Sustainable development is the core principal underpinning the reformed planning system. The integrated treatment of social, environmental and economic considerations is a key part of the Government's Sustainable Development Strategy and planning authorities are required to have regard to these considerations when preparing their Local Development Framework.

In its 2005 document 'Securing the future - delivering UK sustainable development strategy', the Government outlined five shared principles to be used in making progress towards sustainable development:

• Living within environmental limits;
• Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society;
• Achieving a sustainable economy;
• Promoting good governance; and
• Using sound science responsibly.

The purpose of Sustainability Appraisal is to promote sustainable development in the preparation of new or revised Local Development Documents. It is mandatory under Section 39(2) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Sustainability Appraisal assesses the extent to which emerging plans and policies help to achieve relevant social, environmental and economic objectives, whilst providing an opportunity to identify and address any significant effects that draft plans and policies may have.

In addition, Local Authorities must also conduct an environmental assessment in accordance with the requirements of European Directive 2001/42/EC (the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive). Whilst the requirements to carry out Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment are distinct, they are satisfied through a single process known simply as Sustainability Appraisal.

Sustainability Appraisal has been carried out by Swindon Borough Council on a number of its Local Development Documents. Links are given below to the various Sustainability Appraisal Reports.

Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report

The first stage of Sustainability Appraisal involves the production of a Scoping Report. The Scoping Report sets out the context and objectives for the Sustainability Appraisal, establishes the sustainability baseline and decides on the scope of the ongoing process.

A Draft Scoping Report was published for consultation between 24th July 2006 and 5th September 2006. Amendments were made to the Scoping Report following the close of this consultation period and a revised Draft Scoping Report published in December 2006. This report can be viewed as downloadable pdf documents:

Revised Draft Scoping Report (739KB)

Executive Summary (271KB)

Appendix 1 (763KB)

Appendix 2 (162KB)

Appendix 3 (40KB)

Appendix 4 (134KB)

Appendix 5 (87KB)

Appendix 6 (71KB)

Appendix 7 (101KB)

The Scoping Report will be revised periodically to take account of any changes in baseline information and/or sustainability issues within the Borough.

Swindon Sustainable Building Design and Construction SPD

Swindon Borough Council have adopted a Sustainable Building Design and Construction SPD. This SPD amplifies guidance in the Swindon Borough Local Plan 2011, in particular Policy DS6 (Design and Amenity), and sets out a "Swindon Standard" for future major development in the Borough.

A Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report have been produced to accompany the SPD. These two documents can be viewed as downloadable pdf documents via the following link:

Supplementary Planning Documents

Backland and Infill Development SPD

Swindon Borough Council has adopted an SPD on Backland and Infill Development. The document amplifies Policy DS6 of the Swindon Borough Local Plan 2011 by providing additional guidance against which planning applications can be prepared and determined. A Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report have been produced to accompany the SPD. These two documents can be viewed as downloadable pdf documents via the following link:

Supplementary Planning Documents

Swindon Core Strategy

Following on from initial consultation, Swindon Borough Council published its Core Strategy Issues and Options Paper for public consultation. This was accompanied by a Sustainability Statement, which can be viewed as a downloadable pdf document via the following link:

Swindon Core Strategy

Swindon Borough Council published a Core Strategy 'Preferred Options' Paper, the consultation period ran from 17th March 2008 to 12th May 2008. The Sustainability Appraisal and HRA Screening Report can be viewed as downloadable pdf documents via the following link:

Swindon Core Strategy

Swindon Central Area Action Plan

A Preferred Options Paper was published for public consultation from 30th April to 25th June 2007. This was accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal Report.

The Swindon Central Area Action Plan Submissions Paper contains a number of significant changes that have been made in response to the Preferred Options consultation and Sustainability Appraisal outcomes. Consequently, further Sustainability Appraisal work has been undertaken and the revised report can be viewed as a downloadable pdf document via the following link:

Swindon Central Area Action Plan

The public consultation period on the Submissions Paper and its accompanying Sustainability Appraisal will run from 31st December 2007 to 25th February 2008.

Obtaining Printed Documents

Printed copies of the documents listed on this page are available for inspection at all libraries within the Borough and can be purchased from Swindon Borough Council.

If you wish to obtain a paper copy of the documents please see Obtaining Printed Copies

This web page was updated on Friday 4th July 2008.