UK agency and legislative context - Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment - page 60

UK Minister of State for the Environment, commented in 1987 that “…one of the most
important tasks facing Government is to inspire a development process which takes into
account not only the nature of any environmental risk but also the perceptions of the risk
by the public who must suffer its consequences” (ESRC 1987).
Of particular importance in the EIA process is the local authority, and especially the
relevant local planning authority (LPA). This may involve district, county and unitary
authorities. Such authorities act as filters through which schemes proposed by developers
usually have to pass. In addition, the LPA often opens the door for other agencies to
become involved in the development process.
3.2.5 Facilitators
A final group, but one of particular significance in the EIA process, includes the various
consultants, advocates and advisers who participate in the EIA and the planning and
development processes. Such agents are often employed by developers; occasionally they
may be employed by local groups, environmental groups and others to help to mount
opposition to a proposal. They may also be employed by regulatory bodies to help them
in their examination process.
A UK survey (Weston 1995) showed that environmental and planning consultancies
carry out most of the EIA work, whereas consultancies specializing in such issues as
archaeology or noise contribute less. There has been a massive growth in the number of
environmental consultancies in the UK (Figure 3.2). The numbers have increased by over
400 per cent since the mid-1980s, and it has been estimated that clients in 2000 were
spending approximately £1 billion on their services (ENDS 2001). Major factors
underpinning the consultancy growth have been the advent of the UK Environmental
Protection Act (EPA) in 1990, EIA regulations, the growing UK business interest in
environmental management systems (e.g. BS 7750, ISO 14001), and the proposed EC
regulations on eco-auditing and strategic environmental assessment (SEA).
Figure 3.3 provides a summary of the main work areas for environmental
consultancies. Although the requirements of the EPA (with its “duty of care” regulations,
which