In this section, each of the environment sub-criteria against which appraisal is required is discussed in turn. The following items are considered for each:
The difference between project and strategic level should be understood as follows: project level appraisal will be appropriate where an option is sufficiently specific (in terms of its location, extent and design) that detailed judgements can be made about its environmental effects. An example might be a preferred alignment for a railway or for a road improvement. Strategic level appraisal will be appropriate for options where only outline information is available about their location, extent and design, or where concepts or broad options are being tested. Examples might include strategies, plans or programmes, including multi-modal studies (where a strategic level assessment can help to inform the option selection process), and assessments of local or regional transport strategies (where broad corridors for transport infrastructure may be identified, but specific routes have yet to be determined).
A strategic level ‘appraisal' should not be confused with conducting an SEA. Guidance on the requirements for SEA is provided in the Scottish Government's SEA Toolkit, and ODPM: A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive.
