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SEA in the UK

An overview of implementation of the SEA Directive in the United Kingdom.

The Environment Agency is responsible for environmental protection and natural resources management in England and Wales. If plans or programmes cross national boundaries and fall partially within England, they will be subject to the English SEA Regulations, and consequently we will be a designated statutory consultation body for such plans (see link). The former ODPM and Devolved Administrations have prepared generic guidance on SEA (see link).

  • Our role in your SEA

    We must be consulted at various stages during the assessment on all plans or programmes requiring SEA that affect any part of England or Wales.

England

The Department of Communities & Local Government (DCLG, formerly the ODPM) is the lead department on SEA in England and has prepared regulations to implement the SEA Directive. The former ODPM prepared guidance on SEA (see Other SEA guidance, left).

  • English regulations

    The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (SI 2004 No. 1633).

Wales

The National Assembly for Wales has prepared Regulations for SEA of Welsh Plans and Programmes and has also prepared SEA guidance (See Other SEA guidance, left).

Scotland

The Scottish Executive has prepared a new Act to implement the SEA Directive.  The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act, 2005 came into force on the 20th February 2006.

Northern Ireland

The Department of Environment for Northern Ireland (DOENI) has prepared regulations to implement the SEA Directive.