§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a list of approved or suitably qualified bodies available to carry out environmental impact assessment studies.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Department does not maintain a list of approved or qualified persons suitable to prepare environmental statements.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance his Department has issued on environmental impact assessment procedures to local authorities, other statutory bodies, non-governmental bodies funded by central Government practitioners and other bodies or individuals.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Department has issued the following guidance on environmental assessment:
- —Circular 15/88 "Environmental Assessment", dated 12 July 1988
- —Circular 7/94 "Environmental Assessment: Amendment of Regulations", dated 18 March 1994
- —a booklet "Environmental Assessment: A Guide to the Procedures", 1989
- —a free leaflet "Environmental Assessment", 1989.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors should be taken into account in environmental impact assessment studies in cases where proposed developments would have an effect on the local environment.
§ Mr. BaldryWhere a project which is the subject of a planning application requires environmental assessment, the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988 provide that the environmental statement submitted by the applicant shall include a description of the likely significant effects on the environment. These include the impact on human beings, flora, fauna, soil, water, air, climate, the landscape,862W material assets and the cultural heritage. The statement must also describe the measures envisaged to avoid, reduce or remedy any significant adverse effects.