Table 18.9 Impact Significance Matrix Sensitivity


High High


Medium Low


Major Major


Moderate Negligible Minor Medium Major


Moderate Minor


Negligible


Magnitude Low


Moderate Minor Minor


Negligible Negligible Minor


Negligible Negligible Negligible


No change


No impact No impact No impact No impact


28.


The matrix (and indeed the definitions of sensitivity and magnitude) is used as a framework to aid understanding of how a judgement has been reached for each impact assessed in section 18.7. They are not a prescriptive formula, and the narrative of each impact assessment is important.


29.


Through use of this matrix, an assessment of the significance of an impact can be made in accordance with the significance definitions in Table 18.10.


Table 18.10 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 impact


30.


Intermediate change in receptor condition, which are likely to be important considerations 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 change, therefore no impact upon receptor.


Potential impacts identified as Major and Moderate impacts are deemed to be significant in terms of the EIA and have been avoided or reduced through mitigation, where possible. Minor impacts become more important when considering potential, cumulative impacts or interactions.


Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm


Chapter 18 Infrastructure and other users Page 17


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