Strategic Environmental Assessment

It is a formal process for assessing the effect of a plan or programme on the environment.

Aim

The aim of SEA is to:

• provide a high level of protection to the environment
• promote sustainable development
• integrate environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of a plan or programme

Guidance

It is the responsibility of:

• the organisation preparing the plan, or
• the organisation on whose behalf it is being prepared

to decide if it requires an SEA. Each case needs to be considered on an individual basis. In some instances, you may need to determine the significance of environmental effects. Guidance and examples are available at Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive: guidance on gov.uk.

Stages in the SEA process

It is important that you include SEA at the beginning of a plan preparation, so that it is an integral part of the process. The stages in the SEA process are:

• setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and deciding the scope:
• developing and refining alternatives and assessing effects
• preparing the environmental report
• consulting on the draft plan or programme and the environmental report
• monitoring the significant effects of implementing the plan or programme on the environment

Contact details

To inform us about your SEA, please:

email: SEA@gov.wales

phone: 029 2082 3178  

Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh

post to:

Strategic Environmental Assessment
Land Nature and Forestry Division
Department for Economy, Skills and Natural Resources
Welsh Government
Cathays Park 2
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ