The sustainable development of mountain biking in Scotland – a national strategic framework.
Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005
Determination by the Scottish Mountain Bike Development Consortium
The Scottish Mountain Bike Development Consortium, as the Responsible Authority, after consultation with the consultation authorities and full consideration of the likely environmental effects of The National Mountain Bike Framework, has determined, under Section 8(1) of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, that The National Mountain Bike Framework is unlikely to have significant environmental effects and that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required.
Statement of Reasons
The Scottish Mountain Bike Development Consortium (the Consortium) carried out a detailed screening assessment of the National Mountain Bike Framework (the Framework). The Consortium concluded from the screening assessment that the National Mountain Bike Framework was unlikely to have significant environmental effects.
The screening assessment highlighted that the strategic objectives of the Framework emulate those of relevant plans, programmes and strategies of members of the Consortium which have already undergone full Strategic Environmental Assessment. The National Mountain Bike Framework does not introduce any major new issues or direct actions that are not considered within these pre-existing Strategic Environmental Assessments and which concluded that no environmental effects were likely.
The screening assessment stressed that the Framework’s objectives and proposed actions are based on the core principle of sustainability, and that the Framework promotes the sustainable and responsible use of Scotland’s outdoors. The Framework encourages sound environmental planning and management, and the need to avoid and mitigate negative impacts on the natural and cultural heritage.
Through the promotion of increased participation in mountain biking, the Framework will have a positive impact on people’s physical health and mental well being. In addition, through the promotion of mountain bike facilities and opportunities close to where people live, and the encouragement of sustainable travel (including cycling) to mountain bike centres, the Framework will impact positively on climate change and reducing CO2 emissions.
The consultation authorities, Historic Scotland and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency agreed that the Framework was unlikely to have significant environmental effects. The third consultation authority, Scottish Natural Heritage, is a member of the Consortium and as such provided their informal views on the likely environmental effects of the National Mountain Bike Framework. Scottish Natural Heritage agreed that the Framework was unlikely to have significant environmental effects.
On the basis of the above reasons, the Scottish Mountain Bike Development Consortium determines that the National Mountain Bike Framework is unlikely to have significant environmental effects and does not therefore require a Strategic Environmental Assessment.
Date of determination – 28/08/09
SEA Gateway screening number - 00415