Ensuring effective sustainability appraisal

Environmental and sustainability appraisals of development plans have been carried out in the UK for the last ten years. They have been relatively effective in integrating environmental/sustainability considerations in the plans and improving plan-making. However, this system will change in the next two years as European Directive 2001/42/EC becomes operational. This article considers how strategic environmental assessment effectiveness, and factors that contribute to it, can be ‘measured’. Based on four questionnaires of UK planning authorities carried out between 1994 and 2001, it summarises the evolution and current status of UK development plan appraisal. It considers likely changes that will result from implementing the Directive's requirements in the UK, and concludes with lessons that should help to ensure that the most effective aspects of appraisal are kept as the regulatory context is changed.