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Environmental issues and planning in Northern Ireland

What is Environmental Impact Assessment?

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a method of ensuring that the likely effects of new development on the environment are fully understood and taken into account before planning permission is given. Turley Belfast has been involved in a significant range of EIA processes in Northern Ireland including projects for major renewable energy development, mixed-use regenerative schemes and large scale housing developments.

The EIA process involves an evaluation of the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account socio–economic, cultural and human health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. Its purpose is to improve the quality of decision making by identifying potential environmental issues early in the process.

At Turley we integrate EIA with the planning and design process to ensure that a complete picture of the development project is presented and considered.

The key stages of the EIA process are:

1. Screening

This initial stage considers if the proposal is EIA development.

2. Scoping

Informs and defines the extent of the impacts of significance. Consultation is undertaken at this stage.

3. Baseline studies

Assessment of the current status of the environment via desktop studies, monitoring and field studies.

4. Impact analysis

Considers the type, nature, magnitude, extent, timing, duration, reversibility and significance of the impact.

5. Impact mitigation

Identifies measures to avoid, reduce or remedy adverse impacts or enhance positive impacts.

6. Reporting

Comprises a reporting document which includes a description of the project; an outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer, and an indication of the main reasons for this choice; a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the proposed project; a description of the likely significant environmental effects of the proposed project; measures to prevent, reduce and possibly offset adverse environmental effects; a non-technical summary; and an indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered while compiling the required information.

7. Decision making

This stage rests in the hands of the local authority, Department or Planning Appeals Commission.

8. Implementation and monitoring

A final stage to address checks and balances of the ES’s recommendations and decision conditions.

The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 came into force on 16 May 2017. This follows a period of consultation on the draft regulations early in 2017. The publication of the new regulations reflects the Government’s legal obligations with respect to EU Directive 2014/52/EU.

Some of the changes brought about by the new regulations are significant:

  • Screening
  • Scoping
  • Experts
  • Monitoring
  • Topics

Others incorporate more minor changes:

  • Alternatives
  • Consultation
  • Baseline projections

Overall, the new Regulations introduce a range of additional requirements and care will need to be exercised in the preparation of EIAs to ensure regulatory compliance.

EIA has many benefits including screening out environmentally unsound projects and preventing unrealistic proposals progressing. The EIA process considers design modifications in order to reduce environmental impacts and this can be front loaded with the benefit of scoping information. The process identifies feasible alternatives and provides a process to predict significant adverse impacts enabling identification of mitigation measures to reduce, offset, or eliminate major impacts.  EIA engages and informs potentially affected communities and individuals throughout the process.

As Registered Environmental Impact Assessor Members of IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) we at Turley pride ourselves in delivering quality and cost effective results, to ensure development projects are delivered as efficiently as possible.

For more information on the EIA process, please contact Sara Tinsley.

Sara Tinsley presented the above information to the RICS Northern Ireland Planning and Development Conference on 8 February 2018.

20 February 2018

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