Sustainability Appraisal
Under Section 62(6) of the 2004 Act, emerging local development plans (LDPs) need to be subject to sustainability appraisal. This is statutorily required to guide the selection and development of policies and proposals for inclusion in LDPs in terms of their potential social, environmental and economic effects.
The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004 as amended (the SEA Regulations) require responsible authorities, including local authorities such as Bridgend County Borough Council, to assess the likely significant environmental effects of implementing relevant plans and programmes, as defined within the regulations. The SEA Regulations also require responsible authorities to examine the likely significant effects of reasonable alternatives to the plan or programme under consideration. Where required, the assessment is to be prepared following a staged reporting process known as Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Scoping Report
The Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report for the Replacement Bridgend Local Development Plan outlines the proposed approach to the LDP’s Sustainability Appraisal (SA), incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
This report is the first stage of a SA process to identify, assess and address any likely significant effects on the environment from the emerging replacement Bridgend Local Development Plan.
Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Scoping Report
Initial Habitat Regulations Appraisal (HRA)
The SEA regulations also introduce a link between SEA and a need, in some cases, for a separate habitats regulation appraisal (HRA) of plans and projects where there is the potential for significant effects on European sites (Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation).
The Initial Habitat Regulations Appraisal (HRA) can be found under item six on the Development Control Committee page.
Initial Habitat Regulations Appraisal (HRA)
The Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report and the Initial HRA Screening Report were subject to a five week stakeholder consultation period commencing 23 July 2018 until 27 August 2018. The local planning authority received nine consultation responses. A summary of the key issues raised in relation to the reports is provided in the SA Scoping Report Consultation Report.
Screening Determination
The Screening Determination document provides a record of determination regarding the need or otherwise to incorporate a statutory strategic environmental assessment (SEA) within the wider Sustainability Appraisal (SA) being undertaken in respect of the review of the first Bridgend Local Development Plan (LDP), referred to as the LDP Review.