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Planning and Economic Development

EAST AYRSHIRE LOCAL PLAN CONSULTATIVE DRAFT
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS

Background to the SEA legislation

The environmental assessment of plans and programmes has been incorporated into Scottish Legislation as a direct consequence of Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and Council 'on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment', commonly referred to as the 'Strategic Environmental Assessment' or 'SEA Directive'. The Directive itself was primarily transposed into Scottish law on 20 July 2004 through Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004.

On 20 February 2006, the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 came into force and has now revoked the Regulations. The Scottish Executive has directed that those plans and programmes which started before the 19th February 2006, which includes the Alteration to the East Ayrshire Local Plan, can continue to be prepared under the provisions of the Regulations.

Screening

East Ayrshire Council determined on 1st February 2005, in conjunction with the Consultation Authorities, that a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Alteration to the East Ayrshire Local Plan is required.

To view the Screening Decision and Screening Report please click on the links below:

Strategic Environmental Assessment: Screening Report (pdf, 32kb)

Strategic Environmental Assessment: Screening Determination (pdf, 150kb)

Scoping

When deciding on the scope and level of detail to be included in the Environmental Report and on the length of the consultation period, the Council must consult the Consultation Authorities (Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Ministers, who have delegated their consultative role to Historic Scotland).

East Ayrshire Council formally submitted the Scoping Report on 9 March 2006, to the Consultation Authorities for their information and comment. The draft Scoping Report was subject to consultation between 15 August and 16 September 2005 and all comments were taken into account in the preparation of the finalised Scoping Report. The Council's responses to the comments raised can be found in Appendix 12 of the Scoping Report. The Councils responses to the Consultation Authorities Comments on the Scoping Report can be found in Appendix 7 of the Environmental Report.

To view the Scoping Report click on the link below

Strategic Environmental Assessment: Scoping Report (pdf, 0.5Mb)

Environmental Report

The Environmental Report identifies, describes and evaluates the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the Alteration to the East Ayrshire Local Plan.

To view the Sustainability Appraisal (including the draft Environmental Report) and its associated appendices click on the links below:

Sustainability Appraisal (inc. the draft Environmental Report)

The draft Environmental Report which accompanies the Alteration to the East Ayrshire Local Plan: Consultative Draft was advertised in the press on 15 September 2006.

To view the advert relating to the Environmental Report please click on the link below:

Draft Environmental Report Advertisement (pdf, 11kb)

For further information, contact Development Planning & Regeneration