Sustainability appraisal

Sustainability appraisal is a tool which enables the environmental, social and economic effects of the plan to be assessed. At key stages, the plan is considered against a number of sustainability objectives and the results of these assessments are then used in the further development of the plan.

Sustainability appraisal of proposed changes to the minerals and waste plan

Following the six week consultation in November 2016 a number of proposed changes were identified to the draft minerals and waste plan. As a result it is necessary to present the changes for feedback on legal compliance and soundness. The changes have been assessed against the sustainability appraisal framework. See the  sustainability appraisal of proposed changes to the minerals and waste plan here (pdf / 4 MB).

Sustainability appraisal of publication stage policies and sites

This report sets out the findings of the sustainability appraisal on the joint plan. The full sustainability appraisal report (volume 1) includes details of how the sustainability appraisal was carried out and its key findings. It includes the following key chapters:

• Chapter 2 sets out the methodology we have followed to carry out the sustainability appraisal, including how we have predicted the likely significant effects of policies and sites;
• Chapter 3 summarises the key findings of our review of the strategic context of the plan and examines the likely evolution of baseline environmental, social and economic data for the plan;
• Chapter 4 shows how we have developed a 'sustainability appraisal framework' in order to appraise the effects of the joint plan. The full updated draft sustainability appraisal framework is at appendix 1;
• Chapter 5 shows how we have sought to review reasonable alternatives to meet the requirements the SEA Directive.
• Chapter 6 summarises the appraisal findings for policies, sites and areas of search. Appendix 2 shows the full policy assessments, while appendix 3 (separated into geographical area sub chapters) includes the full site and area assessments;
• Chapter 7 sets out the limitations of the assessment process as well as the uncertainties encountered;
• Chapter 8 includes the proposed indicators by which we will monitor the plan; and
• Chapter 9 concludes the report. 

There are a series of appendices, which detail the assessment of the policies and sites, which accompany the report. The documents are available to view below.

Other environmental assessment work on the joint plan

Assessment of the effects of the joint plan on wildlife sites of European importance is required by law. The habitats regulations assessment considers how significant any impacts are likely to be, and identifies whether they can be reduced to protect the sites. You can view the work undertaken to date on habitats regulations assessment to date by visiting the habitats regulation assessment page.

Government guidance recommends that sustainability appraisal should be supported by a strategic flood risk assessment (SFRA). This allows us to assess the vulnerability of potential minerals and waste sites to flood risk. Separate SFRAs have been carried out York and in the North York Moors, while North Yorkshire's strategic flood risk assessment work is nearing completion. For further information, visit:

• North Yorkshire strategic flood risk assessment 
• North East Yorkshire strategic flood risk assessment