Sustainability Appraisal including Strategic Environmental Assessment

The Sustainability Appraisal - SA - seeks to ensure sustainable development is integrated into all land-use plans by taking into account economic, environmental and social matters. This process will include a Strategic Environmental Assessment - SEA - that seeks to provide a high level of environmental protection on a strategic basis. This integration will ensure that future development meets the needs of people living and working in the area, whilst at the same time ensuring that it is sited in such a way to protect the environment.

The Local Development Framework is a land use plan that says where different buildings, from homes to shops, offices, schools, leisure and health facilities may be built in the district. The Local Development Framework will guide development from April 2006 until 2026.

The Scoping Report details a number  of objectives and targets for the Council’s Local Development Framework. The Council consulted from Monday 7 March until 5pm on Monday 18 April 2005 on whether these objectives and targets were appropriate for the district. The draft Scoping Report was produced so that national and local agencies and groups could consider if the Council has identified the right issues for achieving sustainable development in the Borough.

Following this consultation, the Council amended the objectives and targets for the Local Development Framework at its Executive on 26 May 2005. It then used the agreed Scoping Report to assess the options for development. The Council consulted on the Initial Options for the Core Strategy from 15 June to 27 July 2005.

Copies of the draft Scoping Report for consultation purposes, together with the Council's Statement of Consultation and the approved Scoping report are attached below.

To read the attached pdf files, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader. This software is available free from the Adobe website.