Scoping

A key purpose of scoping is to identify the environmental issues that may be significantly affected by implementing a plan, programme or strategy.

Scoping determines the scale and level of detail to be included within the Environmental Report.  This allows the Environmental Report to focus on the significant environmental effects that may arise from implementing the plan.

At this stage, the potential effects on a SEA topic should be explored to identify which issues are likely to be relevant to include in the assessment. It is also important to consider the interrelationships between SEA topics when considering which topics to scope in or out.

This section is subdivided in the following chapters which can be accessed through the menu:

Objectives
Baseline
Existing Environmental Problems

References to air, soil and water are available at more detailed levels.

Further information on the legislative requirements and other guidance for this stage can be found in the Related Items.