Sustainability Appraisal

1
Sustainability Appraisal
2
SA process

• Stage A (Scoping) complete Scoping Report
  consulted on from the 7th April to 12th May 2008)
• Stage B and C started - Interim Sustainability
  Appraisal Report (ISAR) documenting the
  assessment of the options and Draft SA Report -
  documenting the appraisal of draft policies.

3
What are the issues?

• Flood Risk
• Deprivation
• Climate Change
• Vulnerable groups
• Cumulative effects
• Equality

4
What were the options?

• Gypsies and Travellers
• Option A - Use the results from the studies to
  distribute new provision
• Option B - Modify (a) to ensure a minimum level
  of pitch provision in every district
• Option C - Work to agree a more balanced share of
  meeting need across districts

5
Interim SA findings

• A number of important sustainability trade-offs
  to consider
• Unequal distribution throughout the region
• Location dependent upon
• Proximity to friends and family
• Economic reasons
• Opportunities elsewhere on an authorised site are
  rare

6
Interim SA findings

• Sensitive location of authorised pitches means
  that many effects may
• be insignificant or non-existent
• decrease over time
• Gypsy and Traveller population within a given
  area will always be relatively small
• However, new pitches must come forward quickly
  and in areas where there can co-exist.

7
Interim SA findings

• Option C works with the GT community to
  determine exact allocation, but
• A balanced premise, so could result in
  fine-tuning at best??
• Requires genuine engagement
• Option B is an intermediary option
• Some GT families could become isolated
• Option C could achieve a more sustainable outcome
  for all, but only if developed and implemented
  well

8
Interim SA findings

• Recommendations
• Develop the approach by which the statement in
  Option C would be achieved, in agreement with
  sub-regional authorities, and taking in to
  account points raised in the options assessment
• Options B and C require a precautionary approach
  to ensure that relocated Gypsy and Traveller
  families do not become isolated from the wider
  Gypsy and Traveller Community

9
Draft SA Report findings

• The provision of additional pitches, with the
  requirement for better access to health,
  education and employment facilities should
  alleviate environmental and social conditions.
• The policy identifies and provides for the needs
  of hidden households
• It is difficult to determine the precise nature
  of this impact given the siting and design of
  sites will be at the LDD level.
• There is provision in para. 10 for the
  identification of sites suitable for mixed use
  development which may encourage business
  start-ups.
• The policy makes provision for allocation of
  pitches beyond the review timescale.

10
Draft SA Report Recommendations

• The explicit requirement of employment access to
  be considered when locating sites.
• Explicit mention of coexistence should be made
  for all locations.
• In order to not perpetuate the locating of
  pitches in areas unsuitable for habitation,
  consultation and engagement with the gypsy and
  traveller community should be a pivotal point in
  this policy.

11
Next Steps

• Draft policies will complete consultation.
• Responses will be considered by 4NW.
• There is an opportunity for draft policies to be
  finalised before the publication of the
  pre-submission plan.