GBC LH Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating Strategic Environment Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment) for the Development Management Policies Development Plan Document

Tender description

Guildford Borough Council ('the Council') recently adopted the Local Plan: strategy and sites (LPSS) Development Plan Document (DPD). This is the first of two DPDs currently envisaged to supersede the Local Plan 2003. The second DPD, which when adopted will fully replace the remaining policies of the Local Plan 2003, will consist of the more detailed development management policies ('DM DPD'). The Council's current Local Development Scheme (LDS) is not up-to-date and is under review. However it is currently envisaged that consultation on a Regulation 18 document will be undertaken in early 2020. The Council is intending to undertake only one Regulation 18 consultation comprising Issues, Options and Preferred Options. This is intended to be followed by only one Regulation 19 consultation, after which the intention is to submit the DM DPD to the Secretary of State for independent examination. In accordance with Section 19 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, it is a requirement to carry out a sustainability appraisal of each policy in a plan during its preparation. EU law, codified into UK law through The Strategic Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, includes a requirement to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA). In-keeping with standard practice, the SEA should be embedded within the SA. The Council is inviting quotes from consultants to undertake the SA/SEA and HRA processes from Initial SA and HRA to accompany the first Regulation 18 consultation document through to the adoption of the DM DPD. Successfully fulfilling these requirements will ensure that the DM DPD is legally compliant and capable of being adopted as part of the Council's development plan.