Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment

Sustainability Appraisals (SAs) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) are processes for assessing the effects of plans and programmes on the environment, the community, and the economy.  The assessments are carried out in parallel with the preparation of plans and programmes to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are taken into account at all stages of plan-making.  SEAs are particularly focussed on the environment, whereas SAs consider the broader range of social and economic issues as well.

SA is required in the UK by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.  Development Plan Documents (DPDs) are subject to SA.  SEA is required in the EU by an EU Directive (2001/42/EC) on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, commonly referred to as the SEA Directive.  Plans and Programmes with the potential to have significant environmental effects (positive or negative) are required to undergo SEA.

Although SA and SEA are required by separate legislation, government guidance - ‘Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents’ (ODPM, 2005) has recommended that the two processes be undertaken simultaneously to avoid repetition, as there are many cross-overs between them.

What does this mean for the LDF?  Several documents make up the Local Development Framework (LDF) which sets the planning framework for Hart District.  These are: Development Plan Documents (DPDs), Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), the Local Development Scheme, the Annual Monitoring Report, and the Statement of Community Involvement.  Only the Development Plan Documents (DPDs) are subject to SA incorporating SEA.  For Hart District these documents are as follows:

• The Core Strategy DPD; and
• The Development Management DPD.

In the past, SA was required for SPDs, but due to changes made to the planning system by the Planning Act 2008 they no longer require SA.  However, this does not remove the requirement for SEA.  If an SPD is likely to have significant effects on the environment, an SEA will need to be carried out.

Hart District Council has one SA underway at present.  This is for the Core Strategy DPD.  More information on this can be found on the Core Strategy SA webpage.

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Updated 07 June 2010