This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wood, C. Articles by Jones, C. E. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Effect of Environmental Assessment on UK Local Planning Authority Decisions

EIA Centre, Department of Planning and Landscape, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. cejones{at}man.ac.uk

Carys E. Jones

EIA Centre, Department of Planning and Landscape, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. cejones{at}man.ac.uk

Environmental assessment (EA) is intended to ensure that environmental considerations are properly weighed in the decisions made by local planning authorities on planning applications. This paper analyses whether, to what extent, and how, EA has influenced LPA decisions. Forty case studies were analysed by examining relevant documentation and conducting interviews with participants in the EA process. EA appears to have had a gradual rather than a revolutionary effect on decision-making. Its main benefits have been the enhanced provision of environmental information and, to a lesser extent, assistance in setting conditions and in modifying proposals. However, these benefits are not occurring in all cases, and changes are needed if the expected advantages of EA—better integration of environmental considerations into project planning and decision-making-are to be fully realised in the UK.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?