Environmental Impact Assessment
 

EIA covers a wide range of specialist areas, including ecological, landscape, traffic and pollution issues. Where very large scale projects are undertaken EIAs are a statutory requirement. The ecological assessment aspect is becoming more important and is now required by many Planning Authorities as a matter of course even for small projects.

CLM is experienced in carrying out ecological assessments but is also able to offer project management for the whole EIA process.

Until recently it has been common practice for planning authorities to grant planning permission with ecological surveys as a condition. However following recent case law planning authorities are more likely to request these in advance. Indeed Planning Policy Statement 9 sets out planning policies on protection of biodiversity, and these polices should be taken into account by planning authorities.

It is also prudent for a developer to undertake an ecological assessment prior to commencing any development. Should a protected species be unexpectedly encountered during development, works have to be put on hold leading to costly delays.
 

  


 
Ecological assessments are therefore typically undertaken for one of three reasons:
 
  1. The development falls within the scope of the EIA Regulations
  2. Following a specific request from the planning authority during the planning process.
  3. To ensure that developers meet their obligations under UK and EU wildlife law.

Various layers of wildlife legislation exist in Britain and these must be taken into consideration when planning any development project.

As an example all bat species and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. They are also included in the Habitats Directive. As a result it is an offence to kill, injure, capture or disturb bats or obstruct access to, damage or destroy bat roosts.

If a species that is protected by law (by Wildlife and Countryside Act, Badgers Act, Habitats Directive etc) is encountered on site then they must be taken into account during the planning process. This does not usually mean that the development will be refused planning permission but the planning authority may apply specific conditions to any permission.

Another species that planning authorities must take into account is the Great Crested Newt. Great Crested Newt individuals can move between populations in and around different ponds, and it is therefore necessary to survey not only the development site itself but also the surrounding area.  The potential for this species being present can be gauged during an initial Scoping Survey (also know as extended Phase 1). If necessary detailed surveys can be carried out to assess population size and devise mitigation measures.  These can then be incorporated into the development proposals.

It is important to consult with environmental specialists at the earliest opportunity as many of the surveys are seasonal:

Ecological Services include:
 
  • Scoping Surveys
  • Protected Species Surveys
  • Specialist surveys for birds, mammals (inc. bats), reptiles, amphibians & invertebrates
  • Phase 1 Habitat surveys
  • Pre-acquisition site assessments
  • Ecological Mitigation planning and implementation
  • Planning Application & Appeal support