Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Strategic Environmental Assessments should be prepared whenever an organisation produces a major plan or programme of work  - for example a local authority development plan.

The purpose of the SEA process is to provide a high level of environmental protection and ensure that all environmental issues and impacts are fully taken into account before a plan is approved and adopted. 

CCW provides guidance for organisations producing SEAs and has statutory responsibilities as a consultant body and responsible authority.

The SEA Directive

EU Directive 2001/42/EC on 'The assessment of certain plans and programmes on the environment' - otherwise known as the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive was implemented in the UK in July 2004.

The Directive's key requirement is an 'environmental assessment' of plans and programmes. SEA applies at the strategic planning phase that sets the framework for development and other activities. SEA applies across a broad range of public and privatised sectors including land-use planning, waste management, water management and planning and transport.

CCW's Role

Under the SEA Directive and implementing Regulations, CCW has two major statutory roles. CCW is required, as a 'responsible authority' to undertake strategic environmental assessment of its own relevant plans and programmes and, as a 'consultant body' is required to actively participate in the Strategic Environmental Assessment process undertaken by other authorities.

SEA Topic Guidance for Practitioners

CCW has published a series of guidance notes covering a comprehensive range of topics relevant to SEA: 

SEA Topic: Air

SEA Topic: Biodiversity

SEA Topic: Climate Change

SEA Topic: Cultural Heritage

SEA Topic: Landscape

SEA Topic: Material Assets

SEA Topic: Soil

SEA Topic: Water

Additional guidance on climate change is published jointly by the Environment Agency, CCW, Natural England and other partners.

SEA and climate change: Guidance for practitioners

Services and Standards 

SEA Consulation Bodies' Services and Standards
This document describes the services and standards which Responsible Authorities in Wales can expect from CCW and the other statutory Welsh Consultation Bodies (Cadw and the Environment Agency) when consulting in relation to SEA.