Appendix 3.1 - Approach and Methodology for the Detailed Evaluation of Environmental Effects of Strategy Implementation A detailed evaluation of the potential effects of the Strategy on the baseline environment has been carried out in accordance with best practice guidelines. An evaluation matrix template has been developed to facilitate the evaluation of the Preferred Strategy on Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs) relevant to each Environmental Component. A dedicated evaluation matrix has been prepared for each proposal in the Strategy. The proposals are listed on one axis of this matrix. The corresponding potential environmental effects of the proposals are then described. An evaluation of the environmental effects of the Strategy proposals on Environmental Components, having regard to the SEOs relevant to each Environment Component, was then carried out for each proposal in accordance with the requirements of the SEA Directive and best practice guidelines. Potential effects of the Strategy on Environmental Components/SEOs have been categorised as follows: • Potential Positive Environmental Impact (indicated in the matrix by a '+'). 64 • Potential Negative Environmental Impact (indicated in the matrix by a '-'). 65 • Potential Positive and Negative Environmental Impacts (indicated in the matrix by a '+/-'). • Uncertain Environmental Impact ((indicated in the matrix by a '?'). • Neutral, No or Insignificant Environmental Impact (indicated in the matrix by a '0'). The evaluation considers all potential direct, indirect/secondary, cumulative 66 , synergistic 67 , short, medium and long-term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative environmental effects. Detail on the SEOs associated with Environmental Components which the environmental effects of the Strategy have been measured against is provided in Table 1 overleaf. Completed Evaluation Matrices for 17 defined implementable Strategy proposals are presented in Appendix 3.2. Initially, to assist with the evaluation undertaken, consultation between the Strategy development and SEA team was undertaken to develop an understanding the nature, scale, magnitude of, and arrangements for, construction works likely to be involved in the development of EV charging infrastructure supported by the Strategy. An appraisal of the construction phase impacts associated with the development of the EV charging infrastructure was undertaken. This appraisal facilitated an understanding of potential environmental effects associated with Strategy implementation and underpinned all construction phase environmental effect analysis presented in Appendix 3.2. This appraisal can be found in Appendix 3.3.
64 Potential Positive Environmental Impacts are defined as having the potential to support the achievement of an SEO. 65 Potential Negative Environmental Impacts are defined as having the potential to hinder the achievement of an SEO. 66 The addition of many minor or insignificant effects, including effects of other projects, to create larger, more significant effects. 67 The addition of effects to create a total effect greater than the sum of the individual effects so that the nature of the final impact is different to the nature of the individual impact.
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