Requests under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. EIA applications.
The Council uses Screening Opinions to determine whether a proposed development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Applicants can request a Screening Opinion before submitting a planning application to see if an Environmental Statement is needed. Additionally, a Scoping Opinion can be requested to define the scope of an Environmental Statement, if one is required. Seeking opinions from the LPA is a legal requirement for some developments but also generally good practice for most large scale developments.
What is a Screening Opinion?
A Screening Opinion is a formal request to the local planning authority (in this case, Rochford District Council) to assess whether a proposed development falls under Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 . These regulations outline the types of development that require an EIA. If the development is likely to have significant environmental effects, an EIA and Environmental Statement will be required.
Why is it important?
- Early identification of requirements:
By requesting a Screening Opinion early, developers can understand if an Environmental Statement is needed, saving time and resources later in the planning process.
- Reduced delays:
Identifying potential environmental issues early can help avoid delays during the planning application process.
- Improved application quality:
A Screening Opinion can help developers understand the specific environmental information that needs to be included in their planning application, leading to a better quality application.
How to apply for a Screening Opinion:
The Council advises applicants to engage in pre-application discussions with the council's planning department.
What is a Scoping Opinion?
For developments that may have significant environmental effects, a Screening Opinion is first requested to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is needed. If an EIA is required, a Scoping Opinion is then sought to define the specific environmental topics, methods, and level of detail required for the EIA.
If the Council receives these requests details will be published on the Council’s website. However, both requests for Screening Opinions and Scoping Opinions are not applications for planning permission and there is no legal requirement for public consultation and no formal opportunity for the public to comment on these requests. If comments are received, consideration of those comments are not required. Only when a planning application is submitted is formal consultation legally required, and all comments must then be considered by the LPA before making a decision on the planning application.