Context

The Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008) sets out a development consent regime for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) in the fields of energy, transport, water, waste water, and waste.

Applications for development consent orders (DCOs) are decided in accordance with National Policy Statements (NPSs), which set out the national policy in relation to NSIPs. See Practice Notes: Permission for nationally significant infrastructure projects and National Policy Statements.

environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a process whereby a project’s likely significant environmental effects are assessed and taken into account in the process of determining whether development consent should be granted. It ensures environmental impacts are given due weight, along with economic or social factors, and allows the public to participate in environmental decision-making procedures. EIA is required in certain circumstances in the DCO process pursuant to the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, SI 2017/572 (the EIA Regulations).

Legislation and guidance

The EIA Regulations set out the procedures for determining whether a proposed development requires the applicant to undertake an EIA, and the EIA process that