National Planning Policy Guideline NPPG 4: LAND FOR MINERAL WORKING
annex A
The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1988: Schedule 3
Environmental Statements
1. An environmental statement comprises a document or series of documents prepared by the applicant providing, for the purpose of taking into consideration environmental information in respect of a proposed development, the information specified in paragraph 2 of the Regulations (referred to in this Schedule as "the specified information").
2. The specified information is:
a. a description of the proposed development, comprising information about the site and the design and size or scale of the proposed development;
b. the data necessary to identify and assess the main effects which that development is likely to have on the environment;
c. a description of the likely significant effects, direct and indirect, on the environment of the proposed development, explained by reference to its possible impact on:
A. human beings;
B. flora;
C. fauna;
D. soil;
E. water;
F. air;
G. climate;
H. the landscape;
I. the inter-action between any of the foregoing;
J. material assets;
K. the cultural heritage.
d. where significant adverse effects are identified with respect to any of the foregoing, a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce or remedy those effects; and
e. a summary in non-technical language of the information specified above.
3. An environmental statement may include, by way of explanation or amplification of any specified information, further information on any of the following matters:
a. the physical characteristics of the proposed development, and the land-use requirements during the construction and operational phases;
b. the main characteristics of any production processes proposed, including the nature and quality of the materials to be used;
c. the estimated type and quantity of expected residues and emissions (including pollutants of water, air or soil, noise, vibration, light, heat and radiation) resulting from the proposed development when in operation;
d. (in outline) the main alternatives if any studied by the applicant, appellant or authority and an indication of the main reasons for their choice, taking into account the environmental effects;
e. the likely significant direct and indirect effects on the environment of the proposed development which may result from:
i. the use of natural resources;
ii. the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances, and the elimination of waste;
f. the foregoing methods used to assess any effects on the environment about which information is given under sub-paragraph e. ; and
g. any difficulties such as technical deficiencies or lack of know-how, encountered in compiling any specified information.
In paragraph e. "effects' includes secondary, cumulative, short, medium and long-term, permanent, temporary, positive and negative effects.
4. Where further information is included in an environmental statement pursuant to paragraph 3, a non-technical summary of that information shall also be provided.