Menu
03/01/2012
High EIA Instance Delaying Investment In NI
Northern Ireland’s high instance of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) is delaying development, hindering investment, and in some cases making companies think twice about locating in Northern Ireland, according to an expert.
Matthew Sheppard, Head of EIAs at UK planning consultancy Turley Associates, was speaking at an RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) event in Belfast on the subject.
He said that Northern Ireland produces more than four times as many EIAs as England, and more than twice as many as Scotland and Wales.
He points out that research from the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) found that Northern Ireland produces 29.2 EIAs per million head of population, compared to 6.9 in England, 13.1 in Scotland and 13 in Wales.
Mr Sheppard added that these technical assessment documents have been central to the delay of several major development projects and, whilst draft regulations currently propose closing a loophole which can be used to postpone Public Inquiries for long periods of time, this area remains ripe for potential legal challenges.
Matthew Sheppard said: "The situation in Northern Ireland is very different to England. More EIA work is undertaken and slightly different legislation means that there are more opportunities for objectors to a development to frustrate the planning process and slow down necessary investment and economic growth. The risks of legal challenge will remain high even when the legislation changes, so it is important to make sure that these documents are both thorough and robust at the start of the process."
He added: "EIAs are extremely important, but they can be used to delay development projects. Doing the necessary groundwork to safeguard against potential challenge on purely technical grounds is important to ensure against unnecessary delay to important investment."
An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects.
(GK)
Matthew Sheppard, Head of EIAs at UK planning consultancy Turley Associates, was speaking at an RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) event in Belfast on the subject.
He said that Northern Ireland produces more than four times as many EIAs as England, and more than twice as many as Scotland and Wales.
He points out that research from the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) found that Northern Ireland produces 29.2 EIAs per million head of population, compared to 6.9 in England, 13.1 in Scotland and 13 in Wales.
Mr Sheppard added that these technical assessment documents have been central to the delay of several major development projects and, whilst draft regulations currently propose closing a loophole which can be used to postpone Public Inquiries for long periods of time, this area remains ripe for potential legal challenges.
Matthew Sheppard said: "The situation in Northern Ireland is very different to England. More EIA work is undertaken and slightly different legislation means that there are more opportunities for objectors to a development to frustrate the planning process and slow down necessary investment and economic growth. The risks of legal challenge will remain high even when the legislation changes, so it is important to make sure that these documents are both thorough and robust at the start of the process."
He added: "EIAs are extremely important, but they can be used to delay development projects. Doing the necessary groundwork to safeguard against potential challenge on purely technical grounds is important to ensure against unnecessary delay to important investment."
An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects.
(GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 May 2004
Spellar announces review of housing development
Regional Development Minister, John Spellar today launched a four-month consultation period on the distribution of future housing development across Northern Ireland.
Spellar announces review of housing development
Regional Development Minister, John Spellar today launched a four-month consultation period on the distribution of future housing development across Northern Ireland.
19 February 2004
Channel 4 development deal for Belfast TV company
Belfast-based DoubleBand Films is to benefit from a £260,000 company development deal, funded by Channel 4 and the NIFTC Company Development Fund, a joint venture between Invest Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission (NIFTC).
Channel 4 development deal for Belfast TV company
Belfast-based DoubleBand Films is to benefit from a £260,000 company development deal, funded by Channel 4 and the NIFTC Company Development Fund, a joint venture between Invest Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission (NIFTC).
25 January 2022
Greenway Development Support Announced For Councils
Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon has announced a programme of additional greenway development support for councils. The Minister has previously provided £4 million of capital grant funding in support of Council greenway projects, but was made aware of the need for further assistance in the development of greenway proposals.
Greenway Development Support Announced For Councils
Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon has announced a programme of additional greenway development support for councils. The Minister has previously provided £4 million of capital grant funding in support of Council greenway projects, but was made aware of the need for further assistance in the development of greenway proposals.
29 May 2012
"Committed" Dementia Carers Recognised
A Belfast carer has been recognised for the 14 years of work she has done for dementia care, at the first Northern Ireland Dementia Excellence awards. Lisa Forbes won 'Carer of the Year' at the event, which was organized by the Dementia Services Development Centre Northern Ireland (DSDC).
"Committed" Dementia Carers Recognised
A Belfast carer has been recognised for the 14 years of work she has done for dementia care, at the first Northern Ireland Dementia Excellence awards. Lisa Forbes won 'Carer of the Year' at the event, which was organized by the Dementia Services Development Centre Northern Ireland (DSDC).
09 July 2010
Economic Development Boost For Belfast
Belfast has won a place in the last stages of a prestigious UK-wide enterprise contest. Invest Northern Ireland has announced Belfast City Council's Economic Development Unit as the winner of the NI heat of the Enterprising Britain 2010 competition.
Economic Development Boost For Belfast
Belfast has won a place in the last stages of a prestigious UK-wide enterprise contest. Invest Northern Ireland has announced Belfast City Council's Economic Development Unit as the winner of the NI heat of the Enterprising Britain 2010 competition.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A mostly dry evening and night with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive, especially in the south. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
