Environmental impact assessment (EIA) peer review

As well as delivering high quality environmental impact assessment (EIA), we have extensive experience in carrying out EIA peer reviews, both in the UK and internationally.

EIA peer review services in the UK

As you would expect from your EIA advisor, we do not make unnecessary Regulation 25 Requests. We actually look to reduce this likelihood via early engagement with the EIA consultant, including during the scoping stage. We provide pragmatic advice, which is proportionate, and work with all parties involved in order to strive for the common goal of EIA regulation compliance. At Buro Happold, this is one of our differentiators in this area of expertise. 

We work with local authorities, developers and applicant’s EIA consultants in a proactive, constructive, responsive and collaborative manner. In doing so, we also maintain transparent independence from the developer and EIA consultant.  

We typically provide the following services in an EIA peer review capacity:

• Advising on the requirements of EIA regulations to reduce the risk of third-party challenge
• Drafting the EIA scoping opinion for the local authority to adopt
• Providing advice on what should be included in the environmental statement
• Providing a review and/or schedule of any further information that is required to satisfy the EIA regulations on the review of the environmental statement.

Our advice is tailored to each development. Therefore, we look to discuss specific requirements on an individual basis with the local authority. We are currently engaged in advising local authorities in an EIA peer review capacity across several schemes in London. This includes the proposed extension to the British Library and a mixed use development proposal at the Murphy’s Yard site, North West London.

International environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) peer review services

Large international projects usually require private financing from lender banks and will have a variety of technical, environmental and social risks. Our team can act as a third party ESIA reviewer for those projects undertaking an ESIA in line with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards. We have experience in writing and reviewing ESIAs that are compliant with all eight of the Performance Standards.

Our previous experience in West Africa, North Africa and the Middle East has enabled us to support clients with ESIA compliance reviews. We can offer the review service for all types of projects and will provide a comprehensive analysis of the ESIA and its compliance with IFC Performance Standards.