Environmental Impact Assessments

Roberts Environmental: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) evaluates the environmental effects of a proposed development and highlights the importance of Agricultural Land Classification (ALC), especially when high-quality Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land may be lost. ALC is considered early in the process, and national policy requires that any loss of valuable agricultural land is carefully justified and minimised.

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01. What is a EIA?

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a structured process used to identify and evaluate the potential environmental effects of a development before planning permission is granted. The key stages of this process are:

Screening to determine whether an EIA is needed.
Scoping to agree which environmental issues should be studied.
Detailed assessments for each relevant environmental topic.
Preliminary Environmental Report (PEIR) to present early findings.
Consultation with local authorities and statutory bodies.
Environmental Statement (ES) as the final formal submission.
Decision-making, followed by monitoring and mitigation if the project proceeds.

02. Why the ALC Matters in an EIA

ALCs can play a key role if a proposed development will lead to a loss of BMV land. National planning policy recognises the importance of protecting these higher-grade (BMV) lands for agricultural use. This means that if a proposed development would permanently remove BMV land from productive use, it could be a red flag in the planning process.

03. When is the ALC Considered

ALCs are usually considered early in the EIA process, particularly during the scoping stage. Projects with a considerable loss of BMV agricultural land should always be addressed. It is additionally beneficial to include considerations for land take even when the agricultural land is non-BMV, this is because soil resources are still potentially affected by development.

04. National Planning Policy and ALC

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England provides guidance on how agricultural land should be treated in planning decisions, recognising the economic and other benefits of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land

This doesn’t mean that developments on BMV land are always ruled out, but it does mean that its loss should be carefully considered, justified, and, where possible, avoided, minimised or mitigated.