The Sports Turf Research Institute - Services

Environmental Impact Assessment

"EIAs should not be seen as a hurdle to planning but an opportunity to maximise the ecological and environmental potential of a development"

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a phased procedure that aims to identify and assess the potential ecological and environmental effects of development, providing an impartial study of development options. Understanding the effects of development requires a multidisciplinary approach and STRI can co-ordinate a team to undertake this task.

When an EIA is deemed necessary by the Local Planning Authority, the environmental topics to be covered by the EIA process can be wide ranging and may include:–
 

Project Development/Landscape Design

The STRI is not a single isolated unit, we have an interdisciplinary team working in all aspects of golf course design, construction and development, and can co-ordinate and manage the complete EIA process. This may include:–

• Co-ordination of the full EIA programme, including liaison with the Local Planning Authority.

• Consultation with the relevant Statutory Authorities for each environmental topic (usually including the Environment Agency, English Nature and Local Authorities).

• Determination of impacts and mitigation procedures.

• Production of the Environmental Statement.

• Ecological/habitat surveys.

• Agricultural land classification (soil analysis).

• Aerial photography (map accurate).

• Compilation of plans/maps/topographic surveys using Computer Aided Design.

• Landscape impact appraisal (both internal and external to the site).

• Hydrogeology analysis and surface drainage.

• Water quality status and water supply (irrigation requirements).

• Air quality analysis.

• Noise/vibration measurement.

• Traffic impact assessment.

• Review of public responses and liaison with environmental bodies.

"Improved integration of EIA with the project planning process results in projects that perform better environmentally and can perform better economically."

email environment@stri.co.uk