EIA Presentation IEMA Commitment 7 June 2017

IEMA Commitment 7

Presentation: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) This presentation was delivered by Tom Rudd to the Landscape Architects at BDP on 7th October 2016. The presentation formed part of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) material for the Pathway to Chartership (P2C) for the Landscape team. It introduced the significance of EIAs, outlining the legislation and the various stages which are required of an EIA development including screening, scoping, assessment and mitigation.

An Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)7th of October 2016

An Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

• What is an EIA?• Legislation and Guidance • When is an EIA required?• Stages of EIA

1. Screening 2. Scoping 3. Assessment 4. Mitigation

• Townscape / Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (TVIA/LVIA)• Case Study: Canterbury Christ Church University TVIA

What is an EIA?

• Process to identify the likely significant environmental effects of a development

• A range of technical studies reported in an Environmental Statement (ES)• Purpose is to ensure the environmental effects (positive or negative) are

considered when a local planning authority determines a planning application

• Helps to refine the design of a development to minimise any adverse environmental effects through mitigation, and ultimately ensure a higher quality development

• Considerable amount of work, which adds significantly to programme and costs – important to relate to client

What is an EIA?

Can cover a wide range of topics:• Socio-economic;• Heritage & Archaeology; • Transport; • Wind & Micro-climate; • Sunlight, Daylight, Glare & Overshadowing; • Landscape/Townscape & Visual Impact;• Ecology; • Air Quality; • Waste; • Ground Resources; • … and much more….

Legislation & Guidance

• European Union Environmental Impact Assessment Directive 2011 • Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011• The Regulations govern the undertaking of EIAs, and set out:

• When an EIA is required• The process for carrying out an EIA • What should be included in an Environmental Statement (ES)

• The National Planning Practice Guidance - http://planningguidance.communities.gov.uk/

When is an EIA Required?

When is an EIA Required?

Schedule 1 Projects:• Power Stations • Refineries• Waste Disposal Sites• Shipping Ports• Dams • ….

When is an EIA Required?

Schedule 2 Projects:• 10(b)Urban Development Projects• Agriculture • Mining Industry • Energy Industry• Factories

Schedule 3 Criteria:• Characteristics of development• Location of development• Characteristics of the potential impact

Stages of EIA

Screening

•Determines whether development is likely to have a significant environmental effect and whether an EIA is required •Screening letter to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) to agree if the proposed development falls within Schedule 1 or 2•Local Planning Authority has three weeks to respond

Scoping

•Identifies the relevant topics to be assessed and how they will be assessed •Scoping report is submitted to the LPA to agree the approach•Local Planning Authority has five weeks to consult Statutory Consultees and prepare a Scoping Opinion

Assessment

•Baseline Assessment, including sensitivity of receptors•Measure magnitude of change on sensitive receptor as a result of the proposed development•Determine the nature and significance of the effect

Mitigation

•Identify measures to reduce any significant environmental effects •Incorporate mitigation measures into the proposals •Measure the likely significant effects of the proposals following inclusion of mitigation measures

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)

Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Third Edition (2013) Landscape Institute / Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment

Canterbury Christ Church University –Townscape & Visual Impact Assessment

Screening

Canterbury City Council Screening Opinion:

“Canterbury City Council concludes with reference to the EIA Regulations and considering the likely issues for development of this type that the proposed development is EIA Development. An Environmental Statement will therefore be required in support of the planning application.”

Scoping

• Identified sensitive views of the site

• Policy designations i.e. ecological, heritage…

• Public access

Scoping –

Views• Scoping Request

Report, incorporating section on Townscape & Visual Impact

Assessment – Views • Sub-consultant:

Realm• Verified Views • Accurate Visual

Representations • AVR01 – Wirelines • AVR03 – Rendered

CGIs• Night Time CGIs

Assessment – Views • High Sensitivity

Assessment – Views • Moderate

magnitude of change

Assessment – Views • Moderate

magnitude of change

Assessment – Views

“…the Proposed Development will have a direct permanent moderate beneficial effect on the visual receptor.”

Mitigation• Limiting building

heights to below 15 metres

• Sensitively designed roof line, including articulation of the lecture theatre and flues to create visual interest

• Layout and façade treatments to break up the perception of mass

• Use of green roofs