DEFRA to revise Forestry EIA process? Don't get excited!
I read the Forestry Commission announcement below with mild interest and a misguided hope that the government was keen to get to grips with streamlining the Forestry EIA regulations. Having just completed the on-line consultation process, which is mercifully short and partly written in plain English, I have been disabused of any such thought.
Guess what? The EU has revised its EIA directives.
Guess what? The EU has given competent bodies (the FC) more time and more powers to make the process even more long winded.
I would urge you all to use the consultation to express your admiration for the process.
Dave Atkinson December 2016
Defra Consultation on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive and Afforestation Thresholds
On 14 December 2016 Defra opened a consultation on how amendments to the EU EIA Directive should be transferred into domestic legislation. The EIA Directive, which was amended in 2014, will come into effect through National legislation in May 2017. The consultation asks for views on those areas of the Directive where we have some flexibility in its implementation. A key aspect of the amended Directive is a stronger focus and requirement for more information to be provided at the application stage to help regulators make more informed decisions on whether a proposed project should be subject to the EIA process. The consultation asks for views on the guidance applicants would like to support this requirement. We are taking this opportunity to formally seek views on proposals to increase the EIA thresholds for afforestation projects in non-sensitive areas (currently five hectares). Three options for an increased threshold are suggested for comment as well as options to maintain environmental protection should thresholds increase. The consultation will close on the 30 January 2017 and you can view further information and find the link to the consultation document on GOV.UK: Environmental Impact Assessment – joint technical consultation: planning changes to regulations on forestry, agriculture, water resources, land drainage and marine works