Local Housing Strategy: guidance 2026

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Given the linkages between a LHS and the LDP, it is the informal view of the SEA Gateway that pre-screening would be the minimum reporting requirement for a LHS. This is based on the assumption that all decisions and options surrounding housing would be assessed and consulted upon through the LDP process and so can avoid potential assessment duplication. However, it is for the responsible authority, in terms of SEA, to consider reporting requirements based on what the scale of any likely environmental impacts is likely to be in their own opinion. This could mean that screening may be more appropriate in some cases. Advice on pre-screening and screening can be found in the Scottish Government’s SEA Guidance.

The judgement of whether a SEA is required or not, is always for the responsible authority to make, however, the three statutory consultation authorities (Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot and Scottish Environment Protection Agency) play a key role in SEA by bringing their individual environmental expertise to the assessment process. Consultation authorities do not provide a comment on pre-screening notifications; however, they can raise a concern to Scottish Ministers if they believe a plan, programme or strategy does not qualify to be pre-screened. We would encourage local authorities, if in doubt, to seek independent legal advice or contact the SEA Gateway for general guidance.

Summary of areas expected to be included in LHS

a. a LHS should include a clear statement that reflects the local authority’s commitment to addressing inequalities including health and provide details on how this will be achieved and how it plans to monitor and evaluate how its equality objectives are being met.

b. include weblinks to impact assessments that have been carried out to inform the development of a LHS, such as Equalities Impact Assessment, Health Impact Assessment, Children and Wellbeing Rights Impact Assessment, Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment, and Strategic Environmental Assessment.

c. a short summary explaining how the findings of relevant impact assessments that have been carried out have helped inform the development of LHS priorities and outcomes.