Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
radiation
1
Outline of main alternatives studied
34
Forecasting methods used
45
Difficulties in compiling information
4
( Source: Jones et al. 1991.)
requirements of the legislation were generally carried out, the discretionary elements (e.g.
the consideration of alternatives, forecasting methods, secondary and indirect impacts,
scoping) were, understandably, carried out less often.
Although early scoping discussions between the developer, the consultants carrying
out the EIA work, the competent authority and relevant consultees are advised in
government guidance and are increasingly considered vital for effective EIA (Jones 1995,
Sadler 1996), in practice, pre-submission consultation has been carried out sporadically.
For instance, a survey of environmental consultants (Weston 1995) showed that only 3
per cent had been asked to prepare their EISs before site identification, and 28 per cent
before detailed design. LPAs were consulted by the developer before EIS submission in
between 30 and 70 per cent of cases, although this has increased (DoE 1996, Lee et al.
1994, Leu et al. 1993, Radcliff & Edward-Jones 1995, Weston 1995). A survey by
Weston (1995) showed that EN was consulted before EIS submission in about 50 per cent
of the cases, the (then) National Rivers Authority in about 40 per cent, the (then)
Countryside Commission in about 25 per cent, and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of
Pollution (HMIP) only rarely. Other studies (DoE 1996, Pritchard et al. 1995) also
showed that very limited consultation with statutory or non-statutory consultees or the
public occurred at this stage, although where extensive consultation had been carried out,
project design was often modified significantly before the submission of the planning
application (Pritchard et al. 1995).
However, even early consultation does not necessarily mean that the consultees will be
satisfied with the outcome. For instance, in some cases groups have lodged objections to
planning applications despite having been consulted. In particular, consultees from whom
the developer has requested information before EIS submission may expect the EIS to
cover more than just the data that they have provided (DoE 1996). Similarly, consultation
may be widespread but may avoid organizations that could be hostile to the project
(Pritchard et al. 1995).
As noted in Chapters 2 and 3, the amended Directive and subsequent UK regulations
have raised the profile of scoping in the EIA process. The ODPM study noted earlier
(IAU 2003, Wood 2003) also carried out research on the nature and characteristics of
scoping activities by LPAs, consultants and statutory consultees. Nearly 75 per cent of
the LPAs had been involved in producing scoping opinions. All three sets of stakeholders
ranked very high the preliminary assessment of characteristics of the site, consideration
of mitigation and consideration of impact magnitude in formulating the scoping
opinion/report. Similarly, all ranked professional judgement and consultation within own
organization as key approaches to impact identification; use of legal regulations and
thresholds were also very important for LPAs and consultancies, but much less so for
statutory consultees. Table 8.4 shows the issues of most concern in the most recent
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