Sustainability Appraisal

	Strategic Planning
	Torbay Council
	Roebuck House Abbey Road Torquay TQ2 5TF
	strategic.planni ng@torbay.gov.uk
	01803 208804
	01803 208882

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What is the role of Sustainability Appraisal?

Under the new planning system, it is a requirement for each of the Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) which comprise the Local Development Framework to be accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal (SA). This process will ensure that environmental, social and economic effects of each of the DPDs and SPDs will be considered during document preparation.

What is involved in the sustainability appraisal process?

Torbay Council is carrying out the sustainability appraisal work in-house, and is incorporating the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive within the broader Sustainability Appraisal process. There are five stages identified in the appraisal process outlined below.

Stage A: Production of a Scoping Report.
Stage B: Test each plan option for sustainability. Provide a detailed sustainability appraisal of the chosen option.
Stage C: Compile a report on the findings of the detailed appraisal exercise in Stage B (including an outline of mitigation and monitoring measures).
Stage D: Consult on the detailed appraisal of the chosen option alongside the draft DPD/SPD.
Stage E: Monitor the effects of implementing the DPD/SPD. Respond to any adverse effects.

How can you get involved?

Consultation is an important part of the sustainability appraisal process and Torbay Council welcomes any feedback that you may have in regard to these documents. The following stages offer opportunities for you to get involved in the process:

Stage A: Scoping Report
Stage B: Sustainability Appraisal of Issues and Options (This is referred to as the sustainability appraisal of the Pre-Regulation 17 document for SPDs and Regulation 25 for DPDs)
Stage D: Detailed appraisal of the chosen option (This is referred to as the sustainability appraisal of the Regulation 17 draft for the SPDs and Regulation 26/ 28 for DPDs)

When each document is adopted at the end of the process, a report will be produced which outlines how the sustainability appraisal process and the associated consultation has influenced the plan. Reports relating to the above stages can be found on the webpage of the relevant DPD or SPD.

Appraisal work carried out so far:

As each SPD and DPD has a different timescale each document is at a different stage of the sustainability appraisal process. A brief outline of what is involved at each stage is given below:

Stage A: Production of a Scoping Report:

The Scoping Report:

Identifies existing sustainability issues in Torbay
Provides summary of existing sustainability objectives which should be considered throughout the plan-making process
Formulates a framework by which to test the plan for sustainability at later stages in the process.

The Scoping Report for the Torbay Local Development Framework is structured as follows:

Scoping report Part 1: Provides context to the sustainability appraisal process and overarching information relevant to the Local Development Framework as a whole. This document is available below (the consultation period has closed).
Scoping report Part 2: Comprises a number of chapters, one for each of the nine DPDs and SPDs within the Local Development Framework. This provides a focused look at the issues surrounding that particular document. These scoping chapters are being produced in parallel to commencement of work on each document and can be found on the webpage of the relevant DPD or SPD.

There are two documents in the LDF which do not yet have a scoping chapter at present as they are scheduled to commence at a later date. The following chapters will be posted on their associated DPD or SPD webpage as soon as they are available:

LDD4: Site Specific Policies and Proposals
LDD5: Generic Development Control Policies

A number of detailed appendices accompany both Part 1 and Part 2 of the Scoping Report and can be viewed at the foot of this page.

Stage B: Sustainability Appraisal of Issues and Options:

The next stage of the SA process relates to the Issues and Options stage within the planning process. For each DPD or SPD an Issues and Options paper (referred to as Pre-Regulation 17 for SPDs and Regulation 25 for DPDs) will be prepared which will outline options by which the document could be progressed. For example the Torquay Harbour Area Action Plan will consider different focuses for development of the harbour area (retail/ leisure/ recreation etc.). It is essential that in deciding on which option is the most appropriate, consideration is given to the sustainability implications of each option. It is for this purpose that a brief sustainability appraisal has been compiled which outlines some of the key sustainability issues associated with each option. Where Issues and Options appraisals have been compiled they are available to view on the webpage of the relevant DPD or SPD.

Stage C:

Stage C work involves preparation of the full sustainability appraisal for Stage D. As of January 2007 only the Greenspace Strategy and Urban Design Guide had reached this stage. As DPDs and SPDs reach this stage their associated appraisal reports will be posted on the relevant DPD or SPD webpage.

Stage D:

This is the formal consultation stage for the work carried out in Stage C. As DPDs and SPDs reach this stage the full reports will be available to view on the relevant DPD or SPD webpage.