The Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") process is a means of drawing together, in a systematic way, an assessment of a development's likely significant environmental effects. This enables the predicted effects and the scope for mitigation to be fully understood and taken into account by local planning authorities in reaching a decision on a proposed development. Where an EIA is required the relevant information must be provided by the developer in the form of a statement referred to as an Environmental Statement ("ES").

This ES has been prepared to accompany an outline planning application for the development of approximately 5,000 dwellings and shops (Use Classes A1, A2 and A3), business premises (Use Classes B1 and B2), leisure, social and community facilities (Use Classes D1 and D2), open space and landscaping, and provision of infrastructure, highways and public transport facilities and ancillary facilities on land west of the A1(M) at Stevenage, Hertfordshire, (hereinafter described as "West Stevenage").

The ES comprises four main parts: (i) text, (ii) plans, (iii) appendices, and (iv) non-technical summary.

The planning application and accompanying documentation including this ES have been prepared on behalf of The West Stevenage Consortium (the "Consortium") and submitted to the relevant local planning authorities, namely North Hertfordshire District Council ("NHDC") and Stevenage Borough Council ("SBC"). A location plan showing the West Stevenage site within its sub-regional context is provided at Plan 1.0/1.

This ES has been prepared to: (i) describe the development proposals and the environment in which they are to be introduced; (ii) define and assess the significant environmental effects of the proposals; and, (iii) identify and explain the measures which can be taken to mitigate or offset any impacts where appropriate.

The proposed development at West Stevenage has also evolved from extensive consultation, participation and review, over several years, with a wide range of organisations.

This ES has been prepared having regard to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 293).

The content and layout of the ES is broadly based on the Revised Scoping Statement for the EIA which, following an extensive programme of consultation, was issued in June 1999.

The results of the EIA in respect of each of the environmental components (see Chapters 6.0 - 19.0) are reported as follows: (i) introduction; (ii) existing situation and baseline survey; (iii) impacts, magnitude, and significance; (iv) mitigation, enhancement and residual effects; (v) monitoring; and, (vi) conclusions.

More detailed or technical aspects of this EIA are described in further detail in separate Appendices accompanying certain Chapters in this ES (i.e. Chapter 3.0 Planning Policy Context; 6.0 Socio-Economic and Community; 7.0 Transport, Traffic and Movement; 8.0 Rights of Way Network; 9.0 Landscape and Visual Appraisal; 10.0 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage; 11.0 Nature Conservation, Bio-Diversity and Aquatic Environment; 12.0 Soils and Agriculture; 13.0 Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology; 14.0 Norton Green Landfill Site; 15.0 Noise and Vibration; 16.0 Utilities and Services; and, 17.0 Air Quality and Climate).

The plans referred to in the ES can be viewed by clicking on the Plans button in the menu to the left.

The appendices can be viewed at the following locations:

The offices of Stevenage Borough Council,
North Hertfordshire District Council,
Hertfordshire County Council
and also at
Stevenage Old Town Library,
Letchworth Library,
Hitchin Library, and
Knebworth Library.

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