office of National Statistics

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A graph comparing commuting in South Hams against the South West

Protect and improve air, land and water quality

AIR QUALITY

From 2010, there have been an additional 2 areas added in South Hams as Air Quality Management Areas. There are now 3 areas in total : A38, Ivybridge and Totnes.
For more information on this - click here.

Source: DEFRA

WATER QUALITY

There are 80 river water bodies within South Hams. Our latest assessment of these classified 2.5% as poor, 51.2% as moderate and 46.2% as good.
This compares with 373 river water bodies within Devon. Our latest assessment of these classified 1% as bad, 9.3% as poor, 57.4% as moderate and 32.2% as good.
The main reasons for less than good status include: impacted fish communities, low pH, impacted diatom communities and high levels of copper and phosphate.

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A map showing Water Framework Directive (WFD) water bodies from Devon

For information on the activities taking place to help your local river improve, please see the Earth Chattering pages for an interactive map and much more information.

Please note - Water bodies do not fit exactly within local authority boundaries. The figures have been derived from those water bodies whose centres are within the district in question. If all water bodies within a district had been included, double accounting would have taken place. Some water bodies have yet to be classified. For the purpose of this exercise, these have been removed from the figures published.

Source: Environment Agency

LAND USE

South Hams is the fifth largest local authority area in the South West, with almost 905,232 m2 within its realm, over 3.5% of the 24,477,128 m2 total area of the South West. The largest proportion of land in South Hams is classified as green space, accounting for 832,628 m2 or 92% of its total area. This is about the same as the county average of 92% and regional average of 91%.

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A graph showing the various landuses within South Hams District Council

Source : Communities and Local Government

QUALITY OF LIFE

The ninth Local Environmental Quality Survey conducted by Keep Britain Tidy, was carried out between April 2009 and March 2010. The Summary Report key messages included :

~ Overall Standards within England remain the same as last year, with no change in the Cleansing Index score, which is 76, out of a possible 100.

~ 63% of standards for all LEQ indicators were either Good or Satisfactory.

~ The South East joins the South West as top performing region overall, for the first time this year.

~ The South West has been either the top performing region or joint top performing region since the 2007/08 Survey.

The survey carried out between April 2006 -March 2007, is available down to Local Authority Level, please click here for the details.

Source: Keep Britain Tidy

NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas of land that drain into waters polluted by nitrates, such that the ecosystem is at risk of being disturbed, or the water is likely to exceed 50 milligrams of nitrate in each litre.
Within South Hams, there are two small areas designated NVZ and no areas of deferred slurry storage.
NVZ regulations come fully into force on 1 Jan 2012, except in deferred Slurry storage areas which have until 1 Jan 2013.
For more information on NVZ, please see Environment Agency pages.
For detailed maps relating to NVZ areas, please see source pages.

Source: Environment Agency

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South Hams Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)

CATCHMENT SENSITIVE FARMING

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) gives advice on dealing with diffuse pollution from agriculture and the impact on water courses.
CSF is a voluntary initiative, where as NVZs is a statutory obligation. CSF looks at : best practice on manure and pesticide usage; Promoting good soil structure; protecting watercourses from run-off and best practice on stock management.
There are two project local to South Hams – River Yealm/ Erme study and Devon Avon and Dart Rivers.
The Yealm and Erme covers an area of 253 km2 which is the second smallest study in the South West.
The Slapton Ley and Salcombe to Kingsbridge Catchment covers an area of 158 km2 and is the smallest in the South West.

Source: Environment Agency

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A map showing Catchment Sensitive Farming in the South Hams area

SOIL

The map below shows the soils present within South Hams.
South Hams is dominated by medium textured soils which include the characteristic red soils. The peaty soils in the north are those of the southern fringes of Dartmoor.
Soil type is a major factor in determining the type of agriculture carried out. Medium textured soils generally support mixed farming practices.
The latest detailed (2007) DEFRA agricultural census data available for South Hams shows over 49% of farms support grazing (sheep and beef) with 12% mixed farming, 10% dairy and 9% horticulture.

Source: DEFRA

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A map showing soil types in South Hams

POLLUTION INCIDENTS

For the period April 2005-March 2010 inclusive, there was 1 incident of major impact to water in South Hams. For the same period, there were 9 incidents of significant impact to water, and 1 incident of significant impact to land.
For the period April 2010- March 2011 inclusive, there were no incidents of major impact to land, air or water in South Hams.
For the same period, there was 1 incidents of significant impact to land and other of significant impact to water.

Source: Environment Agency

FLYTIPPING

During 2009/10 there were 340 reported incidents of flytipping in South Hams, the second lowest in Devon and sixth lowest for a district or unitary authority in the region. This was a 15% increase from the 296 incidents in 2008/09. There were 38 prosecutions for flytipping, 29 of which had successful outcomes.

Source: DEFRA

Please note: incidents of fly tipping are reported differently by each council. One may log black bin bags out on an incorrect day as a fly tipping incident where another council do not log this. Please be aware of these reporting discrepancies on Flycapture when looking at the data in comparison to other councils.

MUNICIPAL WASTE

In 2009/10, South Hams had the lowest level of residual waste in Devon and the South West with 341.04kg/household. The highest in the South West was Isles of Scilly Council with 1,452kg/household

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Recycling in the South West (2009/10)

Recycling and composting has increased significantly in the South West, from 14.9% in 2000 / 2001 to 43.5% in 2009 / 2010.
South Hams District in 2009/10 had the second highest level of recycling in the South West with 57.2%.
The highest rate of recycling in the SW was Cotswold District Council with 60.4%, and the lowest rate in the SW was Isles of Scilly with 18.9%.

Source: DEFRA

TOTAL MUNICIPAL WASTE LANDFILLED

Bournemouth Borough Council landfilled the least percentage waste in 2009/10 (37.8%). Plymouth City Council landfilled the largest percentage of waste in 2009/10 (64%).
Devon County Council landfilled 46.45%, however this equated to the largest amount in tonnes landfilled in the South West with 194,720 tonnes.

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Waste disposal 2009/10 in Devon

Source : Environment Agency

Put people and communities at the heart of what we do

POPULATION

The population of South Hams was estimated to be 83,700 in June 2010, 1.6% of the South West’s total population of 5,273,700.

Of this population 16.4% were aged under 15, 60.9% were of working age (16 – 64), and 22.7% were of pensionable age (65+).
A larger percentage of South Hams population were of pensionable age (22.7%), when compared with the regional (19.6%) and England (16.5%) values. The proportion was similar to the Devon county value of 22.4%.

Source : Office of National Statistics

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Population Growth in the South West: 2008-2033

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS

South Hams is predicted to have a household increase of 22.2% between 2008 and 2033, a total of 8,000 additional households. This is below the 30% predicted increase for the South West.

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Household Estimate and Projections 1991-2033: South Hams

Please note - Figures to 2008 are based on ONS mid-year population estimates and projected rates of household formation from trends in Census and Labour Force Survey data. All projections are 2008-based. The 2008-based household projections are linked to the Office for National Statistics 2008-based Population Projections, and are not an assessment of housing need or do not take account of future policies. They are an indication of the likely increase in households given the continuation of recent demographic trends.

Source: Communities and Local Government

NEW HOMES ON PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED LAND

The proportion of new buildings built in England on previously developed land, rose 23% between 1994-2009. More than half of local authorities in the South West has an increase higher than the English average.
Over the same period, South Gloucestershire had the highest overall increase with 57%, and the lowest was Isles of Scilly with -10%. The second lowest local authority was jointly Cotswold and Torbay with only a 5% increase over the same period.
The increase in South Hams was 21%, lower than the UK average. This was the 5th lowest increase in Devon.
For the period 2006-2009, only 4 councils achieved over 90% of new dwellings on previously developed land in the South West. These were Bournemouth (97), Poole (97%), City of Bristol (95%) and Christchurch (94%).

Source : Communities and Local Government

FLOODING

One in six properties in England are at risk of flooding. In the South West over 200,000 properties are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea and around 6,000 properties are at risk from coastal erosion in the South West.
The causes of flooding in Devon are varied; rivers, tidal, surface water or combinations of the three, depending on location.
Larger population centres within South Hams where there is risk of flooding include: Totnes and Dartmouth.
To see locations at risk of flooding in Devon and South Hams, please click here for the Environment Agency flood map.

Source: Environment Agency

PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND FLOOD RISK

The Environment Agency lodged objections to 6,200 planning applications in England and Wales on the grounds of flood risk in 2007/2008 up from 4,750 in 2006/2007. Of these, 1,160 objections were in the South West, accounting for almost 19% of the national total.
Two major and twenty one minor developments were approved by local authorities contrary to advice in the South West. The two major were in Carrick (application for mixed use) and Weymouth & Portland (residential).
There were two minor developments approved contrary to advice in South Hams.
In 2008/09, a summary report was published which had no detailed information to local authority level.
The number of planning applications to which we objected on flood risk grounds fell slightly to 5,198 in 2008/09 compared to 6,232 in 2007/08, representing 43% of consultations received. This is the first fall in the proportion of consultations objected to since 2001/02.

Source: Environment Agency

Work with businesses and the public sector to use resources wisely

WATER RESOURCES

There are two Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy's (CAMS) for South Hams :the Teign, Torbay and South Hams, and the Tamar.
Teign, Torbay and S Hams sets out how the Environment Agency will manage water abstraction until 2013 for the Avon, Dart and Erme and 2014 for the Teign and Torbay catchments.
There are four Water Resources Management Units immediately abutting South Hams : Erme, Hambourne, Dart and Gara.
Hambourne, Gara : Strategy – remain at water available Erme, Upper and Lower Dart : Strategy – over licensed Middle Dart : Strategy – No water Available.

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Catchment Area Management Strategy (CAMS) for Devon

For the full document - click here.

Source: Environment Agency

ECO FOOTPRINT

The ecological footprint is an indicator of the total environmental burden we place on the planet. It represents the area of land needed to provide raw materials, energy and food, and to absorb pollution and waste created. It is measured in global hectares (a hectare of land with world average productivity) and is usually expressed as a per person measure. The Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI) calculates the ecological footprint of consumption activities.
One of the main features of an ecological footprint indicator is that it is based on consumption, not just domestic production. It takes into account the impact of all products that are consumed, whether they are produced in the country of consumption, or elsewhere in the world.

In 2006, an average UK citizen had an eco-footprint of 4.64gha, which is significantly above the available budget of 1.89 gha. The South West Regional average was 4.74 gha.
South Hams citizens had an average eco-footprint of 4..97 gha. The was the highest recorded in Devon and the fifth highest recorded in the Region.
The ecological footprint of all local authorities in the UK is significantly above the available global budget. If everyone in the world consumed the same as a UK citizen we would need nearly three planets worth of resources.

Source : Resource Accounting

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A graph showing the South Hams Eco Footprint (2006) by themes

LANDFILL ALLOWANCE TRADING SCHEME

In 2009/10 the amount of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) landfilled by the 16 local authorities within the South West was 1,032,967 tonnes against their combined allocation of 1,134,910 tonnes.
Devon County Council had an allocation of 156,679 tonnes and only landfilled 133,376 tonnes (85.1%) of their BMW.
Only two councils in the South West exceeded their allocations. They were Gloucestershire County Council and South Gloucestershire Council.

Source: Environment Agency

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Amount landfilled in 09/10 within the South West

Downloads

Please use these images in presentations/reports, but remember to reference the South West Observatory Environment Module Local Profiles 2011.

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