Legislation & Guidance

The DCLG have recently published a 'Living Draft' Practice Guide Companion to PPS25: Development and Flood Risk. The companion offers guidance and good practice casestudies of how to implement PPS25. The document is available to download here. Comments on the 'Living Draft' are invited by 20th August 2007.

The DCLG have published PPS 25: Development and Flood Risk replacing PPG25. The document is available to download here.

DEFRA have produced guidance for operating authorities on the application of SEA to flood management plans and programmes, including Shore Management Plans, Catchment Flood Management Plans, Coastal Habitat Management Plans and Water Level Management Plans. This information can be viewed here.

The Environment Agency has published a framework for River Basin Planning. This summary document outlines the Environment Agency's approach to River Basin Planning, the stages of the planning process, and how the Environment Agency will work with stakeholders. The document for both England and Wales can be viewed from here.

On the 11th May 2005 CIWEM hosted an SEA Conference. Presentations were given on a range of SEA issues including SEA of multiple plans, the Environment Agency's perspective, and the integration of SEA and SA. Presentations and delegate's notes are available to download from here.

The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched a website to provide information on SEA in relation to the planning of offshore windfarms.

Initiatives & Research

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently conducted a Strategic Environmental Assessment of a draft plan to offer for oil and gas licensing in a 24th Seaward Licensing Round, blocks on parts of the UK Continental Shelf within the offshore area of the Irish Sea. Also included in the draft plan is the re-offer for licensing blocks in other areas of the UK Continental Shelf previously subject to DTI SEA . A consultation (SEA6) on the DTI’s draft plan in order to consider its potential for significant environmental effects was held. The post consultation report can be downloaded here.

SEA/EPI in China is a new project that focuses on the integration of environment in transport and energy planning in China. The implementation of this project will help to build transportation and energy-use systems that are environmentally sound and capable of contributing towards sustainable development in China. The project is part of the Asia Pro Eco II Programme and will contribute to the programme’s main themes for China: energy savings, improved air quality and reduced emissions of GHGs.

The European Commission, under the Fifth Framework Programme, is supporting the Mantra East project to analyse and develop strategic planning methodologies and scientific tools for the integrated management of transboundary water basins located on the existing and future boardeds of the EU.

ADVISOR is an EU funded project that aims to develop a set of guidelines for EU river basin authorities and agencies describing an integrated project evaluation process, establishing criteria for assessing the "sustainability quality" of an evaluation process and providing a number of practical tools to operationalise the proposed guidelines.