Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process which identifies the environmental effects of a development proposal. This mainly applies to larger scale developments but small scale projects in or close to sensitive areas can also be damaging.
The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 set out the up-to-date legislation. Planning Circular 1/2017 offers practical guidance on the regulations.
You can apply for a screening opinion from the Council. This will advise whether an EIA is required. You should submit a plan indicating the proposed location of the development and a brief description of the nature and purpose of the proposal and its possible environmental effects, including any mitigation measures. The Council has three weeks to respond. There is a right of appeal if we decide an EIA is required.
We can also provide a scoping opinion on what should be included in an EIA.
The EIA is submitted with the planning application and is used to decide whether the proposals are acceptable or not.