Planning Circular 2/2004: strategic environmental assessment for development planning

Guidance on The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004 as they apply to planning authorities in respect of development planning.


Scottish Planning Series
PLANNING CIRCULAR 2 2004

Strategic Environmental Assessment for Development Planning; the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004

July 2004

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Contents
Covering Letter

This Circular contains the following main sections:

Paragraph

Introduction

1

Further Guidance

5

Background

7

SEA Legislation

8

The Regulations

10

Determining whether Environmental Assessment is required .

13

Publicity for Determinations

16

Procedures when Environmental Assessment is required

17

Preparation and content of Environmental Report

17

Scoping

18

Content of Environmental Report

19

Consultation

21

Expedited Development Plan Procedures

26

Transboundary Consultations

28

Planning Authorities as Consultees

29

Procedures in respect of the adoption / approval of the plan

30

Local Plans

31

Structure Plans

32

Post Adoption Procedures

33

Information on the adoption of a plan or programme

33

Monitoring implementation of plans and programmes

37

Future Changes to the Development Planning Process

39

Further Copies and Enquiries

41

Annex A: Criteria for determining the likely significance of effects on the environment; Schedule 1 of the regulations

Annex B: Information for Environmental Reports; Schedule 2 of the Regulations

PLANNING SERIES:
  • Scottish Planning Policies (SPPs) provide statements of Scottish Executive policy on nationally important land use and other planning matters, supported where appropriate by a locational framework.
  • Circulars, which also provide statements of Scottish Executive policy, contain guidance on policy implementation through legislative or procedural change.
  • Planning Advice Notes (PANs) provide advice on good practice and other relevant information.

Statements of Scottish Executive policy contained in SPPs and Circulars may be material considerations to be taken into account in development plan preparation and development control.

Existing National Planning Policy Guidelines (NPPGs) have continued relevance to decision making, until such time as they are replaced by a SPP. The term SPP should be interpreted as including NPPGs.

Statements of Scottish Executive location-specific planning policy, for example the West Edinburgh Planning Framework, have the same status in decision making as SPPs.

This Circular summarises the Scottish Ministers' understanding of the general effect of the relevant primary or secondary legislation although the summaries do not carry statutory authority in themselves and legal advice should always be taken in case of doubt.

Contact

Chief.Planner@gov.scot

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