SEA SCREENING REPORT – COVER NOTE
COVER NOTE – SECTION 1
To: /
SEA gateway
Scottish Executive
Area 1 H (Bridge)
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
COVER NOTE – SECTION 2
An SEA screening report is attached for the plan/programme entitled:-
North Ayrshire Open Space Strategy 2014-2024
The Responsible Authority is: -
NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL
COMPLETE SECTION 3 OR 4 OR 5
COVER NOTE – SECTION 3
Screening is required because the plan/programme/strategy falls under Section 5(3)(c) and Section 8(1) of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. Our view is that: -
An SEA is required because the plan/programme is likely to have significant environmental effects
or
√ / An SEA is not required because the plan/programme is unlikely to have any significant environmental effects
COVER NOTE – SECTION 4
The Strategy does not require an SEA under the regulations as it is a plan for further stages in Open Space planning and is not likely to have a significant Environmental effect.
COVER NOTE – SECTION 5
None of the above applies. We have prepared this screening report because:
……………………………………………………………………………………………
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SEA SCREENING REPORT – COVER NOTE (Continued)
COVER NOTE – SECTION 6
Contact name / Donald Wilson
Job Title / Streetscene Manager
Contact address / North Ayrshire Council
Montgomerie House
2A Byrehill Drive
West Byrehill Industrial Estate
Kilwinning
KA13 6HN
Contact tel no / 01294 541526
Contact email /
COVER NOTE – SECTION 7
Signature(electronic
Signature
is acceptable) / Donald Wilson
Date / 12 December 2013
SEA SCREENING REPORT – SECTION1, KEY FACTS
Responsible Authority / North Ayrshire Council
Title of Programme / North Ayrshire Council Open Space Strategy
2014 - 2024
Programme purpose / The strategyoutlines a long term vision for the enhancement and maintenance of open space provision in North Ayrshire. It provides an effective means to co-ordinate different council departments with responsibilities for open space and to focus partnership working with public, community and private interests. It also helps the Council identify investment priorities for open space.
What prompted the Programme (e.g. legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions)? / All planning authorities are required by Scottish Planning Policy to prepare an open space strategy for their area.
Programme subject (e.g. transport) / Open space and land-use planning
Period covered by Programme / Ten years – 2014 - 2024
Frequency of Programme updates / A rolling annual review to determine programme of actions required.
Programme area (e.g. sq kms) / All open space within the administrative boundaries of North Ayrshire Council
Summary of nature/ content of Programme / The strategy comprises the following elements, drawn from Planning Advice Note 65:
  • a strategic framework and vision for open space;
  • an audit of existing open space provision;
  • an assessment of current and future open space;
  • a statement setting out priorities and actions for open space.

Are there any proposed programme objectives? / √ / YES / NO
Copy of objectives attached / √ / YES / NO
Date / 18 November 2013
Objectives / To determine the role and function of open space identified from the open space audit including:
  • to publicise and promote the benefits of open space;
  • to encourage community involvement and develop working partnerships;
  • to advertise and promote the open space available;
  • to ensure best value in the management & maintenance;
  • to improve the quality of life through improvements to the quality and accessibility of our open space.

SEA SCREENING REPORT – SECTION 2

CONSIDERING THE LIKELY SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The consideration of the likely significance of effects on the environment is provided in Table 1. A summary of the plan and programme and the likely significant effects are given in Table 2.

TABLE 1 -LIKELY SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

TITLE OF PLAN/PROGRAMME
North Ayrshire Council Open Space Strategy
RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY
North Ayrshire Council
Criteria for determining the likely significance of effects on the environment
(para numbers refer to Schedule 2 of the Act) / Likely to have significant environmental effects?
YES/NO / Summary of significant environmental effects
1(a) Will the plan set a framework for projects and other activities, either with regard to the location, nature, size and operating conditions or by allocating resources? / No / The strategy provides a framework for the enhancement, and maintenance of open space provision in North Ayrshire. The strategy includes priorities and actions, informing future investment on open space provision. Nevertheless, the document does not set out where development should take place. This is a function of the North Ayrshire Local Development Plan.
1(b) Will the plan influence other plans including those in a hierarchy? / No / See also above. The strategy does not specifically recommend changes to existing levels or current open space provision. However, it provides a broad context for open spaces but does not go into detail on how they should be incorporated within future plans and programmes.
1(c) Does the plan have any relevance for the integration of environmental considerations in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development? / No / The strategy does not specifically recommend changes to existing levels of open space provision
1(d) Are there some environmental problems relevant to the plan? / No / There are no environmental problems specifically related to the strategy.
1(e) Will the plan have any relevance for the implementation of Community legislation on the environment (for example, plans linked to waste management or water protection)? / No / The strategy does not concern itself with the implementation of any EU legislation.
Criteria for determining the likely significance of effects on the environment
(para numbers refer to Schedule 2 of the Act) / Likely to have significant environmental effects?
YES/NO / Summary of significant environmental effects
2(a) Will the environmental effects be significant when consideration is given to probability, duration, frequency and reversibility? / No / It is unlikely that the strategy will lead to any negative effects associated with this criterion.
2(b) Will the effects be cumulative in nature? / No / The strategy will not give rise to any negativecumulative environmental effects.
2(c) Will the effects be transboundary in nature? / No / In solely concerning the administrative area of North
Ayrshire, the strategy will not have any transboundaryenvironmental effects.
2(d) Will the environmental effects be significant when consideration is given to the risks to human health or the environment (for example, due to accidents)? / No / There are no expected additional risks to human health and the environment arising from the implementation of the strategy.
2(e) Will the environmental effects be significant when consideration is given to the magnitude and spatial extent of the effects (geographical area and size of the population likely to be affected)? / No / The strategy will not have any adverse environmentalimpacts upon North Ayrshire and beyond.
2(f) Will the environmental effects be significant when consideration is given to the value and vulnerability of the area likely to be affected due to- special natural characteristics or cultural heritage; exceeded environmental quality standards or limit values; or intensive land-use? / No / The strategy will have no discernible impacts uponenvironmentally sensitive locations. The adoption of the strategy would not change the level of protection afforded to open space by the North Ayrshire Local Development Plan.
2(g) Will the environmental effects be significant when consideration is given to the effects on areas or landscapes, which have a recognised national, Community or international protection status? / No / The strategy will have no discernible impacts on landscapes or areas of protection.

TABLE 2 – SUMMARY

SUMMARY
North Ayrshire Council Open Space Strategy 2014- 2024 sets out a 10 year vision, underpinningpriorities and actions for open space. The strategy frames the Council’s future approach to the management of North Ayrshire’s open spaces.
Against all the criteria listed within Table 1, it was determined that the strategy will have no significant environment effects. For this reason, North Ayrshire Council believes that the strategy is a programme which does not require a SEA.

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