List of Appendices, List of Figures, List of Tables, Glossary of Terms, Acronyms

List of Appendices

Appendix A Environmental Figures
Appendix B Plans, Programmes and Strategies Review
Appendix C Environmental Baseline
Appendix D Scoping Report - Consultation Responses
Appendix E Assessment Matrices

List of Figures

Main Report
N/A
Appendices
Figure A1: Environmental Designations
Figure A2: Forestry Overview
Figure A3: Round 3 Noise (Day, Evening, Night)
Figure A4: Carbon and Peatland 2016
Figure A5: Flood Extents – Medium Likelihood
Figure A6: Future Flood Extents – Medium Likelihood
Figure C2.1: 25km Grid in the Central Part of the Study Area
Figure C2.2: 25km Grid in the Eastern Part of the Study Area
Figure C2.3: 25km Grid for the Coastal Location
Figure C4.1: Study Area Largest Settlements by Population 2020, 2020 Population and Population Density
Figure C4.2: Top 15 Settlements Population Change

List of Tables

Main Report
Table 2.1: List of Retained Options
Table 2.2: A96 Corridor Review Transport Packages and Interventions
Table 4.1 Inter-relationships Between SEA Topics
Table 5.1: SEA Consultation Requirements
Table 6.1: Rating System for Likely Significant Effects
Table 7.1: A96 Full Dualling Assessment Using SEA Objectives
Table 7.2: Detailed Package 1 Assessment Using SEA Objectives
Table 7.3: Detailed Package 2 Assessment Using SEA Objectives
Table 7.4: Detailed Package 3 Assessment Using SEA Objectives
Table 7.5: Detailed Package 4 Assessment Using SEA Objectives
Table 7.6: Detailed Package 5 Assessment Using SEA Objectives
Table 7.7: Refined Package Assessment Using SEA Objectives
Table 7.8: Development Land Allocations
Appendices
Table B-1: National - Summary of Plans, Programmes and Strategies Against SEA Topics
Table B-2: Environment - Summary of Plans, Programmes and Strategies against SEA Topics
Table B-3: Climate Change - Summary of Plans, Programmes and Strategies against SEA Topics
Table B-4: Health, Safety and Wellbeing - Summary of Plans, Programmes and Strategies against SEA Topics
Table B-5: Economic - Summary of Plans, Programmes and Strategies against SEA Topics
Table B-6: Equality and Accessibility - Summary of Plans, Programmes and Strategies against SEA Topics
Table B-7: Regional - Summary of Plans, Programmes and Strategies against SEA Topics
Table B-8: Local - Summary of Plans, Programmes and Strategies against SEA Topics
Table B-9: Related National PPS, Document Summaries, and Relevant SEA Topics.
Table C2.1: Historic Climate Data for Climate Station: Nairn, 1981-2010
Table C2.2: Historic 10-year Averages for Temperature and Rainfall
Table C2.3: Scotland’s Annual GHG Reduction Targets
Table C2.4: Temperature Variables (°C), 50% Probability (10% and 90% Probability in Parenthesis) for 25km Grid Square Within the Central Part of the Study Area
Table C2.5: Precipitation Variables (%), 50% Probability (10% and 90% Probability in Parenthesis) for 25km Grid Square in which Eastern Part of the Study Area is Located
Table C2.6: Projected Changes in Sea Level Rise for Coastline Location (m) (5% and 95% Probability)
Table C3.1: Background Concentrations Throughout the Study Area for 2023
Table C4.1: Population Statistics for Scotland and the Councils Within the Study Area
Table C6.1: WFD Waterbody Classification Summary
Table C6.2: Regional Flow and Sea-level Rise Allowances Relevant to the Study Area
Table C8.1: Soil Types in the Study Area
Table D1: SEA Scoping Report: Consultation Feedback
Table E1: Environmental Appraisal of Full Dualling
Table E2: Environmental Appraisal of Packages 1 to 5
Table E3: Environmental Appraisal of the Refined Package

Glossary of Terms

Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) A non-permanent designation created if monitoring reveals that statutory air quality thresholds are being exceeded or will be exceeded in the near future.
Appraisal Summary Table (AST) These provide a high-level summary of the appraisal performance of each grouping in a format which is quick and easy to interpret.
Assessment An umbrella term for description, analysis, and evaluation.
Baseline The existing conditions which form the basis or start point of the environmental assessment.
Biodiversity Biological diversity, or richness of living organisms present in representative communities and populations.
Community Severance Community severance is defined here as the separation of residents from facilities and services they use within their community caused by new or improved roads or by changes in traffic flows.
Conservation Area Area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Designated under section 61 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.
Consultation Authorities Refers to the three statutory Consultation Authorities in Scotland: Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Cultural heritage resource A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest.
Cumulative effects Scottish SEA Guidance (2013) states that ‘Cumulative effects can be considered in terms of synergistic effects, additive impacts and secondary effects’. For the purposes of this SEA, the term ‘cumulative effects’ also encompasses synergistic and secondary effects.
Detailed Appraisal The third stage of the STAG process, which involves quantitative assessment. This will be informed by more detailed and quantified appraisal of the option groupings so far as is practicable at this stage, and consideration of packages of groupings e.g. multi-modal or geographically based packages.
Ecosystem A biological community of organisms interacting with one another and their physical environment.
Effect The result of change or changes on specific environmental resources or receptors.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) The process by which information about the environmental effects of a project is evaluated and mitigation measures are identified.
Environmental Report An Environmental Report presents the findings of the SEA undertaken for a project. A Draft Environmental Report is published for public consultation and then updated to become a Final Environmental Report, that responds to consultation feedback.
European Site Otherwise known as ‘Natura 2000’ sites. These include Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated under the Birds Directive (2009/147/EEC). In addition, Candidate and Possible SACs, Potential SPAs and Ramsar wetlands (designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance) should be included in appraisals as they are afforded the same level of protection as European sites under domestic policy. Natura 2000 sites are designated due to the presence of specific habitats and species of internationally important biodiversity value, otherwise known as ‘qualifying interest features’.
Habitat Term most accurately meaning the place in which a species lives, but also used to describe plant communities or agglomerations of plant communities, as used, for example in a Phase 1 Habitat Survey.
Habitat fragmentation Describes the breaking up of an organism’s preferred environment/habitat. Occurs naturally through long-term geological processes, or through human activities, such as change of land use or infrastructure development.
Habitats Regulations Appraisal Under the Habitats Regulations, all competent authorities must consider whether any plan or project will have a ‘likely significant effect’ on a European site. If so, they must carry out carry out an ‘appropriate assessment’ (AA). This is known as Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA).
Habitats Directive EC Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
Hydrological The exchange of water between the atmosphere, the land and the oceans.
Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) Scottish Government document which sets out why there is a need to invest, how the Scottish Government invests and what strategic, large-scale investments are intended to be taken forwards within each sector over the next 10 to 20 years.
Initial Appraisal: Case for Change The first stage of the STAG process which demonstrates the rationale for intervention. The end output of this is a Sifted List of options. This process is informed by problems and opportunities, development of transport planning objectives, option generation and development, and sifting. An A96 Corridor Review Case for Change report was published on 22 December 2022 .
Land Capability for Agriculture (LCA) Land Capability for Agriculture (LCA) is derived from data published by The James Hutton Institute (2010) and its primary objective is to rank land based on its potential productivity and cropping flexibility determined by the extent to which its physical characteristics impose long-term restrictions on its agricultural use.
Landscape Human perception of the land, conditioned by knowledge and identity with a place.
Land-take Acquired land which is necessary to construct the project and associated infrastructure and to undertake the essential environmental mitigation measures.
Listed Building Building included on the list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest and afforded statutory protection under the ‘Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997’ and other planning legislation. Classified categories are A-C.
Local Landscape Character Area (LLCA) An area outlined as having distinct characteristics based on landscape features. Derived from regional landscape studies available from NatureScot.
Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Following approval from Scottish Ministers, Aberdeen City Council introduced a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Aberdeen City Centre from 30 May 2022.
A LEZ is an area where only certain vehicles are allowed to enter based on their emissions standards.
The LEZ is being introduced to address dangerous levels of air pollution in the city centre, mainly nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is caused by road traffic.
Enforcement of the LEZ started on the 1st June 2024.
Mitigation Measure to avoid, reduce or offset potential adverse effects.
Natural Capital Natural Capital can be defined as the world's stocks of natural assets which include geology, soil, air, water and all living things. It is from this natural capital that humans derive a wide range of services, often called ecosystem services, which make human life possible.
Net zero Net zero refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. There are two different routes to achieving net zero, which work in tandem: reducing existing emissions and actively removing greenhouse gases.
Net zero targets Scotland has a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target for 2045. This covers all greenhouse gas emissions.
Non-motorised users Pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and equestrians.
Non-prime land Agricultural land of Land Capability for Agriculture (LCA) classes 3.2 to 7.
Option Sifting Option Sifting is a process that should be undertaken when a large number of options have been generated or where there is general consensus that a particular option or options generated will clearly not achieve the intended objectives or meet the identified transport problems and/or opportunities. The approach or basis for sifting options should be agreed with decision-makers.
Place The Place Principle recognises that: Place is where people, location and resources combine to create a sense of identity and purpose and is at the heart of addressing the needs and realising the full potential of communities. Places are shaped by the way resources, services and assets are directed and used by the people who live in and invest in them. A more joined-up, collaborative, and participative approach to services, land and buildings, across all sectors within a place, enables better outcomes for everyone and increased opportunities for people and communities to shape their own lives.
Positive effects for biodiversity Net positive effects on biodiversity that would be likely to result from a development. This terminology is taken from the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.
Potential Effect The effect on an aspect of the environment that may occur in the absence of mitigation.
Preliminary Appraisal The second stage of the STAG process which involves qualitative assessment. The end output of this is a Short List of options. In this stage, A96 Corridor Options are subject to further consideration against the TPOs, the five STAG criteria of Environment, Safety, Economy, Integration, Social Inclusion & Accessibility, relevant impact and duty assessments and deliverability. Consideration is also given to the synergies between different option groupings.
Prime agricultural land Agricultural land of Land Capability for Agriculture (LCA) classes 1, 2 and 3.1.
Public Transport Interchange Places which allow for the interchange between one or more different (public/sustainable) mode of transport.
Ramsar site Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention 1971). It is Scottish Government policy to afford them the same protection as European sites.
Receptor In this context, an element that is susceptible to being affected (either directly or indirectly) by the project. Examples include habitats, species, people, properties, landscape, archaeological remains etc.
Scoping Report Scoping Reports provide sufficient information about the potential environmental effects to allow the Consultation Authorities to provide an informed view regarding the environmental topics to be included in the SEA. Scoping Reports also provide a proposed methodology to be used for assessing potential environmental effects.
Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Transport Scotland’s formal option appraisal toolkit and methodology to guide the development and assessment of transport options in Scotland. STAG provides an evidence-based and objective-led framework for: identifying transport problems and/or opportunities in a study area; setting objectives to address the transport problems/opportunities and identifying and appraising options in a consistent manner with the potential to meet the objectives. STAG is integral to the investment decision making process at the Strategic Business Case stage. The four stages of STAG are: Initial Appraisal Case for Change (formerly Pre-Appraisal), Preliminary Options Appraisal (formerly Part 1), Detailed Options Appraisal (formerly Part 2) and Post-Appraisal (Monitoring and Evaluation).
Secondary effects Secondary or indirect effects are effects that are not a direct result of the plan but occur away from the original effect or as a result of a complex pathway.
Severance The separation of communities from facilities and services used within their community. Alternatively, in relation to agricultural land, the division of land into separate areas, potentially affecting access or availability for agricultural use.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Designated areas of national importance. The aim of the SSSI network is to maintain an adequate representation of all natural and semi-natural habitats and native species in the UK. The site network is protected under the provisions of Sections 28 and 19 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as well as the Amendment Act 1985 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Special Area of Conservation (SAC) An area designated under the EC Habitats Directive to ensure that rare, endangered or vulnerable habitats or species of community interest are either maintained at or restored to a favourable conservation status.
Special Protection Area (SPA) An area designated under the Wild Birds Directive (Directive 74/409/EEC) to protect important bird habitats.
Stakeholder A person or group that has an investment, share or interest in something.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) The process by which information about the environmental effects of proposed plans, policies and programmes are evaluated.
Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) A review of the Scottish transport network being undertaken by Transport Scotland. It aims to identify a range of potential options of national significance, which will be taken forward to improve the strategic transport network. Through selecting which transport projects of national significance should be progressed, the STPR would also affect regional and local transport networks such as the A96 corridor.
Statutory Assessments A number of statutory assessments are being undertaken for the A96 Corridor Review. These comprise an Equalities Impact Assessment, Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment, Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment and a Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment. A Strategic Environmental Assessment is also being undertaken to assess and mitigate the transport impacts of options identified through the A96 Corridor Review. The methods for these assessments have informed the Appraisal Framework for the A96 Corridor Review and vice versa.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) SuDS, or sustainable drainage systems are a sequence of water management practices and facilities designed to drain surface water in a manner that will provide a more sustainable approach than what has been the conventional practice of routing run-off through a pipe to a watercourse.
Synergistic effects Synergistic effects interact to produce a total effect greater than the sum of the individual effects.
Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) These seek to capture the essence of the evidence-based problem to be addressed or opportunity being sought. The A96 Corridor Review TPOs have been aligned to those set at the national level in STPR2, which are in turn closely associated with the four priorities, 12 outcomes and 24 policies contained within the Second National Transport Strategy (NTS2).

Acronyms

AA Appropriate Assessment
ANPR Automatic Number Plate Recognition
APR Annual Progress Report
AST Appraisal Summary Table
AQMA Air Quality Management Area
AQO Air Quality Objective
BRIA Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment
BTO British Trust for Ornithology
CAR Controlled Activity Regulations
CCA Climate Compatibility Assessment
CCRA3 UK’s Third Climate Change Risk Assessment
CNMA Candidate Noise Management Area
CRAM Corridor Route Assignment Model
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
CQA Candidate Quiet Area
CRWIA Child Rights and Wellbeing Assessment
dB Decibels
DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DfT Department for Transport
DRT Demand Responsive Transport
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
END Environmental Noise Directive
EQIA Equalities Impact Assessment
ESG Environmental, Social and Governance
FSDA Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment
GCR Geological Conservation Review
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GIS Geographic Information Systems
HES Historic Environment Scotland
HGV Heavy Goods Vehicle
HITRANS Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership
HRA Habitats Regulations Appraisal
IIP Infrastructure Investment Plan
KSI Killed or Seriously Injured
kt Kiloton
LA Local Authority
LCT Landscape Character Type
LLA Local Landscape Areas
LNC Local Nature Conservation site
LNR Local Nature Reserve
MGV Medium Goods Vehicle
NAP Noise Action Plan
NCN National Cycle Network
Nestrans North East of Scotland Transport Partnership
NMA Noise Management Area
NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide
NOx Nitrogen Oxides
NPF4 The Fourth National Planning Framework
NRS National Records of Scotland
NTS2 The Second National Transport Strategy
ONS Office for National Statistics
PCM Pollution Climate Mapping
PES Preliminary Engineering Services
PfG Programme for Government
PM Particulate Matter
PPS Plans, Programmes and Strategies
PSED Public Sector Equality Duty
QA Quiet Area
ROWs Rights of Way
RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
SAC Special Area of Conservation
SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment
SEPA Scottish Environment Protection Agency
SEqIA Social and Equality Impact Assessment
SFRA Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
SIMD Scottish Indicator of Multiple Deprivation
SNCI Site of Nature Conservation Interest
SNIFFER Scotland, Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research
SPA Special Protection Area
SSSI Sites of Special Scientific Interest
STAG Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance
STPR2 The Second Strategic Transport Projects Review
SuDS Sustainable Drainage System
TPO Transport Planning Objective
TUBA Transport User Benefits Appraisal
WFD Water Framework Directive

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