6.1: In preparing the Local Plan Review we are legally required to identify, describe and evaluate likely significant effects on the environment of:
- implementing the local plan review
- reasonable alternatives, taking into account the plan’s objectives and scope
6.2: This process is undertaken through a ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment’ (‘SEA’) which will consider how community, national and international environmental protection objectives and any other environmental challenges are taken into account in the plan. There is a current SEA (within a wider Sustainability Appraisal) that supports the emerging Surrey Heath Local Plan 2018 – 2038.
6.3: We are in the process of appointing consultants to undertake the first stage of the SEA process which is to prepare a Scoping Report identifying baseline data and environmental objectives. We are required to consult Historic England, the Environment Agency and Natural England on the SEA Scoping Report.