Environmental Assessment

There are several kinds of statutory and non-statutory Environmental Assessment processes which are required by organisations delivering plans, programmes and/or projects.

In order to ensure that we can maintain, protect and enhance our environment for the future, it is important to understand the effects that plans, programmes and projects may have on Wales’ natural heritage. Assessing the potential effects of plans and projects before they are given approval helps to inform decision makers and enables us to consider ways of avoiding, reducing or remedying adverse effects.

CCW believes that Environmental Assessment should benefit plan makers, decision makers, project proposers and all those involved in the planning process, including the wider community in Wales.

Environmental Assessment also helps ensure that our planning processes support sustainable development and that plans and proposals do not result in harm to the natural heritage of Wales. Most environmental assessment processes and procedures are required by law but their effectiveness relies on integrity and good practice.

CCW will help decision makers, developers and plan makers carry out environmental assessments by providing access to data that we hold on Wales’ natural heritage and by giving advice and guidance.

CCW’s involvement in Environmental Assessment lies in five main areas and we are a statutory consultee in each of these:

These areas area of work are led by the Strategic Planning Group to whom any queries should be directed.

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- for projects and development proposals
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)- for plans, programmes and strategies
• Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of plans- for plans, programmes and strategies affecting European Sites of nature conservation interest

These areas area of work are led by the Terrestrial Ecosystems Group to whom any queries should be directed.

• Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of projects- for projects and proposals affecting European Sites
• Review of Consents (RoC)