Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
In line with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Council are required to undertake an SEA to assess the significant impacts on the environment that the new LDP may have. This assessment allows us to view the LDP preparation and implementation from an environmental perspective and understand the potential impacts this new plan may have on the environment of Angus and to provide mitigation and enhancement proposals where appropriate.
The SEA Scoping Report will focus on the baseline environmental data and provide detail for the Environmental Report to cover. The Scoping Report will be prepared during the data gathering and Evidence Report stage. Once the Consultation Authorities have provided comments on the Scoping Report, the Council will move forward with preparing the SEA Environmental Report, at the Proposed Plan stage – detailing the current state of the environment and how any environmental characteristics are to be significantly impacted by the Plan.
On adoption of the Plan, the Council will produce the Post-Adoption Statement and submit that to the Consultation Authorities.
Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment(FSDA)
The FSDA is focussed on the provision of fair and equal outcomes in policy and decision-making processes; therefore, it is another requirement of the LDP process, in line with Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010. The LDP will provide strategic measures for development within the Council area, and this assessment must be undertaken in order to produce the LDP in a way which will reduce social and economic inequalities of socio-economic nature. This will be done by assessing potential impacts and ways to mitigate these, alongside considerations of how to monitor these socio-economic inequalities in relation to the adoption of the LDP.
Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)
PSEDs are also in line with the Equality Act 2010 and the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012, which requires the Council to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunities, and foster good relations between those with protected characteristics and those who do not. This means that the Council will adhere to this duty throughout the LDP process and ensure that the new LDP complies to these regulations, promoting equality.
Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA)
EQIAs are conducted across many sectors in line with the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010 as a way of considering and involving a range of individuals and characteristics in the development of any plans, policies, or strategies. Assessing the likely impacts of the next LDP on such protected characteristics and groups will allow the Council to promote inclusivity in future developments.
Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA)
The HRA is another impact assessment required in the process of preparing the new LDP. This assessment is prepared to understand how specific sites allocated in the LDP may impact any Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. However, this impact assessment is not prepared as early as the others and will take place at the same time as the Proposed Plan rather than at the Evidence Report stage.
Next: LDP Stages and Timetable