Project Outline

Having been appointed for EIA coordination and management only, we had to work seamlessly with the client and project team to undertake an EIA and coordinate the preparation of an ES for submission as part of the planning application within the agreed project programme.

What was the challenge?

We undertook EIA Scoping to establish what would be assessed as part of the ES, in an attempt to ensure a proportionate EIA was undertaken. However, the Council did not provide a final EIA Scoping Opinion in the required timescales, by the EIA Regulations. As a result, we took the initiative to scope certain assessment topics (such as transport) into the EIA and ES, to avoid potentially preparing an ES which was not under the final EIA Scoping Opinion (once it was received).

What was the conclusion?

The experienced EIA team identified and suitably managed risks (including delays and changes to the design freeze) early on in the project. In addition, a flexible approach from the EIA team enabled us to efficiently manage changes to the design freeze without delay to the required project submission.

Photos Credit: BDP