SEA PRE SCREENING REPORT (COVER NOTE ) PART 1. An SEA Pre Screening Report is attached for the plan, programme or strategy (PPS) entitled:

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1 SEA PRE SCREENING REPORT (COVER NOTE ) PART 1 To: SEA.gateway@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or SEA Gateway Scottish Eecutive Area 1 H (Bridge) Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ PART 2 An SEA Pre Screening Report is attached for the plan, programme or strategy (PPS) entitled: The Responsible Authority is: Scottish Government, Building Standards Division, Directorate for the Built Environment Contact Details: Fraser Walsh Senior Architect, Building Standards Professional Building Standards Division Denholm House Almondvale Business Park Livingston EH54 6GA fraser.walsh@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

2 SEA PRE SCREENING REPORT KEY FACTS Responsible Authority Title of PPS Purpose of PPS Building Standards Division (BSD), Directorate for the Built Environment It is proposed to develop a system for the sustainability labelling of new buildings as part of the Scottish building standards system. The intention is to require that new buildings must be designed and constructed to achieve a specified level of sustainability and that a statement of the level of sustainability achieved is affied to the building. What prompted the PPS (e.g. a legislative, regulatory or administrative provision) The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 allows Ministers to regulate for the purpose of furthering the achievement of sustainable development. This continues to be achieved by strengthening the energy standards for all new dwellings and the standards already include many wider features of sustainability. This step would provide aspirational optional upper levels. Sustainability labelling rewards meeting 2010 standards and gives additional recognition to developers who opt to reach aspirational higher levels that include aspects of resource use and human well being. It supports the Government s Greener Scotland agenda via a reduction in energy demand. Subject (e.g. transport) Period covered by PPS Built Environment Frequency of updates Area covered by PPS (e.g. geographical area it is good practice to attach a map) Sustainability will be reviewed in line with the changes to the Building Standards regulations, but definitions of levels fied. Revisions will be growth and additions rather than redefining levels. All new building work undertaken in Scotland. Summary of nature/ content of PPS Building Standards Division has defined upper levels of sustainability, creating benchmarks verifiable via via the building standards system that applies throughout Scotland. Developers who choose to demonstrate their 'green' credentials can be recognised for achievement higher than the minimum mandatory standards. The system could link with local authorities development plans to give local authorities a route to achieve their obligations under Section 72 of The Climate Change (Scotland) Act An objective is to encourage consistency between local authorities in supplementary planning guidance on sustainable construction. Are there any proposed YES, there will be NO PPS objectives? Copy of objectives attached YES NO X Date 2 nd November 2010.

3 SEA PRE SCREENING REPORT TITLE OF PPS RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY Building Standards Division (BSD), Directorate for the Built Environment 1(a) the degree to which the PPS sets a framework for projects and other activities, either with regard to the location, nature, size and operating conditions or by allocating resources 1(b) the degree to which the PPS influences other PPS including those in a hierarchy Likely to have no or minimal effects Summary of significant effects (negative and positive) 1(c) the relevance of the PPS for the integration of considerations in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development. 1(d) problems relevant to the PPS 1(e) the relevance of the PPS for the implementation of Community legislation on the environment (for eample, PPS linked to waste management or water protection) 2 (a) the probability, duration, frequency and reversibility of the effects 2 (b) the cumulative nature of the effects Likely to have no or minimal effects Summary of significant effects (negative and positive) 2 (c) transboundary nature of the effects (i.e. effects on other EU Member States)

4 2 (d) the risks to human health or the environment (for eample, due to accidents) 2 (e) the magnitude and spatial etent of the effects (geographical area and size of the population likely to be affected) 2 (f) the value and vulnerability of the area likely to be affected due to (i) special natural characteristics or cultural heritage; (ii) eceeded quality standards or limit values; or (iii) intensive land use. 2 (g) the effects on areas or landscapes which have a recognised national, Community or international protection status Likely to have no or minimal effects? Summary of significant effects (negative and positive)

5 TABLE 2 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 allows Ministers to regulate for the purpose of furthering the achievement of sustainable development. Recognising the achievement of meeting the 2010 energy standards (comparable with the best in Europe) and voluntarily opting to meet higher levels that include energy and carbon emissions targets, including issues such as water efficiency, and fleibility in design. The Building Standards Division s proposed sustainability labelling system will define upper levels of sustainability, creating benchmarks verifiable via the system of building warrant applications. The recognised minimum benchmark level is defined by compliance with the eisting mandatory 2010 Building Standards. BSD have previously undertaken and will continue to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment as and when amendments to the mandatory standards are made. The voluntary nature of eceeding these recognised minimum standards will mean that the sustainability proposals will have no further un-assessed impact as the only physical impact will be the affiing of a label to a newly constructed building. Meeting optional upper levels will provide positive benefits to impact by reductions in resource us, carbon dioide emissions and the enhancement of occupant well-being. The reviews and proposals of the eisting standards that define the minimum levels for new buildings to meet were subject to full public consultation eercise in 2009 which can be sought at the Building Standards website. It is anticipated to apply initially the standard to newly constructed buildings. Upper levels covering a range of aspects of sustainability will be available for domestic buildings. This range of aspects will be etended to non-domestic buildings in due course but at the outset the only optional upper level defined is for carbon dioide emissions.