7.4.3.8 Impact Significance 126. Following the identification of receptor sensitivity and value, and magnitude of the effect, it is possible to determine the significance of the impact. A matrix is presented in Table 7.14 as a framework to show how a judgement of the significance of an impact has been reached.


Table 7.14 Impact Significance Matrix


Sensitivity & Value


High


Medium Low


Negligible High


Major Major


Moderate 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


127. Through use of this matrix, an assessment of the significance of an impact can be made in accordance with the definitions in Table 7.15.


Table 7.15 Impact Significance Definitions Impact Significance


Definition Major Moderate Minor Negligible No Impact


Very large or large change in receptor condition which is likely to be an important consideration at a national or regional level.


Intermediate change in receptor condition, which is likely to be an important consideration at a local level.


Small change in receptor condition, which may be raised as a local issue but is unlikely to be important in the decision making process.


No discernible change in receptor condition. No change in receptor condition.


128. It should be noted that impacts may be deemed as being either positive (beneficial) or negative (adverse).


129. 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.


Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes Page 30


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