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COVERING LETTER
Directorate for the Built Environment
National Planning Framework, Planning Policy and South
T: 0131 2447547 F: 0131-244 7555
E: NPFTeam@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Dear Consultee
NATIONAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK 2: STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT - SUPPLEMENTARY ASSESSMENT OF CANDIDATE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
In accordance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, a Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA) of the National Planning Framework is currently being undertaken.
An Environmental Report was produced in January 2008, which described the anticipated environmental effects of the Discussion Draft Document. However, since the Discussion Draft was produced, a number of new ideas and proposals have come forward that have not so far been subjected to the full SEA process of assessment and consultation. The Scottish Government has therefore undertaken further environmental assessment work and the findings from this part of the process will be used to inform the redrafting of the NPF. Particular consideration is being given to projects which have been proposed by stakeholders as possible alternative National Developments.
This supplementary report sets out the findings of an additional process of environmental assessment of Candidate National Developments.
Responding to this consultation paper
We are inviting written responses to this consultation paper by 31 October 2008.
As explained in the report, consultees are asked to avoid using this period of consultation simply to restate any views they have already expressed on the proposed National Developments identified in the Discussion Draft. Rather, this stage affords the opportunity to contribute to the drafting of the NPF by expressing any further views you may have on the Candidate National Developments, based on the environmental information set out in the report. It would be helpful if responses could be focused on the following questions:
(a) Do you have any views on the environmental effects of the Candidate National Developments?
(b) Are there any further sources of environmental information, which should be taken into account within the assessment?
(c) Do you have any further views on the suitability or otherwise of the Candidate National Developments for inclusion in the NPF, based on their predicted environmental effects?
Please send your response to the NPF Team at NPFTeam@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or addressed to National Planning Framework Team, Scottish Government, Directorate for the Built Environment, Area 2-H, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ.
If you have any queries on the content of the consultation paper or the consultation process, please contact Fiona.Simpson@sotland.gsi.gov.uk or on 0131 2447547.
Handling your response
We need to know how you wish your response to be handled and, in particular, whether you are happy for your response to be made public. Please complete and return the Respondent Information Form attached to this letter as this will ensure that we treat your response appropriately. If you ask for your response not to be published we will regard it as confidential, and we will treat it accordingly.
All respondents should be aware that the Scottish Government is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and would therefore have to consider any request made to it under the Act for information relating to responses made to this consultation exercise.
Publishing Responses
Where respondents have given permission for their response to be made public (see the attached Respondent Information Form), these will be made available to the public in the Scottish Government Library and on the Scottish Government Consultation web pages within 6 weeks of the close of the consultation. Where agreement to publish has been given, we will check all responses for any potentially dematatory material before logging them in the library or placing them on the website. You can make arrangements to view responses by contacting the SG Library on 0131 244 4552. Responses can be copied and sent to you, but a charge may be made for this service.
What happens next?
Following the closing date, all responses will be analysed and considered along with any other evidence to inform the redrafting of the NPF. A Proposed Framework will require to be laid in Parliament. Further details on the timing of this process will be available through the NPF webpage on the Scottish Government's Planning Homepage at www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/National-Planning-Policy/themes/npf
Comments and complaints
If you have any comments about how this consultation exercise has been conducted, please send them, marked 'National Planning Framework', to the postal or e-mail address given previously.
RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM: NATIONAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK 2
Equal Opportunities Questionnaire
This Equal Opportunities Questionnaire is requested in order that the Scottish Government can build an accurate picture of the make-up and diversity of the people and groups that our planning policies impact on, and to ensure that the way in which we carry out our consultations is inclusive and not unwittingly discriminatory. If you have responded to this consultation as an individual it would be helpful if you could complete the form. This information is only used for this purpose.
If you have a disability that requires us to make a reasonable adjustment to enable you to complete this form, please notify us.
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION PROCESS
Consultation is an essential and important aspect of the Scottish Government's working methods. Given the wide-ranging areas of work of the Scottish Government, there are many varied types of consultation. However, in general, Scottish Government consultation exercises aim to provide opportunities for all those who wish to express their opinions on a proposed area of work to do so in ways which will inform and enhance that work.
The Scottish Government encourages consultation that is thorough, effective and appropriate to the issue under consideration and the nature of the target audience. Consultation exercises take account of a wide range of factors and no two exercises are likely to be the same.
Typically Scottish Government consultations involve a consultation paper inviting answers to specific questions or more general views about the material presented. Consultation papers are distributed to organisations and individuals with an interest in the issue, electronically or in hard copy and are placed on the Scottish Government's consultations webpage 1 to allow for participation from a wider audience. Consultation exercises may also involve seeking views in a number of different ways, such as through public meetings, focus groups or questionnaire exercises. Copies of all the written responses received to a consultation exercise (except those where the individual or organisation requested confidentiality) are placed in the Scottish Government library at Saughton House, Edinburgh (K Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD, telephone 0131 244 4565).
All Scottish Government consultation papers and related publications (eg, analysis of response reports) can be accessed at: SEconsult ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations).
The views and suggestions detailed in consultation responses are analysed and used as part of the decision making process, along with a range of other available information and evidence. Depending on the nature of the consultation exercise the responses received may:
- indicate the need for policy development or review
- inform the development of a particular policy
- help decisions to be made between alternative policy proposals
- be used to finalise legislation before it is implemented
Final decisions on the issues under consideration will also take account of a range of other factors, including other available information and research evidence.
While details of particular circumstances described in a response to a consultation exercise may usefully inform the policy process, consultation exercises cannot address individual concerns and comments, which should be directed to the relevant public body.
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