Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
The basic framework for the Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA) process is provided by European
Directive 42/2001/EC on ‘the assessment of certain plans and
programmes on the environment’. This Directive has been brought
into effect in Wales by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and
Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004 and by corresponding
Regulations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the UK (including
England).
SEA Process
The purpose of the SEA process is ‘to provide a high level of
environmental protection and ensure that all environmental issues
and impacts are fully taken into account before a plan is approved
and adopted’. The key requirement of the Directive is that an
‘environmental assessment’ is undertaken of plans and programmes
before their approval and adoption.
SEA applies at the strategic planning stage and apples across a
wide range of public sector and private sector plans including land
use plans, waste management, water management, forestry and
tourism.
The SEA process is carried out by, or on behalf of, a plan maker
and must be provided to the authority responsible for plan approval
alongside the final draft plan. This helps the plan approving body
consider the predicted effects of the plan’s implementation before
granting final approval for the plan and allows all concerned to
consider and develop means of avoiding, reducing or remedying any
adverse environmental effects before a decision is made.
The SEA Directive
The Countryside Council for Wales has two major roles under the
SEA Directive.
CCW is required as a plan maker or ‘responsible authority’, to
undertake Strategic Environmental Assessment of its own plans and
programmes. As a statutory ‘consultant body’, CCW is required to
actively participate in the SEA process when carried out by other
plan-making or ‘responsible authorities’.
CCW are an important source of information on Wales’ environment
and can provide advice on the potential effects of plans and
programmes on our natural heritage. This area of work is led by the
Strategic Policy Group to whom any queries should be directed in
the first instance.
SEA Topic Guidance for Practitioners
The SEA process identifies a number of environmental topics that
must be considered within the assessment process. CCW has published
a series of guidance notes for SEA Topics to help plan makers and
SEA practitioners.
SEA Topic: Air
SEA Topic: Biodiversity
SEA Topic: Climate Change
SEA Topic: Cultural Heritage
SEA Topic: Landscape
SEA Topic: Material Assets
SEA Topic: Soil
SEA Topic: Water
Additional guidance on SEA Topics is produced by the Environment
Agency.
Related Articles….
Other Websites...
Environment Agency
Strategic Environmental Assessment - Additional guidance on SEA
Topics
Welsh Government
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
Guidance
Communities and Local Government
Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive
Governmental guidance published by the Office of the Deputy Prime
Minister.
EUR-Lex
Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain
plans and programmes on the environment. Full text of the SEA
Directive as published by the European Commission.
European
Commission
Implementation of the SEA Directive. Guidance on implementation of
the Directive as issued by the European Commission (DG
Environment).
UNECE -Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment
Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment- Protocol to the
Convention on EIA in a transboundary context.
Resources
Corporate
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Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Air Download Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Air.pdf (486 KB)
This Guidance Note forms one of a series which covers seven of the topics which need to be taken into account when undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of plans and
programmes.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Biodiversity Download Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Biodiversity.pdf (875 KB)
This Guidance Note forms one of a series which covers seven of the topics which need to be taken into account when undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of plans and
programmes.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Climate Change Download Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Climate Change.pdf (513 KB)
This Guidance Note forms one of a series which covers seven of the topics which need to be taken into account when undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of plans and
programmes.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Cultural Heritage Download Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Cultural Heritage.pdf (581 KB)
This Guidance Note forms one of a series which covers seven of the topics which need to be taken into account when undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of plans and
programmes.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Landscape Download Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Landscape.pdf (903 KB)
This Guidance Note forms one of a series which covers seven of the topics which need to be taken into account when undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of plans and
programmes.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Material Assets Download Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Material Assets.pdf (464 KB)
This Guidance Note forms one of a series which covers eight of the topics which need to be taken into account when undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of plans and
programmes.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Soil Download Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Soil.pdf (689 KB)
This Guidance Note forms one of a series which covers seven of the topics which need to be taken into account when undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of plans and
programmes.
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inaccessible resource:
Download estimate:
- 56 Kb
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Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Water Download Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Practitioners SEA Topic-Water.pdf (1 MB)
This Guidance Note forms one of a series which covers seven of the topics which need to be taken into account when undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of plans and
programmes.
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inaccessible resource:
Download estimate:
- 56 Kb
- 2 min,
- 512 Kb
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