Types of application that require this information:
- Development listed within Schedule 1 of the EIA Regulations;
- Development listed within Schedule 2 of the EIA Regulations where it is considered likely to give rise to significant environmental effects.
Details of what should be included:
- If your application is considered to be an EIA application, then an environmental statement and a non-technical summary should accompany it. Technical appendices should also be included where relevant.
Details of information to be included within environmental statement is set out in schedule 4 of the regulations.
Screening opinion
If you are unsure whether a proposal requires an environmental impact assessment you can submit a request to the local planning authority for a screening opinion. You will need to include the following information with your request:
- A plan sufficient to identify the land
- A description of the development, including in particular:
- a description of the physical characteristics of the development and, where relevant, of demolition works
- a description of the location of the development, with particular regard to the environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected
- A description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the development
- To the extent the information is available, a description of any likely significant effects of the proposed development on the environment resulting from:
- the expected residues and emissions and the production of waste, where relevant; and
- the use of natural resources, in particular soil, land, water and biodiversity; and
- such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make, including any features of the proposed development or any measures envisaged to avoid or prevent what might otherwise have been significant adverse effects on the environment.
If the local planning authority considers that the proposal could have significant effects on the environment then they will require an environmental impact assessment to be submitted with the planning application. You will be informed, in writing, of the outcome of the screening opinion.
In addition to the above the local planning authority will undertake a screening opinion on all relevant applications when submitted. It may be at this time that an environmental impact assessment is requested by the local planning authority.
Scoping opinion
If you are clear that a proposal is an environmental impact assessment development (by virtue of either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 of the regulations) or from the results of a screening opinion, then a request for a scoping opinion can be submitted to the local planning authority. You will need to include the following information with your request:
- A plan sufficient to identify the land
- A brief description of the nature and purpose of the development, including its location and technical capacity
- An explanation of the likely significant effects of the development on the environment
- Such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
The local planning authority will then confirm in writing their opinion as to the scope and level of detail of the information to be provided in the environmental statement. Please note this does not prevent the local planning authority from requesting additional information as part of the EIA process.