Apple Environmental can offer some assistance in the undertaking of environmental assessments. As a relatively small company we could not practically commit ourselves to the management of large-scale projects, but can offer assistance with both the overall management and undertaking of smaller projects. In addition, we are happy to offer our expertise in providing input for projects currently in progress. 

The undertaking of an environmental assessment is an important procedure for recognising, understanding and mitigating, the negative effects, actual and potential, that a proposed development may have on the environment.

An amendment by EC Directive 97/11/EC to ‘The Assessment of the Effects of Certain Public and Private Projects on the Environment’, (Directive 85/337/EEC) requires impact assessments to be undertaken for certain types of development, prior to the issuing of planning consent.

The Directive (as amended) has been implemented in the UK by the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999. These Regulations centre on the production of an Environmental Statement – a document that assesses the potential impact that the proposed development could have on the immediate and surrounding environment.

This requirement generally applies to developments that have the potential to cause significant environmental concerns. (See below).

The actual ‘EIA’ term describes a procedure that should be followed, and managed, in accordance to the requirements of that specific development. It involves the systematic collation of inputs from a wide range of areas, in such a way that the full scope of the development’s effects are understood and taken into consideration. Guidance on the undertaking of EIAs has been provided through DETR Circular 2/99, and the DoE publication ‘Preparation of Environmental Statements for Planning Projects’ 1995.

Such a procedure will take account of all potential issues, not only does this deal with the environmental issues, but it will also take account of social and political issues. If an environmental assessment is performed correctly, not only will environmental detriment be significantly reduced, but the potential for future problems be similarly covered. Furthermore it can assist greatly in the planning process, from not only a practical point, but also in allaying public fears.

The procedure should be specifically divided into a number of stages, namely:

• Screening - in which the need for an Environmental Statement is evaluated
• Scoping - in which the main potential environmental effects are identified (ie. the range of topics are raised)
• Resourcing - in which the location and availability of the resources likely to be needed are identified
• Method Statement - in which the methodology is outlined for undertaking the work, so that progress and appropriateness can be monitored at all times
• Preparation of the Environmental Statement - the actual compiling of the document
• Review and Evaluation - in which the details of the Statement are laid open for stakeholders and others to assess and evaluate, prior to its submission to the planning authority