Planning 4 - EIA and LVIA Flashcards
What is an EIA?
Environmental Impact Assessment
A PROCESS to collect info on the ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS of a project.
by the DEVELOPER / and other sources
taken into account by the PLANNING AUTHORITY to inform their judgement on the APPLICATION
EIA Legislation?
European EIA Directive 2011 (amended in 2014)
|»_space; The Planning (EIA) Regs (NI) 2017
Why do we need EIAs?
- Identify potential environmental issues early
- Improve the quality of decision making
- Consider the effects in the planning decision
- Keeps public informed
What does an EIA contain?
- DESCRIPTION - of the project,
- BASELINE info
- EFFECTS + ASSESMENT
- MITIGATION
avoid/reduce/remedy signif adverse environ effects - RESIDUAL and CUMULATIVE impacts
ALTERNATIVES - outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer.
- SUMMARY, in non-technical language.
How do you know if your project requires and EIA?
Refer to The Planning (EIA) Regs (NI) 2017
PAD
“Schedule 1 development”
Environment Statement is required in EVERY CASE
- crude oil refineries
- waste/hazardous waste disposal
“Schedule 2 development”
EIA required only if the project is likely to give rise to signif environ effects
- Infrastructure
- energy producing
- sensitive / designated area (ASSI/AONB/natura 2000)
What’s the EIA process?
1 - Screening - it it required? sched 1/2 (21 days)
2 - Scoping - key topics/concerns to assess (35 days)
3 - EIA + report
4 - Submission + Publication
Typical technical chapters in an EIA
Humans/populations Flora & Fauna Soil, water, air, climate LANDSCAPE Cultural Heritage (architecture/archaeology) Material Assets
and their interrelationships
What is an LVIA?
- a TOOL to IDENTIFY and ASSESS
- LEVEL OF EFFECTS of new DEVELOPMENT
- on both… the LANDSCAPE - as an environmental resource
- and on PEOPLE VIEWS and VISUAL AMENITY
formal or informal - chapter in EIA or standalone landscape appraisal.
formal used when effects are significant.
What guidance is available for LVIAs?
Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment:
GLVIA3 = principals of assessment, process of assessing
for L. Archs
also developers/clients/planners/gov agencies/public
Visual Representation of Development Proposals
- LI Technical Guidance note
How is landscape defined in the GLVIA?
definition taken from the ELC
- Landscape is an AREA, as PERCIEVED by people,
- whose CHARACTER is
he result of ACTION and INTERACTION - of NATURE and or HUMAN factors
How is the effect on VIEWS assessed?
Through the selection and assessment of the effect on viewpoints.
The viewpoints represent receptors.
1. Desktop assessment to determine ZTV
= potential views in relation to topo
2. Site work to determine if existing vegetation/development impacts on the views
3. Agree viewpoints with the LPA
4. Assess existing, worst case and best case.
GUIDANCE = LI VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF DEV PROPOSALS
= technical guidance note 2019
- select types of visualisations most appropriate
- guidance as to appropriate techniques
for photography and visualisations
What are receptors in an LVIA?
People:
- residents
- road/rail users
- pedestrians on PROW
- recreational users (parks/sports)
Landscape:
- character
- elements
- aesthetics
- perceptual
- qualities
How is the effect on LANDSCAPE assessed?
By assessing character areas, elements, features and aesthetics and their value & ability to accommodate change.
(eg Maydown Lough Foyle alluvial plain)
A6 Sperrin Mountains
Assessments to refer to:
LCA / TCA / SCA / Cultural Heritage & Historic CA
How is significance assessed assessed?
For each receptor:
Assess susceptibility to this change
Assess value
Combine = SENSITIVITY
For each effect Assess size/scale Assess duration Asses reversibility Combine = MAGNITUDE
SENSITIVITY + MAGNITUDE = SIGNIFICANCE of effect
