ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The purpose of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is to investigate and mitigate any potential effects of a development on the natural, physical and human environment.
As part of a planning application we are required to carry out an EIA. Within an EIA, the potential impacts and effects of a development on human beings, fauna and flora; soil, water, air, climate, and the landscape; material assets and the cultural heritage; and the interaction between these factors, are examined and their significance assessed. Where necessary, mitigation measures to eliminate or reduce potential impacts are identified.
The initial phase of the EIA is to establish its scope. This is done in conjunction with the local council responsible for planning decisions in the area, in this case South Cambridgeshire District Council. RES received a scoping opinion from South Cambridgeshire District Council which included input from a number of statutory consultees such as English Nature, English Heritage and the local parish councils. We have also had direct discussions with some of these consultees.
Consultation is an important part of the EIA process and is being carried out with the following organisations and groups:
- South Cambridgeshire District Council (Planning Department);
- Cambridgeshire County Council (Highways Authority, Countryside Services and County Archaeology Office);
- West Wratting and Balsham Parish Councils;
- Environment Agency;
- English Nature;
- English Heritage;
- Countryside Agency;
- Highways Agency
- The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB);
- Radar and Airspace consultees (Ministry of Defence, Civil Aviation Authority, National Air Traffic Control, local airports and airfields);
- Electromagnetic Interference consultees (Ofcom, BBC, mobile network operators, fixed link operators).
An Environmental Statement (ES) was produced to accompany the planning application for the wind farm which: outlined the scope of the different studies undertaken; described the methodologies used; presented the results of the studies; predicted the effects of the proposed wind farm on the environment; formulated mitigation measures to reduce harmful effects and enhancement measures to maximise positive effects, and concluded the significance of the effects on the environment.
The ES was available for public inspection at Linton and Fulbourn libraries and at the South Cambridgeshire District Council Offices during the Council's consultation period.
The Non Technical Summary can be downloaded here: NTS (PDF, filesize ~ 2.5Mb).
Subsequent to submitting the appeal against the Council's decision, RES has made the planning application, the ES and further 'Supplementary Environmental Information' available to the public at Linton and Fulbourn libraries and at the South Cambridgeshire District Council Offices. Copies of these documents (except the ES) are available from RES, free of charge while stocks last. Copies of the full ES are available from RES for £125 (printed copy) or £25 (CD copy) while stocks last.
Click here for a copy of the Non-Technical Summary that accompanied our Supplementary Environmental Information which was put on deposit for comment in December 2008.
