1. Strategic Appropriate Assessment of Spatial Plans

3. How did we get here? UK history
1992
Habitats Directive
AA of plans and projects
1994
Planning guidance
= No AA of plans
Sep. 2005
Revised planning guidance
20 Oct. 2005
European Court ruling
= AA of plans
Aug. 2007
ECJ ruling implemented

4. UK Strategic AA of plans What plans?
EC guidance
Broad - land-use and sectoral plans
“likely significant effect”
European Court
As EC, where:
“plans may have considerable influence on development decisions”
Habitats Regulations
Development plans
Defra
Shoreline Management Plans/Flood Risk Management Strategies

5. SEA & Strategic AA Similarities
Consult with environmental bodies
Emphasise cumulative effects assessment
Require preparation of an assessment report

6. SEA & Strategic AA Differences
SAA
Decision
Informs
Constrains
Scope/ Evidence
Broad
Narrower
Biodiversity role
General
Focus on Natura 2000
Public consultation
Mandatory
Discretionary

7. Strategic AA of plans What does it mean?
Plans subject to Habitats Directive tests
Policies
Proposals
Effect of whole plan
Major cultural shift in plan assessment
From informing decisions to taking decisions
Avoiding damage to Natura 2000 sites should be central to plan objectives
Avoid deferring difficult decisions to lower plans or project level

8. Purpose of Strategic AA
To avoid an adverse effect on a Natura 2000 site
If can’t avoid harm, then pass strict tests:
No alternative solutions
Overriding public interest
Habitat compensation

9. Strategic AA and plans Weighing the alternatives – an iterative process
Likely significant effect on Natura 2000 site? No 
Yes
Ascertain no adverse effect on Natura 2000 site?
Yes 
Yes No
Less ecologically damaging alternative solutions?

10. Strategic AA - potential benefits
More options available
Avoid project level conflict
Strategic mitigation strategies
Strategic compensation strategies
Greater certainty to planners, developers & conservation groups
Move towards more environmentally sustainable development

11. Issues so far… Encourages strategic mitigation
Plan deliverability & certainty
Impact assessment detail
Taking difficult decisions
Deferring difficult decisions
Hangover from SEA?
Stakeholder consultation

12. Strategic mitigation & compensation
Opportunities
Deal with cumulative impacts
Increase certainty
Streamline decision-making
Reduce costs
Economies of scale
Reduce ecological & commercial risks
‘Up front’ provision in the best places
Challenges
Agreeing ecological standards at strategic level
Delivering in advance
Securing land
Enforcement
Financing

13. Conclusions

14. Strategic AA Conclusions
Significant cultural shift in plan preparation
Avoid damage to Natura 2000 sites
Avoidance is best (and easiest?) approach
Key differences from SEA can help resolve conflicts early
Potential for strategic mitigation and compensation
Still learning how to do it…