Check if your development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) consider the environmental effects of major development proposals and help us decide whether to grant planning permission.

There are 5 main stages to the process:

1. Screening
2. Scoping
3. Preparing an Environmental Statement
4. Making a planning application and consultation
5. Decision making

Read more about the Environmental Impact Assessment process on GOV.UK.

To check if you need an EIA you should request a screening opinion. This determines whether your proposed development will have a significant effect on the environment.

Screening should normally take place during the early stages of a development's design and before you've submitted your planning application.

If you’ve applied for or intend to apply for planning permission, your request must include:

• a plan sufficient to identify the land
• a description of the development's physical characteristics, demolition works and location, including the environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected
• a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the development
• if available, a description of the likely significant effects of the proposed development on the environment resulting from:
  • the expected residues and emissions and the production of waste
  • the use of natural resources, in particular soil, land, water and biodiversity
• any other information or representations you want to provide, including features of the proposed development or any measures to avoid or prevent significant adverse effects on the environment

Contact the Planning Technical Services Team to request a screening opinion:

• Minerals and Waste Team (all areas): email [email protected]
• Planning Team - West Area (formerly Wycombe): email [email protected]
• Planning Team - North and Central Area (formerly Aylesbury): email [email protected]
• Planning Team - South and East Area (formerly Chiltern/South Bucks): email [email protected]

We will produce the screening opinion within 3 weeks of receiving your request.

We may agree a longer period if more time is needed.

If an EIA is needed, you can request a scoping opinion from the council. This opinion determines the extent of issues to be considered in the assessment and included in an Environmental Statement.

Your request for a scoping opinion should be accompanied by:

• a plan identifying the land
• a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development
• an explanation of the development's likely significant effects on the environment
• other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make

Contact the Planning Technical Services Team to request a scoping opinion:

• Minerals and Waste Team (all areas): email [email protected]
• Planning Team - West Area (formerly Wycombe): email [email protected]
• Planning Team - North and Central Area (formerly Aylesbury): email [email protected]
• Planning Team - South and East Area (formerly Chiltern/South Bucks): email [email protected]

We will produce the scoping opinion within 5 weeks of receiving your request.

We may agree on a longer period if time is needed to consult with people who would be statutory consultees (if you were to submit a planning application for the proposed development).

There is no requirement for public consultation.

More information about Environmental Impact Assessments can be found at:

• Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2017
• Explanation of the requirements of Environmental Impact Assessment from the Planning Practice Guidance