The Scottish Government

1 Section 14(3) and Schedule 3 of the Act set out the information required for Environmental Reports and this includes a non-technical summary (Schedule 3 paragraph 10 of the Act).

2 It is good practice for the non-technical summary to cover the whole of the Environmental Report. In particular, it must cover the information specified at Schedule 3 paragraphs 1-9 of the Act.

3 Typically, a non-technical summary may be between 1-3 pages long.

4 It is good practice to set out the consultation period and the address for comments at the start of the non-technical summary.

Screening

determining whether the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects and whether an SEA is required

Scoping

deciding on the scope and level of detail of the Environmental Report, and the consultation period for the report - this is done in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage, The Scottish Ministers (Historic Scotland) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Environmental

publishing an Environmental Report on the PPS and its environmental

Report

effects, and consulting on that report

Adoption

providing information on: the adopted PPS; how consultation comments have been taken into account; and methods for monitoring the significant environmental effects of the implementation of the PPS

Monitoring

monitoring significant environmental effects in such a manner so as to also enable the Responsible Authority to identify any unforeseen adverse effects at an early stage and undertake appropriate remedial action.

1 It is good practice to include a section on SEA activities to date as it helps to ensure transparency and sets the Environmental Report in context. It can also help to demonstrate compliance with a number of requirements including the requirement to take into account Consultation Authority views provided at the scoping stage.

2 A brief paragraph and bullet points, or a table like Table 2, would suffice. This may be presented as an annex supported by a brief paragraph in the main body of the report.

screening to determine whether the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects

scoping the consultation periods and the level of detail to be included in the Environmental Report

Outline and objectives of the PPS

relationship with other PPS and environmental objectives

environmental baseline established

environmental problems identified

assessment of future of area without the PPS

alternatives considered

environmental assessment methods established

selection of PPS alternatives to be included in the environmental assessment

identification of environmental problems that may persist after implementation and measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and offset any significant adverse effects

monitoring methods proposed

consultation timescales

• Timescale for Consultation Authorities
• Timescale for public

notification/publicity action

1 This section would typically be 1-3 pages long.

2 This section expands on the information in Table 1 and may be supported by geographical information/maps along with a web link to the PPS. It should set out clearly the strategic actions of the PPS and identify those to be assessed in the SEA.

1 The list of other PPS and environmental protection objectives to be analysed will have been considered as part of the scoping process. Therefore, much of this information may be available from the Scoping Report.

2 Typically, this section may be 2-4 pages long, supported by more detailed analysis in an appendix .

EXAMPLE
UK Climate Change Programme, 2000

Air, climatic factors

Sets CO2 reduction targets that Plan X needs to take into account

Air Quality Strategy for England and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2000 amended 2003

Air, human health

Aims to protect people's health and the environment; sets objectives for air pollutants specified

1 List key messages from the PPS and environmental protection objectives, for instance the need to provide adequate open space, protect the historic environment, or further biodiversity.

1 The purpose of this section is to provide enough environmental baseline data to:

• support the identification of environmental problems;
• support the process of assessing the environmental effects;
• provide a baseline against which future monitoring data can be compared.

2 Both quantitative and qualitative data are acceptable. The relevance of each will depend on the issue, e.g. qualitative data is likely to be more appropriate in terms of landscape issues.

3 It is good practice to explain in this section the extent to which it has been possible to provide the necessary baseline data, and to document and explain any data gaps or inadequacies.

4 The Responsible Authority may find it useful to prepare this section in discussion with the Consultation Authorities. Typically, it may be 2-6 pages long and it may be useful to present the more detailed analysis in an appendix.

1 List/summarise data collected and the data sources.

1 A good place to start may be to describe the PPS area in terms of the issues/topics listed at Schedule 3 of the Act: population; human health; biodiversity; flora; fauna; soil; water; air; climatic factors; material assets; cultural heritage; landscape; and interrelations between them. If any of these are not covered, it is good practice to explain why. Also, include a description of designated areas such as SSSIs or area pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EC (Habitats) and Council Directive 79/409/EEC (Birds) http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/consleg/pdf/1992/en_1992L0043_do_001.pdf

1 Data can be presented as:

• text, e.g. " Biodiversity: [plan name] has a high quality environment with 8 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, which are nationally important for nature conservation and geology; one Special Protection Area, designated for the conservation of a bird habitat; and 1 RAMSAR site which is an internationally important bird habitat…"
• maps/ GIS, e.g. for designated sites, areas at risk of flooding
• graphs, e.g. for trends in traffic levels, air quality
• tables (see example below)
• or as a combinations of these approaches.

2 The use of maps and diagrams is encouraged to help ensure clarity.

3 It may also be worthwhile looking at how the baseline data has been described in other Responsible Authorities' Scoping Reports and Environmental Reports.

4 Different approaches for presenting the data may be appropriate for this appendix and for the summary in the main text.

Example of table for presenting of baseline data: This example shows that inclusion of trends, targets and comparators (in this case, the region) are useful in helping to determine whether a problem exists or not. Citing the data source helps to show that the data are robust, and makes updating the SEA easier.

Number of Air Quality Management Areas ( AQMAs) (Nov 04)

5 in district

13 in region

No data -designation of AQMAs started in 2004

Limit values as set out in Air Quality Daughter Directive

Not a problem

Website …

No of days air quality objectives were exceeded

15 (2001)
35 (2003)

44 (2001)
112 (2003)

Increasing

To reduce

Problem

Local Monitoring Report …

1 It is suggested that it would be useful to include a brief analysis regarding the reliability and completeness of data the collected - this may be in tabular, bullet point or text format.

2 It is considered good practice to include a description of gaps or risks associated with the data and how these gaps and risks were addressed in order to improve the baseline used.

3 Chapter 8 of the Tool Kit provides further guidance on gathering baseline data.

1 The Responsible Authority must include any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the PPS, in particular, those relating to any areas of particular environmental importance such as areas pursuant to Council Directive 79/409/EEC (wild birds) and 92/43/EEC (habitats). http://europa.eu.int/eurlex/en/consleg/pdf/1992/en_1992L0043_do_001.pdf

2 The Responsible Authority may find it useful to prepare this section in discussion with other stakeholders and possibly the public. It may be about 1-3 pages long.

e.g. reduction in air quality due to large numbers of cars on school run

School journey mode in district X 45% foot, 32% car, 12% public transport; compared with 40%, 30%, 17% nationally (source: X local residents survey, 2005).

One-third of peak time traffic is school related (Local Residents' Survey, 2004).

Increase emphasis on school travel plans, Safe Routes to School and other ways of reducing car journeys to school.

e.g. hotspots of air pollution

Map Y shows AQMA locations. Declared Air Quality Management Areas .

Reducing the need to travel and improving non-car alternatives should reduce the (increase in) traffic levels and help to improve air quality.

1 The example at Table 4 above shows that:-

• some problems can be identified from the baseline, e.g. where the current status is already problematic, trends are negative, targets are not being achieved
• supporting data can come from sources other than published sources
• maps can be helpful, e.g.AQMAs, flood risk

1 Schedule 3 of the Act requires that the likely evolution of the state of the environment without implementation of the PPS must be included in the Environmental Report.

2 One way to approach this is to list the likely changes against the issues you used in the earlier section. This can be informed by data on past trends and on likely future developments in the absence of the PPS ( e.g. increasing traffic levels or water abstraction).

3 Typically, this section may be 1-2 pages long.

1 The Responsible Authority may wish to include any SEA objectives at this point.

2SEA objectives may be defined as measures by which the environmental impacts of the PPS may be assessed. For further guidance please refer to the Chapter 9 of the Tool Kit.

1 The purpose of this section is to predict and evaluate as far as possible the environmental effects of this PPS and its reasonable alternatives (Section 14 of the Act) and to set out measures envisaged to prevent, reduce, and as fully as possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment (Schedule 3 paragraph 7 of the Act).

2 The baseline information from the previous sections is applied to consider whether the PPS and its alternatives are likely to have significant environmental effects (positive and negative).

1 Schedule 3 para 8 of the Act requires "an outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt with".

2 Section 14 of the Act requires the likely significant environmental effects of the PPS and its reasonable alternatives to be identified, described and evaluated.

1 It is suggested that you include an explanation of how and why these alternatives were considered "reasonable" and why and how they were selected for inclusion in the SEA.

1 It may be useful to give further explanation of the environmental assessment methods, any problems encountered in carrying out the assessment; and how those problems were addressed.

2 Typically, this section would be 1-2 pages long.

1 Insert the assessment framework established during the scoping process, amended and augmented as appropriate. Please refer to SEA Template 2 (scoping) for examples of assessment frameworks.

1 Insert summary of the environmental assessment of the PPS and its alternatives using the framework and methods agreed at the scoping stage. Include a full analysis in an appendix.

2 Please refer to the scoping template for examples of how to present the assessment framework.

Background

1 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that the Environmental Report shall include such of the information in Schedule 3 as may reasonably be required, taking account of:-

• current knowledge and methods of assessment;
• the contents and level of detail in the PPS;
• the stage of the PPS in the decision-making process;
• the extent to which certain matters are more appropriately assessed at different levels in the decision-making process in order to avoid duplication of the assessment.

2 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that the assessment must include an analysis of short, medium and long-term effects; permanent and temporary effects; positive and negative effects; and secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects. Positive and negative effects must not be assumed to cancel each other out.

Cumulative, synergistic and secondary effects

3 Because assessing and presenting cumulative, synergistic and secondary effects can be complex, the Responsible Authority may find it useful to present their assessment and conclusions in a distinct section of their Environmental Report (Chapter 6 of the Tool Kit).

4 This section may typically be 2-5 pages long, supported with an appendix containing the detailed analysis. It is not considered sufficient to provide a summary table on its own and it is good practice to explain any conclusions.

Sources of Guidance

5 A variety of tables are offered overleaf. You may also find it useful to cross refer to Chapter 12 of the Tool Kit which provides further guidance.

The following approach may be helpful for identifying the cumulative effects of the PPS across the SEA issues/topics:

In the example above, each part of the PPS has a neutral or positive overall impact (reading 'down'), but the policies cumulatively have a significant adverse effect on climatic factors (reading 'across'). In such a case, it is good practice to review to see whether they cannot be changed so as to reduce their joint effect. Negative and positive effects should not be assumed to cancel each other out.

+ = positive, - = negative and 0 = neutral effect.

Where different parts of a PPS seem to pull in opposite directions, it may be appropriate to also carry out a compatibility assessment of the PPS, as shown in the example below:

• Accessibility: Y Council will enable all Y residents to access employment, education and key services
• Demand Management: Y Council will influence and manage the demand for transport within and through Y
• Keep Y Moving: Y Council will manage/maintain local highway network to maximise safe/efficient use of road space and provide reliable journey times
• Sustainable Regeneration: Y Council will promote development that reduces need to travel while supporting local economy
• Connections: Y Council will press for more efficient transport links with the rest of Scotland

In the example, there is a clear tension between policies B and D, which aim to reduce the need to travel, and policies C and E, which aim to increase mobility. B/D and C/E would lead to virtually opposite environmental effects: the compatibility assessment helps to explain why this is the case.

1 Ways to prevent, reduce or offset negative impacts - must be considered for all significant adverse effects. The practical guide to the SEA Directive describes the links between impact assessment and measures for the prevention, reduction and offsetting of significant adverse effects.

2 It may also be useful to include a table which sets out how positive environmental effects may be enhanced.

e.g. water

future development proposed in local plan to 2016 is likely to worsen this.

Largely neutral impact. Main issue is rain runoff from existing and new proposed roads, and impact of the winter salting regime.

Ensure design of new roads minimises impact. Legal requirement to deal with icy roads limits ability to mitigate this. Linked plans: National controls on building in areas with limited water resources should be considered by central government but this is outside the remit of this plan

e.g. biodiversity

Yes: decline of habitats and species, fragmentation

Largely positive impact by strategies

New developments must avoid SSSIs & other sensitive sites. Design/ implementation of the schemes themselves should mitigate or improve biodiversity ( e.g. better connection of green corridors) as well as wildlife protection measures .

1 Section 19 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires the Responsible Authority to monitor significant environmental effects of the implementation of the PPS. This must be done in such a way as to also identify unforeseen adverse effects and to take appropriate remedial action.

Appendix B. Monitoring measures need to be linked to any targets, objectives or indicators used in the SEA. Monitoring may involve updating the baseline data using the same indicators. It may also be useful to monitor:

• SEA objectives
• Effectiveness of measures proposed for prevention, reduction and offsetting of significant adverse effects

3 Good practice associated with SEA monitoring includes ensuring it:

• fits a pre-defined purpose, helps to solve problems, and addresses key issues
• is practical and is customised to the PPS;
• is transparent and readily accessible to the public;
• is seen as a learning process and a cyclical process relating closely to the collation of the environmental baseline.

( source: TRL - Practical SEA for Local Transport Plans Advanced Course)

Appendix C. Further guidance on monitoring is available in Chapter 14 of the Tool Kit

1 It is suggested that it would be helpful to inform the public of key dates such as the closing date for comments, period during which comments will be scrutinised; any further planning/ SEA activities, adoption and post-adoption SEA activities such as notification and monitoring.

Option 1. This is a simple approach and that used most widely to date

Option 2. This approach provides more information, but takes longer to compile

PPS/environmental protection objective …(name)

body responsible for PPS:

status ( e.g. statutory, non-statutory):

date produced:

why is it relevant to the PPS

opportunities / synergies:

constraints / challenges:

how could the PPS respond?

Implications for the SEA

internet link:

useful cross-references

The assessment results would be structured according to the framework established at Table 6.