Introduction

Background

The Ferries Plan (2013-2022), developed by Transport Scotland, was the culmination of the first comprehensive review of ferry services in Scotland ever carried out, setting out strategic guidance for the provision of ferry services in Scotland between 2013-2022. It included a proposed Vessel Replacement Programme as well as a proposed Programme of Port and Harbour Works, developed to replace life expired assets.

In 2022, Transport Scotland commenced the development of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP) to replace the Ferries Plan (2013-2022), widening its scope to take account of ferry services, aviation, and fixed links, as well as onward and connecting travel.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) aims to offer protection to the environment by ensuring public bodies and those organisations preparing plans of a ‘public character’ consider and address likely significant environmental effects. SEA can also provide a valuable opportunity to identify and address the environmental implications of public plans, assisting plan-makers to consider how their plans can achieve better environmental outcomes, while still delivering important plan objectives. A SEA of the post-consultation draft ICP (December 2024 internal version) has been undertaken and its findings are set out in this Environmental Report.

SEA Requirements and Process

Under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the ‘Environmental Assessment Act’), which transposes the European Union (EU) SEA Directive, Scottish public bodies preparing plans are required to undertake a SEA if such plans, if implemented, are considered likely to have significant effects, either positive or negative.

Figure 1 - SEA process followed in relation to the ICP development illustrates the process followed through its main components, i.e. the Strategic Approach Paper (SAP) and the Vessels and Ports Plan (VPP), further described below.

Figure 1 - SEA process followed in relation to the ICP development, as described in the text below
Figure 1 - SEA process followed in relation to the ICP development
  • Screening. Transport Scotland completed a Screening Report (not publicly available) in May 2023 concluding that the plan fell within Section 5(4) of the Environmental Assessment Act, which extends the requirements of the SEA Directive to plans prepared by a Scottish public body. Although the ICP is not considered a qualifying plan, i.e. it is not required by a legislative, regulatory or administrative provision, and it does not set the framework for future development consent of projects; the likelihood of significant effects could not be ruled out, as such, it was determined that an SEA was required. The pre-consultation draft of the SAP and VPP, and the Screening Report were submitted to statutory consultation authorities, all of whom agreed with the conclusions of the Screening Report.
  • Scoping. Transport Scotland completed a Scoping Report (not publicly available) in October 2023. The Scoping Report identified key plans and programmes of relevance to the ICP. It also set out the baseline environment, existing pressures and trends without the ICP, and scoped in the issues where significant effects could not be ruled out. The Scoping Report was also shared with statutory consultation authorities, all of whom agreed with the overall approach, scope and level of detail proposed. A draft assessment framework, including some proposed amendments to the scope of the SEA, and additional detail on the assessment methodology, was subsequently developed and shared with statutory consultation authorities in December 2024. Overall, statutory consultation authorities agreed with the approach proposed (see Appendix 2 for an overview of consultation feedback).
  • Interim Environmental Report. Following public consultation and community engagement on the consultation draft of the SAP and VPP between February and May 2024, the SAP and VPP were revised by Transport Scotland to incorporate feedback received, and the December 2024 internal working versions of these documents were subject to initial assessment. The initial assessment culminated in an Interim Environmental Report intended for internal purposes, which included recommendations for changes aimed at strengthening the ICP and resulting in a more positive score against the SEA objectives.
  • Environmental Report. The Interim Environmental Report has been adapted into this document for external statutory and public consultation. It should be noted that the Environmental Report is not accompanied by the post-consultation draft ICP (December 2024 internal working version). However, the consultation draft SAP and VPP (February 2024) remain publicly accessible at the following links:
  • Post-Adoption SEA Statement. Upon adoption of the ICP (through the approval of the SAP and VPP), a post-adoption SEA statement will be prepared to summarise how SEA considerations and consultation responses have been integrated into the ICP, and the reason for choosing the plan adopted over any other reasonable alternatives. This statement will be published and will refer to the final published versions of the SAP and VPP.

Purpose and Structure of this Document

This document presents the assessment of the post-consultation draft SAP and VPP that form part of the ICP (internal versions dated December 2024). It is intended for external statutory and public consultation and use by Transport Scotland in the preparation of the final SAP and VPP.

The structure adopted in this document is outlined below, and refers to the information requirements for Environmental Reports listed in Schedule 3 of the Environmental Assessment Act. It should be noted that the non-technical summary is presented as a standalone document.

  • Introduction
  • Islands Connectivity Plan Overview
    • (1) An outline of the contents and main objectives of the plan or programme, and of its relationship (if any) with other qualifying plans and programmes.
    • (8) An outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt with, and a description of how the assessment was undertaken including any difficulties (such as technical deficiencies or lack of expertise) encountered in compiling the required information.
  • Methodology
    • Also covers (8) as described above.
  • Baseline Summary (additional detail presented in Appendix 3 (Baseline))
    • (2) The relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the plan or programme.
    • (3) The environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected.
    • (4) Any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the plan or programme including, in particular, those relating to any areas of a particular environmental importance, such as areas designated pursuant to any assimilatedlaw extending to Scotland (…).
    • (5) The environmental protection objectives, established at international or nationallevel, which are relevant to the plan or programme and the way those objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation
  • Assessment Findings
    • (6) The likely significant effects on the environment (…).
    • (7) The measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and as fully as possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment of implementing the plan or programme.
  • Monitoring
    • (9) A description of the measures envisaged concerning monitoring in accordance with section 19
  • Next Steps
  • Appendix 1 (Abbreviations) – contains an abbreviation list
  • Appendix 2 (Consultation Feedback) – summarises consultation feedback relevant to the SEA
  • Appendix 3 (Baseline) - presents baseline information on SEA topics scoped in
  • Appendix 4 (Assessment Proforma) – presents the assessment findings in a proforma format