Guidance
Screening neighbourhood plans for Strategic Environmental Assessment
This guidance explains how to determine whether a neighbourhood plan needs a Strategic Environmental Assessment.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This guidance covers:
- how to determine whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment is required for a neighbourhood plan
- when to check whether your neighbourhood plan requires a Habitats Regulations Assessment
- when the screening should take place, who should carry it out, and the steps to take
- what information to include in a screening report
- sources of data that are available to support effective screening
- areas of sensitivity to consider – for example, those that may trigger the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment
- determining whether there are any likely significant effects on the environment
- engaging with the statutory consultees
- screening outcomes and next steps
It also includes an example screening report structure.
We are currently reviewing and updating our guidance and toolkits. This toolkit is provided for reference but has not yet been updated to reflect recent changes to planning policy. It remains useful as background information, but regularly check the Neighbourhood planning - GOV.UK page for updates to neighbourhood planning policy and guidance.
Updates to this page
Published 15 April 2026