8. Strategic Assessments/Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA) and Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRA)
What are they?
- Strategic Assessments (SAs)/Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) and Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs) are mechanisms for considering the likely significant effects of a Plan, and reasonable alternatives, with a view to avoiding and mitigating negative environmental effects and maximising the positives
- the Local Authority carries out the SA/SEA/HRA
- as part of this screening process it will be necessary to consult the consultation bodies (Historic England, Natural England and the Environment Agency) to get their opinion on whether or not the plan is likely to result in significant environmental effects and therefore whether an SEA is required.