Christchurch and East Dorset Sustainability Appraisal

The sustainability appraisal's role is to assess the extent to which the emerging policies and proposals contained within Local Development Documents will help to achieve relevant environmental, social and economic objectives. In doing so, it provides an opportunity to consider ways in which the plan or strategy can contribute to improvements in environmental, social and economic conditions, as well as a means of identifying and addressing any adverse effects that draft policies and proposals might have. 

This  SA scoping report (pdf, 1Mb) (opens in a new window) has been prepared following consultation with relevant stakeholders in order to ensure that the identification of sustainability objectives and issues, and the proposed collection of the baseline data, are adequate for the assessment of the future formulation of Local Development Documents. This included a stakeholder consultation, held between 21 November 2005 and 30 December 2005 and a further consultation in 2008, including those required to be involved as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process (Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament). This scoping report has taken on board many of the useful comments received, as well as other changes introduced through improved understanding.  The updated 'SA Supplement to Appendix 1' that supports the scoping report will be added shortly to this page.

The scoping report comprises the first stage of the SA for the emerging Christchurch and East Dorset LDFs and the purpose of it is to:

• Identify environmental, social and economic objectives contained in other plans and programmes that are relevant to the LDFs
• Assess the existing broad environmental, social and economic characteristics of Christchurch and East Dorset, and how these are changing, taking a long term view of whether, and how, the area is expected to develop
• In the light of these reviews, consider key issues and problems that the LDFs should address in the pursuit of sustainable development
• Set out an appropriate framework for carrying out the remainder of the SA, including objectives against which draft policies and options may be assessed, and indicators against which progress towards meeting those objectives can be monitored in future

Strategic Environmental Assessment

European Directive 2001/42/EC requires an 'environmental assessment' of plans and programmes prepared by public authorities that are likely to have a significant effect upon the environment. This process is referred to commonly as 'Strategic Environmental Assessment' (SEA), and covers relevant plans and programmes whose formal preparation began after 21 July 2004. Among the documents to which this requirement will apply are land use plans that cover a wide area, such as the Christchurch and East Dorset LDFs.  The SEA will form the environmental part of the SA.

This scoping report will use an approach that addresses the requirements of SEA and SA simultaneously, by giving full consideration to environmental issues whilst also addressing the spectrum of socio-economic concerns. In terms of the specific requirements of the Directive, the scoping report and the sustainability appraisal report on the draft local development documents will together meet the need for an 'Environmental Report', as required by the SEA Directive, setting out the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the draft plan (and the reasonable alternatives that have been considered).

• Community & Planning Policy Manager
  Name: Simon Trueick
  Email: strueick@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495038 Ext. 5038
  Fax: 01202 495108
  Full details for Simon Trueick
• Name: Policy Planning (East Dorset)
  Email: PlanningPolicy@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 886201
  Full details for Policy Planning (East Dorset)