Strategic Environmental Assessment – learning from practice

Front cover: Self-build eco homes at Ashley Vale, Bristol, by Jeff Morgan/Alamy Regd charity England & Wales no 207076, Scotland no SCO37654 270-0650-06-07 Printed on environmentally-friendly paper.

The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and

wildlife, helping to create a better world for us all. We belong to BirdLife

International, the global partnership of bird conservation organisations.

The RSPB

UK HeadquartersThe Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL Tel: 01767 680551

England

Central England Regional Office46 The Green, South Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 9AB Tel: 01295 253330

Eastern England Regional OfficeStalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1UD Tel: 01603 661662

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Westleigh Mews, Wakefield Road, Denby Dale, Huddersfield HD8 8QD Tel: 01484 861148

South East England Regional Office2nd Floor, Frederick House, 42 Frederick Place, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 4EA Tel: 01273 775333

South West England Regional OfficeKeble House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, Devon EX1 1NTTel: 01392 432691

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Headquarters, Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 7QT Tel: 028 9049 1547

Scotland

Scotland HeadquartersDunedin House, 25 Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3TP Tel: 0131 311 6500

East Scotland Regional Office, 10 Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1YP Tel: 01224 624824

North Scotland Regional OfficeEtive House, Beechwood Park, Inverness IV2 3BW Tel: 01463 715000

South and West Scotland Regional Office10 Park Quadrant, Glasgow G3 6BS Tel: 0141 331 0993

Wales

Wales HeadquartersSutherland House, Castlebridge, Cowbridge Road East, CardiffCF11 9AB Tel: 029 2035 3000

North Wales OfficeMaes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DWTel: 01248 363800

www.rspb.org.uk

Introduction

Those affected by the Directive havebeen on a steep learning curve,trying to understand the implicationsof the new laws for their activities. In many cases, effective SEA requireschanges to the way authorities setabout developing plans. In others,some of the actions required to fulfilthe SEA Directive already happenedpreviously on a more informal level,but the Directive requires that theseare formalised and that stakeholdersare specifically consulted on theenvironmental information.

The cultural change needed toembrace the full benefits of SEA isslowly starting to happen. The RSPBis keen to see that this happens morequickly. In the first two years after the Directive came into effect, someSEAs were carried out under tighttime constraints and others managedonly a superficial assessment of thepotential effects. Many started too lateto influence the plan’s development.

SEA and plan makingStrategic environmental assessment(SEA) is a tool used internationally to improve the environmentalperformance of plans1 so that theycan better contribute to sustainabledevelopment.

The introduction of the SEA Directive2

into UK law in 2004 required a majorchange in approach to the integrationof environmental issues into publicplan making. SEA predicts andevaluates the environmental impactsof plans and their alternatives at anearly stage in their preparation. Itidentifies improvements to plansthrough the involvement ofenvironmental experts and theparticipation of the public. When SEAis carried out effectively and isproperly taken into account bydecision-makers, the result should bea more robust plan that responds toenvironmental challenges andimproves people’s quality of life.

1 The term ‘plan’ is used in this booklet to mean any plan, programme or strategy within the scope of EU SEAlegislation, or national legislation where this is different.

2 Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment.European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (2001).

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Gradually, SEA practice is becomingmore pro-active. Some practitionersare starting early, using robustmethodologies based on morecomprehensive baseline data toidentify and evaluate environmentaleffects. They work closely alongsideplan makers to share informationwhen it can best inform the plan.There is still some way to go beforethis practice becomes the norm. Wehope the inspirational case studiespresented here will show how SEAcan be a beneficial and cost-effectiveprocess, which is already helpingpeople to produce moreenvironmentally-sustainable plans.

Why does the RSPB promote SEA?The RSPB strongly supports SEAbecause it presents a majoropportunity to address theenvironmental impacts of plansdeveloped for a huge variety ofsectors and at levels ranging fromUK-wide to individual developmentsites. Highly complex, cumulativeeffects such as climate change and

habitat loss can be more effectivelyaddressed in strategic plans than inthe context of individual projects. For example, SEA can collectbaseline data on carbon emissions,and provide a mechanism to helpensure progressive reductions incarbon emissions are achievedthrough plan implementation, in linewith Kyoto Protocol commitments.

In terms of biodiversity, SEA can:• help ensure biodiversity objectives

are built into plans. For example,

opportunities for habitat

enhancement that contribute to

Biodiversity Action Plan targets

can be investigated

• identify and evaluate alternatives

to proposals that may be better

for biodiversity

• present recommendations to avoid

and reduce identified impacts and

safeguard biodiversity.

Effective public consultation is alsoan essential component of SEA. Thepublic, including environmental non-governmental organisations such

as the RSPB, must be presented withthe opportunity to have their say onthe draft plan and SEA report nearthe end of the process. SEA alsoprovides an opportunity for thepublic to help influence plan makingat an earlier stage. By involvingpeople early in the SEA process,practitioners can benefit frompeople’s knowledge of their locality,the environmental problems thataffect them, and their ideas abouthow these problems can be solved. A scoping stage that integrates majorpublic concerns with the keytechnical issues identified, whileflagging up less significant issues forconsideration at lower tiers ofassessment, can help ensure anefficient and focused SEA.

The RSPB’s expertise in SEAThe RSPB has a strong national andinternational reputation forenvironmental assessment developedthrough our continued work in thisarea over the last 20 years. Throughour expertise, we have successfully

influenced the development ofenvironmental impact assessment(EIA) and SEA legislation at both EUand UK levels. Guidance produced to encourage high quality impactassessments has included A step by step guide to environmentalappraisal (1996, with BedfordshireCounty Council) and BiodiversityImpact (2000 report and leaflet) onthe treatment of biodiversity in EIA.Most recently, we were one ofseveral organisations that producedStrategic Environmental Assessmentand Biodiversity: Guidance forPractitioners (2004, co-funded withthe Countryside Council for Wales,English Nature and the EnvironmentAgency).

We are often asked to advise bodieson their environmental assessmentpractice and have organised severalmajor SEA events, including aseminar on implementing the SEADirective in the UK in 2002. We are regularly invited to givepresentations and training at eventsin the UK and elsewhere.

Consulting the RSPB The RSPB welcomes the opportunityto get involved early in SEAprocesses. We can advise on keybiodiversity issues and on generalgood practice. While our resourcesare limited, please do contact us todiscuss whether it is appropriate forus to be involved.

If you are carrying out an SEA thatrelates to a particular locality orregion, please contact the relevantRSPB regional office (addresses onback page) and ask to speak to aConservation Officer. Policy staffbased at the UK Headquartersgenerally deal with SEAs for planscovering the whole of the UK orEngland only. Policy staff based atthe relevant national headquarterslead on SEAs for plans in Scotland,Wales or Northern Ireland.

For more information on SEA and theRSPB, please contact Lisa Palframanat the RSPB UK Headquarters or e-mail lisa.palframan@rspb.org.uk

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The following case studiesdemonstrate, in our view, an aspectof SEA or sustainability appraisal(SA)2 that has been carried out to ahigh standard. As long as theseaspects form part of a high qualitySEA process and decision-makers arewilling to accept the SEA findings,this should help to ensure anenvironmentally-sound plan. Often,the studies show an innovative orunusual approach to an aspect ofSEA practice.

The SEA practitioners involved inthese case studies often seek to work closely with the plan-makers to find better alternatives to currentproposals, and investigateopportunities to avoid and reduceany negative environmental effectsthat could arise. The clearcommunication of assessmentfindings is also vital to their success,to ensure that recommendations to

The case studies

improve the sustainability of the planare adopted.

Many of the case studies involved apartnership between an authority anda consultancy. As authorities build upexpertise in SEA, it is likely that morewill lead their own work and manymay become self-sufficient.Consultancies will continue to offerdirect support, advice and training toorganisations with less experience.

At present, very few SEA processesare excellent in every aspect ofquality, sometimes for reasonsoutside the SEA practitioners’control. Given that SEA is a newrequirement for many of the plansfeatured and people are learningfrom experience, some case studiesreflect that situation. Inclusion of acase study does not imply that theRSPB endorses every aspect of theSEA illustrated.

2 SA is an appraisal of social, economic and environmental issues. It is required for Regional Spatial Strategies andnew or revised Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents produced in England. Peopleare encouraged to meet the SEA Directive’s requirements through carrying out an integrated SEA/SA process andproducing a joint report. Further information can be found in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now DCLG)2005 Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents and atwww.communities.gov.ukA

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Abingdon

CampdenCampden

Queen’s GateQueen’s Gate

CampdenCampden

Holland

Campden

Campden

Queen’s Gate

Abingdon

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Conservation Areas

Open Space Deficiency

Large Sites New 2006

Borough Grade 1

Borough Grade 2

Local Importance

Metropolitan Importance

Key

Site of NatureConservation Importance

Listed Building Grade

I

II

II*

Listed Building Grade

Noise Licenced Premises

Commerical Noise

Commerical Misc Noise

Commerical Street Noise

Miscellaneous Noise

Noise Unspecified

Street Noise

The Royal Borough ofKensington and Chelsea andScott Wilson ConsultancyTo prepare for the SA/SEA of theRoyal Borough of Kensington andChelsea’s Local DevelopmentFramework, Scott Wilson and theclient realised that a comprehensivespatial collection of baseline data wasvital. This would add value to thebackground data in the scopingreport, and for the actual assessment.A second volume to the scopingreport was developed, presenting aseries of maps that reinforcedbaseline information collected at theearliest stage of the SA/SEA.

It was realised that, while there isplenty of environmental informationon websites such as Nature on theMap (www.natureonthemap.org.uk)and Magic (www.magic.gov.uk), thereis much less social and economicinformation available. The strategyintegrated environmental informationwith that used in other studies, usinga GIS package. Other data were thengathered, including public transport

Use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in SEA

Comprehensivebaseline studies

accessibility levels, indices ofdeprivation, census data, air pollutionmodels, listed buildings, strategicviews, locations of GP surgeries andbus stops. GIS maps show variationsbetween wards and even streets.

This level of detail not only ensured a robust evidence base, but alsoallowed for the development of anassessment method that produced areplicable, transparent and flexibleway of assessing sites. This ensuredthat sufficient sustainabledevelopment information waspresented covering all elements ofSA (economic, social andenvironmental). A list of contacts wasdeveloped, which will help withbaseline information in the future.

Alex White, Scott Wilson

alex.white@scottwilson.com

An example of a GIS map used to provide a detailed baseline for this SEA/SARB

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SA/SEA of Dartford BoroughCouncil’s Local DevelopmentFramework (Enfusion)Enfusion was commissioned toundertake the SA/SEA of the LocalDevelopment Framework for DartfordBorough Council in the ThamesGateway, an area facing rapidenvironmental, social and economicchanges. The scale of sustainabilityissues required a novel approach.

Enfusion used a SustainabilityThreshold Assessment (STA)approach. It uses a colour scheme todetermine the effect of an option orpolicy on each SA objective. A redpolicy poses absolute constraints,orange considerable constraints,yellow indicates room forimprovement/ mitigation and lightgreen is positive. Dark green shows apolicy that would resolve an existingsustainability problem. Where animpact is uncertain or neutral, it iscoloured blue. A mediansustainability rating for each policy isthen determined based on theprevalence of colours.

Sustainability Threshold Assessment approach

Novel and effective communication of results

The approach has proved particularlyuseful in assessing options, as theoverall sustainability effect isimmediately visible. Summary tablescan be produced providing a visualindication of how well a policy hasperformed, without the need to score results numerically. Absoluteenvironmental constraints areinstantly recognisable too.

The approach has been used on theSA/SEA of the Core Strategy, SiteSpecific Allocations and Area ActionPlans, working equally well for alltypes of Local DevelopmentDocuments. The approach has helpedto focus the Council on the mainsustainability issues and cumulativeimpacts arising from their localdevelopment framework; inparticular, how best to meetchallenging growth targets in themost resource-efficient andsustainable manner, and how tobenefit existing communities in theface of rapid change.

Toney Hallahan, Enfusion

toney.hallahan@enfusion.co.uk

‘Sustainability Appraisalsare often full of tablesusing unintelligiblesymbols. Enfusion hasfocused on a user-friendlyassessment method. Theirtraffic light approachallows easy comparison ofpolicies and options. Ithighlights where policiesshould be amended tomake them moresustainable.’Adrian Gowan, Head of Policy,

Dartford Borough Council

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Sustainability Appraisal(incorporating SEA) of the South KilburnSupplementary PlanningDocument (London Boroughof Brent/CollingwoodEnvironmental Planning)The South Kilburn regeneration area occupies 48 hectares in thesouth-eastern corner of the LondonBorough of Brent. The objective ofthe South Kilburn SupplementaryPlanning Document (SPD) is toensure long-term physical, social and environmental regeneration byestablishing the principles andparameters to guide futuredevelopment and enable the overallvision for South Kilburn to berealised. The SPD follows on from aMasterplan for the area prepared byBrent Council and South Kilburn NewDeal for Communities in 2004.

As part of preparing the draft SPD, a Sustainability Appraisal (SA)incorporating SEA was undertakenbetween October 2004 and January

2005, in advance of the formalconsultation on the draft SPD and its SA Report. The timescale forundertaking the SA was very tight,driven partly by the introduction ofthe new planning regime and theneed to secure a mechanism fordelivering the regeneration.

As it was a strategic appraisal, the SAdid not consider each developmentsite in detail, but focused onappraising the principles set out inthe SPD, such as land use and designand development principles. Itproposed mitigation measures andrecommendations on how theprinciples could be improved andconditions added to the planningrequirements and implementation ofany planning permissions. Theappraisal of the principles was aniterative process and the proposedmitigation measures andrecommendations were incorporated,where considered appropriate, inrevisions of the draft SPD.

The SA made specificrecommendations relating to the

Improving regeneration through Sustainability Appraisal

Effective tiering of SEA and EIA

need for, and scope of, more detailedassessments, including anEnvironmental Impact Assessment(EIA), to be undertaken at thesubsequent outline planningapplication stage for the Masterplanand individual site-specificapplications. This provides animportant ‘bridge’ between the SAand subsequent EIA(s).

In addition to the tight timescale, animportant limitation on the SA wasthe need to retrospectively consideralternatives because the Masterplanwas developed over several yearsprior to the introduction of theSA/SEA requirements. This meantthat a range of options had beenconsidered, assessed and debatedwith the local community and otherstakeholders prior to the preparationof the draft SPD, which consequentlyseeks to implement the preferredoption as presented in theMasterplan. The SA therefore couldonly appraise the optionsretrospectively, rather than as theywere developed.

South Kilburn does, however,illustrate the potential for effectivetiering between SA/SEA and EIA,even where both assessments relateto the same physical area. The SAalso helped secure key enhancementand mitigation measures within theSPD.

Ric Eales, Collingwood

Environmental Planning

r.eales@cep.co.uk

‘The comprehensiveSustainability Appraisalresulted in real changesand clear improvements tothe SPD.’Dave Carroll, Head of Policy and

Projects, Brent Council

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Humber Flood RiskManagement StrategyThe scoping stage in SEA is anopportunity to identify keyenvironmental issues, so they can be assessed in detail during thefollowing stages. SEA objectivesshould reflect both technical issuesand wider concerns. Scopingsometimes results in a long list ofpotential SEA objectives, some ofwhich may not be immediatelyrelevant to the plan. Yet, if they areignored, the SEA may be criticisedfor missing out important issues.

The Environment Agency used anovel method of tackling this issuefor the SEA of the Humber EstuaryFlood Defence Strategy. SEA playedan important role in the overalldecision framework, which helpedidentify the most sustainable solution.

The Environment Agency set twotypes of SEA objectives. There were‘appraisal’ objectives, produced usingthe results of earlier assessment

Focusing on strategic issues and integrating stakeholder views

work, consultation with stakeholdersand professional judgement. A set of‘aspirational’ objectives was alsocompiled, reflecting the Agency’sgoals, policies and objectives, andthose of other parties.

Not all of the aspirational objectiveswere significant at the strategic level.However, they will guide theAgency’s work in the Humber andduring implementation of thestrategy when a more detailed EIAwill be needed for each of the capitalscheme projects. They were also usedas an additional test of the overallperformance of the strategy and itscontribution to the Agency’s vision.

This approach helped focus theassessment on the most significantissues, actively recognising otherimportant issues and demonstratingwhere these would be moreappropriately addressed at otherlevels of assessment.

Jo Murphy, Environment Agency

Joanne.Murphy@environment-

agency.gov.uk

A comparison of the twotypes of objectivesAppraisalKey issue addressed by the SEA

at strategy level.

• Protection of people, property

and infrastructure.

• Protection and enhancement of a

European site.

• Port and navigation activities

(geomorphology).

AspirationalIssues identified as ‘non-strategic'

but still important.

• Risks of unknown archaeology

and contamination.

• Detail of protected species.

• Local landowner concerns and

aspirations.

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Scottish Marine RenewablesSEA (Scottish Executive,Faber Maunsell and Metoc)The Scottish Executive commissionedthis SEA to assess the environmentaleffects of harnessing up to 10% ofScotland’s electricity generationneeds from marine renewable energysources by 2020. It will also helpdevelop renewables policy andprovide information to helpdevelopers with individual projects.

The potential for energy generationwithin the study area (west coast ofScotland, the Pentland Firth, Orkneyand Shetland) is considerable. Newtechnologies are being developed toconvert waves and tides into energy.Some devices float, while others lieon the sea floor or are completely orpartially submerged. Individual andcumulative environmental impactsare being assessed. Relevantenvironmental issues, ranging frommarine mammals to diving birds,fisheries, archaeology and the coastallandscape, are covered by the SEA.

Using a suite of methods to seek stakeholder input

Effective consultation

An SEA steering group wasestablished, consisting of a range ofinterest groups including the RSPB.The group has provided valuableadvice on all aspects of the SEA,including its scope, assessmentmethods and the need for additionalstudies, such as the potentialcollision risk to birds. Workshopshave been held and a website(www.seaenergyscotland.co.uk) hasbeen established. The consultationproposed for the environmentalreport, published in March 2007, willseek a wide range of opinions bytargeting environmentalorganisations, developers and thepublic. An exhibition will travelthroughout the study area to seek theopinions of the communities whomay be most affected.

The SEA will help ensure that futureplanning for marine renewables takes account of all environmentalinformation, as well as the views ofthe public and other stakeholders.

Iain Bell, Faber Maunsell

Iain.bell@fabermaunsell.com

‘The aim is to integrateenvironmental issues intothe formulation of marinerenewable energy policy.The SEA provides astarting point for thefuture planning of marinerenewable energy projectsin Scotland and theinvolvement of theSteering Group and widerconsultations are a keypart of this process.’Scottish Executive

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Using SEA to facilitate interdisciplinary working

Working together

SEA of BuckinghamshireCounty Council LocalTransport Plan 2006–2011(Buckinghamshire CountyCouncil/Centre forSustainability (C4S) at TRL)The Buckinghamshire County CouncilLocal Transport Plan (LTP) 2006–2011sets out the Council’s strategy, visionand implementation programme forall forms of transport. It includesproposals for 15 major transportschemes, including public transportand road link improvements.

After the production of the scopingreport, C4S were commissioned towork at the Council offices alongsidethe transport planning team, co-ordinating the assessmentactivities and producing theEnvironmental Report. Theenvironmental performance of theplan was enhanced by others in theCouncil, including the CountyArchaeologist, and the biodiversityand landscape teams.

With the LTP proposing a lot of majorschemes, the GIS facility, which hadoriginally been used to provide theenvironmental context to the SEA,was used to identify conflicts andsynergies. A variety of biodiversity,landscape, heritage and socialdatasets were used. Some potentialadverse impacts relating to heritageand landscape resources wereidentified using the GIS, as werepositive effects relating to improvedaccess for deprived neighbourhoods.

Several features of this SEAcontributed to a thoroughunderstanding of the potentialsustainability impacts of the LTP, inparticular the detailed discussionswith other departments and the GISassessment. The SEA team presentedmitigation and enhancementmeasures in the environmentalreport. Many of these have beenadopted, and therefore the SEAprocess has helped to greatlyimprove the sustainability of the LTP.

Rob Gardner, C4S

rgardner@trl.co.uk

‘The SEA objectives arebeing recognised by ourActions Audit for the lifeof LTP2 and will beincorporated into ourScheme AssessmentMatrix, which will help toprioritise proposedtransport schemes thatadhere to the SEAobjectives and also help toidentify and then improveproposed transportschemes which do not.’Buckinghamshire County Council

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SA/SEA of the Yorkshire andHumber draft RegionalSpatial Strategy (RSS)(Yorkshire and HumberRegional Assembly/Levett-Therivel Consultants)Key sustainability issues that the RSStries to deal with are socialinequalities, the social andenvironmental impacts of changinglifestyle and transport patterns, theregion’s relatively low economicprosperity compared with otherEnglish regions, climate change,declining population, water demandversus supply, waste production, anageing population and changes to the landscape.

Most of the SA/SEA work was carriedout by consultants Levett-Theriveland Halcrow/EDAW, withconsiderable input from YorkshireFutures, and invaluable feedback andadvice from a steering group.

The SA/SEA involved three formalassessment rounds: of a strategic

vision and two drafts of the RSS. Inaddition, several informal, rapidbullet-point type assessment rounds(one to two days) were carried out toinform planners about the impacts ofdraft policies in virtually real time.

The SA/SEA report documents how ithelped to influence the RSS:

• The SA/SEA’s comparison of three

alternative RSS visions influenced

the decision to place more

emphasis in the RSS on social and

environmental factors.

• It led to a more consistent

approach and greater priority

throughout the RSS on reducing

the need to travel, projects of

regional significance, and

protection of green belts.

• It led to clearer support in policies

for peripheral areas of the region

for small-scale and innovative

diversification of the economy.

• It influenced individual sections of

the RSS. For example, in Leeds, it

led to greater emphasis on

regeneration of existing built-up

areas rather than peripheral

spread, the development of ideas

about complementary roles for

major settlements, and better

consideration of how economic

growth can be more sustainable.

• It was a factor leading to more

work being commissioned on the

relationship between housing and

economic success in the region.

• The SEA/SA will be used by the

Region’s Sustainable Development

Board to review the impact of the

RSS as it is implemented.

Planning timescales were an ongoingproblem: the planners were underpressure to get the RSS out quickly,and the SA/SEA struggled to keep up.This may be an issue for many RSSsand LDDs, but can be managed byeffective communication between theplanning and SEA teams.

Riki Therivel, Levett-Therivel

Riki@levett-therivel.fsworld.co.uk

SEA for regional planning

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South Hams District Council SA/SEA of LDF(including Sherford New Community AreaAction Plan) Enfusion is undertaking the SA/SEAwork on the South Hams LDF,including the Area Action Plan (AAP)for the Sherford New Community.The project illustrates how theSA/SEA process can assist in theimplementation of cutting edgesustainable design and construction.

Sherford is a new mixed-usecommunity proposed for the edge ofPlymouth, which will have 5,500homes by 2026. From an early stage,the South Hams District Council set avery clear vision for the project andin particular the achievement of anexemplar approach to social,economic and environmentalsustainability. The SA/SEA was seenas a key tool to ensure the delivery ofthe vision and its recommendationswere given a high priority by theCouncil. The involvement of the

Prince’s Foundation for the BuiltEnvironment in facilitating Enquiry by Design events also helpedstakeholders to achieve a holisticapproach to the planning and designof the new community.

The SA/SEA has significantlystrengthened the Area Action Plan,particularly with regard to settingbest practice sustainability targetsand ensuring a sound approach tosustainability issues. Of particularnote, the following SA/SEArecommendations were adopted inthe AAP:• quantitative targets for energy

conservation and CO2 reductions

in buildings

• commitment to a target of 50% of

the development’s energy

requirements being provided by

on-site renewable energy

generation, including the

promotion of a wind power

proposal within the Community

Park

• the inclusion of requirements for

water conservation measures

within the development

• waste recycling measures

• policy requirements for

development densities

• principles for ‘designing out’

crime

• ensuring a strategy for

biodiversity is required for the

development.

Other sustainability measures includepolicies that promote a modal shift tomore sustainable transportation andrequire high quality compact design,with neighbourhood centresproviding for daily needs. Phasingwill ensure retailing, employment,community facilities andinfrastructure are provided inadvance of residents’ needs toengender sustainable patterns oftravel and to promote communitydevelopment and identity. Furtherpolicies require 50% affordablehousing and the early delivery ofemployment opportunities anddesign requirements to respond toclimate change.

The master planning and design forthe Community is currentlyunderway, with cutting edgesustainable construction and designpractices being adopted bydevelopers in order to comply withthe targets contained in the emergingAAP. At the time of writing, the AAP has reached the submissionstage, with its Examination due inJanuary 2007.

Barbara Carroll, Enfusion

barbara.carroll@enfusion.co.uk

Creating sustainable new communities

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SEA of the Army SuperGarrison Proposals (DefenceEstates/Army InfrastructureOrganisation/Entec UK)Defence Estates, using Entecguidance, determined that SEAshould be undertaken on the ‘ArmySuper Garrison’ proposal. Thisproposal would concentrate theBritish Army into fewer, largercommunities throughout the UK.

For the SEA to be effective, themethodology devised needed to beboth robust and comprehensive. Inparticular, it would need to fullyengage the customers throughout theprocess in order to respond to theunique set of circumstances in whichthe SEA was being undertaken.

Challenges arose, owing to:• commencing the SEA early in the

development of the Army Super

Garrison proposal, when it was

broadly conceptual and strategic

• the SEA being the first undertaken

by Defence Estates on behalf of

the Army within the Ministry of

Defence

• the proposals being UK-wide and

involving statutory consultees

from England, Northern Ireland,

Scotland and Wales.

Consultation on the Stage A scopingreport closed in November 2006 andthe assessment of effects has begun.The approach taken by DefenceEstates and Entec emphasisescollaborative working, which helpsensure that the SEA is integratedeffectively throughout developmentof the proposals. This approach willalso develop the customer’s capacityto manage further assessments forthemselves in the future.

The proposal has benefited fromearly engagement with a wide rangeof military and external consultees,who have provided valuable input.This will help ensure that remainingstages of the SEA will progress withbuy-in from these key groups.

Phill Minas, Entec UK

phillip.minas@entecuk.co.uk

‘Undertaking the SEA atthis early stage hasallowed us to incorporatesustainable developmentconsiderations into theSuper Garrison proposalfrom the start, helping toensure that subsequentdevelopments deliver theMOD’s sustainabledevelopment targets.’Dr Sue Jordan, Defence Estates

SEA in the defence sector

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SEA toolkit: ThurrockCouncil and Scott Wilson Thurrock Council wanted to applySEA techniques to plans that did notnecessarily require SEA. Scott Wilsoncreated an SEA toolkit for ThurrockCouncil to facilitate this approach.

The toolkit was designed to be easilyunderstandable. It is split into threesections:

1 the requirements of the SEA

Directive and legal provisions with

regard to content and consultation

2 ‘topic papers’ for each topic that is

included in the SEA Directive

(Annex I (f)).These covered the

scoping stage for each of the

topics for Thurrock, giving not only

a comprehensive background to

the baseline and a policy context,

but also SEA Objectives based on

those adopted for the SA of

Thurrock’s LDF

3 instructions on how to carry out

assessments of the plans, with

assessment matrix templates and

advice provided.

Embedding SEAinto organisations

This toolkit approach has beenwelcomed across the Council, beingapproved for use by variouscorporate sectors. It will providevalue across the Council’s operationsand raise awareness of the SEADirective and the sustainabilityagenda, embedding it into everydayactivities and plan making. Internalstaff carrying out SEAs will buildcapacity and institutional knowledgewith regard to sustainability. Thedistribution of technical informationto Council staff will ensurecomprehensiveness and will enabledata to be updated regularly. Finally,the adoption of the toolkit for use onnon-statutory plans and programmeswill ensure that Thurrock Councilprovides an example of best practicewith regard to sustainabledevelopment.

Alex White, Scott Wilson

Alex.white@scottwilson.com

Creating tools to support widespread practice 28

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Aberdeenshire Council,Aberdeen City Council andScottish EnterpriseGrampianAberdeenshire Council, AberdeenCity Council and Scottish EnterpriseGrampian have developed apartnership strategy for sharing theexpertise, cost and resources neededto undertake SEA. They have set up aproject which aims to develop aninnovative approach to funding,disseminating best practice,promoting consistency andcontrolling quality in the SEAprocess. It also seeks to develop in-house expertise; develop a cultureof integrating SEA as part of the plan making processes; effectivelymanage the SEA processes; promotegood practice and make long-termcost savings.

To achieve these aims, a co-ordinatorwas employed by all three bodies, to:

• champion SEA

• advise, train, and support officers

Management of SEA

• develop user-friendly guidance and

resources

• identify strategic actions requiring

SEA and ensure the need for SEA

is met.

The first year of the project focusedon awareness raising, basic trainingand development of resources. The second year is focusing on thedevelopment of professionalknowledge in SEA through experttraining and support. So far, over 100 officers have received training,eight guidance documents are in use,76 generic plans/programmes/strategies have been identified forSEA and the SEA officer is currentlysupporting about 10 others incarrying out SEA. Seniormanagement in all three authoritieshave been very supportive of thework undertaken. The partners,through an SEA steering group,monitor the delivery of the project. A user group made up of officersinvolved in SEA and chaired by theSEA officer will monitor quality.

The project highlights whatpartnerships can achieve in a shorttime. Modest investment in theproject has led to big returns inquality, capacity, understanding andhow things complement each other.Closer ties continue to be developedbetween partners. Finally, thedevelopment of in-house expertise isexpected to save the partners anestimated £1.5 million in consultancyfees over three years.

Joe Somevi, Aberdeen City Council/

Aberdeenshire Council/ Scottish

Enterprise Grampian

Joseph.somevi@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

West of Scotland SEA groupSEA practitioners and plannersworking in one region of Scotlandhave found an effective way ofsupporting each other and sharingexperiences. They set up the West ofScotland SEA group. The group hasbeen running for more than a yearand has around 15 regular membersfrom the region’s local authorities,who meet informally for half a dayevery three months. Initially thegroup consisted of SEA practitionersand planners, but now othersinvolved in SEA, such as biodiversityofficers, attend.

Each meeting involves discussionand debate (for example on possibleapproaches to SEA) and externalspeakers are often invited. Theattendance of representatives fromthe Consultation Authorities and SEAGateway (the Scottish Executive’scentral administrative body for SEA)provides a useful link between thesegroups and the responsibleauthorities. E-mail contact iscontinued between meetings.

Given that there may only be oneSEA officer in each authority, theopportunity to meet others has beenwelcomed by all the officers involved.The exchange of ideas andexperiences through a group like thishelps to raise expectations of whatSEA can achieve, gives people whoare starting out the opportunity tolearn from others and helps moreexperienced people share bestpractice. The group intends tocontinue meeting, potentially lessoften when SEA practice has becomeembedded in the work of localauthorities and people are familiarwith how to effectively carry out SEA.

SEA practitioners and planners allover the UK could successfully applythe West of Scotland SEA groupmodel to their own region,supporting each other as they get togrips with SEA and helping toimprove the quality of UK practice.

Antony McGuinness (Chair)

antony.mcguinness@

east-ayrshire.gov.uk

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Sharing best practice through training and networking 30

Preparation• In line with the aims of the SEA

Directive, ensure the assessment process gives a high level of protection to the environment and contributes to sustainable development. SEA should result ina more environmentally-sustainableplan. Review progress towards this goal at each stage.

• Start SEA at the earliest stage of plan making, to ensure issues are considered from the outset.

• Select a team that collectively has knowledge of SEA techniques, the plan sector and geographical area.While external consultants are advisable in some cases, balance this against the need to build up in-house capacity for future SEAs. A joint approach may be advisableas SEA capacity is being developed.

Undertaking the assessment• Arrange regular contact between

the SEA and plan making teams, to encourage informal exchange of

RSPB advice for goodquality SEA

information and emerging ideas. • Consult with interested parties

during the scoping stage of SEA. This helps build consensus on relevant environmental problems. Publish a scoping report.

• Involve professionals with relevantexpertise to help ensure issues areproperly assessed – for example, talk to ecologists to understand the biodiversity issues. Consider what other assessments may be needed at this stage or later (for example, appropriate assessment under the Habitats Directive).

• Evaluate the proposed alternatives.1

If no alternatives are presented by the plan makers, several should bedeveloped and evaluated as part ofSEA. These should include the‘most environmentally beneficial’alternatives. Ensure the level of detail and the assessment methodologies are appropriate to the nature and scale of the plan.

• Use the ‘Positive Planning’ approach to safeguard biodiversity

and other environmental assets. This means proposing methods to reduce likely adverse impacts at source, then mitigating impacts that cannot be reduced further, and finally compensating for residual impacts.

• Use the results of higher-tier SEA, where available, to inform the assessment, and make clear links with lower-tier SEA and/or EIA for resulting projects, as appropriate.

• If a ‘sustainability appraisal’ approach is used, aim to achieve sustainable development through integrating environmental, social and economic objectives and achieving a ‘win-win-win’ result.

• Where conflicts are identified between plan and environmental objectives, state the reasons and recommend how these conflictscan be avoided or resolved.

Using the results to informthe plan• The environmental report should

convey the key information simplyand concisely. The longest reports are not necessarily the best! Supporting detail can be publishedin a separate appendix if necessary.

• Present specific recommendations for improving the plan and indicate how they can be implemented.

• Write the environmental report in an impartial and open style. Produce a separate non-technical summary that can be easily understood by the public.

• Establish that the SEA process andreport have been carried out to a good standard. Use the SEAPractical Guide checklist2, and if possible arrange for an independent quality assurance check. This could be done by someone with SEA knowledge in arelated organisation – for example,for spatial plans, arrange to swap SEA reports with someone in a neighbouring local authority. Alternatively, the Institute for

Environmental Management and Assessment offers a review service.

• In producing the post-adoption statement accompanying the adopted plan, document and justify in full how environmental issues and consultee opinions were taken into account to finalisethe plan. Acknowledge political influences on the adopted plan.

ReferencesThe RSPB, English Nature, theEnvironment Agency and theCountryside Council for Wales havepublished Strategic environmentalassessment and biodiversity:guidance for practitioners (July2004). This is available fromwww.rspb.org.uk/policy/

planningpolicy

AcknowledgementsThe RSPB would like to thank allthose individuals and organisationswho supported this project by writingcase studies or making nominations.

1 See Dos and don’ts guide to generating and developing alternatives by CEP, Land Use Consultants, C4S, Levett-Therivel, Scott Wilson and Treweek Environmental Consultants. Available from www.levett-therivel.co.uk under SEA.

2 The checklist can be found in Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now DCLG), Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly Government and Department of Environment Northern Ireland(2005) A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive. DCLG, London. Available from www.communities.gov.uk

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