Environmental Assessment

Planning applications for larger development projects may be required by Regulation to be accompanied by a formal Environmental Statement, reporting the findings of an assessment of the likely impacts of the project on the environment. These can be complex documents covering a range of issues such as impact on the landscape, ecology, noise and air quality. In other cases, local planning authorities are also seeking more environmental information and informal assessments can help to establish constraints on development and influence project design. Demonstrating that environmental impacts have been taken into account and that any adverse impacts can be properly mitigated will help to secure development consents.

Increasingly, even relatively small scale planning applications need to be supported by specialist environmental reports. For example, applications for barn conversions will usually need to be accompanied by bat and barn owl surveys. Great Crested Newts and other protected species can pose a constraint to development. Flood risk is also a major issue across East Anglia and the Environment Agency will advise applicants and planning authorities when flood risk assessments are required. Cheffins works with a number of specialist consultancies and can advise when surveys are required, brief the consultants, and ensure that the requirements of the planning authority are met.

Where a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required under relevant Regulations, Cheffins can manage the process on behalf of clients. For National Grid, Cheffins assisted in the selection of consultants for an EIA of an 18km overhead electricity transmission line, then managed the appointed consultants and reviewed the Environmental Statement to ensure it was fit for purpose. Cheffins also managed the preparation of informal Environmental Reports for a number of other schemes including new overhead line connections, sealing end compounds and substations.

At Cheffins we can:

  • Advise on the need for environmental assessment;
  • Determine the scope of any assessment with the planning authority;
  • Put together assessment teams of specialist consultants;
  • Manage the environmental assessment process;
  • Advise on mitigation measures and deliverability;
  • Review Environmental Statements produced by others.