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Sustainability Appraisal. SA process. Stage A (Scoping) complete – Scoping Report consulted on from the 7 th April to 12 th May 2008)
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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.
What are the issues? • Flood Risk • Deprivation • Climate Change • Vulnerable groups • Cumulative effects • Equality
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
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
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.
Interim SA findings • Option C works with the G&T 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 G&T families could become isolated • Option C could achieve a more sustainable outcome for all, but only if developed and implemented well
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
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.
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.
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.