ABSTRACT
Chapter 8 is the first of three chapters on EIA practice: what is done rather than what should be done. It provides an overview of the first 30 years or so of UK practice since EC Directive 85/337 became operational. This includes information on the number, type and location of projects for which EIAs have been carried out in the UK. A SWOT analysis provides a summary of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with this practice, comparing assessments after 10 years and 25 years of the implementation of the EC Directive. There is then a more detailed review of the various stages and issues of the EIA process, including pre-submission screening and scoping, submission and EIS quality, and the post-submission review and decision-making. Further sections outline legal challenges to EIA, many of which have informed UK legislation and guidance; and finally, the costs and benefits of EIA as seen from various perspectives. A set of case studies of major projects exemplify particular themes and aspects of the EIA process raised in this and in earlier chapters.
