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Publication - Impact assessment

Scottish new National Parks - phase 2 - strategic environmental assessment (SEA): SEA reasonable alternatives report

Published
20 December 2024
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change
ISBN
9781836911784

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) addendum report for the future of National Parks proposals in Scotland

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Appendix A: The SEA Framework

The key environmental issues for the Scottish New National Parks have been translated into an SEA ‘Framework’ of objectives and assessment questions.

The SEA Framework, which has been tailored for the Scottish New National Parks proposals, provides a way in which the likely significant environmental effects of the proposals and alternatives can be identified and subsequently analysed based on a structured and consistent approach.

Whilst all topics have been scoped-in to the assessment, the SEA Framework and the assessment findings in this Reasonable Alternatives Report have been streamlined and presented under seven SEA topics to deliver a proportionate and effective assessment process. The accompanying objectives and assessment questions for each topic have been refined as appropriate in recognition of the strategic nature of the proposals at this stage.

SEA topic SEA objective Assessment questions (will the proposals help to…)
Biodiversity and geodiversity Support the integrity of internationally, nationally, and locally designated sites in Scotland.
  • Protect the integrity of internationally, nationally, and locally designated sites?
  • Manage the pressures on designated sites for biodiversity, fauna, and flora?
  • Expand and connect protected areas and improve their condition?
Biodiversity and geodiversity Support the integrity of habitats and species in Scotland.
  • Protect, enhance, and restore priority habitats, and the habitats of priority species?
  • Recover and protect vulnerable and important species?
  • Protect, enhance, and restore ecological networks and connectivity, supporting nature restoration and regeneration?
  • Effectively balance ecological benefits with the socio-economic potential of habitats and species?
Biodiversity and geodiversity Enhance understanding of biodiversity, fauna, and flora in Scotland.
  • Encourage opportunities for engagement with biodiversity?
Biodiversity and geodiversity Support the integrity of geodiversity resources in Scotland.
  • Protect the integrity of Scotland’s internationally significant geodiversity resources?
  • Protect and enhance geodiversity and support enhanced understanding of geodiversity resources?
Climate change Support Scotland’s resilience to the potential effects of climate change, including flooding.
  • Effectively manage existing and emerging pressures associated with climate change?
  • Prevent, mitigate, and adapt to the effects of climate change, including flood risk?
  • Improve and extend green and blue infrastructure networks?
Climate change Promote climate change mitigation efforts within Scotland.
  • Contribute to Scotland’s net zero ambitions?
  • Support nature-based solutions for emissions reductions?
Environmental quality Maintain and enhance air quality in Scotland.
  • Maintain and enhance the contribution of healthy ecosystems in the regulation of air quality?
  • Reduce levels of pollution and help enhance the environment?
Environmental quality Maintain and enhance water resources in Scotland.
  • Maintain and enhance the contribution of healthy ecosystems to the quality and quantity of water?
  • Reduce levels of pollution and help enhance the quality of water environments?
Environmental quality Maintain and enhance soil resources in Scotland.
  • Maintain and enhance the contribution of healthy ecosystems to the quality of soil resources?
  • Support the reinvigoration of areas of previously developed land, or vacant/ underutilised land?
Material assets To reduce pressures on and facilitate the sustainable use of natural and built resources in Scotland.
  • Secure the sustainable use of resources to maximise benefits for biodiversity, climate, and people?
  • Protect, enhance, and restore natural and built resources?
Cultural heritage Conserve, enhance, and promote Scotland’s historic environment, including designated and non-designated heritage assets.
  • Conserve, enhance and promote the significance of buildings, structures, and features of architectural or historic interest, both designated and non-designated, and their setting?
  • Conserve, enhance and promote the special interest, character and appearance of designated and non-designated heritage assets and areas?
  • Conserve and enhance Scotland’s archaeological resources, including features listed on the National Record of the Historic Environment?
Cultural heritage Promote opportunities for enhancing the understanding of Scotland’s distinct historic environment.
  • Support access to, interpretation and understanding of the historic evolution and character of the environment?
Landscape Conserve and enhance Scotland’s landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes, townscapes and villagescapes.
  • Protect the special qualities and integrity of Scotland’s landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes, townscapes and villagescapes?
  • Encourage opportunities for collaboration and partnerships between key stakeholder groups (e.g., public, private, and voluntary organisations) to address the most important issues in relation to nature, people, and place?
Landscape Protect and enhance the character and quality of Scotland’s landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes, townscapes and villagescapes.
  • Conserve, enhance or restore landscape character and local distinctiveness?
  • Protect and enhance key landscape, seascape, cityscape, townscape and villagescape features?
  • Improve understanding and enjoyment of Scotland’s distinctive landscape, seascape, cityscape, townscape, and villagescape resources?
Population and human health Support thriving communities in Scotland.
  • Promote the economic, social, cultural, and environmental wellbeing of communities, and responsible investment in natural resources?
  • Support nature-rich environments?
Population and human health Improve the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors to Scotland.
  • Promote understanding and enjoyment of Scotland’s special qualities by the public?
  • Maintain or enhance the quality of life of local residents and visitors?
  • Increase the area of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces?
  • Increase access for recreation and the role of environment and place in mental and physical well-being (e.g., their experiential qualities)?

Contact

Email: NationalParks@gov.scot

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