The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This section explains how the plan is being prepared. The councils have based their strategy on technical evidence and feedback from residents, businesses and other stakeholders, working within national planning policy. A Sustainability Appraisal tests the social, environmental and economic effects of the options, and a Habitats Regulations Assessment checks that proposals will not significantly harm protected species or habitats. Equalities and health assessments have also been prepared, and the councils have worked with neighbouring authorities on cross-boundary issues such as unmet housing need.
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1.3 How is the SWLP being Prepared?
1.3.1 The context of the South Warwickshire Local Plan is development; it is after all a
development plan. Ultimately, the SWLP must contribute to the achievement of
sustainable development, and this means balancing the need for more jobs and homes
against the impact on the built and natural environment. New development will cause
impacts for existing communities; the plan seeks to mitigate those impacts as much as
possible, but it cannot eradicate them. The SWLP represents what the two councils
consider to be the most appropriate strategy for South Warwickshire. In doing
so, we have based our proposals on expert technical evidence and feedback from
stakeholders, including the views of residents and businesses.
1.3.2 The evidence supporting this plan, as well as previous comments, are available
to view on the SWLP website at www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp. Everything we do
is also within the context set by national planning policy and guidance. To help us
understand and mitigate those impacts we have also prepared a Sustainability
Appraisal that accompanies this consultation document. This context is shown in
Figure 3.
Figure 3: Local Plan Refinement
1.3.4 Sitting alongside this plan is a Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental
Assessment (SA/SEA) as required under the Environmental Assessment of Plans
and Programmes Regulations 2004 (known as the SEA Regulations). An
SA/SEA evaluates the social, environmental, and economic effects of reasonable
alternatives to demonstrate that the proposed approach is an appropriate one and will
contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
1.3.5 In accordance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations
2017, a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) has also been prepared to ensure that
the proposals within the SWLP do not cause significant harm to protected species or
habitats. An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) and Health Impact Assessment (HIA)
have also been prepared alongside the SWLP .
1.3.6 In preparing the SWLP, the councils have also worked positively and productively with
neighbouring authorities to ensure that any cross-boundary planning issues, such as unmet
housing and employment needs, can be properly addressed. The background to this is set out in
the Maintaining Effective Co-operation: Statement of Compliance.
1.3.7 A Growth Strategy Topic Paper has also been prepared to explain in more detail
the approach that has been followed in terms of selecting the overall growth strategy