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Environmental Impact Assessment

We have extensive experience in assessing the environmental impact of all types of development or infrastructure project on soil functions, best and most versatile agricultural land and farm businesses, often working closely with the co-located practice of FPCR Environment and Design. The assessment process includes undertaking baseline studies, consulting with statutory authorities, assessing the potential construction and post-construction impacts on specific receptors, and detailing mitigation measures to minimise the residual impacts.

Examples of Environmental impact assessments we’ve worked on over recent years include:

  • Highways England M1 motorway improvement scheme
  • Sustainable urban extensions to towns and cities across England and Wales
  • Rail freight terminals and logistics parks in central and northern England
  • Sand, gravel and hard rock quarries throughout England and Wales
  • Proposed wind farm sites in the northern Pennines

An in-house matrix is used to assess the magnitude of impacts on typical receptors but LRA is currently contributing to an initiative, supported by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment and the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists, to agree a nationally-accepted matrix.

What is the purpose of an Environmental Impact Assessment?

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of an environmental impact assessment?

An environmental impact assessment ensures that there are any foreseen problems and issues which can be addressed at an early stage of project planning and design. It will also allow you to ensure that projects are environmentally safe and ensure sustainable economic development.

What are the steps of EIA?

An Environmental Impact Assessment is usually conducted in 7 steps. These steps are;

  • Screening: Determines whether the environmental and social impacts of a proposed development project would be enough to develop an EIA.
  • Scoping: Establish the boundaries of the EIA and describe the project alternatives and discuss the proposed development with the affected public.
  • Impact Assessment and Mitigation: Looking at the socioeconomic and environmental impacts on the planned project and identify the mitigation measures to reduce those impacts.
  • Impact Management: Preparing plans for addressing mitigation measures and other project risks such as natural disasters.
  • The EIA Report: Compiling a report containing all the research and world done during the previous steps. The EIA report contains all the key components for the planned project.
  • Review and Licensing: The designated authorities review the EIA report to determine if the planned project will get a licence or will require amendments.
  • Monitoring: Ensuring that the mitigation measures and contingency plans are correctly implemented and effectively address the project’s impacts. 

What are the aims and objectives of EIA?

The main objective of an EIA is to identify, predict and evaluate the economic and social impact of development activities to provide information about the environmental consequences for decision making and with the aim to promote environmentally sound and sustainable development.

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