PPG: Environmental Impact Assessment

PPG: Environmental Impact Assessment

What is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?

Environmental Impact Assessment is a process for identifying the likely significant effects of large-scale development projects on the environment. It is required by the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. EIA ensures that the likely significant environmental effects of development are thoroughly assessed before decisions are made.

When is EIA required?

EIA is required for:

Schedule 1 developments (mandatory EIA): These include large-scale industrial, infrastructure and waste projects such as crude oil refineries, thermal power stations, chemical installations, motorways and express roads, trading ports, waste disposal installations, and developments within or partly within a sensitive area.

Schedule 2 developments (screening required): These include a wider range of development types where EIA may be needed depending on whether the development is likely to have significant effects on the environment. Screening criteria consider:
- the characteristics of the development (size, use of resources, waste, pollution)
- the location of the development (environmental sensitivity of the area)
- the characteristics of the potential impact (extent, magnitude, duration, reversibility)

The screening thresholds for Schedule 2 include:
- Urban development projects: site area exceeds 5 hectares, or includes more than 150 dwellings, or the overall area exceeds 1 hectare
- Industrial estate development: site area exceeds 0.5 hectares
- Energy industry: wind farm of more than 2 turbines, or hub height exceeds 15m

What is an Environmental Statement?

An Environmental Statement (ES) is the document produced by the developer which describes the likely significant effects of the development on the environment. It must include:
- a description of the development
- a description of the likely significant effects
- a description of the measures envisaged to avoid, prevent, reduce, or offset significant adverse effects
- a description of reasonable alternatives studied by the developer
- a non-technical summary

How does EIA interact with the planning process?

The EIA process runs alongside the planning application process:
1. Screening opinion - the LPA determines whether EIA is required
2. Scoping opinion - the LPA advises on what the Environmental Statement should cover
3. Environmental Statement preparation
4. Submission with planning application
5. Consultation on the ES (minimum 30 days for public)
6. Determination - LPA must take the ES into account

The LPA must not grant planning permission for EIA development unless it has first taken the environmental information into consideration. There is no fee for requesting a screening opinion or a scoping opinion.

The 16-week determination period applies to EIA applications (rather than the standard 8 or 13 weeks).