Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report
Carrying out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Local Plan is another important element of Plan preparation, and it is up to the Local Plan Authority to determine the need for an SEA of the Local Plan. The SEA Scoping Report is the first formal step in evaluating the environmental impact of a Local Plan and determining the need for SEA. It sets the baseline and methodology for future testing and ensures that environmental, social and economic factors are considered during plan preparation.
The Council consulted on the SEA Scoping Report as part of its Local Plan Review Scoping Consultation. The consultation ran for four weeks from the 14 July 2026 to the 11 August 2026. Residents, businesses, landowners, statutory consultees and other interested parties were invited to submit comments through the Council's online consultation portal, Talking Point Tunbridge Wells. Responses were also accepted by email and post, and consultation materials were also made available for public inspection.
In addition, the statutory SEA consultation bodies (the Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England) were consulted in accordance with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004. Responses received will help inform future SEA work.
The SEA process will continue alongside plan preparation, helping to inform the development and assessment of options, policies and site allocations as work progresses. Details of the assessment framework, baseline information and consultation documents are available within the published SEA Scoping Report.
The SEA Scoping Report remains available to view:
Next steps
The Council is currently reviewing all representations received during the consultation period. A Scoping Consultation Summary Report will be published in due course (currently expected to be November/December 2026). This will include a summary of responses received regarding the SEA Scoping Report.