Environmental Impact Assessment

Transcription

1 Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is the process of systematically drawing together an assessment of the likely significant environmental effects of a development project. EIA enables environmental factors to be given due weight, along with economic or social factors, when planning applications are being considered. Environmental impacts can be positive as well as negative and the EIA process should objectively highlight both. If properly carried out, EIA benefits all those involved in the planning process developers, planning authority, statutory consultees and the general public. Services Provided A registered Environmental Impact Assessor with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Bureau Veritas has considerable experience both in managing and coordinating major EIA s and in providing discrete issue-specific assessments. With experience in over 200 EIA projects, Bureau Veritas uses its expertise to develop integrated solutions and reconcile the varied demands of the environment, the developer and affected stakeholders. Services include: EIA management Stakeholder consultation Screening Requests and Scoping Studies Environmental Statements and Non-Technical Summaries Geology, hydrogeology and contamination assessment Flood risk assessment Drainage and water quality assessment Noise and vibration impact assessment Planning policy assessment Ecology assessment Landscape and visual impact assessment Air quality assessment Sustainability and community impacts assessment CEEQUAL assessment and verification Policy Setting EIA is required for all developments listed on Schedule 1 of The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 and developments listed on Schedule 2 of the Regulations where the development is considered likely to give rise to significant environmental effects. Typical developments requiring EIA include: Motorways, roads and motorway service areas Hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal installations (incineration, treatment or landfill) Quarries and opencast mines Construction of harbours and port installations Construction of railways and airfields Urban development projects Industrial estate developments Importantly, EIA is also required for any CHANGE or EXTENSION to a development listed in Schedule 1 or 2 of the Regulations where that change or extension may have significant adverse effects on the environment. PD11 09/07

2 Environmental Impact Assessment Bureau Veritas Bureau Veritas has considerable experience in the management and co-ordination of EIAs and the preparation of Environmental Statements. This work involves the co-ordination of a multi-disciplinary team of in-house and, as necessary, out-sourced specialists to address environmental issues of concern. EIA is an iterative process accompanying the development of the project design and includes the recommendation of appropriate measures to mitigate against adverse environmental impacts. Fundamental to the success of the EIA process is frequent and clear communication with the developer, planning authority and statutory consultees and Bureau Veritas regularly chairs meetings with and makes presentations to the relevant stakeholders to ensure all parties are kept abreast of progress and given the opportunity to give their opinion. Bureau Veritas also frequently acts as part of a project team, addressing specific issues of concern. To that end we offer expertise in the assessment of a number of specific environmental impacts as listed overleaf, such as hydrogeology/contamination, flood risk, ecology, air quality and noise. Our experience both in managing and co-ordinating major EIAs and in providing issue-specific assessments as part of a larger team give us a comprehensive understanding of Environmental Impact Assessment, its position and importance within the planning process and its implications with regard to both the cost and timescale of a proposed development. Case Studies A5 Weeford - Fazeley Improvement, Staffordshire Environmental Impact Assessment for a proposed 5km stretch of new dual carriageway and associated grade separated junction. The assessment was carried out in accordance with DMRB Volume 11 and the most significant impact was on the landscape as the proposed road cut through a ridge. Other issues addressed included water quality and drainage, cultural heritage, ecology, noise and air quality. Bureau Veritas prepared the Scoping Study, Environmental Statement and Non-Technical Summary (NTS) and coordinated preparation of environmental Proofs of Evidence. Bureau Veritas attended the Public Exhibition and presented environmental evidence at Public Inquiry. Bureau Veritas subsequently provided environmental advice during the construction of the scheme, which was opened in October Megawatt Twin Rivers Windfarm, Humberside Bureau Veritas provided project management for the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Statement for this wind farm. We managed the input to the ES from our technical teams (landscape, ecology, land, hydrology, sustainability and community consultation) as well as from sub-contractors. We conducted the ecological assessment including breeding birds survey plus review of wintering birds data, invertebrate survey, vegetation survey and surveys for other protected species. We provided the wind farm layout, the full seascape and landscape analysis, and preparation of photomontages. We also agreed a programme of noise monitoring and noise prediction with the panning authority. Long-term noise monitoring to determine the existing background noise levels at the nearest noise sensitive locations under a wide range of wind speeds and directions was conducted. In addition, prediction of noise levels due to the development taking into account the number, location and efficiency of the turbines and an assessment of the potential noise impact of the development on the nearby noise sensitive locations were carried out. St Bartholomew s and The Royal London Hospitals, London Acting as the Project Manager for the preparation of two Environmental Statements to support the planning applications for the redevelopment of St.Bartholomew s and The Royal London Hospitals, London. The project represents the largest healthcare redevelopment in Europe and is worth approximately 600million. We were responsible for liaising with the design team, managing the EIA team across the full range of disciplines, managing the process of assessing the impact of the proposals, advising on mitigation and monitoring requirements and preparation of the formal Environmental Statement and supporting non technical summary and technical appendices to support the applications for planning consent. The Assessment included a sustainability appraisal supported by social and economic appraisals to support the planning submission. Office London GGH Southwark Great Guildford House 30 Great Guildford Street London SE1 0ES Tel: Fax: environmentalassessment@uk.bureauveritas.com Web: PD11 09/07

3 Environmental Statement Review Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is the process of systematically drawing together an assessment to the likely significant environmental effects of a development project and the findings are presented in an Environmental Statement (ES). The EIA and ES enable environmental factors to be given due weight, along with economical and social factors, when planning applications are being considered. Environmental impacts can be positive as well as negative and the EIA process should objectively highlight both. If properly carried out, EIA benefits all those involved in the planning process developers, planning authority, statutory consultees and the general public. Services provided Bureau Veritas has considerable experience in providing support to both Planning and Environmental Health Departments in undertaking or reviewing Environmental Statements (ES s). For example, we have reviewed numerous ES s for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, resulting in the early identification of areas where further information or control mechanisms are required. This enables the local authority to ensure that the planning process progresses swiftly, whilst ensuring maximum attention is given to environmental and community issues. Typical activities undertaken include: Reviewing ES submitted as part of the planning process This involves reviewing each ES against the following: To determine whether it meets the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment Review Criteria (July 2000) To establish whether the ES complies with Parts I and II of Schedule 4 of the Town & Country Planning (EIA) Regulations 1999 To review the ES against the general requirements of the local authority for construction works To review the ES against local authority development plans To ensure that it fully assesses the cumulative impacts of proposed developments To highlight any significant omissions or areas where further information is required To determine whether the mitigation measures suggested within the ES are appropriate To make recommendations for any improvement Preparing Regulation 19 responses Bureau Veritas can assist with progressing planning applications and has reviewed several Regulation 19 Request Responses received from applicants. This involves: Reviewing the content of the Chapter in the original ES Reviewing the request for further information Reviewing the response to the regulation 19 requests Providing opinion as to whether the response enables the chapter (and ultimately the ES) to meet the requirements of the relevant planning authority PD13 09/07

4 Environmental Statement Review Related documentation Bureau Veritas can also assist with the development and review of other environmental documentation such as construction codes and environmental management plans. Bureau Veritas has reviewed Environmental Management Plans that have been submitted in response to completed Codes of Construction Practice. This review assists the local planning authority in determining whether construction impacts are to be suitably controlled and also provides confidence that all identified impacts from the original ES have been addressed. Additional EIA services Office London GGH Southwark Great Guildford House 30 Great Guildford Street London SE1 0ES Tel: Fax: Web: A registered Environmental Impact Assessor with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Bureau Veritas has considerable experience both in managing and coordinating major EIA s and in providing discrete issue-specific assessments. With experience in over 200 EIA projects, Bureau Veritas uses its expertise to develop integrated solution and reconcile the varied demands of the environment, the developer and affected stakeholders. Services include: EIA management Stakeholder consultation Screening Requests and Scoping Studies Environmental Statements and Non-Technical Summaries Geology, Hydrogeology and contamination assessment Flood risk assessment Drainage and water quality assessment Noise and vibration impact assessment Planning policy and land use assessment Ecology assessment Landscape and visual impact assessment Air quality and climate assessment Sustainability and community impact assessment CEEQUAL assessment and verification PD13 09/07

5 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) The objective of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive is to provide a high level of protection for the environment, and contribute to the integration of environmental considerations in the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes, with a view to promoting sustainable development. The Directive requires the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment. The plans and programmes subject to the Directive are those which are: Subject to preparation and/or adoption by an authority at national, regional or local level, or are prepared by an authority for adoption through a legislative procedure by Parliament or Government Required by legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions Services Provided Expert assistance with all stages of the SEA process: Determining a view on whether an SEA is needed Stage A: Setting the context and establishing the baseline Identifying other relevant plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives Collecting baseline information Identifying environmental problems Developing SEA objectives Stage B: Deciding the scope of the SEA and developing alternatives Testing the plan or programme objectives against the SEA objectives Appraising strategic alternatives Consulting on the scope of the SEA Stage C: Assessing the effects of the plan or programme Predicting the effects of the plan or programme, including alternatives Evaluating the effects of the plan or programme, including alternatives Mitigating adverse effects Proposing measures to monitor the environmental effects of plan or programme implementation Preparing the Environmental Report Stage D: Consulting and decision-making Consulting on the draft plan or programme and the Environmental Report Assessment of significant changes Decision making and provision of information Stage E: Monitoring implementation of the plan or programme Developing aims and methods for monitoring Responding to adverse effects Bureau Veritas can undertake any of these services either independently or as part of a comprehensive package to provide environmental support for a given project from inception to operation. PD14 09/07

6 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Disciplines As a multi-disciplinary environmental consultancy, we can cover an extensive range of environmental topics of which the following are relevant to SEA: Air quality Noise and vibration Geology, soils and land contamination Planning and land use issues Water quality, management and resources Landscape design, management and visual assessment Terrestrial and marine ecology and nature conservation Social impact assessment Demolition and construction impacts assessment Sustainability assessment Waste management Office London GGH Southwark Great Guildford House 30 Great Guildford Street London SE1 0ES Tel: Fax: environmentalassessment@uk.bureauveritas.com Web: Selected Project Experience and Clients As a registered Environmental Impact Assessor with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Bureau Veritas has undertaken and been involved with environmental assessments throughout the UK and overseas. For example, hospitals, universities, the extension of airport runways and the development of airport passenger and cargo facilities, office block developments, construction of new power stations/waste incinerators, development of new quarries and landfill sites, supermarket developments, new road and road improvement schemes, and leisure developments. Recent clients include: York University, Royal London Hospital, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, East Midlands Airport, Highways Agency, DHL Aviation (UK), Bristol City Council, London Luton Airport, London Docklands Development Corporation, Surrey County Council, Powergen, West Sussex County Council, J Sainsbury plc, National Power and Schal International Management Ltd. PD14 09/07