Sustainability Appraisal

The Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive 2001/42/EC (SEA Directive) brought into effect new responsibilities for plan makers with regards to sustainability. This was enforced with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 making it mandatory for a number of documents within the Local Development Framework to have completed a Sustainability Appraisal (SA). These documents are new or revised Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs).

This was further enforced when the government published ‘Securing the Future’ in 2005 which set guiding principles on sustainable development and refined the governments strategy of living within environmental limits.

SA aims to promote social, economic and environmental issues into the LDF.

A useful definition of Sustainability Appraisal is:

"An assessment of programmes, plans and/or policies which applies social and economic sustainability criteria as well as environmental ones, and considers the integration and reconciliation of these different criteria"

The webpage’s within this section are aimed at making Sustainability Appraisals (SA) understandable and to answer any questions. It is intended as an aid and to provide guidance for officers within the council, elected members and the public alike.

How is this is going to be delivered in County Durham?

A Partnership has been established to assist with the Sustainability Appraisals (SA) that requires completion for the Chester-le-Street District Council, City of Durham Council, Derwentside District Council, District of Easington and the Planning Policy team within the County Council.

The partnership now employs staff, including the lead SA officer, to assist in all aspects and stages of the appraisal process. The SA officers are based within the well established and renowned Sustainability Team at Durham County Council. This allows a resource of professionals from within the existing team and all the benefits of the Local Agenda 21 partnership to be utilised.

Further Information

Background to Sustainability Appraisal
What requires Sustainability Appraisal?
Sustainability Appraisal stages
Sustainability Appraisal Framework
Sustainability Appraisal FAQs
Sustainability Appraisal links to key documents

Members of the North Durham SA Partnership

Chester-le-Street District Council planning
City of Durham Council planning
Derwentside District Council planning
District of Easington Council planning
Durham County Council planning

Please feel free to contact the Sustainability Appraisal team.

Post:
Sustainability Appraisal Team
Environment
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ

Email:Sustainability Appraisal