Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) will be required at the detailed planning stage under rules finally coming into force ne
Revised rules have at last been issued after the European Commission threatened the UK with legal action for failing to implement the law properly (Planning, 26 October 2007, p5). The UK's 1999 regulations stated that EIAs were just needed at outline stage.In 2006, the House of Lords and European Court of Justice ruled that EIAs could be required at reserved matters stage if a scheme might have significant environmental impacts (Planning, 12 May 2006, p1). The revised rules also apply to application conditions and reviews of mineral permissions.S.J. Berwin, Head of Environment at Angus Evers, said the implications for developers may be substantial because they will have to keep EIAs under review throughout the planning process."They will be particularly worried by time and cost implications if they do not conduct EIAs at outline stage and then one is required at reserved matters," he said.Addleshaw Goddard Managing Associate Gary Sector said the government is playing ''legislative catch-up''. "Well-versed legal advisers have effectively been acting in accordance with the EU regulations since the Lords decision in 2006," he added.
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