The Environmental Impact Assessment Directive on the effects of projects on the environment was introduced in 1985 and was amended in 1997. For any project deemed to require EIA, planning permission will only be granted subject to the satisfactory completion of an Environmental Statement. Formal guidance on procedures is prescribed under the EIA Regulations (1999), as amended by the 2006 regulations (currently being updated). These are accompanied by DETR Circular 02/99 (which is currently being updated by DCLG, to take account of, amongst other things, European Council Directive 2003/35/EC). In addition there are several legal precedents and cases which have shaped the application and interpretation of the Directive. An Environmental Statement is a key document for setting out the potential environmental, social and economic effects of a proposed development. It is submitted as a key part of the planning application for projects which meet either Schedule 1 (generally larger scale infrastructure projects) or 2 criteria (smaller projects which due to their size and scale still require EIA). To find out if a project requires EIA, the process of screening is undertaken. Screening considers size, nature and location of the development. Following an affirmative screening conclusion, a scoping report is prepared to identify the key likely effects. Scoping will identify those environmental issues that are deemed relevant to the EIA. Significantly, the scoping process also identifies those issues that are deemed not relevant which mean they do not require further examination and assessment. UE Associates staff have played key roles in the co-ordination of several EIA projects over the years.