Specialist legal advisors were commissioned by the OEP to review the legislation, case law and practical implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) regimes in England and Northern Ireland.
The research was undertaken in the context of ongoing and proposed reforms, including the Levelling up and Regeneration Bill and the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, both of which could significantly reshape or replace existing environmental assessment frameworks.
The advisors examined the purpose, strengths and weaknesses of each regime, drawing on extensive case law, statutory provisions and a wide literature review.
Disclaimer
This report was compiled by the contracted legal advisors in December 2022 on behalf of the OEP. The views provided in this report are those of the contractors and do not represent the opinion or position of the OEP. Some of the analysis in this report was used to inform the OEP’s work.