Sustainability
Generally , sustainability is taken to mean doing everything in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to do the same, and has been described colloquially as 'not stealing from our grandchildren'. For many people it resolves into simple things like recycling or reducing emissions.
However, we take a more upbeat view; for us sustainability means accepting the interconnectedness of all living things and trying to make out effects on the world as positive as possible. This means building into policies and development schemes designs that go further than simply reducing negative impacts, but instead focus on creating new and positive ones. An example of this would be for development to result in a net gain for biodiversity, or generating more power than it consumes.
Delivering truly sustainable development requires holistic, circular thinking; something that has to be built in from the start, but which grows as a project grows.
Not only does this make schemes more 'environment-friendly', it also improves profits, benefits local communities and creates a paper-trail of evidence allowing us to prove, though assessments such as SEA and SA, that your scheme really is sustainable. Good environmental credentials can help defuse criticism, improve reputations and enhance chances for permissions or licences to be granted.
However, we take a more upbeat view; for us sustainability means accepting the interconnectedness of all living things and trying to make out effects on the world as positive as possible. This means building into policies and development schemes designs that go further than simply reducing negative impacts, but instead focus on creating new and positive ones. An example of this would be for development to result in a net gain for biodiversity, or generating more power than it consumes.
Delivering truly sustainable development requires holistic, circular thinking; something that has to be built in from the start, but which grows as a project grows.
Not only does this make schemes more 'environment-friendly', it also improves profits, benefits local communities and creates a paper-trail of evidence allowing us to prove, though assessments such as SEA and SA, that your scheme really is sustainable. Good environmental credentials can help defuse criticism, improve reputations and enhance chances for permissions or licences to be granted.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
SEA and SA are European assessment schemes that are legally required for certain types of plan or programme. Their objective is to test policy and determine whether it would be likely to deliver sustainable development.
Some people consider SEA and SA assessments as a kind of 'green MOT'; proving the sustainability of a plan or policy. It can be useful for this purpose, especially in neighbourhood planning, where one of the legal 'Basic Conditions' is for plans to contribute to sustainable development.
However, rather than an add-on chore, we see SEA and SA as useful two-way tools that can positively improve a plan by testing out its assumptions and polices and highlighting areas for improvement.
We have carried out SEA for Neighbourhood Plans as a consultant and for Local Planning Authorities for their Local Plans and are happy to quote for this work.
Some people consider SEA and SA assessments as a kind of 'green MOT'; proving the sustainability of a plan or policy. It can be useful for this purpose, especially in neighbourhood planning, where one of the legal 'Basic Conditions' is for plans to contribute to sustainable development.
However, rather than an add-on chore, we see SEA and SA as useful two-way tools that can positively improve a plan by testing out its assumptions and polices and highlighting areas for improvement.
We have carried out SEA for Neighbourhood Plans as a consultant and for Local Planning Authorities for their Local Plans and are happy to quote for this work.
Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA / AA)
Appropriate Assessment (AA) is required under the European Habitat Regulations where development is proposed in certain protected areas - such as SAC's (Special Areas of Conservation). These can be marine or land-based.
We are familiar with these assessments from a planning point of view and can respond in terms of creating viable policy that is consistent with HRA.
We can also recommend ecological consultants to carry out the actual assessment in partnership with ourselves.