How We Can Help
We support our clients by delivering the socio-economic elements of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) which identify the impacts that are likely to arise from larger developments that require an EIA according to regulations. This assesses the numerous beneficial effects that can be delivered, as well as identifying potential adverse effects and navigating how they can be managed, mitigated, or offset. Frequently our work will deliver the socio-economic EIA chapter of an Environmental Statement (ES). Our EIA project work includes:
- Residential-led development
- Mixed-use development
- Employment-led development
- Energy infrastructure
The Importance of Sound Socio-economic Assessment
The aim of an EIA is to protect the receiving environment by ensuring that consenting authorities are aware of the likely or potential significant effects of a project or development. This enables consenting authorities to take such effects into account during the consenting process. An EIA can also ensure the public are in a position to participate in the decision-making process concerning developments that have the potential to impact them.
The topic of socio-economics often forms a key part of the ES – it is one of the few topics that can demonstrate significant beneficial effects resulting from a project or development. This frequently means there is scope to discuss enhancements of such beneficial effects, which acts as a counterweight to the need to mitigate the negative effects assessed under many other topics.
Our Approach
We tailor our approach to the development in question. However our socio-economics EIA work will typically include the following stages:
- Study area definition: assessing at the most appropriate spatial scale is an important aspect of any EIA. We frequently use GIS analysis to ensure that study area definition is grounded in quantitative evidence.
- Policy environment: we conduct a thorough review of national, regional, and local policy environments to understand the policy context within which a development is being considered. This is a significant influence on understanding the sensitivity of the receiving environment.
- Consultation: we review scoping responses relevant to socio-economics and weigh up where within the EIA they need considering. Depending on the scale of the project, we will also carry out stakeholder consultations to test and inform emerging findings, and adapt our approach where necessary.
- Baseline environment: we compile a comprehensive profile of the study area’s socio-economic conditions. Whilst being mindful of ensuring any information included is relevant to the assessment, receptors typically covered include: population; jobs; economic performance; skills; impact sectors; housing; education; health; and other local services and conditions.
- Methodology: we set out a staged approach which considers the magnitude of an impact, the sensitivity of the receiving environment, and finally a combination of these two factors to determine the significance of effects.
- Assessment: we then conduct a transparent, evidence-based assessment to identify any significant effects. This will include consideration of cumulative effects, taking into account the development of other schemes which may impact on the same receiving environment.
Throughout our approach we draw on best practice guidance, and work with clients to assess the best available information, ensuring an appropriate level of detail to meet the needs of clients and the requirements of consenting authorities.
HJA was appointed to deliver a socio-economics EIA chapter as part of an Environmental Statement for a residential-led mixed-use development at the Toad’s Hole Valley development site in Hove. Our work contributed to the successful approval of the new scheme in May 2022.
HJA was commissioned to deliver the socio-economic EIA chapter of an Environmental Statement for the Marine Energy Test Area (META) in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with the scheme being approved in December 2020 and now operational.
HJA was appointed to write a socio-economic impact assessment as part of an Environmental Statement (ES) for a proposal to build a new urban village on land north-west of junction 46 of the M4 motorway near Swansea.
HJA was appointed to deliver a socio-economics EIA chapter as part of an Environmental Statement for a residential-led mixed-use development at the Toad’s Hole Valley development site in Hove. Our work contributed to the successful approval of the new scheme in May 2022.
HJA was commissioned to deliver the socio-economic EIA chapter of an Environmental Statement for the Marine Energy Test Area (META) in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with the scheme being approved in December 2020 and now operational.
