Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The Role of an Environmental Impact Assessment in Planning

Depending on the nature of the plans, a development has the potential to have significant effects on the environment, local biodiversity and the ecological value of the location. Although it is perfectly likely to be true of the majority of planning projects, negative side effects on the surrounding area are especially concerning in large-scale agricultural, energy, extractive, industrial or infrastructure developments.

At any point that a proposed development could cause undesirable environmental effects, the local authorities will need evidence that possible issues have been identified, mitigation and compensation measures have been considered, and sustainable practices and exercises have been integrated within the plans. For this to be done correctly, the developer would need to look into booking an environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the site.

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?

Alternatively known as a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) or simply as an Environmental Assessment, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an exercise carried out to note any and all likely significant environmental effects caused by proposed developments. The EIA process will take place before the permitted development, enabling changes that will bypass otherwise adverse effects.

Over the course of an inspection, the environmental consultants managing the assessment will place a particular focus on ensuring that decision-makers involved with the proposed project are aware of all possible positive and negative effects the development could have on the location. Changes that could allow the project to continue may consist of practices that tweak the development plans, initiate special measures or promote sustainable development.

The Aims of an Environmental Impact Assessment

The primary aims of environmental impact assessments include:

Why is an Environmental Impact Assessment Important?

In simple terms, an EIA is required for a number of crucial reasons, namely to incorporate environmental protection into development projects. It also sets guarantees that the project will be designed, planned and undertaken in a way that supports sustainable development, safeguards public health and minimises cumulative effects on the environment.

As a result of the wide scope it has on various concerns, instead of simply covering environmental factors, an environmental impact assessment will also benefit a number of other individuals and groups involved in the planning system. For example, the inclusion of an EIA can be applied to developers, project proponents, local communities, certain types of regulators, and the relevant planning authority.

Do I Need an Environmental Impact Assessment?

If your development could have a significant effect on the environment, it is likely that an EIA will be needed. Although the survey could apply to public and private projects, large-scale developments are more susceptible due to the inevitable potential impacts on the area.

You will often find an environmental impact assessment required on:

If you’re still unsure whether or not your development needs an EIA, screening direction will provide confirmation. Over several steps, specific screening criteria will be used to determine if an EIA is necessary. A screening decision will then be made by the local planning authority to gauge if an environmental impact assessment must be carried out.

Guide to an Environmental Impact Assessment

Each environmental impact assessment carried out is done so on a case-by-case basis, with the criteria set to alter how to approach an EIA on the specific development site. That said, much of the survey process is universal and applies to every EIA, regardless of the environmental information of the site or the nature of the development plans.

In the section below, you’ll find more details about environmental impact assessments, the history and laws behind them, and how an inspection is typically conducted.

History of the Environmental Impact Assessment

Up until the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972, the likely effects of a development on an environmentally sensitive location weren’t taken into consideration. By 1985, however, the European Union Directive 85/337/EEC came into force, driving the integration of environmental impact assessments on applicable planning projects.

Since then, the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive has been updated numerous times, eventually leading to the creation of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 alongside an amended EU directive. While the Town and Country Planning Act Regulations 2017 were created to localise the broad purpose of an EIA in the UK away from EU member states, they only apply to England apart from for national defence purposes in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. It is also subject to certain transitional arrangements set out in Regulation 76.

Environmental Impact Assessment in UK Law

A wide range of laws govern environmental assessments, with each act working to counteract negative impact using specific criteria. For example, part III of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 covers specific types of development that are expected to infringe on environmental quality and involve planning applications. At the other end of the spectrum, the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 focuses on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

Other UK legislation that affects this type of assessment includes the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 for developments conducted in offshore wind farms, ports and oil and gas platforms, and the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 for developments relating to power stations, renewable energy and transmission networks. Elsewhere, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 also supports the assessment, as it enforces standards on environmental health, pollution control and waste management.

Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines

Remaining in line with relevant regulators, local authorities and even European or international organisations where applicable (such as the European Commission) is vital to ensuring that an EIA is consistent and accurate, only heightening the results and eventual decisions that come from it.

Part of abiding by EIA guidelines involves following the EIA directive, adhering to all corresponding legislation, and keeping up to date with the latest updates from Natural England / Natural Resources Wales and all other appropriate bodies that are involved with regulating the environment.

Environmental Impact Assessment Process

Multiple stages make up the survey process, from early identification right the way through to the creation of an EIA report. Below, you will find the steps clearly outlined and explained:

Steps of an Environmental Impact Assessment

Screening

As previously mentioned, the screening opinion will see the local planning authority confirming or denying the need for an assessment.

Scoping

The required scope of the environmental assessment and all present environmental issues will be defined and recorded.

Baseline Studies

Data regarding the current environmental condition of the development will be collected to support the survey and report.

Impact Prediction and Assessment

All issues regarding historical or cultural heritage, potential environmental impacts, and any other factors that could harm the location will be predicted and analysed at length.

Mitigation Measures and Compensation Measures

Appropriate measures to avoid, minimise or compensate for environmental effects will be produced and initiated as part of the development plans.

Environmental Statement / Environmental Impact Assessment Report

A comprehensive report featuring each key part of the survey, sufficient information from the site and a non-technical summary will be created to display findings from the EIA.

Public Consultation and Participation

Stakeholders, members of the public and other people and groups that are involved in the viewing or side effects of the eventual development will be involved in the EIA process.

Review and Decision-Making

The environmental statement will be passed on to the local authority and reviewed, leading to the final decision to approve, modify or reject the application for development consent.

Environmental Monitoring and Management

Successful application of the mitigation and compensation measures will be monitored and managed, and reports on the ongoing environmental impact will be created.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Projects

For further references into how Arbtech specifically manages environmental impact assessments, the section below covers the price of the survey and report, the specialists in charge of the assessment process, and the available methods for requesting a quote from our team.

Cost of an Environmental Impact Assessment

All developments are different from one another, and based on the distinguishing features between them, the price of an assessment to help with granting consent is likely to be significantly affected, varying from case to case. Within the resulting price, the environmental impact assessment cost would incorporate the assessment, statement and all other factors.

Starting with a baseline price that applies to all EIAs, we only add on additional costs using the dimensions of the development site and the magnitude of the planning project. We can then prevent you from paying more than you need to and treat quotes for each client accordingly. Depending on the size and scale of the project, an EIA could cost anywhere from £10,000 to £100,000.

Environmental Impact Assessment Consultants

Across our team, we are able to offer an environmental impact assessment consultant to step in and help your development in a timely manner and at competitive prices. Following years of experience conducting environmental impact assessment consultancy services, each member of our team is qualified, capable and sufficiently knowledgeable to offer impactful assistance on affected development projects.

With an eye for identifying significant environmental effects and an advanced understanding of the relevant planning authority, the environmental impact assessment specialist instructed to work on your planning project will be able to work with local and national considerations, and they will be fully aware of all the moves required to leave your planning officer with every reason to grant consent for planning.

Speak to Us About Environmental Impact Assessment Guidance

When it comes to planning, environmental impact assessment services may be needed, and in such cases, it would be wise to plan ahead, as it can be costly, time-consuming, and something you need to factor into your development plans. Whether your project takes place within designated sites or you’re altering to a land use type listed as likely impacting the environment, giving public notice for an EIA early would be strongly advised.

By choosing the team at Arbtech for an EIA, you can ensure that the assessment is conducted correctly, components that could reference climate change are considered, the results are publicised electronically for your eventual planning application to the local planning authority, and any other regimes and surveys that are needed can also be identified, arranged and carried out by different specialists from the same team.

Book an environmental impact assessment – or simply work out if you need one at all – by speaking to our team, providing us with details about your proposed development, and giving us an opportunity to create a free quote for you. Either message us on our socials, fill out a quote form on the Arbtech website or call us directly, and from there, we can begin working on your development.