UK agency and legislative context - Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment - page 73

(m) Coastal works to combat erosion and maritime works capable of altering the coast. The

impact of such works will depend largely on the nature of the particular site and the likely
wider impacts on natural coastal processes outside the site. EIA will be more likely where
the area of the works would exceed 1 ha.

(n+o) Groundwater abstraction and artificial groundwater recharge schemes, works for the
transfer of water resources between river basins. Impacts likely to be significant are
those on hydrology and ecology. Developments of this sort can have significant effects
on environments some kilometres distant. This is particularly important for wetland and
other sites where the habitat and species are particularly dependent on an aquatic
environment. EIA is likely to be required for developments where the area of the works
exceeds 1 ha.
(p) Motorway service areas. Impacts likely to be significant are traffic, noise, air quality,
ecology and visual impact. EIA is more likely to be required for new motorway service
areas which are proposed for previously undeveloped sites and if the proposed
development would cover an area of more than 5 ha.
11. Other projects

(a) Permanent racing and test tracks for motorized vehicles. Particular consideration

should be given to the size, noise impacts, emissions and the potential traffic
generation. EIA is more likely to be required for developments with a site area of 20 ha
or more.

(b) Installations for the disposal of non-hazardous waste. The likelihood of significant

effects will depend on the scale of the development and the nature of the potential
impact in terms of discharges, emissions or odour. For installations (including landfill
sites) for the deposit, recovery and/or disposal of household, industrial and/or
commercial wastes (as defined by the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992), EIA is
more likely to be required where new capacity is created to hold more than 50,000
tonnes per year, or to hold waste on a site of 10 ha or more. Sites taking smaller
quantities of these wastes, sites seeking only to accept inert wastes (demolition rubble,
etc.) or Civic Amenity sites, are unlikely to require EIA.

(c) Waste-water treatment plants. Particular consideration should be given to the size,

treatment process, pollution and nuisance potential, topography, proximity of dwellings
and the potential impact of traffic movements. EIA is more likely to be required if the
development would be on a substantial scale (e.g. site area of more than 10 ha) or if it
would lead to significant discharges (e.g. capacity exceeding 100,000 population
equivalent). EIA should not be required simply because a plant is on a scale which
requires compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC).

(d) Sludge-deposition sites (sewage sludge lagoons). Similar considerations will apply for

sewage sludge lagoons as for waste disposal installations. EIA is more likely to be
required where the site is intended to hold more than 5,000 m 3 of sewage sludge.

(e) Storage of scrap iron, including scrap ve hicles. Major impacts are likely to be

discharges to soil, site noise and traffic generation. EIA is more likely to be required
where it is proposed to store scrap on an area of 10 ha or more.

12. Tourism and leisure

(a) Ski runs, ski lifts and cable cars and associated developments. EIA is more likely to be

required if the development is over 500 m in length or if it requires a site of more than