Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Article 6 Appropriate Assessments (AA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) have become an integral part of the planning process since the relevant European Directives have come in to force throughout recent years.  

In order to obtain a positive outcome where major development or area plans are concerned it is crucial to ensure that assessments are undertaken in a thorough manner, using best scientific practice, to ensure that all potentially significant impacts are assessed and mitigated if required. It is also essential that the resulting statements can withstand the scrutiny of members of the public and statutory consultees. Increasingly, Assessments must be capable of withstanding attacks by experts retained by objectors and competing organisations.  

Failure to carry out a thorough Assessment process, which can withstand the scrutiny of consultees and the general public, will almost certainly lead to delays in the planning process and is increasingly likely to result in legal challenge. 

Corvus Consulting is part of an established Network of experienced EIA/AA/SEA professionals and has access to a large number of experienced EIA /AA/SEA managers and professionals in core disciplines throughout the UK & Ireland. Company & Network personnel have had significant input into and project managed EIA works for some of the largest projects in the transport, waste, energy water and property sectors. Methods utilised by Corvus personnel and associates are compliant with and in some cases exceed best industry practice.  Techniques developed for recent assessments have recently been requested for inclusion in the most up to date academic texts in the field.

In addition, Corvus and Associates have significant experience of opposing development plans and proposals by means of review of EIAs submitted in support of 3^rd party projects. The practice has an enviable track record in this field.

In addition to EIA review, the practice maintains a strong track record in the review of Article 6 Appropriate Assessments and Strategic Environmental Assessments, and has provided expert witness services to several successful Judicial Reviews pertaining to these procedures.

The practice is currently the leading source of expert opinions on European Directive obligations pertaining to Environmental Assessment in Northern Ireland.