BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
REPORT TO COUNCIL
25 APRIL 2007
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – ENVIRONMENT
PLANNING SERVICES
BRIDGEND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (LDP) STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) – DRAFT SCREENING REPORT
1 Purpose of Report
1.1 This Report details the outcome of the consultation process on the Draft Determination for a Screening Opinion on the Local Development Plan (LDP), for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The consultation was undertaken in accordance with the resolution of Council on the 28 December 2006 (Minute No.777 refers).
1.2 On 4 April 2007, the Cross Cutting Policy Forum requested that Council confirms the Draft Determination.
2 Connection to Corporate Improvement Plan / Other Corporate Priorities
2.1 The Bridgend Local Development Plan (LDP) is one of the four ‘high level’ strategies which, under the Assembly Government’s Plan rationalisation, must be prepared and approved for the County Borough. The other three are the Council’s Community Strategy; the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy; and the Children and Young People’s Strategy.
2.2 The LDP should express, in appropriate land use planning terms, those elements of the Community Strategy that relate to the development and use of land provided that they are in conformity with national and international policy obligations.
2.3 The seven priority areas of the Corporate Improvement Plan are cross- linked to the objectives of the Community Strategy.
3 Background
3.1 On the 28 December 2006, Council received and approved the recommendations of the Cross Cutting Policy Forum, held on 30 November 2006. In so doing, it approved the recommended Draft Determination for a Screening Opinion on the Local Development Plan (LDP) for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
Executive Director – Environment Planning Page 1 of 3 Council also authorised the Assistant Director (Planning Services) to proceed accordingly and publish that Draft Determination, and formally consult with the appropriate bodies in accordance with the SEA Regulations.
3.2 That consultation commenced on the 25 January 2007, and closed on the 5 March 2007, a period in excess of the 5 week minimum requirement.
3.3 Copies of the Draft Determination were sent to the three designated consultation bodies. In Wales, these are:
The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Cadw, (and) The Environment Agency (Wales)
3.4 In addition, copies of the Draft Determination were sent to all other LDP consultation bodies, including Town and Community Councils and the Assembly Government, and were placed for public information at the Council Offices at Angel Street, Bridgend, and at all libraries within the County Borough.
3.5 The formal consultation letter specified that:
In accordance with the requirements of the Regulations, the Council has undertaken a ‘Draft Determination of the LDP, as a result of which, it is of the opinion that the LDP should undergo Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
It invited those consulted to review the Draft Determination and to send any comments to the Assistant Director - Planning Services by the closing date of 5 March 2007. It also offered contact details for those in need of further information regarding the consultation.
4 Current situation / proposal
4.1 Prior to the formal consultation, the Council had already extensively consulted upon and amended, the Scoping Report for the Sustainability Appraisal of the LDP. The meeting of Council on 28 December 2006 approved that document. Both the Scoping Report and the Delivery Agreement for the LDP were forwarded to all the consultation bodies on the 3 January 2007, and were made available on the Council’s web site, at its Offices, and at all libraries in the County Borough. A formal advertisement was placed in the Glamorgan Gazette on 18 January 2007. Therefore all relevant documentation was in the public domain and the hands of the three designated bodies in advance of the formal consultation on the Draft Determination.
4.2 Despite this, by 5 March 2007, only three responses had been received from the 59 bodies consulted. Only Cadw of the three designated bodies
Executive Director – Environment Planning Page 2 of 3 replied. The two other responses were received from the Merthyr Mawr, and Brackla Community Councils.
4.3 Cadw noted the content of the Draft Screening Report and formally agreed with the Council’s conclusion that ‘the LDP should undergo the SEA process’. Similarly, Merthyr Mawr Community Council wished to inform the Council ‘that they are in full agreement with the contents of that document’, Brackla Community Council requested clarification over the contents of the document, and have received a relevant response.
4.4 The Draft Determination for a Screening Opinion on the Local Development Plan (LDP) does not require amendment as a result of the formal consultation process.
5 Effect upon Policy Framework & Procedure Rules
5.1 None.
6 Legal Implications
6.1 The consultation requirements of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004 have been met by the Council, as the “responsible authority”, in its Draft Determination that the LDP should undergo Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
7 Financial Implications
7.1 None.
8 Recommendations
8.1 That Council confirms the Draft Determination for a Screening Opinion on the Local Development Plan for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment.
9 Contact Officer
9.1 Gerald A. Hulin Principal Planning Officer – Policy Telephone Number: 01656 643193, e-mail: [email protected]
10 Background documents
File 31A158C LDP Sustainability Appraisal – Scoping Report.
RHODRI-GWYNN JONES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – ENVIRONMENT 13th April 2007
Executive Director – Environment Planning Page 3 of 3