Environmental impact assessment for energy planning

Abstract

The thesis examines the framework within which the planning system allows the environmental impacts of proposed industrial developments to be assessed considering the demands and constraints imposed by the existing procedure, theory and methodology. From this descriptive and critical analysis a number of deficiencies within the system are highlighted. These deficiencies are then examined using specific case study information which allows suggestions to be made regarding possible solutions. As such, the thesis argues for the introduction of a procedure that formally requires a study in depth of major proposals before they become too firm and that allows a fair balance to be struck between the impact upon the local environment and national need. The thesis suggests that the existing development control process comprising procedure and methodology does not appear to be able to adequately assess the implications of those ‘linked land-use' applications, characterised by network related and composite development types, associated primarily with the energy industry. At present very little guidance is given to local planning authorities as to how they might deal with these development proposals. In terms of application the thesis argues for the adoption of a tiered environmental assessment procedure comprising four broad stages of investigation ranging from general policy appraisal, through overall scheme assessment and the more detailed site specific studies, to the establishment of monitoring programmes. A tiered structure of this nature would provide a framework within which the incremental development of a network related or composite development, could be adequately assessed with appropriate information available at each level of decision making to avoid confusion of issues and undue delay. Furthermore this form of assessment would allow the choice of strategy options and serve to indicate that the issues in choosing local sites are not purely local in implication but do have strategic and national importance.