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INTRODUCTION
Purpose of this Environmental Report and key facts
1. As part of the preparation of Scottish Planning Policy ( SPP) 23 Planning and the Historic Environment, The Scottish Government Directorate of the Built Environment has carried out a Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA). SEA is a systematic method for considering the likely environmental effects of certain PPS. SEA aims to:
- integrate environmental factors into SPP preparation and decision-making;
- improve plans, programmes and strategies ( PPS) and enhance environmental protection;
- increase public participation in decision-making; and
- facilitate openness and transparency of decision-making.
2. SEA is required by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. The key SEA stages are:
Screening | Determining whether SPP 23 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 was done in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage, The Scottish Ministers (Historic Scotland) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. |
Environmental Report | Publishing an Environmental Report on the SPP 23 and its environmental effects and consulting on that report. |
Adoption | Providing information on: the adopted SPP; how consultation comments have been taken into account; and methods for monitoring the significant environmental effects of the implementation of the SPP. |
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. |
3. The purpose of this Environmental Report is to:
- provide environmental information on SPP 23 Planning and the Historic Environment;
- identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant effects of the SPP; and
- provide an early and effective opportunity for the Consultation Authorities and the public to offer views on any aspect of this Environmental Report.
4. The key facts relating to SPP 23 are set out in Table 1 below:
Table 1. Key facts relating to SPP 23 Planning and the Historic Environment
Name of Responsible Authority | The Scottish Government Directorate for the Built Environment |
Title of Plan, Policy or Strategy ( PPS) | Scottish Planning Policy ( SPP) 23 Planning and the Historic Environment |
What prompted the PPS | Commitment to review, amalgamate and streamline policy as part of modernising planning agenda |
Subject ( e.g. transport) | Town and country planning and land use, historic environment |
Period covered by PPS | Not specified |
Frequency of updates | Not specified |
Area covered by PPS | Scotland |
Purpose and/or objectives of PPS | To provide the land use planning framework for conservation and enhancement of Scotland's historic environment |
Contact point | Steve Dowell Principal Planner
The Scottish Government Directorate of the Built Environment
Area 2-H
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ(0131 244 3108) |
SEA activities to date
5. Table 2 summarises the SEA activities to date in relation to SPP 23 Planning and the Historic Environment:
Table 2. SEA activities to date
SEA Action/Activity | When carried out | Notes |
|---|
Screening to determine whether the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects | March - April 2007 | Concluded in agreement with the Consultation Authorities that an SEA was required. Began to identify key potential effects as far as possible and confirmed through responses to screening report. Formal screening determination advertised in press, and made available to public online and via Planning Helpline. |
Scoping of the assessment, the consultation periods and the level of detail to be included in the Environmental Report | April - May 2007 | Held informal meeting with Historic Scotland SEA Team to discuss scoping of SEA at an early stage. Followed up with discussion of policy development with Historic Scotland staff, also involving SEA personnel. |
Outline and objectives of the PPS | Early 2007 | Clear scope of policy review process established from the outset. Importance of focusing in the review on streamlining and amalgamation of existing NPPGs understood early in the process. Process sought to avoid inappropriately implying any intention of a more fundamental review of policy. Early work documenting specific changes made to NPPG text to arrive at SPP was undertaken to assist with SEA screening and scoping. |
Relationship with other PPS and environmental objectives | April 2007, as part of scoping process | Included revision of supporting text to reflect the emerging Scottish Historic Environment Policy ( SHEP) series. |
Environmental baseline established | Commenced April 2007, continued throughout assessment | Drew from concurrent SEAs of National Planning Framework and SPP14, but sought to focus on issues of particular relevance to the historic environment. |
Environmental problems identified | As above | As above. |
Assessment of future of area without the PPS | Commenced as part of scoping (April 2007), continued into Autumn 2007 | Focused on the impact of changes to the planning system since the publication of NPPGs 5 and 18, especially the Modernising the Planning System agenda. |
Alternatives considered | April 2007 | No systematic assessment of alternatives was undertaken within the assessment due to the established limitations of the policy review process. This was reflected in the scoping report and agreed with the Consultation Authorities as an appropriate approach at that stage of the assessment. |
Environmental assessment methods established | April 2007 | Undertaken as part of scoping process. |
Selection of alternatives to be included in the environmental assessment | Not applicable | See above. |
Identification of environmental problems that may persist after implementation and measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and offset any significant adverse effects | Autumn 2007 | Undertaken as integral part of assessment process. |
Monitoring methods proposed | Winter 2007-2008 | |
Consultation | February 2008 | Draft ER prepared and published for Consultation alongside Consultative Draft SPP. |
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