The attached guidance document is a step by step guide to how to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening and an Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening report for NTA funded active travel projects.
This document includes what projects require EIA/ AA, the applicable legislation for each project type, the planning application route to take for projects and headings under legislation that must be included when completing the EIA and AA screening reports.
The guidance also covers common pitfalls such as project splitting, and the inclusion of mitigation measures within screening reports. Reference sheets and other step by step processes are also included for local authorities to help them when completing the screening reports. In addition, the Guidance also includes report templates for both the organisation carrying out the screening reports and for the local authorities for their project determination which must be displayed on the local authority website.
This guidance aims to standardise the environmental screening reports that are being submitted as part of planning applications.
Introduction – What is an EIA Screening?
- Environmental Impact Assessment Screening (EIA Screening)
- EIA Screening is a process by which a local authority can determine whether a project or proposal should be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (under the EIA Directive).
- In some cases an Active and Sustainable Transport Initiative will require EIA Screening and in others it will not. The important thing is that in pursuing any Active and Sustainable Transport Initiative a local authority needs to consider what it is doing and whether it requires EIA Screening.
- The importance of this cannot be understated, as an EIA Screening Determination will inform the statutory approval process required for the Active and Sustainable Transport Initiative.
- Equally, if EIA Screening is required and is not carried out, this could leave the local authority open to challenge.
What is AA screening?
- Appropriate Assessment Screening (AA Screening)
- Appropriate Assessment Screening involves a consideration of whether a plan or project, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, is likely to have a significant effect on any European Site (i.e. any Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Area (SPA)).
- An AA Screening Report is a report prepared to assist the competent authority in making an AA Screening Determination.
