Sutherland Local Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report April 2006 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The purpose of this Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) scoping report is to set out sufficient information on the Sutherland Local Plan to enable the Consultation Authorities to form a view on the consultation periods and the scope and level of detail that will be appropriate for the environmental report. 1.2 This report has been prepared in accordance with Regulation 17 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004. 1.3 The Highland Council is also preparing Local Plans for the Skye and Lochalsh and Lochaber areas. Separate scoping reports have been prepared for these plans, but it is intended that as far as possible, a consistent approach is taken both to the preparation of the plans and to the methodology and format of the strategic environmental assessment. 1.4 The Highland Council’s approach to carrying out the Strategic Environmental Assessment is based on the methodology developed whilst preparing the retrospective SEA for the Wester Ross Local Plan, in partnership with the Consultation Authorities. In addition to carrying out the SEA, The Council will also carry out a sustainability appraisal of the Local Plan, to balance environmental considerations with social and economic objectives. 1.5 For further information on the Sutherland Local Plan, please contact Brian Mackenzie on 01463 702276 (
[email protected]) or Katie Briggs on 01463 702271 (
[email protected]). 2. KEY FACTS Sutherland Local Plan 2.1 The Sutherland Local Plan area (see Map) extends over 6,071 square kilometres and is an area of high quality natural environment and diverse historical background.