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You are here: Home > Business and planning > Planning > Planning policies > Local Development Framework > Sustainability appraisal

Local Development Framework - Sustainability Appraisal & Strategic Environmental Assessment

Sustainability Appraisal is to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are fully taken into account during the plan preparation process.

The Council is required under the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to undertake a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of all local development documents.  The main purpose of the SA it to appraise the social, environmental, and economic effects of proposals and policies.

The SA must also incorporate the requirements of the European Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA), which ensures that significant environmental impacts are identified and taken into account.  

The first formal step in the process is the preparation of a Scoping Report, which will set out the framework for the appraisal and assessment of proposals and policies.

Detailed Information

The Scoping Report sets out the plans, polices and programs, from an international to a local level, which will influence the LDF, sustainability objectives and indicators, baseline information, and the next steps for undertaking sustainability appraisals.  The baseline outlines the quality of life in the Borough today, the key sustainability issues, problems and opportunities, and how the sustainability objectives might be achieved.

•  Show me the Preliminary Scoping Report (pdf). (7.54MB)
•  Show me some key consultation questions (pdf). (25.7kB)
•  Show me the annexes to the Preliminary Scoping Report (1.33MB) - the outline of the plans and programs influencing the LDF and the decision aiding questions (pdf).    

The consultation period for the Preliminary Scoping Report was between 24th June and 29th July 2005. Responses were received from six consultees within the statutory consultation period, and two Council officers. These responses and recommendations were taken on board in producing this revised Scoping Report, for example including references to additional Plans and Programmes, and additional indicators. For one consultee an extended deadline was agreed, and subsequently two consultees submitted late responses, that were also able to be taken into account in revising this report. A separate document which summarises the comments made and the Council’s response, including any action(s) taken, is also available. 

•  Show the the Revised Scoping Report (pdf). (5.61MB)
•  Show me the annexes to the Revised Scoping Report (pdf) (1.62MB)
•  Show me the table of reponses from the consultation on the Preliminary Scoping Report (pdf) (333.3kB)