SEA screening determinations

Draft Land use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan

Statement – Screening Determination

I refer to the screening report prepared for the draft Land use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan (LAJTP), which was submitted to the SEA Gateway on 13 March 2025.  Responses from the Consultation Authorities were received between 27 March 2025 and 9 April 2025. The Consultation Authorities agreed that there is no likelihood of significant environmental effects.

The statement of reasons as to why no significant effects are expected was set out in the original screening request. To summarise, the components of the draft plan are high level, introducing the Just Transition (JT) to a wider audience, seeking additional views and insight that will inform development of a formal LAJTP and setting the overarching direction for future action. There are no policies being put forward in the draft plan that are at an appropriate stage of development to enable policy-level screening to take place at this time. It is recognised that should the consultation necessitate future development of specific, standalone policies for inclusion in a formal LAJTP, a separate SEA screening process will be required.

I am writing on behalf of the Land Reform, Rural and Island Policy Division to confirm that the Scottish Government has determined, using the criteria set out in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, that the draft Land use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan is unlikely to have significant environmental effects. As the Consultation Authorities agree with this view, the Scottish Government has concluded that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required.

I enclose a copy of the determination advert which will be placed in the Edinburgh Gazette and the Glasgow Herald.  I would be grateful if you could forward this to the SEA Consultation Authorities.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.

Yours sincerely,

Keith McWhinnie

Land Use Strategy Team
Land Reform, Rural and Island Policy Division

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Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005: Section 8(1) Screening Determination

Draft Land use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan

The Scottish Government has determined that the draft Land use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan is not likely to have significant environmental effects and that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is therefore not required. The screening determination can be viewed on the Gov.Scot website. 

A copy of the determination can be obtained by emailing LAJTP@gov.scot. Written requests should be addressed to: Land Use Strategy Team, Scottish Government, D Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD.