References/Case Studies

Polsby 1967; The Theory of Democratic Elitism

power concentrated in hands of small privileged elite

oversimplification complexities

downplays citizen power

Garner and O’Riordan (1982); EIA in Context of Economic Recession

advocates for EIA into planning laws

critiques government preference for vague EN assessment

Advantages

• consistency and fairness

• early warning = reduced cost

  • democratic

Bond et al., (2004) Public Participation in EIA of Nuclear Plant Decomissioning projects

argues for integration of public consultation processes to avoid confusing public

importance of proactive approaches and decision-making transparent

employment important after participation - highlights EN features not only considered

Jay et al., (2007); EIA: Retrospect and Prospect

procedurally sound but substantively week

rationalist viewpoint

rarely changes decisions - helps planners justify decisions

indirect benefits - public awareness

substantive reform - sustainability targets, no net loss, natural capital framework

Wright et al., (2013)

lack of thorough research - rushed for deadlines

reliance on outdated information

UK department of energy and climate change - lack of scientific basis from ‘common-sense’ assumptions in habitat regulations from auditory disturbance

Bond et al., (2014)

streamlining EIA to reduce costs - expense of public participation

reduced expected benefits of EIA

Jha-Thakur (2016); 25 Years of EIA

Literature review

internal factors haven’t changed but external have

monitoring poor element, emphasis on pre-decision analysis

misinterpretation of EIA regulations

UK Government Working Paper; Planning Reform

strategic approach - no project-specific assessments

nature restoration fund - streamline developer contributions

Case Studies - Screening:

R v Cornwall County Council (2001)

Landfill site extension

council didn’t consider ‘EN information’ in EN statement (protected species)

approval before information assessed

screening seen as ‘box-ticking’ exercise rather than assessment of EIA requirement

Case Studies - Scoping:

West Carclaze Garden Village

1500 home development

Scoping opinion requested

in - landscape and visual, ecology (spp., rich grassland), heritage (clay mining)

out - coastal processes (inland), air quality

Case Studies - Baseline:

HS2

Strengths - multiseason, evolving surveys, comprehensive coverage

limitations - land-owners refusing, time, public scepticism, data overload

Case Studies - Impact Identification:

Hinkley Power Plant C

sensitive coastal system - EU protected

checklists 20+ themes

public highlighting visual intrusion

critiques

• volume and complexity

• over-reliance on experts

• cumulative impacts to severn estuary not considered

Case Studies - Impact Prediction:

Hinkley Power Plant C

strengths - thermal plume modelling, sediment dispersion models, climate change, biodiversity impact

limitations - long-term, cumulative, assumptions of ecological behaviour

Case Studies - Mitigation:

Whitewool Farm

commercial enterprise - N credit for 2500 houses

2.2ha wetland, 6ha riparian woodland

4000kg N removal

concerns

• insufficient surveys

• wetland drying up in summer

legal agreement for monitoring

replication?

Case Studies - Public Participation:

Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power Station Decommissioning

3 options

plant employees, trade union, those in radius

questionnaire - 1% returned

caused change in plan

lack of formal scoping = more costly