Environmental and Planning Constraints Mapping
We undertake high-level mapping of environmental and planning constraints such as designated sites, flood zones, listed buildings and Green Belt policy to inform the site or option selection process. This can be a desk-based exercise using publicly available data or may include a site visit to identify additional site-specific constraints, such as the potential presence of protected or notable species and habitats.
Multi-disciplinary Environmental Options Appraisal
We provide a balanced appraisal of the potential benefits and adverse impacts of development proposal options. Our matrix-based approach includes consideration of ecology, landscape, historic environment and other environmental issues as appropriate. This helps inform the options selection process and ensures the evolving design is developed in a robust and defensible manner, providing an appropriate evidence base in the event of challenge.
EIA Screening
Where the nature and scale of a proposed development meet the criteria set out in Schedule 2 of the EIA Regulations it may require a statutory environmental impact assessment. We will undertake a Screening exercise to establish the potential for significant effects and hence whether EIA is required. The Screening exercise is presented in a report which sets out the characteristics and location of the proposed development along with types and characteristics of potential impacts. The Screening report is submitted to the determining authority with a request for their formal Screening Opinion as to whether the proposal constitutes EIA Development.
EIA Scoping
The aim of the Scoping exercise is to identify which elements of the proposed development are likely to result in significant effects on the environment and to establish the extent of survey and assessment requirements for the EIA. We prepare a Scoping Report which covers those aspects of the environment that are likely to be significantly affected (the topics “scoped in” to the EIA) and includes the proposed assessment methodology to be used by each topic. Crucially, the Scoping Report also sets out any topics scoped out of the EIA process, with a rationale for that decision, along with any other relevant information as per Regulation 17 of the EIA Regulations. The benefit of undertaking robust EIA Scoping is that it achieves the buy-in of the Planning Authority and other relevant stakeholders to the approach to the EIA and minimises the potential for time-consuming and costly challenges later in the process.
EIA and Environmental Statement
The aim of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is to protect the environment by ensuring that a local planning authority (or other determining authority as applicable) when deciding whether to grant planning permission for a project, does so in the full knowledge of the likely significant effects, and takes this into account in the decision-making process.
Effective EIA also ensures that the public are given early and effective opportunities to participate in the decision-making process.
The EIA process and outcome is presented in an Environmental Statement (ES) which must include: a description of the proposed development, the likely significant effects of the proposed development on the environment and any measures proposed to avoid, prevent or reduce and, if possible, offset likely significant adverse effects on the environment. The ES should also include a description of the reasonable alternatives considered and the rationale for the option chosen, taking into account the effects of the development on the environment. A non-technical summary of this information must also be prepared, ensuring the information is accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
Ecus has a team of competent experts with extensive experience across a range of sectors and different consenting regimes who coordinate and undertake EIAs and prepare Environmental Statements.
In the event of a proposed development not being deemed to be EIA Development, there are often still elements of environmental assessment that are required to support the planning application (e.g ecology, visual impact etc). In this case we coordinate and undertake these assessments and provide the requisite supporting documentation either as standalone or collated reports.
Planning, Design and Access Statement
We prepare a Planning, Design and Access Statement which provides an assessment of the Proposed Development against applicable National and Development Plan policies and other considerations. The Statement will also contain details about the design principles and concepts that have been applied to the development as well as detail on access. The Statement concisely summarises the justification and suitability of the proposed development in accordance with the relevant planning policy setting, positively supporting sustainable development.
Expert Witness
Our experts are accredited by their relevant professional body, and we support our clients by providing objective, robust technical expert evidence regarding the environmental impacts and benefits of a proposed development. We have acted as Expert Witness at DCO Hearings and Public Inquiries and have provided support at Select Committee Hearings for Hybrid Bill.
Click for more information about Heritage Expert Witness.
Effective consultation is essential in allowing stakeholders and the public to understand and participate in the decision-making process for a proposed development. A positive proactive relationship with technical stakeholders such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, Historic England and the local planning authority can be critical to the success of a scheme. Meanwhile, engaging with the local community helps address local concerns and potential misunderstandings about the proposed development and encourages community buy-in.
We engage directly with technical stakeholders on behalf of our clients and provide support for consultation events through preparing materials for them (such as plans and photomontages) and attending events to explain the proposals and answer questions.
Construction Environmental Management Plan
The construction environmental management plan (or CEMP) provides a high-level framework of how environmental impacts associated with the construction works will be managed. In summary, this plan will:
- Identify the environmental issues associated with the works.
- Outline the mitigation and management principles for the environmental issues, providing example measures where appropriate. The CEMP will state that specific measures are to be defined by the contractor, once appointed.
- Describe the monitoring of the key environmental issues.
- Outline how the requirements of the CEMP are to be implemented, particularly with regards to protocols and procedures.
The CEMP provides confidence to the client, the planning authority and other interested stakeholders that appropriate environmental mitigation will be delivered for the proposed development.
Secondary consents applications
A secondary consent is a consent which is required for the proposed development to be undertaken, after the primary consent has been granted. Secondary consents may include, for example, planning permission for development associated with the primary consented development, such as access roads or office accommodation, reserved matters approval for associated development, listed building consent or scheduled monument consent. Our technical experts can undertake the assessments and applications necessary to achieve these secondary consents to enable the development to proceed.
Environmental Clerks of Works
The Environmental Clerk of Works (EnvCoW) is an independent environmental professional with direct responsibility for monitoring and reporting on compliance with planning consents, environmental permits, legislation and mitigation (such as set out in the CEMP). Dependant on the nature and environmental context of the scheme, it may be appropriate for the EnvCow to be an environmental generalist or be a specialist in a particular discipline such as landscape, heritage or ecology. Ecus can provide EnvCoW from a range of technical backgrounds to independently monitor the compliance of the construction works for your proposed development.
Environmental audits/ Site audit reports
We undertake site visits to independently monitor compliance of the operational activities of a scheme with relevant planning consents, environmental permits, legislation and mitigation measures. The findings of the audit are communicated orally to site management where applicable, and written site audit reports are provided highlighting any areas of non-compliance and making recommendations as appropriate for remedial measures.
Click for more information about landscape site audits.
Decommissioning Environmental Management Plan
Similar to the CEMP, the decommissioning environmental management plan (DEMP) provides a high-level framework of how environmental impacts associated with the decommissioning of a scheme will be managed – including identification of the relevant environmental issues, mitigation, management and monitoring measures and protocols. The DEMP provides confidence to the client, the planning authority and other interested stakeholders that appropriate environmental mitigation will be delivered for the proposed decommissioning.
