Sustainability appraisal, SEA, IIA and HRA

Sustainability Appraisal, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) are tools for assessing how well plans and strategies meet sustainable development or environmental objectives.

As the result of the European SEA Directive, SEA is now legally required for many strategic plans and programmes throughout the EU. Scottish legislation extends this requirement to more plans and programmes where there is a significant environmental impact . Sustainability appraisal is required for land use plans in England and Wales.

Integrated Impact Assessment brings together SA and SEA with other specific appraisals such as Equalities Impact Assessment and Health Impact Assessment.

Habitats Regulation Assessment (also referred to as Appropriate Assessment) is a requirement of the Habitats Directive on plans or projects affecting specific protected wildlife sites, referred to as ‘European wildlife sites’.. It requires an assessment process for any land use plan which may have an effect on a special protection area (SPA) , special area of conservation (SAC), or Ramsar Site.

CAG can provide rigorous independent appraisal, taking account of the latest guidance and good practice. Our preferred approach is to work closely with local stakeholders and with the people preparing a plan from an early stage, to help them improve the plan as it progresses. This can achieve far more, and with far less stress, than proposing changes at the end of the process.

What we offer

	Training on appraisal methodology.
	Development of guidance materials.
	Support for clients to  undertake their own appraisals.
	Independent Sustainability Appraisals , Strategic Environmental Assessments, Integrated Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulation Assessments.
	Assistance and facilitation for in-house or stakeholder appraisals.
	Development of monitoring frameworks.
	Developing and running consultation events and programmes linked to Plan development and appraisal.