Proportionate approach to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

One key aspect of the ongoing EIA is the proportionate approach. Adapted in this case to an unfolding regulatory position, the process identified issues that are most important to stakeholders (including statutory and non-statutory consultees and members of the public), drawing upon baseline data and professional experience from the project team – including EIA professionals from GoBe and its teams of specialists.

Key environmental constraints are expected to include shipping and navigation, commercial fisheries and seascape, landscape and visual impacts. Having identified these issues (the Likely Significant Effects, or LSE), the EIA outlines the approach to minimising and mitigating their effects where necessary.

A three-stage ‘Commit, Consult, Design’ ethos was applied to planning, with the identified impacts integrated into development, driving design and minimising adverse environmental effects.

• Commit: A Commitments Register is set up with commitments to mitigate LSE (by reducing or eliminating them)
• Consult: Wide consultation on the project parameters and associated commitments to reduce or avoid LSE
• Design: The earliest stages of the design process relating to route planning and site selection will incorporate a number of commitments to avoid or reduce LSE

A proportionate approach aims to avoid or reduce impacts with an early commitment to avoid the most sensitive, important or valuable features, enabling the scope of the EIA to be streamlined to focus on the key issues, reducing the volume of assessment material required and enabling an efficient decision-making process.

Stakeholder engagement

The project has offered the unique possibility for GoBe and Ørsted to speak directly to the Isle of Man government and its advisors, to make sure the Island’s rich and varied environment is appropriately assessed. With input from NGOs including Manx Wildlife Trust, Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch, Manx Bird Life and Bangor University, the assessment will be built on robust data about the local environment and takes into account local knowledge.

For an island population, stakeholder engagement and communication are key. Establishing a physical presence with an office on the Isle of Man was important to the project team. As well as providing visibility, Ørsted has committed to the community through consultation.

Communication and openness have been fundamental to the success of the project. The GoBe team have demonstrated flexibility, adaptability and honesty, with willingness to challenge as well as contribute. With regular in-person engagement with stakeholders on the Isle of Man, GoBe have maintained insight into the project as it develops.