Scottish Government

2. Introduction

2.1 Purpose of the Report

2.1.1 As part of the preparation of the West Edinburgh Planning Framework 2006 ("the Plan"), the Scottish Executive has commissioned a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Plan. Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA) is a systematic method for considering the likely environmental effects of plans and programmes. SEA aims to:

• integrate environmental decision-making into plan / programme preparation and decision-making;
• improve plans and programmes and enhance environmental protection; and
• increase public participation in environmental decision-making.

2.1.2 This SEA is required under the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The Regulations provide for a high level of protection of the environment and contribute towards the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes in order to promote long-term sustainable development. The SEA stages provided for in the Regulations are:

1. Screening - determining whether the plan/programme is likely to have significant environmental effects and whether a SEA is required.

2. Scoping - deciding on the scope and level of detail of the Environmental Report, and the consultation period for the report. This is done in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Ministers (Historic Scotland) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

3. Environmental Report - publishing an Environmental Report on the plan or programme and its environmental effects, and consulting on that report.

4. Adoption - providing information on: the adopted plan/programme; how consultation comments have been taken into account; and methods for monitoring the significant environmental effects from implementation of the plan/programme.

5. Monitoring - monitoring significant environmental effects and taking appropriate remedial action for any unforeseen significant environmental effects.

The purpose of this Environmental Report is to:

• Provide information on the Plan and its SEA process;
• Identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant environmental effects of the Plan and reasonable alternatives; and
• Provide early and effective opportunity for the Consultation Authorities and the public to offer views on any aspect of the Plan and SEA.

2.1.3 To ensure that the process would be carried out in an independent manner, the Scottish Executive commissioned MWH, together with Enfusion, SISTech and CAG Consultants to carry out the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Plan and to prepare the Environmental Report.

2.2 Key Facts about the Plan

• Responsible Authority: Scottish Executive
• Title of Plan: West Edinburgh Planning Framework 2006 (the Plan)
• Plan Drivers: The new Plan constitutes a review of the original West Edinburgh Planning Framework published in 2003 (" WEPF 2003"). It provides more detail about the location of additional investment planned for the area. As a result of greater certainty about the nature of airport expansion and planned transport infrastructure proposals, the Plan now provides more active support for airport growth and the development of selected sites for international business development ². The Plan also now provides for transport infrastructure proposals approved by Parliament and other necessary transport enhancements. The key policy objectives in the Plan are similar to those in the WEPF 2003, except for policy changes regarding the Green Belt and high quality international business development.
• Plan Subject: Planning Framework to set the strategic agenda pertaining to the West Edinburgh area. The Plan will serve as an input to the structure and local plans and will be taken into account by the Scottish Ministers in their consideration of development plans. It will also be a material consideration in development control decisions
• Period covered by Plan: 2006 - 2030
• Frequency of Updates: 5 years
• Plan Area: The area covered by the Plan broadly encompasses the Sighthill, South Gyle and Edinburgh Park employment areas, the Gyle Centre, and the A8 Corridor from Gogar to Newbridge including the Airport and land between the Airport and the A8 as well as land south of the A8 from the Royal Bank of Scotland development to the Ratho Station area.
• Plan Purpose and Objectives: The Plan supports continuing development of Core Development Areas, identified in the Edinburgh and Lothians Structure Plan ¹. Key Plan objectives are to provide land for Airport expansion, for a new National Showground and for international business development ² in the national economic development interest, subject to improvements in transport infrastructure facilitating a significant shift to using public modes of transport.
• Contact point for the Environmental Report: Jim Ravey, MWHUK Ltd, 77 Craigmount Brae, Edinburgh, EH12 8XF. Email - jim.ravey@mwhglobal.com

2.2.1 Although in its vision for West Edinburgh the Plan supports the sustainable growth of Edinburgh Airport in accordance with the UK Air Transport White Paper ³, assessment of the environmental impacts of airport expansion is limited to those resulting from land use and surface access changes over which the Plan has influence. The safeguarding of land for airport expansion, together with the effects of increased air passengers on carbon dioxide emissions are issues beyond the influence of the Plan and hence outside the scope of this SEA. BAA has since developed a Master Plan ⁴ for Edinburgh airport based on the conclusions of the White Paper: the Master Plan is not subject to SEA, and West Edinburgh Planning Framework departs from some aspects.

2.3 SEA Process & Activities to Date

2.3.1 SEA is an iterative process and has been carried out in conjunction with the development of the Plan. The findings from each stage of the SEA process have been used to inform the development of the Plan. A flow diagram of the Plan, the SEA stages and their interaction is shown in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1 - Flow diagram of the Plan and SEA process

2.3.2 For the SEA, a detailed scoping exercise was carried out to establish an appropriate environmental baseline, to identify which other relevant plans and programmes would influence the development of the Plan and to establish SEA objectives.

2.3.3 A scoping workshop took place on 7 December 2005. Attendees included representatives from SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, West Lothian Council and City of Edinburgh Council. The scoping workshop enabled participation with the Consultation Authorities and other stakeholders, discussion and agreement of important issues pertaining to the environment of West Edinburgh and review of the proposed SEA objectives.

2.3.4 A Scoping Report was issued via the SEA Gateway on 14 of March 2006 for an 8-week consultation period. The Consultation Authorities - Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland and SEPA - provided comments on the Scoping Report. Their comments and SEA Project Team responses are included in Appendix B. The Scoping Report was reissued and the Scoping Stage was completed in April 2006.