environmental assessment of neighbourhood plans

neighbourhood

planning

EnvironmentalAssessment of

Neighbourhood Plans

A guide for Wiltshire’s parishand town councils

March 2013

Contents1. Introduction ................................................................................................................1

2. An introduction to environmental and sustainability assessment .................................2

3. Undertaking an environmental assessment of your neighbourhood plan .....................5

4. Stage A – Scoping the issues .......................................................................................7

5. Stage B – Assessing the effects of your neighbourhood plan and alternative options ....................................................................................................13

6. Stage C – Preparing an Environmental Report ...........................................................20

7. Stage D – Consulting on your draft neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report and submitting to Wiltshire Council ........................................22

8. Stage E – Monitoring the signifi cant effects of your neighbourhood plan ..................25

9. Further sources of advice and guidance on the assessment of neighbourhood plans ................................................................................................27

Appendix A – Requirements of the SEA Directive............................................................29

Appendix B – Wiltshire Council’s Sustainability Appraisal Framework ..............................32

1

1. IntroductionThis step-by-step guide has been produced by Wiltshire Council to help you carry out an assessment of the environmental (and sustainability) impacts of your neighbourhood plan.

Establishing whether a neighbourhood plan requires an environmental assessment is an important legal requirement and should form an integral part of the neighbourhood planning preparation process.

Wiltshire Council will determine whether you should undertake an environmental assessment of your neighbourhood plan. If an assessment is required this should take place from the outset when the fi rst initial work is carried out on a neighbourhood plan i.e. when developing your objectives, priorities and vision.

In addition to considering the need for an environmental assessment, although not a legal requirement, it is good practice to consider the social and economic effects of your neighbourhood plan. This will help to ensure that your neighbourhood plan contributes to the achievement of sustainable development.

How to use this guide

Environmental assessment can be carried out in a series of straightforward stages and tasks. This guide has been divided into sections which explain the steps that need to be undertaken to ensure all legal requirements are fulfi lled. The main stages of the assessment process are:

Stage A Scoping the issues - setting the context and objectives for the ongoing assessment, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope.

Stage B Assessing the effects of your neighbourhood plan and alternative options.

Stage C Preparing an Environmental Report.

Stage D Consulting on your draft neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report.

Stage E Monitoring the signifi cant effects of your neighbourhood plan.

The information within this guide is based on guidance published by the government. That guidance provides further, more detailed information on how to undertake the assessments described in this guide and should also be consulted. Government guidance and other useful documents are detailed in Section 9 of this guide.

Wiltshire Council has also developed an online neighbourhood planning portal which contains useful information on the subject of neighbourhood planning, including where to go for advice and support and FAQs. This can be found online at: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning.htm

2

2. An introduction to environmental assessment and sustainability appraisalThe achievement of sustainable development is the core principle underpinning the planning system and is the main objective of the assessments covered in this guide. This guide focuses specifi cally on the need to consider and undertake Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as part of your neighbourhood plan; however, it also introduces the concept of Sustainability Appraisal (SA), which is not legally required for a neighbourhood plan but can be undertaken as part of an SEA, and the need to consider Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).

Strategic Environmental Assessment

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a way of ensuring the environmental implications of decisions are taken into account before the decisions are made. The need for environmental assessment of plans and programmes is set out in the EU Directive 2001/42/EC – known as the SEA Directive.

Wiltshire Council is legally required to determine whether your neighbourhood plan will require SEA. The SEA Directive makes SEA a mandatory requirement for:

a) plans which are prepared for town and country planning or land use and which set the framework for future development consent of projects listed in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive

or

b) plans which have been determined to require an assessment under the Habitats Directive.

However, the main determining factor as to whether SEA is required on your neighbourhood plan is if your plan is likely to have a signifi cant effect on the environment.

Wiltshire Council will determine whether your neighbourhood plan requires

It is recommended that

you discuss the need

for an assessment,

and the form it

should take, with your

neighbourhood plan

link offi cer at the start

of the neighbourhood

plan preparation process

to establish the type of

assessment that should

be carried out and how

this can be achieved.

Type of assessment What does this assessment involve?

Is this assessment required for our neighbourhood plan?

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

An assessment of the signifi cant environmental effects of the plan

To be determined by Wiltshire Council on a case-by-case basis. We anticipate that most neighbourhood plans in Wiltshire will require SEA

Sustainability Appraisal (SA)

An assessment of the signifi cant social, economic and environmental effects of the plan

Not legally required for neighbourhood plans. Can be undertaken as part of the SEA process by considering additional social and economic implications

Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)

An assessment of the signifi cant effects on European Sites protected under the Habitats Regulations

To be determined by Wiltshire Council on a case-by-case basis after screening for potential signifi cant effects on European Sites

3

SEA during the initial scoping stage of your neighbourhood plan when you are developing your plan objectives, priorities and vision (see process map in Section 3 of this guide). At this stage we will have a clearer picture of what you want your neighbourhood plan to deliver and based on that will be able to determine whether SEA is required.

We anticipate that most neighbourhood plans coming forward in Wiltshire will require an SEA to be undertaken, due to the anticipated geographical size and scope of the neighbourhood plans, and particularly if the neighbourhood plan is setting the framework for future development consent of projects. However, not every neighbourhood plan will need an environmental assessment of the complexity produced for the council’s Core Strategy. The detail and complexity of the assessment will depend on what is proposed in your neighbourhood plan.

The only likely scenarios where SEA will not be required for a neighbourhood plan is if the plan is only determining the use of a small area at local level or is a minor modifi cation to an existing plan of such small order that it is unlikely to have signifi cant environmental effects. In such cases, however, Wiltshire Council will still need to determine whether SEA is required.

If we determine that SEA is required on your neighbourhood plan you will need to follow Stages A – E as set out in this guide. Each of the stages discussed in this guide has a corresponding legal requirement (highlighted at the beginning of each section), and not fulfi lling that requirement will mean that your SEA is unlikely to be legally compliant. Therefore, we recommend that you carry out all of the steps in this guide.

Sustainability Appraisal

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) differs from SEA in that it considers not just the environmental effects of a plan, but the wider social and economic effects also. SA is not legally required for neighbourhood plans. However if you are undertaking an SEA of your neighbourhood plan (i.e. looking at the environmental effects) then you could also consider the social and economic effects too as part of the same assessment process.

Considering social and economic effects alongside environmental ones is likely to lead to a more balanced and sustainable plan and one which is more likely to meet the needs of a wider cross-section of the local community. The actual amount of additional work involved in producing a SA can be minimal as you will follow the same stages and tasks set out in Section 3 of this guide.

The Wiltshire Core Strategy is accompanied by a SA report which has helped shape the policies within it. Consulting this document can help you with your own neighbourhood plan assessment work. Details of where the Core Strategy SA can be viewed and downloaded are given in Section 9 of this guide. The topic areas and objectives contained within the SA report are outlined in Appendix B of this guide.

It is important to

remember that SEAs are

sometimes used as a way

of legally challenging a

plan – so it is important

to make sure that your

SEA is legally adequate

to reduce the possibility

of challenge.

“Considering social

and economic

effects alongside

environmental ones

is likely to lead to a

more balanced and

sustainable plan and

one which is more

likely to meet the

needs of a wider cross-

section of the local

community.”

4

Habitats Regulations Assessment

European sites (also known as Natura 2000 sites) recognised under the EU Habitats Directive, consist of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Offshore Marine Sites (OMS). There are several SACs and SPAs in Wiltshire and the purpose of Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is to ensure that a plan will not result in signifi cant damage to these protected wildlife sites. If it is decided that an HRA may be required, it is advised that a qualifi ed consultant ecologist carries out this work, since this requires technical skills and knowledge. The HRA fi ndings should then be taken into account and referred to in the environmental assessment of your plan.

If your neighbourhood plan area includes, is close to or may lead to adverse effects on a wildlife site that has been designated under the EU Habitats Directive, your neighbourhood plan may need to be subject to an HRA. It should be noted that development can affect designated sites a considerable distance away (up to 15km).

The Wiltshire Core Strategy is accompanied by an HRA Report (details in Section 9 of this guide). This contains a thorough assessment of all the Core Strategy policies, including the community area policies, and outlines the potential effects on European sites.

If what you are planning falls outside the scope of the relevant Core Strategy community area policy e.g. additional retail / housing / employment, other types of development, or other types of policies etc, an HRA assessment may be required.

You can fi nd out whether Habitats Regulations Assessment will apply to your neighbourhood plan by speaking to your neighbourhood plan link offi cer at the start of the neighbourhood plan process.

5

3. Undertaking an environmental assessment of your neighbourhood planThe SEA process, introduced in Section 2 of this guide, should inform the preparation of your neighbourhood plan from the outset. However, it does not need to be a complex process and does not need to be done in any more detail, or using more resources, than is useful for its purpose.

The SEA should only focus on the signifi cant environmental effects of your neighbourhood plan and only consider alternatives that take into account the objectives and geographical scope of the document.

You may be able to undertake the assessment without the need for external consultants, as long as the requirement for one is recognised early in the process and built into your work programme. We suggest appointing someone in your steering group who can co-ordinate and oversee the assessment work and who can ensure it is integrated with your neighbourhood plan.

Wiltshire Council recommends that the assessment process is carried out in a series of straightforward stages and tasks which follows the offi cial SEA guidance. Each stage corresponds with a particular stage1 in the development of your neighbourhood plan, shown on the following process diagram. Each stage and task is explained in more detail in subsequent sections of this guide. If you are viewing this electronically, click on the relevant orange box in the diagram and it will take you to that section.

1 For further information on the neighbourhood planning stages shown on the diagram, look at the council’s neighbourhood planning portal www.wiltshire.gov.uk/neigh-bourhoodplanning.htm.

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which fulfi ls the legal

requirements and

which benefi ts the

preparation of your

neighbourhood plan.

Your neighbourhood

plan link offi cer can

advise on this during

the assessment process.

6

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7

4. Stage A – Scoping the issuesSetting the context and objectives for the ongoing assessment, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope

What is the purpose of this stage?

Often referred to as ‘scoping’, this initial stage requires you to gather evidence about what is happening in your neighbourhood plan area. This evidence informs the environmental assessment and is different from your neighbourhood plan. However, it uses information that you will already be compiling for your neighbourhood plan.

This is your opportunity to look at existing policies and plans that infl uence your neighbourhood plan, establish what the trends are in your area e.g. what things are improving and what things are getting worse, and identifying, with the help of the local community, what the key issues are for your area. For instance, there might be a shortage of affordable housing but the local schools are performing particularly well.

When should this be undertaken?

It is advisable to begin the scoping work as you begin to think about your vision and objectives for the neighbourhood plan. If your objectives indicate that a neighbourhood plan approach should be pursued, a Scoping Report should be compiled before you start work drafting your neighbourhood plan.

What are the outcomes of this stage?

• A ‘Scoping Report’ which includes a set of SEA objectives.

There is a legal requirement to consult English Heritage, Environment Agency and Natural England on this information and this is explained later in this section. Other stakeholders and those likely to be affected by your plan should also be consulted.

Key stages

Identify policies, plans/programmes and environmental protection objectives which are relevant to your neighbourhood plan

Collect baseline information relevant to your neighbourhood plan

Identify environmental problems and other key sustainability issues

Develop your assessment objectives

Consult on your ‘Scoping Report’

8

Task A1: Identifying relevant policies, plans and programmes and environmental protection objectivesDuring this stage you are required to identify and consider policies, plans and programmes which are relevant to your neighbourhood plan area. You must also take into account any environmental protection objectives which are relevant to your plan. These may be laid down in government or local authority policies (e.g. to protect a particular habitat for biodiversity reasons).

Plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives that you should consider will mainly be local (parish/town/area) documents which may include:

• Parish/Town plans

• Joint Strategic Assessment (JSA) for your area

• Village design statements

• Community area plans

• Local feasibility studies

• Other local assessments e.g. transport, education, housing, landscape etc

Policies from the Wiltshire Core Strategy that are particularly relevant to your neighbourhood plan should also be summarised.

Wiltshire Council has already reviewed a signifi cant number of other plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives that are relevant to the Wiltshire Core Strategy and this is presented in the Wiltshire Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report. This work does not need to be carried out again. However, if some of these documents are also relevant to your neighbourhood plan you can include this information in your Scoping Report if you feel it adds value.

For each document reviewed you should provide the following:

• Name of policy/plan/programme/legislation

• Author

• Date of publication

• Brief summary of document

• Key objective/requirements/conclusions to be taken into consideration in your neighbourhood plan

• How the objectives might be considered in your neighbourhood plan

A1Documents to consider in task A1 include:

• Parish/Town plans

• Joint Strategic Assessment (JSA) for your area

• Village design statements

• Community area plans

• Local feasibility studies

• Conservation Area Appraisals/Management Plans

• Other local assessments

9

An example of how to present this information is shown in Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1: Review of documents of relevance to your neighbourhood plan

The fi nal part of task A1 is to summarise the document review. In particular, has the document review highlighted any key issues that your neighbourhood plan should focus on?

Task A2: Collecting baseline informationDuring this task you need to identify and record the current state and characteristics of your neighbourhood plan area and think about how this will evolve without your neighbourhood plan in place. In particular, you should think about the environmental characteristics of your neighbourhood plan area that relate to issues which can be tackled in your neighbourhood plan.

You should also identify any areas of environmental importance within your neighbourhood plan area and whether there are any existing environmental problems affecting these. Remember that much information regarding county-wide issues has already been documented in the Wiltshire Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report so you only need to focus on those areas of local concern in your area.

A2

EXAMPLEPlan/Programme/legislation Air Quality Strategy for Wiltshire 2011-2015

Author Wiltshire Council

Document date January 2010

Summary of document

Local authorities have a duty under the Environment Act 1995 to review and assess local air quality within their areas, against a set of health-based objectives for a number of specifi c air pollutants. The document provides an overview of air quality across Wiltshire and focuses on key areas where air quality could and should be improved. The purpose of the Strategy is to support the achievement of air quality objectives and to raise air quality as an issue for consideration within a wide range of local government and regional planning frameworks. Consideration of air quality objectives will hopefully help reduce the risk of the most serious health effects related to pollution.

Key objectives/requirements/conclusions to be taken into consideration in neighbourhood plan

The main aim of the strategy is that: ‘Wiltshire Council working collaboratively will seek to maintain the good air quality in the county and strive to deliver improvements in areas where air quality fails national objectives in order to protect public health and the environment’.

The strategy will seek to: Promote greater consistency across a range of policy areas for the achievement of improved local

air quality, including local spatial planning, transport planning, health, industry, housing and environmental protection, and to ensure air quality is addressed in a multi-disciplinary way within the different departments of Wiltshire Council;

Provide the framework for a consistent approach to addressing local air quality considerations in spatial planning and development control processes;

Provide a baseline framework for developing a coherent air quality policy across Wiltshire with particular reference to spatial and transport planning, and the proposed Local Development Framework, Core Strategy and third Local Transport Plan;

Provide a link to wider initiatives across the authority (for example climate change programmes, community initiatives and energy effi ciency programmes).

Build on existing practice.

How objectives and/or requirements might be considered in your neighbourhood plan

Planning documents should aim to help achieve the objectives of the air quality strategy through the development of policies that will improve air quality. Spatial planning has an important role in helping to improve air quality in Wiltshire through providing development in sustainable locations that will help reduce the need to travel and encourage use of sustainable transport modes.

Baseline information

should include the

key characteristics

and important trends

in your area and

a consideration of

how the area would

evolve without the

neighbourhood plan.

10

Baseline information can be both qualitative (open to interpretation) and quantitative (data that has numerical signifi cance) and can be presented in the form of text, indicators, maps, graphs etc. Much information will already be known or held by parish/town councils or can be supplied by the council.

The Wiltshire Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report presents baseline information under a number of sustainability themes. These themes cover the SEA topics listed to the left, but additionally include themes of an economic and social nature, as follows:

• Population and housing

• Healthy communities

• Inclusive communities

• Education and skills

• Transport

• Economy and enterprise

You can use similar themes for your own baseline analysis, focusing on the issues that are important in your neighbourhood plan area. It is important to make sure the topic areas required by the SEA Directive (see Section 2 and Appendix A) are covered in this baseline assessment. The themes listed above include wider social and economic considerations required in a sustainability appraisal.

Task A3: Identifying key issues and environmental problems in your areaCompleting Tasks A1 and A2 will allow you to identify key issues and environmental problems that can be reduced or resolved through your neighbourhood plan. These issues do not need to be precisely defi ned but they must be based on evidence related to the baseline information.

You are probably already aware of many issues or problems within your neighbourhood area; however others may be identifi ed using the baseline information collected in Task A2 and by consulting the local community, local groups and other key stakeholders.

An example of how to record the key issues facing your area is provided in fi gure 4.2.

SEA topics to consider:

• Biodiversity • Population • Human health• Fauna• Flora• Soil• Water• Air• Climatic factors• Material assets• Cultural heritage • Architectural and Archaeological Heritage • Landscape

A3Task A3 allows you

to identify key issues

and environmental

problems that can be

resolved through your

neighbourhood plan.

11

Figure 4.2: Recording key issues and environmental problems

Task A4: Developing SEA objectivesTask A4 is central to the assessment process. During this task you will use the information gathered in Tasks A1-A3 to develop a set of assessment objectives, sometimes referred to as the ‘sustainability framework’. The assessment objectives will help you assess the environmental effects of your neighbourhood plan and compare the effects of alternative options.

The SEA objectives do not necessarily have to be achievable, and may be aspirational in nature. These objectives are generally different to your neighbourhood plan objectives which will be developed as part of your neighbourhood plan preparation, however in some cases they may overlap. It is important to understand the difference between the SEA objectives, neighbourhood plan objectives and other external objectives. These are defi ned as:

Neighbourhood plan objectives: What the plan itself is intended or required to achieve.

External objectives: Targets or obligations laid down in law or policy which your neighbourhood plan must take into account e.g. Wiltshire Core Strategy policies.

SEA objectives: Developed during this task (Task A4). These are used as tests of sustainability or prompts for questions about sustainability. They can be used to compare the effects of alternative options.

The sustainability appraisal objectives (which include environmental objectives) developed as part of the Wiltshire Core Strategy, are outlined in Appendix B. Bear in mind, these objectives cover the wider social and economic elements required in a sustainability appraisal, and are relevant to the whole of Wiltshire. You can use these objectives for your neighbourhood plan SEA, or adapt them (recommended) to refl ect your own local issues and concerns.

Example SEA objectives could be:

• To meet the housing need of the local population.

• To protect open space and wildlife.

• To protect people and property from the risk of fl ooding

A4

EXAMPLESustainability topic

Issue/problem Source

Biodiversity There has been a signifi cant decline in the condition of SSSIs over the last 10 years.

Natural EnglandSEA baseline evidence

Water resources/ fl ood risk

There is an increased risk of fl ooding if development oc-curs in the fl oodplain of the River Avon and tributaries.

Environment Agency

Population and housing

The plan area contains some of the most deprived areas in the UK.

Index of Local Depriva-tion SEA baseline evidence

Transport There has been a 7% increase in HGV traffi c on local rural roads since 2001.

Core StrategyLocal traffi c surveys

SEA objectives are

a recognised way

of considering the

environmental

effects of a plan and

comparing the effects

of alternatives. They

serve a different

purpose from the

objectives of the

neighbourhood plan

but may in some cases

overlap with them.

12

Task A5: Consultation on the scope of the SEAThe work undertaken to complete Tasks A1-A4 should be recorded in a SEA ‘Scoping Report’ which is subject to consultation. Wiltshire Council can provide a template for this report but an example of how it could be structured is shown in Figure 4.3 below:

Figure 4.3: Example structure for a Scoping Report

You are legally required to consult Natural England, the Environment Agency and English Heritage (the statutory consultation bodies) on your scoping report. There is no requirement to consult other bodies or the public at this stage, but it is desirable and recommended to consult other parties who are involved with or likely to be affected by your neighbourhood plan. Consultation will help highlight any gaps in the report and may bring forward additional information which will help ensure you have covered all the issues for your area.

You should programme at least fi ve weeks for this consultation and it may be benefi cial to combine this with an initial informal consultation with local residents on your neighbourhood plan.

We recommend that you set out your SEA Scoping Report following the format of this guide i.e. using Tasks A1 – A5 as the title headers, and presenting the information as suggested in the previous sections. You can also look at the Wiltshire Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (details in Section 9) for an example of how to set out your Scoping Report.

A5EXAMPLEChapter 1: IntroductionExplain what this Scoping Report is and why it is required. Describe your neighbourhood plan, why you are developing it and what it aims to achieve.

Chapter 2: MethodologyExplain the tasks involved in compiling the Scoping Report and why/how these were carried out. Set out the structure of your report.

Chapter 3: Policy context and review of other relevant plans (Task A1)Give an introduction to this task and follow the guidance as outlined previously. Chapter 4: Presenting the baseline information (Task A2)Give an introduction to this task and follow the guidance as outlined previously.

Chapter 5: Presenting and describing the key sustainability issues (Task A3)Give an introduction to this task and follow the guidance as outlined previously.

Chapter 6: SEA framework of objectives (Task A4)List your SEA objectives.

Chapter 7: Consultation requirements (Task A5)Include a description of consultation requirements and what consultation may have already been undertaken.

Chapter 8: Next steps in your neighbourhood plan and SEA processExplain the next steps in the development of your neighbourhood plan and how the SEA will be integrated to help shape the document.

Natural England, the

Environment Agency

and English Heritage

must be consulted on

your Scoping Report

and it is recommended

that other parties who

are involved with or

likely to be affected by

your neighbourhood

plan are also consulted.

13

5. Stage B - Assessing the effects of your neighbourhood plan and alternative options


Once you have consulted on the ‘scope’ of your SEA you should use the SEA objectives to assess the effects of your neighbourhood plan and the different options which could be included within it (also known as alternatives). The purpose of this stage is to highlight the effects of different options in order to infl uence the options taken forward in the plan. If adverse effects are seen to be likely, possibilities for reducing or eliminating these must be considered.


The prediction and evaluation of effects should be carried out as your draft neighbourhood plan develops, helping to shape what elements are included in the draft plan. This should be an iterative process with the SEA infl uencing options in the plan.


• An assessment of the predicted environmental effects of implementing your neighbourhood plan and any reasonable alternatives.

Consideration of how any adverse effects can be mitigated or benefi ts maximised and a proposed set of measures to monitor the signifi cant effects of implementing your neighbourhood plan. The work undertaken during this stage will be presented in an Environmental Report outlined in Stage C.

Task B1: Testing your neighbourhood plan objectives against the SEA objectives

Once you have established your neighbourhood plan vision and objectives (as part of the neighbourhood plan preparation process) you can test these against the SEA objectives (that you developed in Stage A) to identify both potential synergies and inconsistencies. This exercise may help you refi ne your neighbourhood plan objectives and help you to develop more sustainable options for your neighbourhood plan.

Key stages

Assess the compatibility between your neighbourhood plan objectives and SEA objectives

Develop different alternatives, or options, for achieving the aims of your plan

Predict and evaluate the different effects of your plan, and alternatives to it

Consider ways to mitigate (reduce) any adverse effects predicted

Propose measures to monitor environmental effects during the implementation of your neighbourhood plan

B1Comparing objectives

can help you develop

more sustainable

options.

14

One way of presenting this comparison exercise is shown in fi gure 5.1. Where objectives are considered to be incompatible, you can make a record of why this is the case. For example, an SEA objective that promotes development on brownfi eld land may be incompatible with a neighbourhood plan objective that is promoting development of a greenfi eld site.

Figure 5.1: Comparison of neighbourhood plan vision and objectives with SEA objectives

Task B2: Developing and refi ning your neighbourhood plan alternative options

We appreciate that it can be tempting to launch straight into preparing your neighbourhood plan, especially if you already have a good idea what needs to happen to improve things in your area. However, there are often choices to be made and the SEA process set out in this guide can help you make them.

SEA requires you to consider different options, also known as ‘reasonable alternatives’ and this is already standard practice when developing planning policy. Options may be generated from ideas developed by the parish/town council, or from other consultation exercises that you may have held with the local community. If you have developed a vision and/or objectives, you should look at which options are most likely to achieve them. Only options that are reasonable and achievable need be considered.

The sort of options you want to consider will vary depending on the type of neighbourhood plan that you are preparing, for example whether it is general and broad-brush, or narrow and detailed. Options considered often also include scenarios termed ‘no plan’ or ‘business as usual’ which would compare the effects of the proposed neighbourhood plan with doing nothing or continuing with an existing plan. Examples of some other types of options include:

• The scale, type, mix and location of development (e.g. if a need for affordable housing has been identifi ed – where might it be located, how many houses or fl ats are needed, and should the scheme also include market housing, the provision of community facilities, space for businesses, and open space for recreation, play areas and wildlife).

• Alternative ways of using land that the local community has identifi ed as being appropriate for development or other uses such as open space, tree planting or environmental improvement.

B2Different options

should be considered

for fulfi lling the

neighbourhood

plan objectives. The

assessment of these

options should be

documented in the SEA

Report.

EXAMPLE Plan Objective 1 0 X

Plan Objective 2 X X

Plan Objective 3 X 0 0

Plan Objective 4 X 0 0

Plan Objective 5 etc X

SEA Objective 1 SEA Objective 2 SEA Objective 3 SEA Objective 4 SEA Objectives

compatible X incompatible 0 no links

Neighbourhoodplan objectives

15

• Different ‘conditions’ that might be applied to development, such as how development should look (its design), how transport issues should be incorporated, or what standards to include with respect to issues such as renewable energy, landscaping and the inclusion of waste and recycling facilities.

The sustainability framework (SEA objectives produced in Task A4) can be used to appraise each of the options developed during this task. It is important to note that the development and appraisal of options should be an iterative process with options being revised to take account of the appraisal fi ndings and also the views of stakeholders and local people.

Tasks B3 and B4: Predicting and evaluating the signifi cant effects of your neighbourhood plan

Once the options for your neighbourhood plan are established you will need to appraise them by deciding how each option is likely to perform against each of the SEA Objectives. During this task you will predict the effects of your neighbourhood plan options and evaluate how signifi cant those effects might be. Remember, you are only legally required to assess the likely signifi cant effects of the plan, not all possible effects.

Annex II2 of the SEA Directive sets out general criteria of signifi cance, however statutory consultees and other stakeholders that were involved in your scoping work will have informed views on the signifi cance of many of the potential effects, as will local people, and they can help provide information for this task.

Prediction of effects involves identifying what changes might occur to the sustainability baseline over time, so it is based on the baseline evidence collected in Stage A. These changes are then evaluated for their likely signifi cance, in terms of their probability, duration, frequency, geographical area and size of population likely to be affected. The value and vulnerability of certain areas and populations also affects the evaluation and the SEA Directive requires consideration of secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects.

When assessing the signifi cance of various options, it is common practice to use the symbols shown in fi gure 5.2 to show whether the option would have a positive or negative effect on each SEA Objective.

2 This is presented in the SEA Practical Guide document – details in Section 9 of this report

B3&

B4The development and

appraisal of options

should be an iterative

process with options

being revised to take

account of the appraisal

fi ndings and the views

of stakeholders and

local people.

16

Figure 5.2: Assessment of effects criteria

For example, if you think that an option that delivers 30 new affordable homes will meet all the housing need in your community, you may decide this is a signifi cant benefi t and give it two positives (+ +) against the SEA objective ‘to meet the housing need of the local population’. If, on the other hand, one of the options for locating the affordable housing would mean losing a substantial amount of green space, you may wish to give it two negatives (- -) against the SEA objective ‘to protect open space and wildlife’.

If there is likely to be no effect of an option against an SEA objective, you should include a zero (0) to show that you have thought about it but decided there would be no effect. If you are not sure whether the effect would be positive or negative, include a question mark (?).

During this task you should also evaluate the signifi cance of the effect in terms of probability, duration, frequency, geographical area and size of population likely to be affected. You should also consider the potential for secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects.

You can record the results of your assessment using the template in fi gure 5.3 or adapt the table to suit your own needs. Completed assessment tables can be placed in the appendices of your Environmental Report but a discussion of the main signifi cant effects should be presented in the main body of the report.

The point of the assessment is not just to fi ll in the template but to ensure that the option which is being assessed is as sustainable as possible. The development and appraisal of options should be an iterative process with options being revised to take account of the appraisal fi ndings and also the views of stakeholders and local people.

At this stage you can drop some options from further consideration and document the reasons for eliminating them. You will need to keep a record of any decisions made. Justifi cations for these decisions will need to be robust as they can affect decisions on development and could be challenged in the future.

Symbol Signifi cance of effect Description

++

signifi cant positive effect Option would have a signifi cant positive effect in its current form as it would help resolve an existing issue or maximise opportunities, leading to signifi cant benefi ts.

+ positive effect Option would have a positive effect.

? effects uncertain Effect of option is uncertain.

0 neutral effect Option would have a neutral effect.

- negative effect Option would have a negative effect.

-- signifi cant negative effect The option would have a signifi cant negative effect as it would substantially exacerbate existing problems with mitigation problematic. Consider rejecting option.

Note: assessment of some objectives for a given option may be considered to be positive or negative but with some uncertainties, in which case a symbol such as ‘+ / ?’ or ‘- / ?’ may be used.

“The point of the

assessment is not just

to fi ll in the template

but to ensure that

the option which is

being assessed is as

sustainable as possible.

The development and

appraisal of options

should be an iterative

process with options

being revised to take

account of the appraisal

fi ndings and the views

of stakeholders and

local people.”

17

Figure 5.3: An example of how to present the assessment of effects of neighbourhood plan options.

Ultimately, the signifi cance of an effect is a matter of judgment and should require no more than a clear and reasonable justifi cation. Conclusions on the overall sustainability of your neighbourhood plan, including alternative options, should be provided, as well as any assumptions used in making judgements about effects.

Task B5: Considering ways of mitigating adverse effects and maximising benefi cial effects

As part of the assessment of effects, there is a requirement to consider what are known as ‘mitigation measures’. These are measures that could prevent, reduce or offset any of the signifi cant effects of implementing your neighbourhood plan. Mitigation measures can include measures for the proactive avoidance of adverse effects as well as actions taken after effects are noticed. Mitigation measures may also include recommendations for improving benefi cial effects.

Mitigation can take a wide range of forms, including:

• changes to your neighbourhood plan as a whole, including making changes to options or adding/deleting options

• refi ning policies in order to improve the likelihood of benefi cial effects and to minimise adverse effects

B5

EXAMPLEOption 1: Deliver 30 affordable homes at...[insert location]

Key to table: T (Timescale) - Over what timescale are effects likely to occur? (Short Term, ST (0-5 years); Medium Term, MT (5-10 years); Long Term, LT (10+ years)) P (Permanence) - Are effects likely to be permanent or temporary? (Permanent, P; Temporary, T)G (Geographical area) - Over what geographical area are the effects likely to occur? (Local area, A; County wide, C; Cross border, B)L (Likelihood) - What is the likelihood or probability of effects occurring? (Likely, L; Unlikely, U)SEA objective Nature of

effect Assessment of effect Justifi cation and

evidenceSuggested mitiga-tion and enhance-ment measures

T P G L Sig.

1. To meet the housing needs of the local population.

Housing needs will be met in full.

MT R A L ++ There is evidence of local housing need and provision of 30 new affordable homes will meet identifi ed need.

None.

2.To protect open space and wildlife.

This option will lead to the loss of a large area of green space valued by local people.

LT I A L -- This option identi-fi es Site X for 30 new homes. This is a greenfi eld site used by local people for informal recreation and highly valued.

Consideration should be given to locating new homes on a dif-ferent site or signifi -cantly reducing the numbers of homes at Site X to reduce loss of green space.

Add other objectives from your SEA Framework.....eg landscape, heritage, air quality etc.

Mitigation measures

are measures that could

prevent, reduce or offset

any of the signifi cant

effects of implementing

your neighbourhood

plan. They may also

include recommendations

for increasing benefi cial

effects.

18

• technical measures to be applied during the implementation stage eg buffer zones, application of design principles.

More specifi c examples include:

• consideration of other development sites that would have fewer impacts

• increasing the proportion of affordable housing on a site

• introducing more stringent requirements to reduce effects on air quality or climate change

• considering higher quality design standards

• introducing measures to increase accessibility by walking/cycling/public transport.

The assessment table example (fi gure 5.3) includes a column where potential mitigation measures can be suggested.

Task B6: Proposing measures to monitor the signifi cant effects of implementing your neighbourhood plan

The SEA Directive requires plan-makers to monitor the signifi cant effects of their plans. Monitoring applies when the plan is being put into effect and in the years following, rather than during its preparation, but how monitoring will be done needs to be thought about early on and outlined in the Environmental Report. Monitoring is good practice to see whether or not your neighbourhood plan is achieving the results it was intended to achieve or if anything unexpected is occurring.

Monitoring allows the actual signifi cant effects of your neighbourhood plan to be tested against those predicted (in tasks B3 and B4). This will identify any unforeseen adverse effects and enable appropriate remedial action to be taken.

At this stage of plan preparation, it is only necessary to outline how monitoring might take place and to include some potential indicators to monitor local effects as your neighbourhood plan is implemented. The council’s Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Wiltshire Core Strategy outlines a potential monitoring programme and suggests potential monitoring indicators. However, for your neighbourhood plan, you only need to think about what local effects might require monitoring.

Depending on the proposals in your plan, indicators may include:

• changes in traffi c volumes due to new road or new development

• changes in vehicle speeds due to traffi c calming measures

• changes in participation levels at local community facilities

B6Monitoring applies

when the plan is being

put into effect and in

the years following,

rather than during its

preparation, but how

monitoring will be done

needs to be thought

about early on.

19

• changes in frequency of local bus services

• footfall in High St.

The following questions can help you to think about what might need to be monitored:

• Is the development proposed in your neighbourhood plan being built?

• Is the location of new development causing any problems e.g. pollution to a stream or traffi c congestion?

• Does the development look like it was intended to look?

• Is the development leading to any environmental thresholds being exceeded, for instance air quality standards or changes to designated habitats?

• Where the Environmental Report predicts that signifi cant adverse effects will happen, are they happening? If not, why was the prediction wrong?

• Is the development causing any unintended problems like congestion or noise?

• Are any outside changes happening that are affecting the plan and its impacts, for instance unexpected fl ooding, unexpected other projects such as a new road, or reorganisation of local schools?

Some of the monitoring of the effects of your neighbourhood plan will already be carried out by Wiltshire Council or at the national level. However, some impacts might warrant local level monitoring, and you may want to do this anyway to make sure that your neighbourhood plan works the way that you want it to. Where possible, existing monitoring information should be used to save money and ensure consistency with other plans’ monitoring arrangements e.g. monitoring arrangements for the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

“Some of the

monitoring of the

effects of your

neighbourhood plan

will already be carried

out by Wiltshire Council

or at the national

level. However, some

impacts might warrant

local level monitoring,

and you may want

to do this anyway to

make sure that your

neighbourhood plan

works the way that you

want it to.”

20

6. Stage C - Preparing an Environmental Report


To present information on the effects of the draft neighbourhood plan and the alternative options considered. The Environmental Report explains the process that was undertaken and why the policies in the draft plan were chosen in light of other options.


A draft Environmental Report will be compiled as your draft neighbourhood plan is written. Consultation requirements are outlined under Stage D.


• An Environmental Report that presents information compiled during Stage B of the SEA process.

This will accompany the draft plan during formal consultation.

The Environmental Report on your draft neighbourhood plan is a key part of the SEA process. It provides stakeholders and the public with information on the effects of the plan (and the options considered); this means the public is fully informed when they are consulted and are able to comment both on the plan and on what options were considered.

The Environmental Report tells the story of your neighbourhood plan; it explains why you made the choices that you did and how your plan evolved. It explains to people who have not been involved in the development of the plan, or to people who may not be happy with some aspects of the plan, why the plan looks the way it does. It is a buffer against legal challenge and should explain the options that were considered, how you took people’s views into account, why you chose the options that you did and how you fi ne-tuned the plan.

Once published, the Environmental Report should be consulted on alongside your draft neighbourhood plan (see Stage D for further information). It should include relevant information that may reasonably be required taking into account the information contained within your neighbourhood plan.

Key stages

Compile information from Stage B into an Environmental Report

Include a summary of the baseline information and key issues from Stage A

Present the assessment of alternative options considered and explain why certain ones were taken forward

Show how mitigation measures have been considered for adverse effects

Include information on how effects will be monitored

Write a non-technical summary

Consult on your Environmental Report

“The Environmental

Report on your draft

neighbourhood plan is

a key part of the SEA

process. It provides

stakeholders and the

public with information

on the effects of the

plan and ‘tells the story’

of why you made the

choices that you did and

how your plan evolved.”

21

An example of how the report could be structured is shown in fi gure 6.1:

Chapter 1: Introduction To include: • details of your neighbourhood plan - its aims and objectives, the plan area, the policy context and who has been involved in writing the plan • how the Environmental Report meets SEA Directive requirements • the structure of the report.

Chapter 2: Methodology To include: • the approach you took to carrying out the SEA • how you developed and refi ned the plan policies and alternative options • how you assessed effects and considered mitigation measures • problems that you faced in carrying out your SEA, including any assumptions made • details of consultation requirements.

Chapter 3: Summary of SEA context and objectives (SEA Stage A) To include: • introduction – details of the Scoping Report and consultation outcomes • summary of information from the Scoping Report i.e. plan review, baseline evidence, key issues • the SEA objectives.

Chapter 4: Assessment of neighbourhood plan policies and alternatives To include: • assessment of neighbourhood plan objectives • a summary of options assessed and what the predicted signifi cant effects are (include assessment tables in appendices) • details of any mitigation measures proposed and any resulting changes made to options • an explanation of why the preferred option was chosen over others.

Chapter 5: Monitoring arrangementsTo include: • introduction – what is monitoring and why is it required? • potential monitoring indicators and programme.

Chapter 6: Next steps To include: • an explanation that the draft Environmental Report will be published alongside your draft neighbourhood plan for the formal consultation period • an explanation that the results of the consultation will be reviewed which may require changes to your draft neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report.

Appendices To include:• framework of SEA objectives, including proposed monitoring indicators • assessment tables for assessment of effects of options• details of any consultation carried out on the Environmental Report.

A non-technical summary This is a short version of the information from the Environmental Report and should briefl y summarise the contents of it, including why and how it was carried out, the policies and options considered, the signifi cant effects and mitigation measures, consultation carried out and next steps.

Figure 6.1: How your environmental report could be structured

22

7. Stage D - Consulting on your draft neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report and submitting to Wiltshire Council


Consulting on the Environmental Report is a legal requirement. It gives stakeholders and the local community an early and effective opportunity to see what your plan is proposing. From the Environmental Report they will be able to see what options were considered and what the effects of these may be.

Informal consultation with different bodies and local people will have already helped shape your plan and SEA. However, at this stage the Environmental Report accompanies the draft neighbourhood plan for formal consultation before it is submitted to Wiltshire Council (see delivery stages 9 and 10 on process map in Section 3 of this guide).


A draft Environmental Report will be published for consultation alongside your draft neighbourhood plan at Stage 9 of the neighbourhood planning process and a fi nal Environmental Report will be submitted to Wiltshire Council alongside your neighbourhood plan at Stage 10, taking into account consultation comments received on both documents.


• Formal consultation on the draft neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report.

If consultation results in changes being made to the draft plan, the Environmental Report may need amending with further assessment of any changes. The neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report are then submitted to Wiltshire Council.

At this stage, you must publicise your draft neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report in a manner which is likely to bring the plan to the attention of people who live, work and undertake business in the neighbouring area. The SEA Directive not only requires you to consult the three statutory consultees (Natural England, Environment Agency and English Heritage) on the Environmental Report but also the public

Key stages

Formally consult on draft neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report

Consider consultation responses and make amendments to your neighbourhood plan where necessary – document any changes made to the plan and assess any signifi cant changes

Finalise and submit revised neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report to Wiltshire Council for further period of consultation

23

at this stage i.e. those people affected or likely to be affected, or having an interest in the issues raised in the Environmental Report.

We recommend that the following bodies are also formally consulted:

• Neighbouring parish and town councils

• Landowners and community organisations that will be affected by your neighbourhood plan

• Any other organisations that you have been working with or who may have an interest in your neighbourhood plan.

Further information on the consultation requirements for neighbourhood plans is available on Wiltshire Council’s neighbourhood planning portal website at:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning.htm

You should programme at least six weeks for this consultation.

Assessment of signifi cant changesHaving considered the responses to consultation, it may be necessary to make changes to your neighbourhood plan. If this is the case, you may need to carry out further assessment of these changes and to document this in a revised Environmental Report, if the changes are considered to be signifi cant. If changes are not considered signifi cant enough to warrant further assessment, a short explanation in the Environmental Report explaining the decision will suffi ce.

The Environmental Report should show how any consultation responses that relate to the SEA have been taken into account. These details could be presented in an Appendix to the report.

Finalising and submitting your neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report to Wiltshire CouncilFollowing any necessary changes, the fi nal versions of the neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report should be submitted to Wiltshire Council. As soon as possible after receiving the fi nal versions, Wiltshire Council will publicise the documents on the council website for a minimum six week period and arrange for independent examination. Any representations made during this period will be passed to the independent examiner.

At this stage you are

required to consult

Natural England,

Environment Agency

and English Heritage

on the Environmental

Report, as well as

the public i.e. those

people affected or

likely to be affected, or

having an interest in

the issues raised in the

Environmental Report.

“If changes are made

to your neighbourhood

plan as a result of

consultation, you may

need to carry out

further assessment

of these changes and

to document this in a

revised Environmental

Report.”

24

Decision making and providing informationOnce the neighbourhood plan is ‘made’ or brought into force by Wiltshire Council, a summary statement should be prepared outlining:

a) how consultation responses were taken into account, both on the neighbourhood plan and Environmental Report

b) how the fi ndings of the SEA were taken into account during the plan’s development

c) what changes were made to the neighbourhood plan as a result of the SEA, including the reasons for choosing the fi nal plan, in light of the other options considered.

25

8. Stage E - Monitoring the signifi cant effects of your neighbourhood plan


Monitoring allows the actual signifi cant environmental effects of implementing your neighbourhood plan to be tested against those that were predicted. It helps to ensure that any problems (or benefi ts) that arise from your plan, whether they were foreseen or not, can be identifi ed and dealt with.

Monitoring of effects can help with understanding local issues and how the neighbourhood plan is contributing to making things better or worse.


Monitoring will take place during the life of your plan as it is implemented.


• A monitoring programme that sets out how monitoring will take place.

Potential monitoring indicators outlined in the Environmental Report can be refi ned at this stage.

If adverse effects from plan implementation are noticed it may be necessary to undertake action to resolve issues with the help of Wiltshire Council.

This stage is undertaken after your neighbourhood plan has been adopted and is being put into effect. Monitoring is discussed earlier in this guide in Stage B and at this stage, previously proposed indicators can be monitored to gauge the effects of your plan. Wiltshire Council already carries out many monitoring duties within the spatial planning function and where possible, existing monitoring information should be used in the interests of effi ciency.

It is not necessary to monitor everything, or to monitor an effect indefi nitely. Instead, monitoring needs to be focused on signifi cant effects that are occurring as a result of your neighbourhood plan.

Key stages

Establish a monitoring programme which will assess the effects of your neighbourhood plan

Carry out monitoring in the years after the plan is adopted

Respond to any adverse effects through carrying out remedial action, where necessary

“It is not necessary to

monitor everything, or

to monitor an effect

indefi nitely. Instead,

monitoring needs

to be focused on

signifi cant effects that

are occurring as a result

of your neighbourhood

plan.”

26

When setting up a monitoring framework, the following questions can be asked:

1. What needs to be monitored?

2. What sort of information is required and how easy will it be to obtain this?

3. What are the existing sources of information?

4. What is Wiltshire Council already monitoring? Is additional local information needed?

5. What should be done if adverse effects are found?

6. Who will carry out the monitoring, when and how will it be reported?

An example of a template for presenting monitoring information is shown in fi gure 8.1:

Figure 8.1: Example of a template for monitoring effects of your neighbourhood plan

EXAMPLESEA objective What specifi c

effect is occurring?Monitoring indicator

Responsibility for monitoring and frequency

What remedial action could be taken?

To meet the housing needs of the local population.

There is still insuffi cient affordable housing to enable young people and families to stay in the village.

% affordable housing as part of new development.

Local authority/ annually

Discuss with local authority. Consider review and amendment of neighbourhood plan to require higher % affordable housing in future.

To protect open space and wildlife.

Loss of locally important open space to development.

% net change in local recreational open space within the neighbourhood plan area.

Local authority/ annually

Consider review and amendment of neighbourhood plan to give further protection to other sites in the village.

Reduce the need to travel and promote more sustainable transport choices.

Increased congestion on Victoria Road since enlargement of primary school.

% change in car numbers using Victoria Road.

Parish Council/ annually

Carry out traffi c counts on Victoria Road.Consider review of neighbourhood plan to include traffi c calming measures.

27

9. Further sources of advice and guidance on the assessment of neighbourhood plansThere are several other sources of advice and guidance on neighbourhood planning, and more specifi cally on environmental assessment, which should be consulted before undertaking the work outlined in this guide. However, in the fi rst instance, when thinking about starting your neighbourhood plan and assessment requirements, consult your neighbourhood plan link offi cer.

Offi cial guidance for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)The offi cial guidance on SEA is published online by Communities and Local Government (CLG). It is called ‘A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive’ and can be viewed or downloaded at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-environmental-assessment-directive-guidance

Offi cial guidance for Sustainability Appraisal (SA)The offi cial guidance on SA is published online by the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) and can be viewed or downloaded at:

http://www.pas.gov.uk/pas/core/page.do?pageId=152450

Wiltshire Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Scoping ReportThe council have published a Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report and non-technical summary. Reviewing this will help you carry out Stage A of the assessment process, as described earlier in this guide. The SA Scoping Report can be viewed or downloaded at:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ldfsustainabilityappraisal.htm

28

Wiltshire Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal (SA) ReportA Sustainability Appraisal Report has been published by the council to accompany the Wiltshire Core Strategy. If you follow a similar approach for your neighbourhood plan this should ensure that you are doing what you need to do.

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/submissionofwiltshirecorestrategy.htm

Wiltshire Core Strategy Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) ReportThe HRA Report, which meets the requirements of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and accompanies the Wiltshire Core Strategy, can be viewed or downloaded at:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/submissionofwiltshirecorestrategy.htm

Other guides for neighbourhood planning The following neighbourhood planning guides contain further information to help you carry out an environmental assessment of your neighbourhood plan:

Planning for the environment at the neighbourhood level (English Heritage, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission England, Natural England)

http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/

How to shape where you live: a guide to neighbourhood planning (CPRE/NALC, January 2012)

http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/housing-and-planning/planning/item/2689-how-to-shape-where-you-live-a-guide-to-neighbourhood-planning

DIY SA: Sustainability Appraisal of Neighbourhood Plans (Levett-Therivel/URS Scott Wilson, August 2011)

www.levett-therivel.co.uk/DIYSA.pdf

Ap

pen

dix

A –

Req

uir

emen

ts o

f th

e SE

A D

irec

tive

3

This

is a

sum

mar

y of

the

req

uire

men

ts o

f Eur

opea

n D

irect

ive

2001

/42E

C (

know

n as

the

Str

ateg

ic E

nviro

nmen

tal A

sses

smen

t or

SEA

Dire

ctiv

e). T

his

tabl

e in

dica

tes

the

mai

n ta

sks

invo

lved

in p

rodu

cing

an

Envi

ronm

enta

l Rep

ort

that

will

acc

omp

any

your

nei

ghbo

urho

od p

lan.

The

offi c

ial g

uida

nce

docu

men

t th

at d

escr

ibes

thi

s p

roce

ss is

ava

ilabl

e on

the

Com

mun

ities

and

Loc

al G

over

nmen

t (C

LG)

web

site

at:

http

s://

ww

w.g

ov.u

k/go

vern

men

t/p

ublic

atio

ns/s

trat

egic

-env

ironm

enta

l-ass

essm

ent-

dire

ctiv

e-gu

idan

ce

SEA

Dir

ecti

ve r

equi

rem

ent

Wh

ere

is t

his

co

vere

d in

th

is g

uid

e?

1. P

rep

arin

g an

env

ironm

enta

l rep

ort

in w

hich

the

like

ly s

igni

fi can

t ef

fect

s on

the

env

ironm

ent

of im

ple

men

ting

the

pla

n, a

nd

reas

onab

le a

ltern

ativ

es t

akin

g in

to a

ccou

nt t

he o

bjec

tives

and

geo

grap

hica

l sco

pe

of t

he p

lan,

are

iden

tifi e

d, d

escr

ibed

and

ev

alua

ted.

The

info

rmat

ion

to b

e gi

ven

is a

s fo

llow

s:

Sect

ion

6 -

Pre

par

ing

an

Envi

ronm

enta

l Rep

ort

□

a) A

n ou

tline

of t

he c

onte

nts,

mai

n ob

ject

ives

of t

he p

lan,

and

rel

atio

nshi

p w

ith o

ther

rel

evan

t p

lans

and

pro

gram

mes

.Se

ctio

n 4

- S

cop

ing

the

issu

es□

b) T

he r

elev

ant

asp

ects

of t

he c

urre

nt s

tate

of t

he e

nviro

nmen

t an

d th

e lik

ely

evol

utio

n th

ereo

f with

out

imp

lem

enta

tion

of t

he

pla

n.Se

ctio

n 4

- S

cop

ing

the

issu

es□

c) T

he e

nviro

nmen

tal c

hara

cter

istic

s of

are

as li

kely

to

be s

igni

fi can

tly a

ffect

ed;

Sect

ion

4 -

Sco

pin

g th

e is

sues

□

d) A

ny e

xist

ing

envi

ronm

enta

l pro

blem

s w

hich

are

rel

evan

t to

the

pla

n in

clud

ing,

in p

artic

ular

, tho

se r

elat

ing

to a

ny a

reas

of a

p

artic

ular

env

ironm

enta

l im

por

tanc

e, s

uch

as a

reas

des

igna

ted

pur

suan

t to

the

Bird

s an

d H

abita

ts D

irect

ives

.Se

ctio

n 4

- S

cop

ing

the

issu

es□

e) T

he e

nviro

nmen

tal p

rote

ctio

n ob

ject

ives

, est

ablis

hed

at in

tern

atio

nal,

Com

mun

ity o

r na

tiona

l lev

el, w

hich

are

rel

evan

t to

the

p

lan

and

the

way

tho

se o

bjec

tives

and

any

env

ironm

enta

l con

side

ratio

ns h

ave

been

tak

en in

to a

ccou

nt d

urin

g its

pre

par

atio

n.Se

ctio

n 4

- S

cop

ing

the

issu

es□

3 E

urop

ean

Dire

ctiv

e 20

01/4

2/EC

“on

the

ass

essm

ent

of t

he e

ffect

s of

cer

tain

pla

ns a

nd p

rogr

amm

es o

n th

e en

viro

nmen

t” –

oft

en

know

n as

the

Str

ateg

ic E

nviro

nmen

tal A

sses

smen

t (S

EA)

Dire

ctiv

e

29

30

f) T

he li

kely

sig

nifi c

ant

effe

cts

on t

he e

nviro

nmen

t, in

clud

ing

on is

sues

suc

h as

bio

dive

rsity

, pop

ulat

ion,

hum

an h

ealth

, fau

na,

fl ora

, soi

l, w

ater

, air,

clim

atic

fact

ors,

mat

eria

l ass

ets,

cul

tura

l her

itage

incl

udin

g ar

chite

ctur

al a

nd a

rcha

eolo

gica

l her

itage

, la

ndsc

ape

and

the

inte

rrel

atio

nshi

p b

etw

een

the

abov

e fa

ctor

s. (

Thes

e ef

fect

s sh

ould

incl

ude

seco

ndar

y, c

umul

ativ

e, s

yner

gist

ic,

shor

t, m

ediu

m a

nd lo

ng-t

erm

per

man

ent

and

tem

por

ary,

pos

itive

and

neg

ativ

e ef

fect

s).

Sect

ion

5 -

Ass

essi

ng t

he

effe

cts

of y

our

neig

hbou

r-ho

od p

lan

and

alte

rnat

ive

optio

ns.

□

g) T

he m

easu

res

envi

sage

d to

pre

vent

, red

uce

and

as fu

lly a

s p

ossi

ble

offs

et a

ny s

igni

fi can

t ad

vers

e ef

fect

s on

the

env

ironm

ent

of im

ple

men

ting

the

pla

n.

Sect

ion

5 -

Ass

essi

ng t

he

effe

cts

of y

our

neig

hbou

r-ho

od p

lan

and

alte

rnat

ive

optio

ns.

□

h) A

n ou

tline

of t

he r

easo

ns fo

r se

lect

ing

the

alte

rnat

ives

dea

lt w

ith, a

nd a

des

crip

tion

of h

ow t

he a

sses

smen

t w

as u

nder

take

n in

-cl

udin

g an

y di

ffi cu

lties

(su

ch a

s te

chni

cal d

efi c

ienc

ies

or la

ck o

f kno

w-h

ow)

enco

unte

red

in c

omp

iling

the

req

uire

d in

form

atio

n.

Sect

ion

5 -

Ass

essi

ng t

he

effe

cts

of y

our

neig

hbou

r-ho

od p

lan

and

alte

rnat

ive

optio

ns.

Sect

ion

6 -

Pre

par

ing

an

Envi

ronm

enta

l Rep

ort.

□ □

i) A

des

crip

tion

of m

easu

res

envi

sage

d co

ncer

ning

mon

itorin

g.Se

ctio

n 5

- A

sses

sing

the

ef

fect

s of

you

r ne

ighb

our-

hood

pla

n an

d al

tern

ativ

e op

tions

.

Sect

ion

8 -

Mon

itorin

g th

e si

gnifi

cant

effe

cts

of y

our

neig

hbou

rhoo

d p

lan.

□ □

j) A

non

-tec

hnic

al s

umm

ary

of t

he in

form

atio

n p

rovi

ded

unde

r th

e ab

ove

head

ings

.Se

ctio

n 6

- P

rep

arin

g an

En

viro

nmen

tal R

epor

t.□

The

rep

ort

shal

l inc

lude

the

info

rmat

ion

that

may

rea

sona

bly

be r

equi

red

taki

ng in

to a

ccou

nt c

urre

nt k

now

ledg

e an

d m

etho

ds

of a

sses

smen

t, t

he c

onte

nts

and

leve

l of d

etai

l in

the

pla

n, it

s st

age

in t

he d

ecis

ion-

mak

ing

pro

cess

and

the

ext

ent

to w

hich

cer

-ta

in m

atte

rs a

re m

ore

app

rop

riate

ly a

sses

sed

at d

iffer

ent

leve

ls in

tha

t p

roce

ss t

o av

oid

dup

licat

ion

of t

he a

sses

smen

t.

Sect

ion

6 -

Pre

par

ing

an

Envi

ronm

enta

l Rep

ort.

□

31

2. C

on

sult

ing

:

A

utho

ritie

s w

ith e

nviro

nmen

tal r

esp

onsi

bilit

ies,

whe

n de

cidi

ng o

n th

e sc

ope

and

leve

l of d

etai

l of t

he in

form

atio

n w

hich

m

ust

be in

clud

ed in

the

env

ironm

enta

l rep

ort.

A

utho

ritie

s w

ith e

nviro

nmen

tal r

esp

onsi

bilit

ies

and

the

pub

lic, t

o gi

ve t

hem

an

early

and

effe

ctiv

e op

por

tuni

ty w

ithin

ap

-p

rop

riate

tim

e fr

ames

to

exp

ress

the

ir op

inio

n on

the

dra

ft p

lan

and

the

acco

mp

anyi

ng e

nviro

nmen

tal r

epor

t be

fore

the

ad

optio

n of

the

pla

n.

O

ther

EU

Mem

ber

Stat

es, w

here

the

imp

lem

enta

tion

of t

he p

lan

is li

kely

to

have

sig

nifi c

ant

effe

cts

on t

he e

nviro

nmen

t in

the

se c

ount

ries.

Sect

ion

4 -

Sco

pin

g t

he

issu

es

Sect

ion

7 -

Con

sulti

ng

on y

our

neig

hbou

rhoo

d p

lan

and

Envi

ronm

enta

l Re

por

t an

d su

bmitt

ing

to

Wilt

shire

Cou

ncil

□ □

3. T

akin

g t

he

envi

ron

men

tal r

epo

rt a

nd

th

e re

sult

s o

f th

e co

nsu

ltat

ion

s in

to a

cco

unt

in d

ecis

ion

-mak

ing

Se

ctio

n 7

- C

onsu

lting

on

you

r ne

ighb

ourh

ood

pla

n an

d En

viro

nmen

tal

Rep

ort

and

subm

ittin

g to

W

iltsh

ire C

ounc

il

□

4. P

rovi

din

g in

form

atio

n o

n t

he

dec

isio

n:

Whe

n th

e p

lan

is a

dop

ted,

the

pub

lic a

nd a

ny r

elev

ant

Mem

ber

Stat

es m

ust

be in

form

ed a

nd t

he fo

llow

ing

mad

e av

aila

ble

to

thos

e so

info

rmed

:

Th

e p

lan

as a

dop

ted.

A

sta

tem

ent

sum

mar

isin

g ho

w e

nviro

nmen

tal c

onsi

dera

tions

hav

e be

en in

tegr

ated

into

the

pla

n an

d ho

w t

he e

nviro

n-m

enta

l rep

ort

, the

op

inio

ns o

f sta

tuto

ry c

onsu

ltees

, and

the

res

ults

of a

ny c

onsu

ltatio

ns w

ith o

ther

Mem

ber

Stat

es h

ave

been

tak

en in

to a

ccou

nt, a

nd t

he r

easo

ns fo

r ch

oosi

ng t

he p

lan

as a

dop

ted,

in t

he li

ght

of t

he o

ther

rea

sona

ble

alte

rna-

tives

dea

lt w

ith; a

nd t

he m

easu

res

deci

ded

conc

erni

ng m

onito

ring.

Sect

ion

7 -

Con

sulti

ng

on y

our

neig

hbou

rhoo

d p

lan

and

Envi

ronm

enta

l Re

por

t an

d su

bmitt

ing

to

Wilt

shire

Cou

ncil

□

5. M

on

ito

rin

g t

he

sig

nifi

can

t en

viro

nm

enta

l eff

ects

of

the

pla

n’s

imp

lem

enta

tio

nSe

ctio

n 8

- M

onito

ring

the

sign

ifi ca

nt e

ffect

s of

yo

ur n

eigh

bour

hood

pla

n

□

32

Ap

pen

dix

B –

Wilt

shir

e C

oun

cil’s

Sus

tain

abili

ty A

pp

rais

al F

ram

ewo

rkSu

stai

nab

ility

To

pic

Sust

ain

abili

ty A

pp

rais

al

ob

ject

ive

Dec

isio

n a

idin

g q

uest

ion

s.

Will

th

e p

olic

y…

Bio

div

ersi

ty1.

Pro

tect

and

enh

ance

all

biod

iver

sity

and

geo

logi

cal

feat

ures

and

avo

id ir

reve

rsib

le

loss

es.

1. P

rote

ct a

nd e

nhan

ce p

riorit

y ha

bita

ts a

nd s

pec

ies?

2. P

rote

ct a

nd e

nhan

ce in

tern

atio

nal,

natio

nal a

nd lo

cally

des

igna

ted

biod

iver

sity

site

s?

3. A

void

hab

itat

frag

men

tatio

n?

4. E

nsur

e al

l new

dev

elop

men

ts p

rote

ct a

nd e

nhan

ce lo

cal b

iodi

vers

ity?

5. C

ontr

ibut

e to

the

ach

ieve

men

t of

obj

ectiv

es a

nd t

arge

ts w

ithin

loca

l BA

Ps?

6. R

esul

t in

gre

ater

com

mun

ity e

ngag

emen

t w

ith b

iodi

vers

ity?

7. M

aint

ain

the

exis

ting

exte

nt o

f anc

ient

woo

dlan

d si

tes?

8. R

equi

re p

rote

ctio

n an

d p

rovi

sion

of g

reen

cor

ridor

s an

d riv

er c

orrid

ors,

with

use

of b

uffe

r st

rips,

whe

re n

eces

-sa

ry?

9. A

id in

the

del

iver

y of

a n

etw

ork

of m

ultif

unct

iona

l Gre

en In

fras

truc

ture

?

10. R

esul

t in

a n

et g

ain

for

the

natu

ral e

nviro

nmen

t w

ith e

ach

new

dev

elop

men

t?

Lan

d a

nd

So

il R

eso

urce

s2.

Ens

ure

effi c

ient

and

effe

ctiv

e us

e of

land

and

the

use

of

suita

bly

loca

ted

pre

viou

sly

deve

lop

ed la

nd a

nd b

uild

ings

.

1. M

axim

ise

dens

ities

in s

usta

inab

le lo

catio

ns t

hat

have

goo

d ac

cess

to

loca

l fac

ilitie

s, p

ublic

tra

nsp

ort

links

and

ke

y in

fras

truc

ture

?

2. P

rote

ct t

he b

est

and

mos

t ve

rsat

ile a

gric

ultu

ral l

and?

3. P

rote

ct a

nd e

nhan

ce s

oil q

ualit

y?

4. M

axim

ise

reus

e of

Pre

viou

sly

Dev

elop

ed L

and

whe

re p

ossi

ble/

app

rop

riate

?

5. E

ncou

rage

rem

edia

tion

of c

onta

min

ated

land

?

6. M

axim

ise

effi c

ient

use

of l

and

with

in t

own/

city

cen

tres

?

7. A

void

the

loss

of n

atur

al fl

oodp

lain

?

3. P

rom

ote

sust

aina

ble

was

te

man

agem

ent

solu

tions

tha

t en

cour

age

the

redu

ctio

n,

re-u

se a

nd r

ecyc

ling

of w

aste

.

1. R

educ

e th

e am

ount

of w

aste

pro

duce

d?

2. H

elp

del

iver

sus

tain

able

dev

elop

men

t th

roug

h dr

ivin

g w

aste

man

agem

ent

up t

he w

aste

hie

rarc

hy, a

ddre

ssin

g w

aste

as

a re

sour

ce a

nd lo

okin

g to

dis

pos

al a

s th

e la

st o

ptio

n?

3. E

nsur

e th

e de

sign

and

layo

ut o

f new

dev

elop

men

t su

pp

orts

sus

tain

able

was

te m

anag

emen

t?

4. P

rovi

de a

fram

ewor

k in

whi

ch c

omm

uniti

es t

ake

mor

e re

spon

sibi

lity

for

thei

r ow

n w

aste

?

5. C

onsi

der

whe

ther

was

te m

anag

emen

t so

lutio

ns c

an p

rovi

de a

res

ourc

e fo

r ge

nera

ting

heat

and

ene

rgy?

33

Sust

ain

abili

ty

Top

icSu

stai

nab

ility

Ap

pra

isal

o

bje

ctiv

eD

ecis

ion

aid

ing

que

stio

ns.

Will

th

e p

olic

y…

Wat

er

Res

our

ces

and

Fl

oo

d R

isk

4. U

se a

nd m

anag

e w

ater

re

sour

ces

in a

sus

tain

able

m

anne

r.

1. T

ake

into

acc

ount

pre

dict

ed fu

ture

imp

acts

of c

limat

e ch

ange

, inc

ludi

ng w

ater

sca

rcity

issu

es?

2. E

ncou

rage

sus

tain

able

and

effi

cien

t m

anag

emen

t of

wat

er r

esou

rces

?

3. M

inim

ise

the

envi

ronm

enta

l effe

cts

of w

ater

abs

trac

tion,

bot

h in

side

and

out

side

the

aut

horit

y bo

unda

ry?

4. E

nsur

e th

at e

ssen

tial w

ater

infr

astr

uctu

re is

co-

ordi

nate

d w

ith a

ll ne

w d

evel

opm

ent?

5. E

nsur

e th

e in

stal

latio

n of

wat

er s

avin

g m

easu

res

such

as

rain

wat

er h

arve

stin

g an

d w

ater

met

erin

g?

6. C

onsi

der

the

need

for

adeq

uate

pro

visi

on o

f sur

face

wat

er a

nd fo

ul d

rain

age?

7. P

rom

ote

pro

visi

on o

f pol

lutio

n p

reve

ntio

n m

easu

res?

8. P

rote

ct, a

nd w

here

pos

sibl

e, im

pro

ve s

urfa

ce, g

roun

d an

d dr

inki

ng w

ater

qua

lity?

5. P

rote

ct p

eop

le a

nd p

rop

erty

fr

om t

he r

isk

of fl

oodi

ng.

1. M

inim

ise

the

risk

of fl

oodi

ng t

o p

eop

le a

nd p

rop

erty

(ne

w a

nd e

xist

ing

deve

lop

men

t)?

2. T

ake

into

acc

ount

the

pre

dict

ed fu

ture

imp

acts

of c

limat

e ch

ange

in t

he lo

catio

n an

d de

sign

of d

evel

opm

ent,

en

surin

g th

at d

evel

opm

ent

can

adap

t to

any

futu

re fl

ood

risk

scen

ario

s?

3. P

rote

ct a

nd e

nhan

ce t

he n

atur

al fu

nctio

n of

fl oo

dpla

ins?

4. E

nsur

e th

e us

e of

Sus

tain

able

Dra

inag

e Sy

stem

s (S

UD

S) in

ap

pro

pria

te c

ircum

stan

ces?

Air

Qua

lity

and

En

viro

nm

enta

l Po

lluti

on

6. Im

pro

ve a

ir q

ualit

y th

roug

h-ou

t W

iltsh

ire a

nd m

inim

ise

all

sour

ces

of e

nviro

nmen

tal

pol

lutio

n.

1. M

aint

ain

and

imp

rove

loca

l air

qua

lity?

2. M

inim

ise

and,

whe

re p

ossi

ble,

imp

rove

on

unac

cep

tabl

e le

vels

of n

oise

, lig

ht p

ollu

tion,

odo

ur a

nd v

ibra

tion?

3. M

inim

ise

all f

orm

s of

con

tam

inat

ion

to s

oils

?

4. H

elp

brin

g fo

rwar

d th

e re

mov

al o

f des

igna

ted

Air

Qua

lity

Man

agem

ent

Are

as (

AQ

MA

s)?

5. M

itiga

te t

he im

pac

ts o

n ai

r q

ualit

y fr

om r

oad

tran

spor

t?

6. M

itiga

te a

gain

st u

ses

that

gen

erat

e N

O2

or o

ther

par

ticul

ates

?

Clim

atic

Fa

cto

rs7.

Min

imis

e ou

r im

pac

ts o

n cl

imat

e ch

ange

and

red

uce

our

vuln

erab

ility

to

futu

re c

limat

e ch

ange

effe

cts.

1. M

inim

ise

emis

sion

s of

gre

enho

use

gase

s an

d oz

one

dep

letin

g su

bsta

nces

?

2. M

inim

ise

the

likel

y im

pac

ts o

f fut

ure

deve

lop

men

t on

clim

ate

chan

ge t

hrou

gh a

pp

rop

riate

ada

pta

tion?

3. P

rom

ote

the

deve

lop

men

t of

ren

ewab

le a

nd lo

w c

arbo

n so

urce

s?

4. P

rom

ote

ener

gy e

ffi ci

ency

in b

uild

ings

and

new

dev

elop

men

t?

5. M

inim

ise

cont

ribut

ions

to

clim

ate

chan

ge t

hrou

gh s

usta

inab

le b

uild

ing

pra

ctic

es?

6. C

ontr

ibut

e to

red

ucin

g W

iltsh

ire’s

eco

logi

cal f

ootp

rint?

7. C

ontr

ibut

e to

red

ucin

g em

issi

ons

asso

ciat

ed w

ith la

ndfi l

led

was

te?

8. C

ontr

ibut

e to

red

ucin

g em

issi

ons

asso

ciat

ed w

ith t

he t

rans

por

t se

ctor

?

34

Sust

ain

abili

ty

Top

icSu

stai

nab

ility

Ap

pra

isal

o

bje

ctiv

eD

ecis

ion

aid

ing

que

stio

ns.

Will

th

e p

olic

y…

His

tori

c en

viro

nm

ent

8. P

rote

ct, m

aint

ain

and

enha

nce

the

hist

oric

en

viro

nmen

t.

1. C

onse

rve

and

enha

nce

feat

ures

and

are

as o

f his

toric

al a

nd c

ultu

ral v

alue

, inc

ludi

ng L

iste

d Bu

ildin

gs, C

onse

r-va

tion

Are

as a

nd H

isto

ric P

arks

& G

arde

ns?

2. P

rote

ct, m

anag

e an

d pr

esen

t th

e St

oneh

enge

and

Ave

bury

WH

S in

acc

orda

nce

with

inte

rnat

iona

l obl

igat

ions

?

3. E

nsur

e ap

pro

pria

te a

rcha

eolo

gica

l ass

essm

ent

prio

r to

dev

elop

men

t

4. P

rom

ote

sens

itive

re-

use

of h

isto

rical

bui

ldin

gs a

nd b

uild

ings

of s

igni

fi can

t lo

cal i

nter

est,

whe

re a

pp

rop

riate

?

5. Im

pro

ve a

nd b

road

en a

cces

s to

, and

und

erst

andi

ng o

f, lo

cal h

erita

ge a

nd h

isto

ric s

ites?

6. M

aint

ain

and

enha

nce

the

char

acte

r an

d di

stin

ctiv

enes

s of

set

tlem

ents

thr

ough

hig

h q

ualit

y an

d ap

pro

pria

te

desi

gn?

7. P

rom

ote

herit

age

base

d su

stai

nabl

e to

uris

m a

nd r

egen

erat

ion?

Lan

dsc

apes

9. C

onse

rve

and

enha

nce

the

char

acte

r an

d q

ualit

y of

W

iltsh

ire’s

rur

al a

nd u

rban

la

ndsc

apes

, mai

ntai

ning

and

st

reng

then

ing

loca

l di

stin

ctiv

enes

s an

d se

nse

of

pla

ce.

1. P

rote

ct a

nd e

nhan

ce t

he la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r an

d sc

enic

qua

lity

of t

he c

ount

rysi

de?

2. C

onse

rve

and

enha

nce

area

s w

ith la

ndsc

ape

desi

gnat

ions

and

tak

e ac

coun

t of

the

ir m

anag

emen

t ob

ject

ives

?

3. M

aint

ain

and

enha

nce

the

char

acte

r an

d di

stin

ctiv

enes

s of

set

tlem

ents

?

4. D

eliv

er g

ood

qua

lity

desi

gn t

hat

refl e

cts

loca

l cha

ract

er?

5. P

rote

ct a

nd e

nhan

ce n

atur

al la

ndsc

apes

with

in t

he u

rban

are

a, in

clud

ing

recr

eatio

nal o

pen

sp

ace

and

stra

te-

gic

gree

n co

rrid

ors?

6. P

rote

ct r

ight

s of

way

, op

en s

pac

e an

d co

mm

on la

nd?

7. A

id in

the

del

iver

y of

a n

etw

ork

of m

ultif

unct

iona

l Gre

en In

fras

truc

ture

?

8. Im

pro

ve t

he q

ualit

y an

d q

uant

ity o

f acc

ess

to u

rban

gre

ensp

ace

and

the

wid

er c

ount

rysi

de fo

r re

crea

tion?

35

Sust

ain

abili

ty

Top

icSu

stai

nab

ility

Ap

pra

isal

o

bje

ctiv

eD

ecis

ion

aid

ing

que

stio

ns.

Will

th

e p

olic

y…

Pop

ulat

ion

an

d

ho

usin

g10

. Pro

vide

eve

ryon

e w

ith t

he

opp

ortu

nity

to

live

in g

ood

qua

lity,

affo

rdab

le h

ousi

ng,

and

ensu

re a

n ap

pro

pria

te m

ix

of d

wel

ling

size

s, t

ypes

and

te

nure

s.

1. P

rovi

de a

n ad

equa

te s

upp

ly o

f affo

rdab

le h

ousi

ng?

2. S

upp

ort

the

pro

visi

on o

f a r

ange

of h

ouse

typ

es a

nd s

izes

to

mee

t th

e ne

eds

of a

ll se

ctor

s of

the

com

mun

ity?

3. E

nsur

e ad

equa

te p

rovi

sion

of l

and

to m

eet

hous

ing

need

s?

4. R

educ

e ho

mel

essn

ess?

5. P

rovi

de q

ualit

y an

d fl e

xibl

e ho

mes

tha

t m

eet

peo

ple

’s n

eeds

?

6. E

nsur

e th

at b

est

use

is m

ade

of t

he e

xist

ing

hous

ing

stoc

k?

7. P

rom

ote

the

use

of s

usta

inab

le b

uild

ing

tech

niq

ues,

incl

udin

g us

e of

sus

tain

able

bui

ldin

g m

ater

ials

in c

on-

stru

ctio

n?

8. P

rovi

de h

ousi

ng in

sus

tain

able

loca

tions

tha

t al

low

eas

y ac

cess

to

a ra

nge

of lo

cal s

ervi

ces

and

faci

litie

s?

9. P

rovi

de fo

r an

ade

qua

te r

ange

of h

ousi

ng in

rur

al a

reas

?

Hea

lth

y co

m-

mun

itie

s11

. Pro

vide

a s

afe

and

heal

thy

envi

ronm

ent

in w

hich

to

live.

1. P

rovi

de fo

r hi

gh q

ualit

y, a

cces

sibl

e he

alth

care

faci

litie

s?

2. P

rom

ote

desi

gn o

f bui

ldin

gs a

nd s

pac

es t

o re

duce

crim

e an

d th

e fe

ar o

f crim

e?

3. P

rom

ote

desi

gn o

f bui

ldin

gs a

nd s

pac

es t

o re

duce

obe

sity

?

4. A

ddre

ss t

he c

ause

s of

ill-h

ealth

?

5. E

ncou

rage

hea

lthy

lifes

tyle

s an

d re

duce

hea

lth in

equa

litie

s?

6. In

crea

se r

egul

ar p

artic

ipat

ion

in s

por

ts /

exer

cise

?

7. P

rote

ct lo

cal r

ural

com

mun

ities

and

rur

al w

ays

of li

fe?

8. E

ncou

rage

hea

lthy

wor

kpla

ces?

9. P

rom

ote

recr

eatio

nal a

nd le

isur

e op

por

tuni

ties

in t

he c

ount

rysi

de?

10. I

ncor

por

ate

a ne

twor

k of

mul

tifun

ctio

nal G

reen

Infr

astr

uctu

re w

ithin

new

dev

elop

men

ts, w

here

ap

pro

pri-

ate?

36

Sust

ain

abili

ty

Top

icSu

stai

nab

ility

Ap

pra

isal

o

bje

ctiv

eD

ecis

ion

aid

ing

que

stio

ns.

Will

th

e p

olic

y…

Incl

usiv

e C

om

mun

itie

s12

. Red

uce

pov

erty

and

de

priv

atio

n an

d p

rom

ote

mor

e in

clus

ive

and

self-

cont

aine

d co

mm

uniti

es.

1. M

axim

ise

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r al

l mem

bers

of s

ocie

ty?

2. M

aint

ain

or e

nhan

ce t

he q

ualit

y of

life

of e

xist

ing

loca

l res

iden

ts?

3. E

ncou

rage

act

ive

invo

lvem

ent

of lo

cal p

eop

le in

the

des

ign

of n

ew d

evel

opm

ents

?

4. T

ackl

e th

e ca

uses

of p

over

ty a

nd d

epriv

atio

n?

5. E

ncou

rage

and

pro

mot

e so

cial

coh

esio

n an

d re

spec

t fo

r ot

her

cultu

res

and

lifes

tyle

s?

6. M

axim

ise

opp

ortu

nitie

s w

ithin

the

mos

t de

priv

ed a

reas

?

7. In

crea

se t

he a

bilit

y of

‘Har

d-to

-Rea

ch’ g

roup

s to

infl u

ence

dec

isio

ns?

8. M

inim

ise

fuel

pov

erty

?

13. I

mp

rove

eq

ualit

y of

ac

cess

to,

and

eng

agem

ent

in

loca

l, hi

gh-q

ualit

y co

mm

unity

se

rvic

es a

nd fa

cilit

ies.

1. Im

prov

e th

e av

aila

bilit

y an

d ac

cess

ibili

ty o

f key

loca

l fac

ilitie

s, in

clud

ing

heal

thca

re, e

duca

tion,

ret

ail a

nd le

isur

e?

2. P

rom

ote

the

deve

lop

men

t of

a r

ange

of h

igh

qua

lity,

acc

essi

ble

com

mun

ity, c

ultu

ral a

nd le

isur

e fa

cilit

ies?

3. E

ncou

rage

act

ive

invo

lvem

ent

of lo

cal p

eop

le in

com

mun

ity a

ctiv

ities

?

4. M

aint

ain

and

enha

nce

rura

l fac

ilitie

s?

Educ

atio

n a

nd

sk

ills

14. R

aise

edu

catio

nal

atta

inm

ent

leve

ls a

cros

s th

e au

thor

ity a

nd p

rovi

de

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r p

eop

le t

o im

pro

ve t

heir

wor

kpla

ce s

kills

.

1. P

rovi

de a

nd s

upp

ort

high

qua

lity

educ

atio

nal f

acili

ties?

2. Im

pro

ve t

he s

kills

and

qua

lifi c

atio

ns o

f you

ng p

eop

le?

3. P

rom

ote

life-

long

lear

ning

tha

t is

acc

essi

ble

to a

ll?

4. H

elp

to

pro

vide

a s

upp

ly o

f ski

lled

labo

ur t

o m

atch

the

nee

ds o

f loc

al b

usin

esse

s?

5. R

educ

e in

equa

litie

s in

ski

lls a

cros

s W

iltsh

ire?

6. S

upp

ort

com

mun

ity e

nter

pris

es a

nd t

he v

olun

tary

sec

tor?

7. S

upp

ort

the

crea

tion

of fl

exib

le jo

bs t

o m

eet

the

chan

ging

nee

ds o

f the

pop

ulat

ion?

Tran

spo

rt15

. Red

uce

the

need

to

trav

el

and

pro

mot

e m

ore

sust

aina

ble

tran

spor

t ch

oice

s.

1. P

rom

ote

mix

ed-u

se d

evel

opm

ents

tha

t re

duce

the

nee

d to

tra

vel a

nd r

elia

nce

on t

he p

rivat

e ca

r?

2. In

crea

se u

pta

ke o

f sus

tain

able

tra

vel c

hoic

es ie

pub

lic t

rans

por

t, w

alki

ng a

nd c

yclin

g?

3. P

rom

ote

an in

tegr

ated

tra

nsp

ort

pol

icy?

4. P

rom

ote

car-

shar

e sc

hem

es a

nd h

ome

or o

ther

form

s of

rem

ote

wor

king

?

5. P

rom

ote

the

deve

lop

men

t of

Par

k &

Rid

e Sc

hem

es?

6. Im

pro

ve t

he jo

bs/h

omes

bal

ance

?

7. R

educ

e tr

affi c

vol

umes

?

8. E

ncou

rage

alte

rnat

ive

and

sust

aina

ble

mea

ns o

f tra

nsp

ortin

g fr

eigh

t, w

aste

and

min

eral

s, w

here

pos

sibl

e?

37

Sust

ain

abili

ty

Top

icSu

stai

nab

ility

Ap

pra

isal

o

bje

ctiv

eD

ecis

ion

aid

ing

que

stio

ns.

Will

th

e p

olic

y…

Eco

no

my

and

en

terp

rise

16. E

ncou

rage

a v

ibra

nt a

nd

dive

rsifi

ed e

cono

my

and

pro

vide

for

long

-ter

m

sust

aina

ble

econ

omic

gro

wth

.

1. Im

pro

ve b

usin

ess

deve

lop

men

t an

d en

hanc

e co

mp

etiti

vene

ss?

2. D

irect

ap

pro

pria

te r

etai

l, le

isur

e an

d/or

em

plo

ymen

t op

por

tuni

ties

to t

own

cent

re lo

catio

ns t

o ai

d ur

ban

rege

nera

tion?

3. M

inim

ise

vuln

erab

ility

of t

he e

cono

my

to c

limat

e ch

ange

and

har

ness

any

op

por

tuni

ties

that

may

aris

e?

4. S

upp

ort

the

rura

l eco

nom

y an

d fa

rm d

iver

sifi c

atio

n?

5. R

ecog

nise

the

imp

orta

nce

of t

he s

ocia

l and

nat

ural

env

ironm

ent

to t

he lo

cal e

cono

my?

6. P

rom

ote

sust

aina

ble

tour

ism

and

cul

tura

l op

por

tuni

ties?

7. P

rovi

de a

n ad

equa

te s

upp

ly o

f raw

mat

eria

ls?

17. E

nsur

e ad

equa

te p

rovi

sion

of

hig

h-q

ualit

y em

plo

ymen

t la

nd a

nd d

iver

se e

mp

loym

ent

opp

ortu

nitie

s to

mee

t th

e ne

eds

of lo

cal b

usin

esse

s an

d a

chan

ging

wor

kfor

ce.

1. P

rovi

de g

ood

qua

lity

emp

loym

ent

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r al

l sec

tors

of t

he p

opul

atio

n?

2. A

ssis

t bu

sine

sses

in fi

ndin

g ap

pro

pria

te la

nd a

nd p

rem

ises

?

3. P

rote

ct a

nd e

nhan

ce t

he v

italit

y an

d vi

abili

ty o

f exi

stin

g em

plo

ymen

t ar

eas?

4. P

rovi

de a

var

iety

of e

mp

loym

ent

land

to

mee

t al

l nee

ds?

5. P

rovi

de e

mp

loym

ent

land

in a

reas

tha

t ar

e ea

sily

acc

essi

ble

by s

usta

inab

le t

rans

por

t?

6. R

ecog

nise

the

imp

orta

nce

of e

nerg

y ef

fi cie

nt e

mp

loym

ent

and

mix

ed-u

se p

rop

osal

s?

This document was published by Economy and Regeneration, Wiltshire Council