Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA)
As part of the Local Development Plan (LDP) process, the Local Planning Authority (the Authority) is required to undertake a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the LDP.
The purpose of the Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment is to appraise the social, economic and environmental effects of the LDP. The SA will look at the strategy, policies and proposals in the LDP to ensure that the decisions made fit in with the principles of sustainable development.
Sustainability Appraisal will play an important part in showing that the LDP is sound. It is an integral element of every stage of the plan preparation, informing the LDP from inception to adoption. The Sustainability Appraisal must also include the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Regulations.