EIA for planning applications
Environmental Impact Assessments
For some planning applications you will have to do an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to show how a proposed development might affect the environment. An EIA helps developers and the council understand these possible effects. This means action can be taken to avoid, reduce, or manage environment impact before deciding if planning permission can be given.
You can view submitted and approved EIAs on the planning register.
What requires an EIA
You don't have to do an EIA for every planning application. Only specific developments will need it depending on the type, size, and location.
Legislation dictates what proposals need an EIA, and the main regulations are:
- The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017
- The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017
- The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017
Legislation says that:
- Schedule 1 projects always require an EIA
- Schedule 2 projects might require an EIA depending on the type, size, and location
You can find out more about types of projects that need an EIA, including what Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 projects are.
Overview of EIA process
The main stages of the EIA process are screening, scoping and preparing an EIA report. However not all stages are mandatory.
Screening: check if you need an EIA
You can request a screening opinion to check if your development needs an EIA. This is not mandatory but it can help clarify if an EIA is needed.
Find out how to request an EIA screening opinion.
Scoping: what to include in EIA report
If you know your development needs an EIA you can request a scoping opinion for a list of topics you should include in the report. This is not mandatory but it can help clarify what should be assessed in the EIA report.
Find out how to request an EIA scoping opinion.
Preparing an EIA report
You will need to prepare an EIA report and include the relevant environmental topics. This report should be included when submitting your planning application, which we will review before issuing a decision.
Find out how to prepare an EIA report.