Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process whereby the environmental consequences of development proposals are systematically considered in order to inform the relevant decision-making process. It is now an established feature of the land-use planning system with major development proposals having a statutory requirement to provide evidence of the process in the form of an Environmental Statement (ES). The ES establishes a baseline to examine the environmental character of the area, the possible interactions of the proposed development and the use of best practicable techniques to mitigate adverse and enhance positive effects. Other project proposals can require an ES if they are perceived to have significant adverse environmental effects on the site or area. The benefits derived from the EIA process mean that many developers adopt the approach voluntarily to further their proposals and better inform the decision-making process.

Recent experience includes:

Mineral and waste developments

New South East Cement Works	Lafarge
Major sand and gravel extraction/restoration	Pioneer Aggregates
Industrial waste composting facility	Colt Industrial Services
Industrial waste composting facility	Biowise