Scoping Report

6. Assessing the potential effects of the new Rutland Local Plan

6.1 We are required to assess the potential impacts and effects of the new local plan at key stages of its preparation. An initial step is to undertake screening to establish if a more detailed assessment is required.

6.2 The screening and assessments that we need to carry out are to cover potential environmental effects and compliance with Habitat Regulations and Equalities legislation. We also plan to undertake a health impact assessment; there is no legal requirement to do so, but health and healthy communities are strong themes in the new draft National Planning Policy Framework.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)

6.3 Proposed plans, policies, and strategies must be tested using a systematic, high-level process to evaluate their potential environmental effects before being approved. This is usually carried out through the process of SEA. Within the new planning system, the Government intends to replace SEA and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs). These requirements have not yet been formalised through regulations, so for now, the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 continues to apply. In addition, the requirement for a broader Sustainability Appraisal (SA) incorporating social and economic, as well as environmental considerations, has been removed.

6.4 We have previously undertaken SEA as part of the SA when preparing our local plans. We will continue to undertake SA and HRA to inform this new plan. In the absence of the formal requirement for Environmental Outcomes Report (EOR), the Council will expand the SEA to include consideration for appropriate social and economic factors, including impacts on health, education and job creation. This will ensure an overall assessment of impacts as the content of the new Local Plan is advanced.

6.5 We have started preparing a SEA Scoping Report and will be consulting the statutory bodies (e.g. Environment Agency, Natural England) on it in early autumn.

Equalities Impact Assessment

6.6 The Council will also undertake a separate Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) at each stage of the plan preparation. We have carried out an EqIA screening assessment of this Scoping Report and have published it alongside this document.

Health Impact Assessment

6.7 We will consider the need for, scope and timing of a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as the Local Plan progresses. This will be undertaken in consultation with Public Health and other relevant stakeholders, with the approach informed by the emerging evidence base, policy development, and consultation responses. Any assessment will inform the preparation of the Local Plan and ensure that health and wellbeing considerations are appropriately reflected throughout the plan-making process.