Environmental Impact Assessment Quality Mark first

Press release: 18 April 2011

Turley Associates is one of the UK's first planning and urban design consultancies to be awarded a new quality mark for Environmental Impact Assessments.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Quality Mark, awarded by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA), was given to Turley Associates on Monday 18 April, the very day the new quality mark was launched.

Matthew Sheppard, Head of EIA at Turley Associates said: "The EIA Quality Mark is important third party recognition of our capabilities in Environmental Assessment work and we are thrilled to have been awarded the mark on the day of its creation. Turley Associates is just one of a very small handful of planning consultancies who hold this accreditation."

Environmental Impact Assessments are required under EU and UK law for planning applications where there is likely to be significant impact on the environment. They are independent assessments of the environmental effects arising from a development project, and encompass various technical assessments often including noise, air quality, visual impact, socio-economic effects, archaeology and transport. The EIA report sits alongside other documents in support of a planning application and is usually required for larger and more complex developments.

Matthew adds: "We will typically bring in trusted specialist consultants to deliver a commercially realistic and competent assessment. The EIA Quality Mark is important to us and to our clients as it shows we do more than meet the bare regulatory requirements. It shows that we are consistently producing the highest quality work and adopting best practice measures, whilst making sure we are focussing our efforts on what is genuinely needed to enable a fair assessment and a positive planning decision."

Environmental Impact Assessments are also an important document for land owners and developers looking to promote larger or more complex schemes. Matthew explains: "EIA has been the cause of numerous planning permissions being quashed, and is a fertile ground for objectors seeking to frustrate development. Using an accredited consultant will help guard against claims and thereby protect the investments made in larger planning applications."

Turley Associates has led EIAs for many diverse projects including the expansion of Durham Tees Valley Airport, the redevelopment of the Terry's Chocolate Factory in York, new stadium for Liverpool Football Club in Anfield, and Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter.

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About Turley Associates
Turley Associates is the UK's leading independent planning and urban design consultancy. The company operates from 10 offices - London, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast - and has market leading expertise in planning, urban design, masterplanning, sustainability and heritage. The company has a strong reputation in the residential, retail, infrastructure, energy, health, education, sports and leisure, waste, minerals and mining and financial sectors.