Environmental Impact Assessment

Our EIA Services

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a complex part of the planning process for many development proposals where there are potential significant effects on the environment. Our experts have the right depth and breadth of experience for Screening, Scoping, Environmental Statement Coordination, Technical Assessments and contributing to the whole EIA process.

IEMA EIA Quality Mark Awarded

Boyer have achieved the IEMA EIA Quality Mark in recognition of our commitment to excellence in our EIA activities from managing the process and maintaining staff capabilities, to effective presentation of the assessment findings and our pledge to taking action to improve environmental practice, to ensure you receive the best advice and service possible.

Our Pragmatic Approach

Our approach to EIA is pragmatic, well considered, and realistic. We focus on what needs to be done, and tailor our approach to fit the specific circumstances, project and client requirements, whilst trying to work closely with Local Authorities and stakeholders. Building relationships with public sector organisations helps us to understand the key requirements of particular schemes that are considered EIA development. This experience in turn helps to inform our clients how best to approach EIA submissions.

Our experience spans across multiple sectors including:

• Large scale new communities
• Residential
• Quarrying
• Commercial
• Leisure Facilities

Boyer has experienced planning practitioners that can offer EIA services from across all its offices and we are able to offer a comprehensive and collaborative EIA service to clients which bring together a much deeper understanding of site-specific issues, whilst offering solutions to meet your needs.

View environmental impact projects:

• Blue Mountain
• Sunningdale Park
• Abbey Barn South
• Bridge Farm, Twyford
• Luton Borough Council Development Management Consultancy
• St Georges Lane, Ascot
• Wretchwick Green, Bicester
• Vopak Terminal, West Thurrock
• Factory Development, Suffolk
• Brantham Regeneration Area, Suffolk
• Land off Osier Way, Buckingham
• Land at Draycott, Cam
• Land North West of Grove

Health Impact Assessments and Economic Impact Assessments

At Boyer, we understand the importance of showcasing a development proposal’s socio-economic benefits for our clients, to Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), Statutory Bodies and the local community. We prepare Health Impact Assessments (HIA) and Economic Impact Assessments (EcIA) to support planning applications across England and Wales.

Health Impact Assessments (HIA)

Our HIAs are tailored to individual sites, client and Local Planning Authorities requirements through a review of validation requirements and associated guidance specific to each authority alongside National policy and guidance. We can offer three types of HIA, to reflect the varying local authority requirements including:

1. Comprehensive HIA which is in-depth, extensive review of data, can include stakeholder and public engagement and is typically for the most complex proposals.
2. Rapid HIA includes a brief assessment of the health impacts, including a review of quantitative and qualitative evidence and gathering of knowledge and further evidence from relevant stakeholders (where appropriate).
3. Desktop HIA which draws on existing knowledge and evidence to undertake an assessment of health impacts.

We assess the likely positive and negative health and wellbeing impacts of a development. Our HIAs assess the significance of any impact, their likelihood and duration and where relevant, mitigation measures are recommended.

Economic Impact Assessments (EcIA)

Our EcIAs look to bolster planning applications to set out the economic benefits of a proposal, in line with policy set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

We analyse datasets and assess, quantify and translate socio-economic benefits that derive from a development proposal into quantitative data. The data, which can include:

Construction phase benefits

• Investment, economic output, employment, supply chain jobs, construction value

Occupation benefits

• Expenditure, local spend, employment, supply chain benefits, new homes, affordable homes, GDV

Wider Benefits

• Investment, employment, GVA uplift

Fiscal Benefits

• CIL, S106, Council Tax, training provision, New Homes Bonus

This information is summarised and presented in a report that is submitted alongside planning applications. An infographic can also be prepared to illustrate the benefits.