ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The Planning & Development Regulations 2001, as amended implement the European Union Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. The Regulations require the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for certain types of developments. The EIAR is a report of the effects a proposed development will have on
- Population and human health.
- Biodiversity, with particular attention to designated habitats and species.
- Land, soil, water, air and climate.
- Material assets, cultural heritage and the landscape.
- The interaction between the above factors.
The EIA process involves defining the need for the development; evaluation of reasonable alternatives; identification and assessment of all effects associated with the proposed development and developing effective mitigation measures.
This may require implementing specialist surveys, for example ecological, air quality, landscape, surface water and groundwater quality, archaeological and a traffic and transport assessment to establish baseline conditions, assess effects and to evaluate the mitigation options to identify the preferred solution.
OCM has prepared EIARs for industrial, waste management and residential developments in Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and Wicklow, applying in-house expertise supported by external specialist consultants. OCM also advises Planning Authorities on the Land & Geology and Water aspects of EIARs submitted with planning application.
