Sustainability Appraisal, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulation Assessment

The Sustainability Appraisal, Strategic Environmental Assessment (often called SA/SEA), and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) are tests of the Local Development Plan (or Strategic Development Plan). They look at the effects of the plan on the environment, social, economic and cultural well-being, as well as the use of the Welsh language. The SA/SEA and HRA process runs alongside the Local Development Plan process, and you can comment on the SA/SEA and HRA themselves.

The Sustainability Appraisal, which usually includes the Strategic Environmental Assessment, looks at a wide range of issues. These will always include protection of wildlife and the environment, but can also include issues such as health, crime, culture, and education. The early stages are used to form a set of sustainability goals. The policies of the development plan, including alternatives, are then measured against the goals to see whether the plan would have a positive effect on sustainability.

Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) and Appropriate Assessment – when a planning application Local Development Plan could potentially affect a Special Protected Area (SPA) or Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a HRA is needed. There are several stages - first, Screening is needed to find out whether the site would be affected, and this is followed by Appropriate Assessment to see whether any negative effects can be mitigated. HRA must consider the effect of the development alone, but also in combination with other plans and development already taking place.

You can comment on any of these assessments that sit alongside the Local Development Plan, especially if you think there are issues or possible impacts that aren’t being considered.