What we do
Environmental Impact Assessments
Understand the environmental consequences of your project by working with our experts.
Environmental considerations are increasingly central to the planning process. At Rapleys, our experienced EIA specialists help clients navigate complex environmental requirements, ensuring potential impacts are identified early, risks are managed effectively, and opportunities to enhance project outcomes are maximised.
We coordinate and manage the full Environmental Impact Assessment process, bringing together technical specialists and environmental experts to deliver the evidence, analysis and reporting required to support robust decision-making. By understanding environmental constraints and opportunities from the outset, we help shape development proposals that are both sustainable and deliverable.
Our EIA team advises on how environmental factors may influence the design, scale, density, phasing and layout of a scheme. Early identification of key issues enables projects to progress more efficiently, reducing risk, avoiding delays and helping to address concerns before they become barriers to consent.
We prepare and coordinate Environmental Statements, contribute to technical assessments, and produce clear, accessible Non-Technical Summaries. We also work closely with local planning authorities, statutory consultees, stakeholders and community groups to ensure environmental considerations are properly addressed throughout the planning process.
Where impacts are identified, we help develop effective mitigation and enhancement strategies, minimising adverse effects while maximising environmental and community benefits. This is particularly important for developments affecting sensitive landscapes, heritage assets, protected habitats, Green Belt land, National Landscapes (formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), or other environmentally sensitive locations.
Our proven track record includes securing planning permissions for some of the most complex and challenging sites across the UK. Combining strategic planning expertise with a thorough understanding of environmental legislation and policy, we provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice that helps clients achieve successful outcomes with confidence.
FAQs
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a planning process that identifies the likely significant environmental effects of a proposed development. It helps developers, local planning authorities and stakeholders understand potential impacts early and shape more sustainable, deliverable schemes.
An EIA may be required for developments that are likely to have significant effects on the environment because of their nature, size or location. EIA screening helps determine whether a project needs a full assessment before a planning application is submitted.
An Environmental Statement presents the findings of the EIA, including the project description, baseline conditions, likely significant effects, mitigation measures and residual impacts. Rapleys coordinates Environmental Statements and clear Non-Technical Summaries to support planning decisions.
A well-managed EIA can reduce planning risk by identifying environmental constraints, consultation requirements and mitigation strategies at an early stage. This gives developers a clearer route through the planning process and helps address issues before they cause delay.
Rapleys provides strategic EIA consultancy for complex development sites across the UK, coordinating technical specialists, engaging with planning authorities and stakeholders, and delivering commercially focused advice that helps projects move forward with confidence.
Josh Dutfield
CEO, Axminster Group
Axminster Group have a longstanding relationship with Rapleys (and CSJ Planning beforehand) and commend them for their consistently high standard of advice across our property portfolio. Their professional, proactive approach and in-depth planning expertise have added value at every stage, from strategic advice through to successful delivery. The team’s clear communication, responsiveness, commercial awareness, and ability to navigate complex planning challenges have been important in achieving both positive and timely outcomes for our range of sites.
Richard Frank
Property Director, PHL
Rapleys Planning team has been advising Preferred Homes Ltd (PHL) since inception. PHL is a Registered Provider in partnership with Nuveen/TIAA. We wanted to work alongside Rapleys because they are very considered in the advice they provide. It is always clear, commercial and effective and delivered in a personable way. They have already secured many successful outcomes and have every confidence that they will continue to do so and be part of our journey to grow PHL in becoming a £1 billion plus company. We are delighted to take their advice and would recommend them to anybody seeking a planning partner.
Mark Waite
Director of Planning, Kellen Homes
I have had the pleasure of working with Bernard Greep for over 20 years and have consistently returned to him. His knowledge of the planning system is exceptional, and he provides advice that is clear, pragmatic, and firmly grounded in commercial realities. His experience spans a wide range of demanding projects, including securing the release of sites from the Green Belt, managing complex strategic land promotions, and overseeing the successful delivery of reserved matters applications. Throughout our working relationship, Bernard has shown the highest levels of professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
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Key contacts
Gain national and local expertise through our multidisciplinary teams of experts.
Our track record
The Crown Estate
Planning strategy advice, East Devon
Lead consultant in the preparation and submission of a hybrid application
The Crown Estate
Application and Environmental Impact Assessment for land off Beavor Lane, Axminster
Planning application and EIA for for part of the east Axminster urban extension
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