All Local Development Plans (usually known as 'LDPs') have to have a Sustainability Appraisal prepared alongside the plan. This identifies how the plan will achieve environmental, social and economic objectives to deliver sustainable development. The process should indicate ways of changing the plan if it doesn't look as though it will meet these objectives.
LDPs also need a Strategic Environmental Assessment (usually known as 'SEA') to assess the possible effects of the plan on the environment. The SEA process should identify ways in which the plan can be changed if the environmental impacts are likely to be unacceptable. The requirement for Strategic Environmental Assessment is a result of a European Directive that has been 'transposed' (or translated) into United Kingdom planning legislation.
For LDP preparation, the requirement for Strategic Environmental Assessment is included within the wider Sustainability Appraisal process.
What is the process?
At the start of LDP preparation, local authorities produce a 'scoping report' to set out the main issues to be addressed and the level of detail to be included. Environmental consultation bodies and other local partner organisations are consulted on the scoping report. This helps to make sure that Strategic Environmental Assessment of the plan will include all the things it should.
The next step of the process is preparation by the local authority of an initial sustainability report. This is prepared alongside preparation of the Preferred Strategy for the LDP. The issues which are covered include the possible impacts on plants, animals or people.
Local authorities have to consult the public on both the initial sustainability report and the preferred strategy. Responses received to this consultation are used to inform further development of the plan, eventually leading to the final Deposit Plan. At the same time, the authority will revise the sustainability report and consult on it. There will be public notices in the local press and / or on the authority's website telling you about the process and how you can feed in your views.
The authority's website should also have a copy of the LDP Delivery Agreement. You should look at this to get an idea of when to expect the consultation period on the Sustainability Report and Deposit LDP.
Does the Sustainability Appraisal process mean that a development proposal contained in the LDP does not need to have an Environmental Impact Assessment?
No. If a proposed development needs an Environmental Impact Assessment, the person applying for permission for the development has to prepare an 'environmental statement'. This sets out the potential impacts of the proposed development on the environment, and looks at ways of reducing adverse impacts.
The environmental statement will usually refer to the Strategic Environmental Assessment, but should not repeat large chunks of it. As a rule of thumb, Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment are general and 'broad brush', whereas Environmental Impact Assessment looks at more detailed, site-specific issues.
How can I get involved?
You can comment on the initial sustainability report, the final version that is prepared to accompany the Deposit Plan, and the Deposit Plan itself. Your comments will help to improve the Sustainability Appraisal process, and also the final version LDP.
More information about Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment
You can find more detailed information about Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment of Local Development Plans on the Welsh Assembly Government’s website by clicking here.
