Abstract
This Guidance Note has been prepared by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS, an Agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - Defra), on behalf of the Marine Consents and Environment Unit (MCEU). Its purpose is to assist the offshore wind farm industry and their consultants; the primary aim being to provide scientific guidance to those involved with the gathering, interpretation and presentation of data within an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as part of the consents application process in England and Wales. The guidance is intended to supplement the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI’s) guidance "Offshore Wind Farm Consents Process". It is not definitive and it is therefore recommended that it be read in conjunction with the legislation and the other sources to which it refers. It replaces the November 2001 document of the same name.
Guidance provided by this document refers only to those requirements necessary to enable the assessment of an application under the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) and Section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 (CPA). Both Acts require assessment of a proposed project within the marine environment with regards to its potential for environmental impact.
If the EIA is to be used for any other purpose/licence application then the appropriate authorities should be contacted in order to ensure that the EIA provides all relevant information required.