Strategic environmental assessment
Last updated | 17/09/2008
Section 17 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 places a statutory duty on the Council, as Access Authority, to draw up a Core Paths Plan.
Under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 the Council must determine whether its plans, programmes and strategies require a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
The Council has carried out a Screening procedure and consulted with the Consultation Authorities (Historic Scotland, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage) to decide whether a SEA is required.
It has been determined that the Core Paths Plan requires a SEA. The Screening Report, Determination decision and consultation responses can be viewed here:
The Council then prepared a Scoping Report and submitted it to the Consultation Authorities through the SEA Gateway on 20 February 2008.
The Council has now prepared an Environmental Report based on the Scoping report and the input provided by the Consultation Authorities. Mindful of possible impacts on Natura 2000 sites it has also undertaken a Strategic Appropriate Assessment in relation to those sites.
We would welcome comments from other interested parties to ensure that environmental matters have been fully taken into account in the preparation of the Core Paths Plan on or before 31 December 2008.
Find out more about Strategic Environmental Assessment from the Scottish Government website.
