Strategic environmental assessment in action

Strategic environmental assessment

Riki Therivel

• What the SEA Directive requires

• What SEA can do

• DIY SEA!

SEA Directive

• Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment

• Agreed July 2001• Operational 21 July 2004

Objective of SEA Directive

“to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development” (Article 1)

• One implementing regulation per devolved administration

• Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (…) Regulations 2004

• … plus guidance

SEA applies to plans and programmes…that are required…and prepared by a formal authority…and have significant environmental effects…and that deal with certain sectors (agriculture,

forestry, land use etc.)and that set a framework for development consent

of projectsand that where begun after 21 July 2004or that where begun before 21 July 2004 but will

be adopted after 21 July 2006

SEA involves…1. Preparation of SEA reportDescription of planLinks to other plans and programmesBaseline environmentProblems/issuesAlternativesLikely significant environmental effects of planMitigation measures for adverse effectsMonitoring

Are planners used to doing this?

Other plan/ programme

Objectives or requirements of

the other plan or programme

How objectives and requirements might be taken on

boardPara 15 – The development plan and minerals

Plan should provide a clear guide to mineral operators and the public where mineral extraction is likely in principle to be acceptable and where not acceptable.

Specific sites would provide greatest certainty, then preferred areas, then areas of search. Include criteria based policies to make it clear under what circumstances mineral extraction is likely to be acceptable.

Links to other policies, plans etc.

BIODIVERSITY

Number and extent of designated sites

1 SAC; 17 SLA; 188 SINC; 10 SSSI; 3 LNR

Not an acknowledged indicator but shows extent of designated sites

Limited local

% of SSSIsin good condition

[See cell note] No source identified 58% (2000-2003) No target

identifiedNo data [Cannot assess]

Area of semi-natural woodland lost

No source identified on likely sites (Environment Agency Wales; Countryside Council for Wales)

No data [Cannot assess]

Decline in farmland bird species/population

No local data 52% in decline (1970-2000) 55% (1970-2000) Needs

actionGood

regional

Decline in woodland bird species/ population

No local data 27% in decline (1970-2000) 82% (1970-2000) Needs

actionGood

regional

Local biodiversity objectives and plans

Caerphilly BAP exists but is not online

Indicator cannot be compared meaningfully with data for broader areas

No action

Assumed to be OK as BAP has been created

No data

Needs further action to maintain trend and reverse decline, but situation in Wales (NB no local assessment) is better than in UK as a whole

By 2010, halt decline in species; reverse trend if possible (WA targets)

… and/or GIS maps of e.g.

• Floodplains• Designated sites• Accident hot

spots• Tranquil areas• Areas of

deprivation

Sustainability problem

Supporting evidence

SocialDover has the highest rate of house price growth in Kent over the last four years – 101% (Potential Effects of CTRL Domestic Proposals on the Dover Property Market, report by Cluttons November 2004)Land for housing may be too small to trigger Section 106 agreements on affordable housing provision (discussions with planners)Research suggests that 30% of new housing should be ‘affordable’ (Kent and Medway Structure Plan deposit draft)Faster journey times on the CTRL may lead to increased property prices in Dover (Integrated Kent Rail Franchise Train Service Specification)

Shortage of affordable housing

SEA topics

possible SEA/SA objectives (adapt to regional/local circumstances)

Population & human health

•protect & enhance human health proactively as well as reactively•reduce & prevent crime, reduce fear of crime•decrease noise & vibration

Water and soil

•limit water pollution to levels that do not damage natural systems•maintain water abstraction & recharge within carrying capacity•reduce contamination, & safeguard soil quality & quantity•minimize waste, then re-use or recover it

Social inclusive-ness

•improve everyone's access to skills & knowledge •make opportunities for culture, leisure & recreation available to all•redress inequalities related to, for instance: age, gender, disability

SEA objectives and indicatorsSEA framework (optional)

Assessment of option impacts

A1. provisional LTP

A2. ’promoting alternatives 2’

A3. demand management

AirWaterBiodiversitycountryside, historic land useaccessibility traffic, travelEnergyResource consumptionHealthcrime Employment

Assessment/mitigation of draft plan impactsSA/SEA objectives

WLP section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q

G1. Best Practicable Environmental Option

I I - I - I I I + - I I I I

BPEO essentially aims to minimise environmental costs. The policy’s consideration of long as well as short term impacts is good in terms of sustainability and intergenerational impacts. The preface suggests that facilities will be built on previously developed land, although this includes land outside built-up areas.Most of the impacts depend on implementation: on how the ‘overall balance’ is achieved. It is difficult to imagine a situation in which waste management facilities would not have an adverse effect on landscape and open space, even with mitigation measures in place.

Should developer specify costs and benefits, and should WLP specify criteria for this? Require EIA for all waste management facilities?

G2. Character

+ ++

++

++

++

++ I + + - I I +

+

This policy is a protective policy which aims to safeguard the character of the countryside and (to a lesser extent) townscape. It gives primacy to designated sites. This has indirect benefits to biodiversity, water quality, soil quality, and people’s amenity.It constrains where waste management facilities –including facilities for reuse and recycling – can be located. It could thus reduce opportunities for employment in the waste sector, though it would support employment in the tourism and other sectors that rely on West Sussex’s attractive landscape.

Does geological diversity take shape through different landscapes? Should the policy also refer to the distinctive character resulting from West Sussex’s varied geology?

comments and overall assessment (e.g. assumptions made, further studies needed, how implementation might make impact negative or positive)

possible changes to the plan:

SEA involves…2. Consultation

• Environmental authorities at scoping stage• Public, environmental authorities and other

affected Member States on draft plan and SEA report

SEA involves…3. Taking SEA report + consultation findings into account

• How environmental considerations were integrated into plan

• How SEA report and consultation results were taken into account

• Reason for choosing plan in light of other reasonable alternatives

SEA involves…4. Monitoring of the environmental effects of the plan or programme

What SEA can do

Trigger wider consideration of alternatives (Local Transport Plan)

BEFORE• 4 major schemes• £120m maintenance• £90m ‘integrated’

(traffic calming, walking, cycling, public transport)

AFTER• 4 v. 2 v. 0 schemes• + £90m/£120m split• different ‘integrated’

combinations

Identify preferred alternative (Regional Spatial Strategy)

Alternative A B C1. Good quality employment opportunities 0 ++ +

2. Conditions for business success 0 ++ +

3. Education & training opportunities

4. Conditions/services to engender good health - + +

5. Safety and security for people and property

6. Vibrant communities

7. Culture, heritage and leisure activities for all

8. Local needs met locally - ++ 0

9. Maximal access, minimal detrimental impacts -- 0 +

10. Quality built environment, efficient land use - + ++

11. Quality housing available to everyone. 0 +

12. Bio-diverse, attractive natural environment -- 0 ++

13. Minimal pollution levels - + +

14. … - + ++

Overall - + +

Suggest new solutions to problems (Local Development Framework: open space

provision)

BEFORE• improved recreational

provision at existing open space

• rooftop terraces• waterfront at docks• sailing etc. at docks

AFTER• also standards for

total open space provision

Improve wording of plan policies (Community Strategy: environment policies)

BEFORE• Increase the area of

green open spaces worked on in the borough

• Increase the number of hits on environmental website X by Y%

AFTER• Increase the public’s

satisfaction with the quality of open green space in their area

• Provide two environmental education events per year (increasing to six by 2010)

Plan structured and phrased more clearly (Area Action Framework)

BEFORE• no links between

main text and appendices

• some maps upside-down

• no statement about no. people expected to live in area

AFTER• links made

• maps oriented correctly

• statement about no. people made early in text

DIY SEA!

SEA topicPolicy

air land-scape

jobs equity (who wins, who loses)

P1

P2

Comments/changes to policy

+ positive impact- negative impactI depends on implementation0 no impact

P1 “Waste management facilities will be permitted in urban areas if they are compatible with neighbouring uses and can be accommodated without unacceptable harm to the community or the environment”

P2 “In town centres priority will be given to pedestrians and public transport. Appropriate comprehensive local policies for car parking and service areas will be sought.”