Planning permission granted for new Lidl store in Edinburgh
8 October 2024
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What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?
22 August 2024
An Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA, is a document which is submitted as part of a planning application to demonstrate that the development which is being proposed will not have an adverse or undue impact on its surrounding environment.
What goes into an Environmental Impact Assessment?
An EIA will look at factors not just relevant to the natural environment and ecological considerations, but also to the human environment – things like noise impact, visual impact, odour impact and more.
How is ‘environmental impact’ measured?
The variables which make up an EIA are each measured in their own individual ways, but the cumulative impact of these variables once taken together is what determines whether a proposal can be said to have an acceptable or unacceptable environmental impact in its totality, which in turn is also weighed against the social and economic benefits of the proposal. Ecological impact, for example, might be measured by asking if the proposed development will displace any native animal or plant species which are critical to the local ecosystem and biodiversity, whereas noise impact might be measured by asking how close the proposed development is to the nearest residential properties and whether its presence will create disruption for those living close to it.
When is an Environmental Impact Assessment required?
The thresholds for an EIA may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but one is generally required if a development proposal that is put forward sits within an area which has been specifically designated for conservation under planning policy due to its ecological importance or natural beauty. If you are unsure if your proposal requires an EIA, you can ask the relevant planning authority (usually the local Council) to ‘screen’ it, which means that the Council’s planners will consult a checklist to determine if your proposal meets the EIA threshold. Thereafter, you can prepare an ‘EIA Scoping Report’ to ascertain if the planning authority is happy with the extent of the information you intend to submit within your final EIA, which will save you both time and money and streamline the planning process.
If you are in need of advice regarding Environmental Impact Assessments, get in touch with us to find out more and understand how we can guide your development proposal to planning success.
