An overview of UK practice to date - Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment - page 232

scoping project for each group of participants in the process. There is considerable
similarity in emphasis between the LPAs and consultancies, with traffic/transport,
landscape/visual and flora/fauna issues ranking particularly high. For statutory
consultees, there are some similarities, but other environmental issues (e.g. other
emissions, waste disposal) come more into play. Climatic factors and risk of accidents
(health and safety) rank surprisingly low, reflecting perhaps uncertainty about what are
seen as more long-term and less predictable issues.
Considerable experience has been gained with screening and scoping. After initial
hiccups, the screening process now seems to be relatively well accepted and has been
refined after the 1999 amendments. Scoping is generally considered to be a very valuable
Table 8.4 Ranking of issues of major concern in
most recent project scoping opinion/ report (%
ranking of major concern)

LPAs
(n=78)

Consultancies
(n=98)

Statutory consultees
(n=28)

Social issues 10 20 11

Culture/heritage 19 29 18

Economic 21 22 4

Flora/fauna 46 50 68

Soil 18 20 21

Air quality 35 21 14

Noise and vibration 42 45 11

Other omissions 26 31 39

Climatic factors 6 5 7

Waste disposal 13 19 32

Water resources 37 31 43

Geo-technical issues 18 21 29

Landscape/visual 58 57 32

Traffic/transportation 47 55 11

Risk of accidents 5 9 7

Inter-relationships of
above

18 17 43

Others 3 9 4

( Source: IAU 2003, Wood 2003.)

and cost-effective part of EIA by all those concerned, and again, following the 1999
amendments, has increased in significance in the UK EIA process.