2.0 Appraisal methodology

Assessment

2.1 The Sustainability Appraisal of the Revised Proposed Submission Development Management Plan has been undertaken in two stages.

Stage 1 – Initial Sustainability Assessment

2.2 Firstly, the most significant changes to the Development Management Plan (see Appendix D of that document) have been assessed to determine whether there are any likely sustainability implications as a result of the changes made, and whether a further sustainability appraisal of that change will be required. The results of this initial assessment, including a summary of the significant changes, are set out in Appendix B of this report.

Stage 2 – Sustainability Appraisal

2.3 Where it was determined in the initial sustainability assessment that an additional appraisal of the sustainability effects was required, a further sustainability appraisal was undertaken using the criteria in table 3 below.

Score	Effect
XX	The option will have a significant negative effect on the sustainability objective
X	The option will have a slight negative effect on the sustainability objective
?	The impact can not be predicted at this stage - potential/uncertain effect
-	No effect/direct link at this stage
	The option will have a slight positive effect on the sustainability objective
	The option will have a significant positive effect on the sustainability objective
S, M, L	Short, medium and long term

Table 3: Criteria for assessment

2.4 The outcome of the sustainability appraisal of the significant changes to the Revised Proposed Submission Development Management Plan, which includes both policy and sites assessment, is set out in section 4 beginning on page 18.

Sustainability objectives

2.5 This assessment used the sustainability objectives and Sustainability Appraisal Framework developed and refined through the Scoping process, used in the previous Sustainability Appraisal of the Hastings Development Management Plan report (November 2012). The sustainability objectives are:

Social objectives

1. More opportunities are provided for everyone to live in a decent, sustainably constructed and affordable home suitable to their need

2. The health and well-being of the population is improved and inequalities in health are reduced

3. Levels of poverty and social exclusion are reduced and the deprivation gap is closed between the more deprived areas in Hastings and the rest of the town

4. Opportunities are available for everyone to acquire new skills, and the education and skills of the population improve

5. All sectors of the community have improved accessibility to services, facilities, jobs, and social, cultural and recreational opportunities, including access to the countryside and the historic environment

6. Safe and secure environments are created and there is a reduction in crime and the fear of crime

7. Vibrant and locally distinctive communities are created and sustained

Environmental protection objectives

8. Land and buildings are used more efficiently and the best use is made of previously developed land

9. Biodiversity is protected, conserved and enhanced

10. The risk of flooding (fluvial and tidal) and coastal erosion is managed and reduced, now and in the future

11. Parks and gardens, countryside, and the historic environment / townscape and landscape are protected, enhanced and made more accessible

12. Air pollution from transport and land use planning is reduced, and air quality continues to improve

13. The causes of climate change are addressed through reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through zero / low carbon development (mitigation) and ensure the town is prepared for its impacts (adaptation)

14. The risk of pollution to all water resources is reduced, water quality is improved and water consumption is reduced

15. The use of sustainable energy and renewable energy technologies is maximised in new development, and in existing buildings

16. Through waste re-use, recycling and minimisation, the amount of waste for disposal is reduced

17. Road congestion and pollution levels are reduced, and there is less car dependency and greater travel choice

Economic objectives

18. There are high and stable levels of employment and rewarding and satisfying employment opportunities for all

19. Economic revival in the more deprived areas of the town is stimulated and successfully achieved

20. The sustained economic growth of the town is achieved and linked closely to social regeneration

21. Indigenous and inward investment is encouraged and accommodated

Considering alternative options

2.6 The sustainability appraisal process requires us to consider alternative options to the plans, policies and proposals presented, and to assess the sustainability implications of these.

2.7 As stated above, this report assesses the sustainability implications of the significant changes to the Development Management Plan since its publication in January 2013. The alternative to these suggested changes would be to continue with the existing policies and proposals published in the earlier version of the Plan, or to rely on Planning Strategy policy, and national policy or guidance where new policies or text are proposed. The sustainability appraisal of the policies published in the earlier version of the Development Management Plan (used in some instances as alternatives) is set out in the document Sustainability Appraisal of the Hastings Development Management Plan (November 2012).

2.8 Commentary has also been provided as part of the full assessment process (see Appendix C), which considers how the change, as compared to its alternative, will positively or negatively effect the sustainability objectives.