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Part 2 - SEA Templates
Scottish Executive SEA Templates
Template 1 -Screening (with integrated guidance notes)
Introductory guidance notes
2.1 SEA is targeted at plans, programmes and strategies ( PPS) with significant environmental effects. The purpose of screening is to determine whether a qualifying PPS has likely significant environmental effects (Sections 8, 9 and 10 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005).
2.2 Screening is not required for the following qualifying PPS and the Responsible Authority should move directly to the scoping stage:
- A PPS described at Section 5(3)(a)(i)&(ii) (unless it relates to a small/local area or is a minor modification of an existing PPS in which case screening is required)
- A PPS described at Section 5(3)(b) which is determined to require an assessment pursuant to Article 6 or 7 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna as last amended by Council Directive 97/62/EC (unless it only relates to a small/local area or is a minor modification of an existing PPS in which case screening is required).
2.3 Screening is required for:
- A PPS which is required by a legislative, regulatory or administrative provision and is described in Section 5(3) of the Act but only determines the use of small areas at local levels or is a minor modification of such a PPS (Section 8(1)(a) & (b) of the Act).
- A PPS described in Section 5(3)(c) of the Act which is required by legislative, regulatory or administrative provision and which sets the framework for development consent of projects. This can be a PPS prepared for any purpose, apart from those to which the Act does not apply, such as financial plans. The PPS does not have to be prepared for one of the subjects described at Section 5(3)(a)(i).
- A PPS which is described in Section 5(4) of the Act and has not been exempted through the pre-screening procedure. This applies to PPS of any type (apart from those to which the Act does not apply such as financial plans) which are owned by one of the Responsible Authorities listed at Section 2(4) of the Act.
- Guidance on Screening and Pre-screening is available in Chapter 4 of the Tool Kit.
How to submit screening summaries
2.4 If a PPS is subject to the screening provisions, Responsible Authorities are required to forward to the Consultation Authorities, a summary of their views, as to whether or not the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects (Section 9(1)&(2) of the Act). In practice, Responsible Authorities are asked to send screening documentation via the Scottish Executive SEA Gateway, preferably by email. The Gateway then forwards documentation to the Consultation Authorities for their views regarding whether or not the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects.
SEA Template 1 - screening
2.5 Template 1 provides a framework for the screening summary described at Section 9 of the Act. This summary is referred to as the "Screening Report" in the Scottish Executive SEA Tool Kit.
Length and level of detail
2.6 As a basic guide to ensure Screening Reports are concise, Responsible Authorities should try not to exceed 5-8 pages in length. The size of the sections and boxes in the template is not a guide to the level of detail required because that will depend on the PPS and its likely effects. It is good practice to include a map and PPS objectives, when available, in the Screening Report.
Length of time for Consultation Authority's response
2.7 Within 28 days of receipt of the Screening Report, the Consultation Authorities shall respond with their opinions and views (Section 9(3) of the Act). In practice, the Consultation Authorities response will be issued via the Scottish Executive SEA Gateway.
Determination procedure - Section 9(4)-(7) of the Act
2.8 If the Responsible Authorities and the Consultation Authorities agree that the PPS is unlikely to have significant environmental effects, the Responsible Authority shall make a determination to that effect.
2.9 If the Responsible Authority and the Consultation Authorities agree that the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects, then the Responsible Authority shall make a determination to that effect.
2.10 If the Responsible Authority and Consultation Authorities do not reach an agreement as to whether or not the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects, the Responsible Authority shall refer the matter to the Scottish Ministers for their determination.
Screening - publicity for determinations (Section 10 of the Act)
2.11 Within 28 days of a determination having been made the Responsible Authority shall send the Consultation Authorities the following documents (in practice, the Responsible Authority is asked to send the relevant documents via the Scottish Executive SEA Gateway):
- a copy of the determination; and
- a statement of reasons for that determination (only required in those cases where the Responsible Authority determines the PPS is unlikely to have significant environmental effects).
2.12 The Responsible Authority is also required to:
- keep a copy of the determination and any related statement of reasons, available at its principal office for inspection by the public at all reasonable times and free of charge; and
- display a copy of the determination and any related statement of reasons on the authority's website; and
- within 14 days of making the determination, take such steps as it considers appropriate (including publication in at least one newspaper circulating in the area to which the PPS relates) to bring to the attention of the public:
- title of PPS;
- that a determination has been made and whether an SEA is required;
- the address (which may include a website) at which a copy of the determination and any related statement of reasons may be inspected or from which a copy may be obtained.
2.13 The Responsible Authority is not required to provide a copy of the determination or statement of reasons free of charge. Where a charge is made, it has to be reasonable.
SEA Screening Report (Cover Note)
Key Facts
Screening Template - Guidance Note 1 |
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1 The Responsible Authority should present its determinations regarding whether there are any likely significant environmental effects (both positive and negative). 2 Criteria for determining the likely significant effects on the environment are provided in Schedule 2 of the Act. 3 You may find it helpful to present your assessment of significant environmental effects using Table 1 which is the format preferred by the Consultation Authorities. An example is given below of how the first two rows of this table may be completed. A blank version of the whole table is given overleaf. |
Table 1 - Example |
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Criteria for determining the likely significance of effects on the environment (Schedule 2 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005) | Likely to have significant environmental effect? | Summary of likely significant environmental effects (negative and positive) |
(a) the degree to which the strategy, plan or programme sets a framework for projects and other activities, either with regard to the location, nature, size and operating conditions or by allocating resources; | YES | The [ insert name of PPS] sets the framework for future development consents and contains policies and proposals for the location, nature, size etc. of new development that is likely to have significant environmental effects. |
(b) the degree to which the strategy, plan or programme influences other plans and programmes including those in a hierarchy; | YES | The [ insert name of plan] will have a significant influence on other plans such as Subject Plans and Environmental Action Plans. Those influences are ……….. |
SEA Screening Report
Our determinations regarding the likely significance of effects on the environment of [insert PPS title] is set out in Table 1.
Table 1-Likely Significance of Effects on the Environment
A summary of our considerations of the significant environmental effects of [name of PPS] is given below.
Table 2 - Summary of Environmental Effects
Table 3 - Summary Record of Comments from Consultation Authorities
Table 4 - Record of Post Screening Action
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