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Planning applications for some types of development must
be subject to environmental impact assessment (EIA).
EIA seeks to ensure that the environmental effects of
development are taken into account at the earliest possible stage
in the planning process.
It requires the applicant to identify the environmental effects
of the proposal and to indicate the steps being taken to mitigate
those effects.
Environmental statement
The assessment should be submitted as an environmental statement
to accompany the planning application to which it relates.
The planning authority then has to consider the statement
alongside the planning application, and must take it into account
when reaching its decision on the application.
Before you apply
EIA's can take many months to prepare so you are strongly
advised to engage in pre-application discussions with planning
officers at an early stage.
Applicants can write to the county council requesting a formal
scoping opinion as to the content of the environmental statement.
For more information see our FAQ explaining the term
scoping opinion.
Government policy
The procedures governing the EIA process are laid down in the
Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)
(England and Wales) Regulations 1999 and its amendment in 2000.
Guidance is also provided in the Circular 02/99. These documents
and further advice can be found on the website of
Communities and Local Government (opens in
new window).
Types of proposals
Proposals that may require EIA are divided into 2 groups:
Schedule 1
Those which must be accompanied by an environmental
statement.
Schedule 2
Those which may be required to do so if the development is
likely to have significant effects on the environment due to
factors such as its nature, size, or location.
Applicants can apply to the county council prior to submitting a
planning application for a determination of whether or not a
development should be subject to EIA - this is called a
screening opinion.
The regulations governing EIA are complex, and the above notes are
only a basic summary.
If you would like any further advice on the regulations and
procedures please contact the planning applications
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