Environmental Impact Assessment

Background

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process that must be followed for certain types of major development before they are granted development consent.  The requirement for EIA comes from a European Directive (85/33/EEC as amended by 97/11/EC). The procedure requires the developer to compile an Environmental Statement (ES) describing the likely significant effects, both positive and negative, of the development on the environment and proposed mitigation measures.  The ES must be circulated to statutory consultation bodies and made available to the public for comment.   Its contents, together with any comments, must be taken into account by the competent authority (e.g. local planning authority) before it may grant consent.

From the developer’s (promoter’s) view point, the EIA, in parallel with project designs, provides a useful framework within which environmental considerations and design development can interact. The EIA may indicate ways in which the project can be modified to avoid possible adverse effects and, by taking these steps early in the design process, means it is more likely these can be accommodated within the design. Correspondingly, it is also likely to make the formal planning approval stages run more smoothly.  Consequently, when EIA is carried out properly it can be used to overcome potential objections and minimise risk to the project.

For the Planning Authority and other public bodies with environmental responsibilities, EIA provides a basis for better decision making. A corresponding thorough analysis of the implications of a new project before a planning application is made and the provision of more comprehensive information with the application should enable authorities to respond more quickly.

Temple Planning

Temple provides a comprehensive range of EIA services, from specialist advice and support on specific disciplines  to the production of a full EIA and preparation of an Environmental Statement.

Our staff are environmental and EIA specialists, with experience across all sectors including; rail, roads, airports, power, industrial and minerals extraction.

Service Requirements

Before a full EIA is carried out, the ‘screening’ provisions can be used to determine, at an early stage, whether an EIA is required or not.

If an EIA is necessary, the ‘scoping’ provisions can be used to determine the scope and methodology of the EIA. Unnecessary requirements can be discounted at an early stage to avoid unnecessary work.  Developers (promoters) and the LPA should discuss and agree the scope of the EIA in advance of its preparation.

The EIA process normally follows a series of well defined steps:

• Defining the assessment methodology and assessment  (evaluative) criteria;
• establishing the baseline;
•  consideration of the main alternatives;
• prediction of significant effects (positive and negative, direct and indirect, secondary, cumulative, short, medium and long-term, permanent and temporary);
• measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and where possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment;
• schedule of significant effects; and
• production of the “Environmental Statement” and a “Non-technical Summary”.

Consultation is mandatory and effective stakeholder participation, especially at the early stages of the process, can help to build confidence and reach agreement on controversial matters, thereby minimising the risk of a legal challenge at a later date.

Temple Capabilities

Temple has a long and successful track record in Environmental Impact Assessment. We recently completed the EIA for Thameslink 2000, achieving ‘A’ ratings from the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) on all aspects of the ES and two commendations for our approach to consultation and sustainable development.  This ES is being used as a ‘model structure’ on a number of other prestigious projects/schemes.

We have a proven track record of coordinating and integrating multi-disciplinary teams with the client team and our personnel have experience of working on a wide range of prestigious and complex projects. Examples include:

A2/A282 A39 A46 Channel Tunnel Rail Link East Coast Mainline LOIS Study

ORBIT Study Osbaldwick Poundbury Parkway Stonehenge Visitors Centre Thameslink 2000

Our approach in all these cases, namely linking the EIA process and its findings with design development and management systems has helped manage the environmental risks much more effectively.

Our knowledge and experience of consultation and the overall approvals process is probably unique, certainly in terms of depth and range of experience. This means we are well placed to brief Barristers/Counsel prior to an Inquiry and identify key and contentious elements and a robust defence as necessary.

Our role in working with many of the contractors in implementing some of the aforementioned schemes has demonstrated the robust nature of the ES findings. It has also provided an opportunity to assess the efficiency of the procedures and systems put in place to safeguard the environment and minimise the environmental impacts.  This experience has also given us the opportunity to finesse elements of the contract requirements approach.

This ‘whole project’ expertise and breadth of experience across different sectors makes us unique and brings significant benefits in the context of understanding the implementing best practice in EIA.

We also are experienced in different stakeholder techniques and consultation as a means of achieving greater consensus and inclusive decision-making.

The Temple Team

Temple team is a combination of experts in the fields of environmental impact assessment and planning. 

The core team is complemented by specialists in:

air quality archaeology climatic factors community contaminated land ecology and biodiversity health

land use and visual noise and vibration socio-economic assessment sustainable development (design and construction) townscape and built heritage transport water

Triggers

EIA must be carried out before consent for “major development” can be granted.  The Regulations apply to two separate lists of projects:

•  ‘Schedule 1 projects’, for which EIA is required in every case;
• ‘Schedule 2 projects’, for which EIA is required on where the project is likely to give rise to significant effects.

Service Users

Developers Planning Consultants Transport Promoters and Providers

Local Planning Authorities Statutory Consultees

Charging Structure

The costs of EIA vary widely depending on the scale and nature of the development/project being assessed, the relative accessibility of information and the type of consultation involved. A relatively small scale EIA is likely to cost between £25,000 to £60,000 whilst a large scale development/project could cost in excess of £250,000. In the case of a very large EIA, costs may exceed £1m. Specific specialist inputs or a reduced brief will clearly cost less.

Contacts

For further details regarding the services we can offer please contact us on 0207 394 3700 or enquiries@templegroup.co.uk

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