Up and down the country Mott MacDonald has been providing training and services on sustainability appraisal (SA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to local authorities – helping them be more equipped in meeting the obligations of the EU’s SEA Directive.

Examples of our recent training projects include:

SA/SEA Training Seminar and Workshop

Client: Borough of Telford and Wrekin Council
Mott MacDonald was commissioned to provide two training workshops to a range of Council officers from the Borough of Telford and Wrekin Council. The first workshop focused on the SA/SEA process, legal requirements, best practice, lessons learnt and implications for Telford and Wrekin Council. The second workshop addressed key issues raised in workshop one and through group discussions identified possible solutions. A reco-mmendations report was produced outlining suggested actions to help streamline the SA/SEA process and make it clearer for the future.

Scotland SA/SEA Training Day

Client: The Highland Council
We held a one-day training workshop with officers from the Highland Council on SEA in Scotland. The day consisted of a powerpoint presentation on the SEA process and legal requirements in Scotland and interactive break out sessions to discuss various issues facing the council. We also talked through best practice strategies and lessons learnt from Mott MacDonald’s SEA project experience in England.

SA/SEA Screening Determinations

Client: Sunderland arc
Selected by Sunderland arc Mott MacDonald undertook two separate SA/SEA screening determinations for the proposed Stadium Village development framework supplementary planning document (SPD) and the proposed Holmeside Triangle development framework SPD. It was proposed that both development frameworks may be brought forward as a SPD in the future and as a result may require SA and SEA. In order to determine whether a full SA and SEA is required a screening determination has to be completed.

Merseyside SPD for Transport – Sustainability Appraisal

Client: Merseyside LTP Support Unit
In this project we were commissioned to undertake a SA incorporating SEA and appropriate assessment (AA) for the Merseyside supplementary planning document (SPD) for transport ‘ensuring choice of travel’. The Merseyside SPD for transport is being produced as a framework at the Merseyside level, but will be taken forward and adopted separately by each of its five local authorities – Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St. Helens and the Wirral. The Merseyside SPD aims to set out clear and consistent standards for local planning authorities to ensure that a transparent and fair system is in place to improve the integration of land use planning and transport. It also aims to ensure that new developments promote good access by all modes of transport and so encourage choice of travel so that people have the oppo-rtunity to make more sustainable choices. We completed stages A-C of the SA process in accordance with the requirements of the ODPM Guidance (November 2005), SEA Directive and EC Habitats Directive. A scoping report, SA report and AA report were produced.

Newcastle Great Park – SA and SEA

Client: Newcastle City Council
The Regeneration Directorate of Newcastle City Council and a consortium of house builders appointed us to undertake a full SA and SEA (in accordance with ODPM Guidance) for the Newcastle Great Park supplementary planning document (NGP-SPD). NGP is a mixed use development consisting of 2,500 dwellings, an 80ha business park, ancillary land uses for education, retail, recreation and the community, alongside public transport infrastructure, highway works and landscaping. Mott MacDonald has produced a scoping report and SA report which identified relevant plans and programmes, developed SA objectives and indicators, collected and analysed baseline data, developed and appraised the different plan options and developed mitigation and monitoring measures. See an example of our reports at: www.newcastle.gov.uk/ldf›

Walker Riverside - SA

Client: Newcastle City Council
In accordance with ODPM Guidance and the SEA Directive we carried out a SA including associated public consultation of the Walker Riverside area action plan, which will form a key component of the Council’s local development framework. Our experts produced a scoping report and SA report.

Norfolk Minerals and Waste DPD – SA/SEA

Client: Norfolk County Council
Norfolk County Council commissioned us to undertake stage A of the SA process for its minerals and waste development plan documents. The project has included identifying relevant plans and programmes, developing sustainability objectives and indicators and working with Norfolk County Council officers to identified baseline information. A scoping report was produced for distribution to a range of statutory and non-statutory consultees. At a future date Mott MacDonald will work in partnership with Norfolk County Council on the remaining Stages B to E.

Tyne and Wear Local Transport Plan Round 2 - SEA

Client: Tyne and Wear Local Transport Plan Partnership
Mott MacDonald was commissioned by the Tyne and Wear Local Transport Plan Partnership to undertake a full SEA of the LTP2 for the area. The project has included managing a scoping exercise to enable the early identification of the range and intensity of potential environmental impacts and issues to consider. Baseline information on socio-economic conditions has been collected and presented. We identified and assessed significant environmental effects, evaluated possible alternatives and carried out a consultation exercise to help identify the most realistic and viable transport policy options for the Tyne and Wear area. The LTP2 was published on 31 March 2006.

Norfolk Area Transport Strategy SEA and Local Transport Plan

Client: Norfolk County Council
Mott MacDonald worked in partnership with Norfolk County Council on two SEAs – one for the Norfolk Area Transport Strategy and the other for the LTP2. The team produced a series of scoping reports which described the baseline environment and established links between the transport strategy and LTP2 and other relevant plans plus environmental objectives. The scoping reports also enabled the early identification of existing environ-mental problems which may affect the transport strategy and LTP2.

Merseyside Local Transport Plan Round 2 - SEA

Clients: Merseytravel and Merseyside Local Authorities
Mott MacDonald was commissioned by the Merseyside LTP Partners to assist in phase 1 of the SEA for the LTP2 for the area. The project included collection, analysis and presentation of environmental data plus the production of an environmental baseline report. This report included national, regional and local indicators and identified local environmental issues. Mott MacDonald has many years’ experience of providing impact assessments and a range of reports, including an environmental report on an annual basis for the Merseyside Objective One Program. A second report analysed the current environmental trends in the sub-region and assessed the future environmental impact of the 'no change' scenario.