Apply for a consent decision
Updated 19 December 2024
Applies to England
To change uncultivated, semi-natural and rural land under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) Regulations, you must:Â
Your screening decision will either:Â
- allow your work to go aheadÂ
- require you to apply for a consent decisionÂ
Apply for a consent decisionÂ
A consent application is the second step of a potentially 2-step application process.
Use consent application form EIA4 to apply for a consent decision. If you바카라 사이트™re using an agent, they should fill in an agent authorisation form EIA2 and consent application form EIA4 on your behalf.Â
Your application must include an environmental statement. You should include a map of the project area with your form.
Complete an environmental statementÂ
You should use an experienced specialist, such as an environmental or archaeological consultant, as appropriate to the project, to complete your environmental statement. The person that prepares the environmental statement must state their relevant expertise and qualifications. Â
The environmental statement must include a description of the following factors that are likely to be significantly affected by the project:Â
- population and human health Â
- biodiversity, with focus on species and habitats protected under the Â
- land, soil, water, air and climate Â
- material assets, cultural heritage and the landscape Â
- the interaction between these factors Â
The environmental statement must also include:Â Â
- the location, design, size and other relevant features of the project 바카라 사이트“ including a map will help meet this requirement Â
- the alternatives you considered and reasons for your choiceÂ
- what measures you바카라 사이트™ll take to avoid, prevent, reduce or offset significant adverse effects on the environmentÂ
- social or economic impacts which might result from a consent or refusalÂ
- 바카라 사이트‹바카라 사이트‹a non-technical summary covering the main points in your environmental statement Â
- 바카라 사이트‹바카라 사이트‹바카라 사이트‹information stated within your 바카라 사이트˜scoping opinion바카라 사이트™ Â
- any additional information, in accordance with , relevant to the characteristics of the project and the environmental features likely to be affected
You can apply for a 바카라 사이트˜scoping opinion바카라 사이트™ to help produce your environmental statement. Your screening decision letter will also provide details of what Natural England considers likely significant effects on the environment. Â
Apply for a scoping opinion Â
To apply for a scoping opinion, complete application form EIA3 and email or post it to Natural England. This is free of charge.Â
The scoping opinion will help you understand what information you must put in the environmental statement. Â
Natural England may not have the information it requires to make a consent decision and may reject your application, unless you:Â Â
- apply for a scoping opinionÂ
- act on a screening opinion when writing an environmental statement Â
Once it receives your application for a scoping opinion, Natural England will:Â
- use the information from the screening decision Â
- consult with relevant bodiesÂ
- send you a scoping opinion within 5 weeks if your request is validÂ
Submit your consent applicationÂ
When you바카라 사이트™re ready to submit your consent application, send Natural England your completed:Â
- consent application form EIA4Â and map of the project area
- agent authorisation form EIA2 if you use an agentÂ
- environmental statement 바카라 사이트“ include an electronic version and hard copyÂ
Natural England needs the hard copy of your environmental statement for the public consultation. If you do not send one, Natural England will print it and may charge you for it.Â
Natural England will check your application and:Â
- publish the environmental statement for a 6-week public consultationÂ
- advertise where it will be available for comment locally and nationallyÂ
- consult with appropriate statutory consultees and bodiesÂ
Following the consultation, Natural England may need to request additional information from you in order to make the consent decision.
Consent applications open for public consultationÂ
When Natural England publishes consent applications for public consultation, they will be available on the public register of decisions. Â
Result of consent decisionsÂ
Natural England will make its consent decision after considering comments and advice from its consultations. Â
Natural England will send you one of 3 decisions:Â
- consent givenÂ
- consent given with conditionsÂ
- consent refusedÂ
바카라 사이트‹바카라 사이트‹If you바카라 사이트™re granted consent, or consent with conditions, y바카라 사이트‹ou must start your project within one year of the decision date and complete it within 3 years. If you do not do this, you must reapply for consent.Â
Natural England will publish its consent decision in a newspaper, or by any other means it considers reasonable. Â Â
Decisions are also recorded on the public register of decisions.Â
Appeal against a consent decisionÂ
If you want to appeal against a consent decision, you must do so in writing within 3 months of Natural England바카라 사이트™s decision and:Â
- describe the decisionÂ
- state the grounds of appealÂ
Details explaining how to appeal will be provided in the consent decision letter.
Send your appeal to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by email:Â eia-appeals@defra.gov.uk.
You can also send your appeal by post:
Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Appeals TeamÂ
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Second floor, Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
SW1P 4DF
Contact Natural England Â
For more advice contact:Â
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) UnitÂ
Natural EnglandÂ
Horizon House Â
Deanery RoadÂ
BristolÂ
BS1 5AHÂ Â
Email eia.england@naturalengland.org.uk
Freephone 0800 028 2140