Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process by which environmental information is collected, incorporated in design, published and taken into account in reaching a decision on a relevant planning application.

A key part of the EIA process is the collection of environmental information, (including the assessment of the likely effects of the development on the environment) and the subsequent publication of this information in the form of an Environmental Statement (ES).

Legislation requires the assessment and description of the likely significant environmental effects of the development and any mitigation measures in order to reduce, prevent and offset significant effects.

Scoping

A scoping exercise has been carried out.  The aim of this exercise was to identify key issues at an early stage and allow these to be considered in the full EIA process.  A Request for a Scoping Opinion described the project in detail and attempted to identify potential effects was drawn up.  This was a technical document, the main audience for which was the regulatory authority, Marine Scotland. 

However, copies were sent to a wide range of other stakeholders. ScottishPower Renewables invited anyone with an interest in the project to read the document and submit their views on the issues to be examined within the EIA.

The document can be downloaded here. 

A Scoping Opinion was subsequently published by Marine Scotland, which defined the key issues for the full EIA process.

The document can be downloaded here.