Environmental Impact Assessments
Under current planning guidance in compliance with EU Directive 97/11/EC, Environmental Assessments (EIA) are required for major development schemes (Schedule 1) or other schemes deemed likely to pose a risk to the environment (Schedule 2). CGL has provided specialist support on a number of EIA’s for major and high risk development schemes, in particular providing information on ground conditions and contamination issues and the associated impacts. For instance, CGL was involved with the redevelopment of Minoco Wharf, the major residential development West of Waterlooville, the commercial development for a retail superstore in Bromley and numerous Thames-side developments such as Battersea Reach.
An EIA considers the potential environmental impacts from proposed land use changes and looks to measure environmental, economic and social issues in an integrated way. It is therefore an integral part of the pre-planning stage of most major projects, describing a procedure that must be followed before development consent can be granted. The EIA is submitted to the planning authority as part of a planning application and the more comprehensive and informed the report, the easier and swifter it is for the public body to make a decision to grant an application.
An EIA covers a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to air quality and odour, archaeology, contaminated land, drainage and flooding, ecology, geology, invasive plants, landscaping, microclimates, noise and vibration, species control, waste, water resources, wetlands and marine.
Although the current planning system was significantly revised in early 2012, removing much of the current guidance especially related to assessment of contamination, the requirement for EIA’s will still remain, possibly with even more emphasis on demonstrating sustainable development.
CGL has the necessary expertise to manage the delivery of EIA’s for a wide range of sectors, guiding our clients through the process to ensure it is produced on time and within budget. CGL staff include registered environmental auditors and Chartered Environmentalists with specialist experience in assessing the sustainability of ground and contamination related activities.
Following the requirement for an EIA as part of the planning application for a site, CGL produces an Environmental Statement on the relevant topic(s), which encompasses the findings of site assessment with development associated impacts within a non-technical summary document.