Note: Completion of this screening template must comply with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)(Scotland) Regulations 2011 (referred to here as The 2011 Regulations). It is the responsibility of the developer and, ultimately, the relevant planning authority to ensure that it does.
Before completing this template you should familiarise yourself with Circular 3/2011: The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011
Generally, it will fall to planning authorities in the first instance to consider whether a proposed development requires EIA. The planning authority must screen every application for Schedule 2 development in order to determine whether or not EIA is required. This determination is referred to as a 'screening opinion'. In each case, the basic question to be asked is: 'Would this particular development be likely to have significant effects on the environment?'
Your PlanningAuthority can help identify Schedule 2 development. You may wish to refer to paragraph 3(i) of Schedule 2 of the regulations in the first instance, (see useful links below).
Useful links:
- Guidance on identifying Schedule 2 development
- The 2011 Regulations (Schedule 2)
Before determining whether a particular development is likely to have significant effects on the environment – and hence whether EIA will be required –planning authorities must take account of the Selection Criteria for Screening Schedule 2 Development. Three categories of criteria are listed:-
- Characteristics of the development
- Location of the development
- Characteristics of the potential impact
To assist the planning authority in reaching its screening determination, the developer should initiate the use of this template.
Information requested in Sections 1 and 2will be relevant to all cases.
The extent to which Section 3 and Annexes are relevantwill depend on the particular details of each individual case.
Once complete, the template should be forwarded to the relevant planning authority.
Project Name:
Location:
Name of Developer:
Position:
Company:
Address:
Email:
Tel:
Date:
Signed:
2.1Please insert a map showing the exact location (where known) of the proposed development and associated infrastructure (e.g. tracks, buildings, transmission cabling etc).
‘Copy’ appropriate sized map from relevant file, highlight the grey form field below, and ‘paste’
2.2 Insert any other relevant textual information concerning either the design, setting or the operational characteristics of the proposed development (e.g. height to hub/blade-tip, grid reference, generating capacity, design/number of blades, time-span/decommissioning arrangements, colour etc).
‘Copy’ appropriate sized map from relevant file, highlight the grey form field below, and ‘paste’
2.3If known, please insert details of the turbine manufacturer’s noise rating. To assist the Council in identifying any noise sensitive properties in the locality, please indicate where relevant the location of any dwelling house for which the project proponent is also the owner / occupier.
‘Copy’ appropriate sized map from relevant file, highlight the grey form field below, and ‘paste’
2.4 Where known, please indicate the locations of other wind turbines (constructed, consented or applied-for) in the locality of the proposal. This will help the authority when assessing any potential cumulative impacts.
‘Copy’ appropriate sized map from relevant file, highlight the grey form field below, and ‘paste’
3.1 Sensitive Areas
The relationship between a proposed development and its location is a crucial consideration. Guidance on development in sensitive areas can be found in Circular 3/2011.
Please complete Table 1 below of any known sensitive areas that the proposed development is located within or close to.Developers are directed to SNH’s interactive mapsto identify sensitive areas.Further guidance on how to identify sensitive areas is provided in SNH’s guidance on ‘Assessing the impact of small scale wind energy proposals on the natural heritage’, or the maps highlighted within the ‘useful links for small scale wind developments’.
3.2 International Conservation Sites
International Conservation sites include Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). For SPA’s, connectivity is linked to the dispersal and foraging distances for a range of bird species which, as qualifying interests of SPAs, are frequently encountered during the consideration of projects. Please highlight in Table 1 below any SACs and SPAs located within a 20Km radius of the proposal site.
3.3 Scheduled Monuments
Developers are directed to Historic Scotland’s website to identify any scheduled monuments located within 20Km of the proposed site.
Table 1
Sensitive Area / Name of site / Reason for Designation?i.e. protected habitat or species / Close to sensitive area(approx. distance)? / Within sensitive site?International Conservation Sites (e.g. SAC, SPA etc.)
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Land subject to Nature Conservation Orders
National Scenic Areas
World Heritage Sites
Scheduled Monuments
National Parks
Any other sensitive areas or sites, where known
3.3Screening Checklist
Some planning authorities will use the Scottish Government’s Small scale wind energy screening checklistasan aid to determining whether EIA is required, taking into account the Schedule 3 criteria. Developers should consider this form when submitting any information which will aid the planning authority in reaching that determination.
Please include further information relating to the potential environmental impacts arising from the proposed developments in Annex 1 of this template. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment surveys proposed or undertaken, including viewpoint visualisations or Zone of Theoretical Visualisation (ZTV) maps.
- Ecological surveys proposed, and/or data and results acquired.
- Surveys proposed and/or results acquired with regard to the cultural heritage in the area.
- Noise assessments proposed, and/or undertaken, and results acquired.
- Any cumulative studies proposed, and/or undertaken and results acquired.
- Other associated risks/impacts (e.g. oil, flooding, changes to watercourses, groundwater, water supply etc).
- Identification of any groundwater dependent ecosystems that may be impacted upon.
- For proposals on peatland, peat depth survey and map of peat depth (if known).
- Consultation undertaken with relevant bodies (e.g. RSPB, SNH, Community Councils etc).
TEMPLATE TRANSFER GUIDANCE – 1
After the developer has completed the relevant Sections above the template should be emailed or posted on CD-ROM to the relevant authority (planning authority planning department).
The template should have a unique file name, which might usefully include the date at which this version is emailed/posted to the relevant authority.
4.1 Screening Opinion - Relevant Planning Authority Summary
Wehave considered this proposed developmentand have completed our assessment of the likely significance of environmental impacts. We conclude:
1. (a)No EIA is required for this proposed development.
(b)A statement of reasons is attached in Annex 2
2.An EIA will be required for this proposed development. A statement of reasons is attached in Annex 2
3.No EIA is required, but we will seek further, or additional information during the planning process*
*No EIA is required, however more information may be requested later in the planning process . This information may include (but is not limited to):
Electronic signature:
Name:
Planning authority:
Telephone no:
Date:
TEMPLATE TRANSFER GUIDANCE - 2The relevant authority should now send (e-mail or post on CD-ROM) this completed template to the developer within the3 week deadline period.
Developer to insert any attachments/additional information here.
ANNEX 2: PLANNING AUTHORITY TO USE AS REQUIRED TO RECORD REASONS WHY THE DEVELOPMENT IS OR IS NOT EIA DEVELOPMENT
Planning authority insert letter/information here.
The planning authority may use this page to insert responses from consultees.