environmental impact assessment

UK planning system contains EIA loophole

The grey area between outline and full planning permission in the UK could mean that required environmental impact assessments never take place, according to the House of Lords.

Edie Environmental Legislation Summary

Recent changes to legislation which will impact on the environmental sector in the UK, Europe and internationally come under the spotlight in this Semple Fraser and Edie News monthly round-up of new law and policy. Among the developments this month we see more stringent requirements for oil exploration in UK waters enter into force, and revised air quality standards setting new limits on benzene and other pollutants in England. Transport fuel suppliers in England and Wales will have to reduce the amount of sulphur in liquid fuels under the new Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels Regulations 2007; while in Northern Ireland asbestos rules are tightened with a lower control limit and revised measurement requirements, consistent with 1997 WHO guidelines.

Road builders told they could be heading for fines

Polish campaigners are trying a new tactic to thwart plans to build a motorway through protected wetlands by telling construction companies they could be forced to pay for the environmental damage they cause.

Edie Environmental Legislation Summary (December 06)

Recent changes to legislation which will impact on the environmental sector in the UK, Europe and internationally come under the spotlight in this Semple Fraser and Edie News monthly round-up of new law and policy. Among the developments this month we see changes to international rules on the storage of carbon under the seabed, a new EU directive on radioactive waste shipping come into force, while Scotland sees new regulations on home energy efficiency that will provide grants for insulation and energy efficiency works.

No impact assessment for waste plant lands Italy in hot water

Italy has failed to meet its obligations under European law by neglecting to carry out a detailed environmental impact assessment for a large waste recovery plant.

Belgium rapped by Brussels

Belgium has failed to adopt laws on environmental impact assessments which should have been written into its statue books over two years ago.

Portugal told to do more to protect habitats

Portugal has been hauled over the coals for failing to adequately protect its flora and fauna when building a motorway through an environmentally sensitive area.

Comment is free – but not in Ireland

Dublin has successfully seen off a complaint from Brussels which maintained that charging the public to comment on planning applications was in breach of EU law.

WRc approves pipe renovation scheme

Anyone who has had connections with the trenchless technology industry over the past 17 years or so, particularly in respect of the pipeline renovation sector, may well have heard the name Sanipor. We take a look at the technology, which has received WRc Approval and is proving a success on a number of projects.

Mekong modelling project benefits SE Asia

Finnish environmental experts have teamed up with the Mekong River Commission's Water Utilisation Programme in a project that combines modelling technology with social research and training to improve knowledge and management of one of the world's largest river basins. As Ilona Suojanen of WUP-FIN explains, this knowledge can be used in future projects in the region.

NGOs tell bank to block Slovak motorway loan

Environmentalists are calling on the European Investment Bank to withhold a €50m loan which would allow the Slovak Government to build a stretch of motorway until a full environmental impact assessment of the proposed project has been completed.

Residents kick up a stink over burning rubber

An appeal by residents who object to waste tyres being burned to fire kilns at a Rugby cement factory has been dismissed by the courts.

Water service rapped for unlawful connections

New developments in Northern Ireland should not have been connected to the public sewers without a full environmental impact assessment, a court has ruled.

Ireland in the dock for profiting from EIAs

The European Commission has taken Ireland to court over charges made by the Irish planning system for environmental impact assessments.

Beating the drought

Two consecutive dry winters are to blame for the current drought - the third to have occurred since 1976 - and its impact on water resources in the South-east. With water management now under the public's microscope, Jonathan Reed looks at what can be done to manage the demand for water and maintain available supplies, whilst minimising impacts on the environment.

Edie Environmental Legislation Summary, June 06

Recent changes to legislation which will impact on the environmental sector in the UK, Europe and internationally come under the spotlight in this Semple Fraser and Edie News monthly round-up of new law and policy. Among the developments this month we see the EC consulting on waste incineration and amending its position on the import and export of hazardous chemicals. In the UK contaminated land law gets an overhaul and a raft of new regulations covering pollution from shipping are introduced. Regulations to protect watercourses from agricultural pollution are amended and local authorities in Scotland are given greater powers to ensure water supplies are up to standard.

Italy ignores EIA obligations

Italy has come under fire from the EC for failing to carry out an in-depth environmental impact assessment for a major incinerator.

Portugal puts motorway through bird sanctuary – ECJ unhappy

Portugal has been ordered to carry out a full conservation programme after building a motorway through a protected area, threatening the future of 17 species of wild birds.

London Borough in court over lack of EIA

The London Borough of Bromley has found itself before the European Court of Justice in a case concerning the potential environmental impact of a huge leisure complex in Crystal Palace.

Spain loses leisure centre planning case

Spain lost its wrangle with the European Commission over a planned leisure centre project in Paterna for failing to assess its environmental impact

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