Two stages, two different decisions
EIA screening and scoping answer different questions. Screening considers whether a proposed development needs Environmental Impact Assessment. Scoping considers the issues and information the assessment should address.
For projects within England’s town and country planning EIA regime, Schedule 1 development requires EIA. Schedule 2 development needs consideration against the applicable criteria and the likelihood of significant environmental effects. Thresholds should not be used in isolation from location and environmental sensitivity.
Therefore, confirm the consent route before commissioning a document. Infrastructure and other consent regimes have their own requirements. A familiar report title does not establish that it is the right procedure for your project.
Prepare the brief around the decision
| Stage | Useful briefing information |
|---|---|
| Screening | The whole project description, location, likely effects, relevant constraints and measures proposed to avoid or prevent significant adverse effects. |
| Scoping | The proposed assessment topics, methods, study areas, alternatives, baseline information and significant effects to be considered. |
| After a design change | A clear account of what changed and whether earlier assumptions and opinions remain applicable. |
Government guidance allows an applicant to seek a formal scoping opinion before submitting the planning application. It can help focus the Environmental Statement. However, the project team must still explain its assessment and respond to relevant new evidence.
Describe the whole project consistently
Start with one agreed project description. Circulate it to the architect, planner, transport adviser and environmental specialists. Include construction activities, access, infrastructure and realistic operating assumptions.
Next, identify dependencies. For example, a revised access strategy might affect traffic, noise, air quality and ecology together. If different specialists assess different versions, the assembled documents may not explain one coherent proposal.
A short assumptions register can help. Record the drawing revision, source of each important input, remaining uncertainty and person responsible for resolving it.
A negative screening outcome still needs a planning evidence plan
A conclusion that EIA is not required does not remove other planning or environmental requirements. The development may still need topic-specific reports, surveys and mitigation.
As an illustration, a scheme might not require EIA but still need a noise assessment for nearby homes and ecological information for affected habitat. The proportionate response is to identify those requirements explicitly, rather than treating the screening outcome as the end of environmental work.
Finally, keep the authority’s opinion with the project records. If the proposal changes, ask the planning and environmental team whether the previous position still applies.
Explore ACP’s EIA support or discuss the next decision for your project.
Source and scope
England’s town and country planning regime; checked 10 October 2026 against government EIA planning practice guidance. This article explains project coordination and does not determine an individual proposal’s EIA status.