Gateway 1 Self-Assessment Summary - Strategic Environmental Assessment

We are legally required to identify, describe and evaluate likely significant effects on the environment of: 

●     implementing the Local Plan and 

●     reasonable alternatives (which are different options that can be considered to achieve the aims of the Local Plan, to determine which strategy is most appropriate), taking into account the plan’s objectives and scope. 

This process will consider how community, national and international environmental protection objectives and any other environmental challenges are taken into account in the plan. It will help us to predict significant environmental effects and develop ways of preventing, reducing and offsetting these. 

It is important that we start this work early and are transparent about how we’re doing the assessment when engaging with stakeholders and communities.   

We have appointed consultants to undertake an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) which will include a Strategic Environmental Assessment as well as a Health Impact Assessment, and Equalities Impact Assessment.

An IIA Scoping Report has already been prepared and consulted on with statutory consultees including the Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England as well as neighbouring local authorities and other key stakeholders from July to August 2026. The Scoping Report identifies baseline environmental data and environmental protection objectives.

An Interim IIA is being prepared to support the Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence consultation in October 2026.