Overview

The need for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) can have a significant impact on development proposals. Our Planning lawyers have extensive experience of EIA and HRA, including Appropriate Assessment, and understand how these can influence consenting strategy, timescales and cost for a project.   

We advise on EIA and HRA issues including the need for and scope of assessments and application of the regulations. Our Planning lawyers strive to achieve effective outcomes for projects that require EIA and HRA, assisting with negotiations and discussions with regulators and other stakeholders.  We also advise on securing environmental mitigation through conditions, requirements and planning agreements.

We regularly undertake legal reviews of both EIAs and HRAs for development proposals, particularly in the context of infrastructure and energy developments.

Areas of focus

Our Environmental Impact and Habitats Regulations Assessment expertise includes the following:

  • Advising on legal requirements and process.
  • Reviewing EIAs, HRAs and Appropriate Assessments for development proposals.
  • Advising on legal challenges to projects involving EIA and HRA.
Experience

Advising on EIA and HRA issues for a number Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, including the Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm Extension; Galloper Offshore Wind Farm; Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm (Projects One and Two); and the Triton Knoll Electrical System works. The Kentish Flats Extension, Galloper and Hornsea projects involved complex Habitats Assessment and Appropriate Assessment and consideration of imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI) because of potential cumulative impacts on protected birds.

Advising on HRA issues related to energy from waste and biomass projects, including Covanta Energy's Brig y Cwm scheme.

Undertaking EIA reviews for numerous development proposals including onshore wind farm applications with complex landscape and visual and noise assessments; and major infrastructure projects such as the South Bristol Link Road.

Meet the team
Elizabeth Dunn

Elizabeth Dunn Partner

  • Energy and Utilities
  • Infrastructure
  • Real Estate
Julian Boswall

Julian Boswall Partner

  • Energy and Utilities
  • Infrastructure
  • Planning and Compulsory Purchase
Patrick Robinson

Patrick Robinson Consultant

  • Energy and Utilities
  • Infrastructure
  • Planning and Compulsory Purchase
Gary Soloman

Gary Soloman Partner

  • Head of Planning and Compulsory Purchase
  • Regeneration and Highways
  • Compulsory Purchase and Compensation

What others say...

The planning team at Burges Salmon is professional, proactive and responsive.
Chambers UK 2022

Burges Salmon careers

We work hard to make sure Burges Salmon is a great place to work.
Find out more