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Sustainable Development

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a method for considering the effect public plans, programmes and strategies are likely to have on the environment.  It is a process for incorporating environmental considerations into decision-making at an early stage and in an integrated way.

The requirement to undertake SEA was established by a European Directive in 2001 and came into force in Scotland as the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005.  The Act requires the Council to consider all policies, plans and programmes for SEA, as well as alterations to and reviews of existing plans.

There are a number of stages set out in the legislation that require consultation with Historic Scotland, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, and Scottish Natural Heritage via the Scottish Government SEA Gateway.  There is also a requirement to consult with members of the public affected by, likely to be affected by, or having an interest in the proposed plan, policy or programme.  This is done by preparing an Environmental Report which sets out the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the draft plan.