Example from UK: SEA for the Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation Project

1. Example from UK:SEA forthe Lakes to Dales Landscape DesignationProject 2nd workshop for SEA practitioners Zagreb, June 20, 2013

2. Background info • The project is reviewing the potential for extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks • Natural England is planning agency • SEA conducted in 2010 – 2011 (Land Use Consultants and TRL) • A number of issues identified, for each issue: • Baseline conditions • Likely future development

3. Landscape – baseline conditions • Much of the land cover is improved or semi-improved grazing, and the grazed land with stone walled boundaries contrasts with open common or fell rough pasture on the higher ground. • Settlements are generally small and dispersed, and there are extensive uninterrupted views from the higher ground. • However, as with the eastern side of the proposed extension, there is occasional evidence of decline in the management of stone walls and hedgerows.

4. Landscape – baseline conditions • The Countryside Quality Counts 2000 – 2003 assessment suggested that the character of the area was stable and consistent with the vision for the area, with the character of agricultural land cover being maintained and enhanced by changes in trees and woodland, semi-natural and boundary features. • Change since the 1990 – 1998 assessment had been limited and consistent with character. • …….grazing also prevents the regeneration of much of the remaining semi-natural woodland which has a poor age structure.

5. Landscape – baseline conditions • In some places, large-scale farm buildings have introduceduncharacteristic development, and changing agricultural practices haveled to the loss of traditional field boundaries and the neglect oflandscape features. • The Countryside Quality Counts assessment 2000 – 2003 notes areduction of grazing pressure in both areasthat cover this proposed extension, resulting in the character of thearea generally being maintained or possibly enhanced.

6. Landscape – key issues and future evolution • SEA does not include a socio-economic assessment of the effects of the SAP on these activities/uses • SEA focuses purely on assessing the potential effects of offshore wind and marine renewable energy developments on these activities in terms of the potential for their disturbance or displacement

7. Topics scoped out • Based on an initial review it has been determined that factors associated with Air Quality will not be included in the main assessment • The development of marine renewable technologies and offshore wind does not generate any atmospheric emissions. • It is recognised that there could be localised impacts on air quality generated during construction (atmospheric emissions from construction vessels) and possible re-routing of vessels could lead to an increase in localised emissions from those vessels. • However, it is not anticipated that these potential effects will be of major significance at a strategic level.

8. Study area • SEA covered the full extent of Northern Ireland territorial waters from the Mean High Water Mark seaward to the 12nm limit • SEA initially focused on all NI territorial waters and the study area was then refined to focus on key locations identified as potential hotspots for the development of offshore wind and marine renewable energy

9. Scoping procedure • Scoping workshop was organized inviting • statutory consultee (Department of the Environment) • other key stakeholders ……to discuss the content of the Scoping Report and the proposed scope of the environmental assessment including the assessment method. • The responses from the workshop were integrated into the Environmental Report