1.0 Introduction

1.1 The environment and the principles of sustainability are becoming increasingly important as pressures for development are ever increasing. The purpose of the planning process is to ensure that development occurs in the right place and at the right time and that it is sustainable. Therefore Development Plans are an important tool in ensuring that sustainable development is achieved.

1.2 In 1992 the Government introduced a requirement for Environmental Appraisals of Development Plans, the purpose of which was to ensure that environmental considerations are dealt with consistently throughout their preparation. In 1999 the Government's Planning Policy Guidance note 12 broadened this to recommend the production of an Environmental Appraisal to cover the broader sustainability issues.

"The same methodologies used for environmental appraisal can be developed to encompass social and economic issues." (PPG12, DETR, 1999).

New legislation is to be introduced in spring 2004 that is likely to formally require a Sustainability Appraisal for all Development Plans.

1.3 From July 2004 there will also be a requirement which derives from Directive 2001/42/EC by the European Parliament to produce a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) the objective of which is:

"to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development,"

This will apply to all statutory land use plans as well as other plans and programmes likely to have a significant effect on the environment.

1.4 In October 2002 the government issued draft guidance on the joint preparation of an Sustainability Appraisal / Strategic Environmental Assessment. The SEA is the tool used to ensure the development plan as far as possible is environmentally friendly and sustainable. The SEA/SA process has 2 main stages which are:

identifies the scope and level of detail of the SEA / SA

• Identify in relevant national, regional and local plans and programmes

Identifies describes and evaluates the likely significant effects of implementing a plan

• Screen policies and proposals for consistency with other relevant plans and programmes
• Assess the effect of policies and proposals against the objectives
• Propose appropriate mitigation measures
• Propose options for monitoring effects of the plan on the objectives of the SEA/SA