The strategic environmental assessment directive in the UK: 1 year onwards

This article analyses the status of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in the United Kingdom 1 year after the implementation of the European Directive on SEA. It summarises the regulatory basis for SEA in the UK, and lists relevant guidance documents. Based on a questionnaire survey of all local planning authorities in England and Wales, it indicates the number and types of SEAs carried out, by whom, how long they took, techniques used, and perceived costs and benefits of SEA. It compares these findings with those of a similar survey carried out in 2001, prior to the Directive.