Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Since the introduction of the requirement for
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for certain types and scales
of development into UK legislation in 1988 EIA has become an
integral part of the development process. Undertaking the
assessment in a thorough manner and clearly demonstrating that
adverse environmental effects have been mitigated, where possible,
is crucial to achieving a positive planning outcome.
Failure to produce a robust Environmental
Statement, which can withstand the scrutiny of consultees and the
general public, will almost certainly lead to delay in the planning
process and could result in a legal challenge.
Scott Wilson has a large number of experienced
EIA Managers in offices throughout the UK. EIA has been
undertaken for major projects in the transport, waste, water and
property sectors and includes some of the country’s largest
infrastructure projects.
Scott Wilson can provide full support
throughout the EIA process from Screening and Scoping through to
preparation of the Environmental Statement. We have the full
range of environmental specialists in-house, including ecology,
noise and vibration, landscape and visual, contamination, air
quality, socio-economics, water and micro-climate. We also have
expertise in EIA-related requirements such as Equalities Impact
Assessment, Health Impact Assessment and Flood Risk Assessment.
Scott Wilson believes that EIA works most
effectively when it forms a key component of the design process.
Working in an iterative way with the design team allows adverse
environmental effects to be identified early-on and mitigated
through design changes rather than through the addition of
potentially expensive measures ‘bolted on’ late in the day. Early
and pro-active engagement with statutory and non-statutory
consultees is also crucial in identifying areas of concern and
creating the opportunity to address these prior to submission of
the planning application. Our recommended approach is to enter the
planning determination period with as many issues resolved as
possible. This will increase the likelihood of a more rapid
planning approval.
