A Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is a systematic process that must be carried out during the preparation of a Local Development Plan (LDP). Its role is to promote sustainable development by assessing the extent to which an emerging spatial plan, when judged against reasonable alternatives, will help to achieve relevant environmental, economic and social objectives.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) focuses on the likely environmental effects of a plan whilst the SA focuses on social and economic impacts.
It is an iterative process which includes the following documents (which can be found in the Document Library):
An Equality Impact Assessment has been completed for the Draft Plan Strategy. This report considers the potential impact of the Draft Plan Strategy’s policies and proposals on specific groups identified in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
The Rural Needs Act 2016 requires district councils and other public authorities to have due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising policies, strategies and plans and when designing and delivering public services.
The Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) is required by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (NI) 1995 (as amended). The draft HRA was prepared by the Shared Environmental Service in accordance with the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). The HRA considers the potential impact of the Draft Plan Strategy on European Designated Nature Conservation sites.