Government yesterday published their response to last
summer's 'technical consultation' on increasing
screening thresholds for environmental impact assessment (EIA).
They aim to reduce unnecessary screenings when projects are
unlikely to give rise to significant effects.
Key changes include raising certain screening thresholds, all of
which were previously 0.5 hectares, to:
- Development of dwelling houses which
does not exceed 5 hectares or does not include more than 150 units.
This also includes allowances for up to 1 hectare of
non-residential urban development.
- 'Other' urban development - 1
hectare.
- Industrial estate development from -
5 hectares.
Projected benefits include the preparation and decision of
applications more quickly, reducing the workload of developers,
local planning authorities, and consultation bodies. Higher
thresholds should lend local planning authorities confidence in
determining that EIA is not required, and reduce concerns
