Research and analysis

Post-Implementation Review of Defra Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations : RPC Opinion (Green - rated).

Regulatory Policy Committee opinion on DEFRA’s Post Implementation Review on Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.

Documents

Details

This Post Implementation Review assesses the Regulations requiring the undertaking of environmental impact assessments (EIAs), for both public and private projects, to ensure that members of the public are afforded early and effective participation in decision-making. The specific EIA regulations operate differently across four key policy areas under the Department’s jurisdiction: marine, forestry, water resources and agriculture.

The RPC considers the PIR to be fit for purpose and the recommendation to reform (amend) to be clearly supported by evidence. The Department has gathered a range of evidence across the various policy areas that the EIAs cover, reflecting views and issues raised by stakeholders in each. The PIR would be improved through more clearly articulating the decision to reform and the specific issues noted throughout the PIR that these are intending to correct

Published 21 September 2023