Planning, building and the environment

SEA Consultation, training and other information

The Directive creates specific requirements for consulting authorities with environmental responsibilities (Consultation Bodies, or Consultation Authorities in Scotland), the public and other EU member states. Guidance outlines these requirements in detail.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) consultation

The designated Consultation Bodies in the United Kingdom are

England: the Environment Agency, English Heritage and Natural England (previously English Nature and the Countryside Agency)
Northern Ireland: The Department of the Environment's Environment and Heritage Service
Scotland (Consultation Authorities): Historic Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Wales: Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments), Countryside Council for Wales, and the Environment Agency Wales

The Consultation Bodies in England, Northern Ireland and Wales have developed statements of the services and standards which Responsible Authorities can expect from them (see external links on the right of this page).

It is for the Responsible Authority to identify the public to be consulted on a particular plan or programme and its accompanying Environmental Report. The authority must also take account of any legal obligations or guidelines, in addition to those of the Directive, which are relevant to the plan or programme for which it is responsible.

When carrying out consultation, Responsible Authorities must have regard as appropriate to:

The agreement between Government and the voluntary sector, the Compact Code of Good Practice on Community Groups, which sets out agreed ways of working with community groups and voluntary organisations including black and ethnic minority groups and organisations (see www.thecompact.org.uk) (external link)
The Scottish Compact Good Practice Guides (external link), which provide advice on the Scottish Executive's relations with the voluntary sector including good consultation practices
The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 to promote race equality and the Disability Act 1995 to ensure that disabled people are not discriminated against.
The Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation (external link) which sets out criteria for conducting effective consultation. UK non-departmental public bodies and local authorities are encouraged to follow this code.
The Audit Commission's briefing on effective community consultation (Listen Up!) (external link) sets out a range of consultation techniques with advice on how they can be used and their advantages, disadvantages and resource implications

SEA training opportunities

A list (free to download below) is maintained of UK training opportunities in the SEA sector including courses scheduled for 2008 and others that are run on demand. The list may not identify every SEA training course nor should it be viewed as an endorsement of the quality or comprehensiveness of the training course on offer. Interested individuals should make enquiries directly with organisers as listed.

Other information

For all other SEA inquiries:

Environmental Assessment and Hazards Branch
Communities and Local Government
Zone 1/G10
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU
Tel: 020 7944 5879
Email: tanya.burdett@communities.gsi.gov.uk