Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA)

Cumulative Impact Assessments

Not only could a development suffer countless issues and obstacles by itself, but if it is near other recent, ongoing or planned projects, the overlap between multiple schemes can lead to any number of problems. The development may be okay on its own, but if it comes into significant difficulties due to how it overlaps with another development, it can become what a lot of people would describe as a ‘death by a thousand cuts’.

Likewise, if the development proposal adds pressure to the environment, the local infrastructure occurs within a recognised protected area, the project needs to meet licensing conditions or the local authorities make it a requirement under Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations, the developer will be met with the same drawback. The best way to deal with the complications caused by multiple effects from a planning project would be through organising a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA).

What is a Cumulative Impact Assessment?

A cumulative impact assessment (CIA) is a type of survey that considers factors around the landscape and environment, specifically breaking down the combined effects of a development alongside other current, planned or recent projects. Used to support the planning process and planning applications, a CIA will question what’s already happened or is happening in the area, if any approved or proposed developments are nearby, and what the result will be if all of them go ahead as planned.

From the perspective of developers, it will be important to understand if the scheme will place additional demands on various local operations, services and sensitive areas, or if it could affect future licensing applications. For example, potential factors could include green infrastructure and public open space, health and emergency services such as the police, fire brigade and ambulance service, local amenities and public lavatories, transport infrastructure, and waste and street cleaning operations.

General Reasons for a Cumulative Impact Assessment

A planning officer might request a CIA for several reasons. More than anything though, it will be necessary in their eyes if the planning proposal adds to existing concerns or creates fresh concerns around cumulative environmental impacts, disproportionate demand on the local public services, congestion or traffic in the area, pressure on local infrastructure, schools or healthcare providers, risks to public safety, or impacts from multiple developments on light, noise or general pollution.

It is common for a local authority to consider requesting a cumulative impact assessment if an area with multiple developments shows disproportionate demand for local services, evidence of alcohol-related violence, and acts that could be causing a public nuisance.

Important Elements of a UK CIA

In simple terms, the key elements evaluated during an assessment include:

• Air and Water Quality
• Biodiversity and Ecology
• Heritage and Landscape
• Light and Noise Pollution
• Traffic and Transport
• Public Services (Healthcare, Schools and Utilities)

Cumulative Impact Assessment Guidelines

The local planning authorities will initiate a proposed cumulative impact assessment consultation if there are concerns that a development will not align with the air quality targets, environmental thresholds, infrastructure delivery plan, local plan, spatial strategy, public safety policies and any applicable licensing requirements.

If our services didn’t follow the guidelines of relevant regulators, the surveys wouldn’t be effective, and the results wouldn’t be reliable. Every cumulative impact assessment we provide follows the latest standards from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Environment Agency (EA), Historic England, Natural England, NHS and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Public Health England, and the local planning authorities and local transport authorities.

Cumulative Impact Assessment Methodology

Within the methodology of our CIAs, a consultant could incorporate evaluating public health data, mapping existing licensed premises, reviewing crime statistics, and analysing the likely burden on services like street cleaning and waste collection.

In the section below, we offer a breakdown of the assessment and reporting process for a CIA:

Cumulative Impact Assessment Process

Steps in the cumulative impact assessment process include:

1. Scoping – Identifying what needs to be addressed on the development site
2. Engagement – Speaking with the local authorities, service providers and transport bodies
3. Assessment – Gathering data and undertaking spatial analysis and an infrastructure impact review
4. Mitigation Strategy – Adjusting the design and operations to minimise or eliminate the impact

Cumulative Impact Assessment Report

The fifth and final step in the process is where the consultant in charge of the assessment will assemble a report. In the report, detailed information from the survey and site will be included, such as the impact metrics for transport, waste and emergency services, references to relevant local planning and licensing authority policies, spatial analysis of the concentrated area, and recommended mitigation measures that will make it possible for the development to move forward.

In terms of developments in England, it will also address what are known as the four licensing objectives if the development scheme involves potential late-night activity or a business or venue that will sell alcohol. The objectives come from the Licensing Act 2003 and ensure that new premises licences are only given if there’s evidence of aims to promote:

• The Prevention of Crime and Disorder
• The Prevention of Public Nuisance
• The Protection of Children from Harm
• Public Safety

All of the data within the cumulative impact assessment report will contribute to the application for planning permission submitted to the local planning authority. The planning officer will trust the information in a report, so as the CIA report will contain data about the site, evidence of a professional survey being completed by a specialist and measures that rule out any chance of breaking planning laws, it should be effective in supporting the developer’s planning application.

Reach Out for Cumulative Impact Assessment Guidance

From avoiding local issues caused by the short-term or long-term impact of the development with other nearby developments to guaranteeing that all licensing conditions are met for venues that need such licenses, a cumulative impact assessment is seen as the appropriate course of action for supporting the local planning authority’s higher-level planning decisions.

Based on a draft CIA report, a development should have everything needed to ease any planning concerns, satisfy relevant requirements, and bypass negative effects on the local area. For a free quote, speak to Arbtech by calling us, emailing us or completing a quote form, and our team will inform you of the costs involved and work with you to set a desirable date.