Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Evaluation of the likely environmental impacts of a development, together with an assessment of how the severity of the impacts could be reduced.

Forming part of an EIA, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments are full analytical assessments of the visual and landscape impact of proposed developments on their surrounding environment.  These are often supported by Landscape Strategy reports and plans prepared to inform and guide the detailed design of a development.  A fundamental part of the EIA process is identifying the Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI), an area within which a proposed development may have an influence or effect visual amenity. This zone is generated through the use of terrain modelling software.