impact assessment, not a prescriptive formula, and the narrative of each impact assessment is important.
55.
Through use of this matrix, an assessment of the significance of an impact can be made in accordance with the definitions in Table 10.10.
Table 10.10. Impact Significance Definitions Impact Significance
Definition Major
Very large or large change in receptor condition, both adverse or beneficial, which are likely to be important considerations at a regional or district level because they contribute to achieving national, regional or local objectives, or, could result in exceedence of statutory objectives and / or breaches of legislation.
Moderate Minor
Negligible No change
56.
Intermediate change in receptor condition, likely to be an important consideration at a local level.
Small change in receptor condition, which may be raised as local issues but are unlikely to be important in the decision making process.
No discernible change in receptor condition. No impact, therefore no change in receptor condition.
For the purposes of the EIA, ‘major’ and ‘moderate’ impacts are deemed to be significant. In addition, whilst ‘minor’ impacts are not significant in their own right, they may contribute to significant impacts cumulatively or through interactions.
57. Embedded mitigation (as previously described in section 10.3.3) has been referred to and included in the initial assessment of significance of an impact. If an identified impact requires further mitigation then the residual impact is evaluated. If no further mitigation is required, is likely to have a positive ameliorating effect or if no further mitigation is practicably achievable, then the assessment of significance of an impact would remain as the initial assessment.
10.4.4 Cumulative Impact Assessment 58. Cumulative impacts have been assessed through consideration of the extent of influence of changes or effects upon benthic ecology arising from the proposed East Anglia THREE project and those arising from other projects either already constructed (where applicable) or in the planning process. These include the proposed East Anglia ONE and proposed East Anglia FOUR projects, and particularly with regards to cables crossing the export cables for Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm and Galloper Offshore Wind Farm. Other nearby sea bed activities including marine aggregate extraction and marine disposal are also considered. Although it is recognised that commercial fishing is a major modifier of the benthic environment,
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
Chapter 10 Benthic Ecology Page 29
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