EIA - Onshore Pipelines

• Pipelines Act 1962 (pdf file)
• Coast Protection Act 1949
• The Pipeline Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2000

Proposed onshore pipelines (except those of public gas transporters, the government and water companies - see below) which are more than 10 miles (16 km) long require a Pipeline Construction Authorisation (PCA) from the Secretary of State, under Section 1 of the Pipelines Act 1962. Such applications may be subject to EIA by virtue of the Pipeline Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2000.

The Act applies to pipelines on land, which includes the foreshore (between low and high water marks) and partially enclosed areas of the sea such as bays, estuaries and harbours.

• Gas Act 1986
• Public Gas Transporter Pipeline Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999

Pipelines constructed by a public gas transporter (PGT) under the Gas Act 1986 will require an EIA if their diameter exceeds 800 mm with a length greater than 40 km, or if the design operating pressure is > 7 bar gauge, or the pipeline passes through an environmental sensitive area. Under the licensing regime provided by the Gas Act 1995, PGTs as statutory undertakers have the benefit of permitted development rights and therefore do not need to apply for consent under the Pipelines Act 1962 or planning permission. However, the 1999 Regulations ensure that an EIA is undertaken by PGTs where significant environmental effects may occur.

• The Gas Transporter Pipe-line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2007

These Regulations amend the Gas Transporter Pipe-line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999 (“the 1999 Regulations”) and streamline the previous regime.

• Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999
• Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999

Pipelines not falling under the requirements of the Pipelines Act 1962 or the Gas Act 1986, may still require an EIA to be undertaken under general onshore planning regulations. See Onshore Planning and EIA.

• EC Directive 85/337/EEC on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Public and Private Projects on the Environment
• EC Directive 97/11/EC amending the 1985 Directive on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Public and Private Projects on the Environment

EC Directive 85/337 lists two classes of project to which the Directive applies: Annex 1 Projects for which environmental assessment (EA) is mandatory; and Annex 2 projects for which EA is discretionary. In the 1985 Directive oil and gas development were Annex 2 projects. The 1997 Amending Directive made oil and gas developments Annex 1 Projects. The 2000 Regulations implement the requirements of the amending Directive.

• Habitats Directive 92/43/EC
• Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC
• The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations Northern Ireland 1995.

Any EIA being prepared must take account of the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive. Where a development is likely to have a significant effect on an "European Site" (defined by the EU Directives), the local planning authority must carry out an "appropriate assessment" of the implications for the site prior to giving consent for the development.

• Guidance Notes on the Pipelines Act 1962
• Guidance on Environmental Assessment of Cross-Country Pipelines (1992) is available from the Stationery Office.
• Guidance Notes on the Public Gas Transporters (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999

Various planning policy guidance notes (including guidance on EIA for onshore developments) are available at the following links:

For Scotland - Scottish Executive Planning Advice Notes (PANs)

For England - Communities and Local Government Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG)

For Wales - National Assembly for Wales Technical Advice Notes (TANs)

Pipelines greater than 10 miles (16 km) long require a Pipeline Construction Authorisation (PCA) under the Pipelines Act 1962.

Under the Coast Protection Act 1949, consent from the Secretary of State for Transport is also required for any pipeline construction between low and high water marks that may interfere with navigation. Note: unlike offshore pipeline consents, this application is a separate process (see below).

An ES is mandatory for the following pipeline projects:

• Construction of a pipeline of > 40 km in length and more than 800 mm in diameter; or
• Where there may be transboundary issues and another EU state has requested participation in the planning process.

For all other pipeline projects, a written request may be made to the Secretary of State in advance of an application for a PCA, in order to determine if an ES is required. The request should be accompanied by:

• A plan sufficient to identify the land which is the subject of the proposed application;
• A brief description of the nature and purpose of the proposed developments and of its possible effects on the environment;
• Further information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.

With sufficient information the Secretary of State (DECC) will consult the local planning authority regarding the need for an ES. The local planning authority shall give its view within 3 weeks of the date it was consulted. If satisfied that no ES is required, the DECC will issue a Direction stating his decision. This Direction will remain valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Schedule 2 to the 2000 Regulations details the matters that will be taken into account in making a Direction, including size of pipeline, use of natural resources, location of proposed works and characteristics of the potential impacts.

Alternatively an application for a PCA may be submitted without an ES. Following receipt of the application DECC may be determine that an ES is required, and will notify the applicant. The applicant subsequently has 3 weeks to inform the DECC that an EIA will be undertaken and an ES submitted. If the applicant does not inform DECC within 3 weeks, the application will be refused.

Early informal consultation with interested parties is highly recommended rather than waiting for the period of formal consultation (see below). Organisations that should be considered for early consultation include:

• English Heritage or Historic Scotland;
• Natural England, Countryside Commission for Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage;
• Environment Agency or Scottish Environmental Protection Agency;
• Crown Estate Office;
• Other transport industries including British Telecom, Railtrack, Public Electricity Supply Companies, Oil and Pipelines Agency, and local Coal Authorities;
• Country Landowners Association or Scottish Landowners Federation;
• National Farmers Union or National Farmers Union of Scotland and other local equivalents;
• Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (England) or Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) (Scotland);
• Local planning authorities; and
• Health and Safety Executive.

The contents of the ES must satisfy the requirements of Regulation 2 of the 2000 Regulations, and include in particular:

• A description of the proposed pipeline works;
• A description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the proposed pipeline works;
• A description of the likely significant effects which may result from the existence of the proposed pipeline, the use of natural resources and emission of pollutants, nuisances and elimination of waste; and
• A non-technical summary.

Guidance can also be obtained from the Guidelines for the Environmental Assessment of Cross Country Pipelines 1992, that can be obtained from The Stationery Office.

Application for a PCA must contain the following information:

• A completed PL2 (see Appendix 2 of the Guidance Notes);
• Three sets of maps showing the route of the pipeline on a scale of not less than 1/10,000, indicating the proposed route, land ownership and occupancy boundaries amongst others. An additional 25 copies of the map must also be submitted.
• Rights of access presented in the form of a "Schedule of Owners and Occupiers";
• Three copies of an Environmental Statement where appropriate, or a copy of the Direction giving the decision that an ES is not required.

Once the application is received, copies of the map will be circulated by DECC to all the local planning authorities and other interested bodies and comments received passed back to the applicant.

There then follows a Public Consultation period. The applicant will be informed by DECC of the form of the Public Notice, including newspapers it should appear in and organisations on whom notices (along with copies of the ES) are to be served. The public consultation period will last for 28 days. Any objections will be subject to consideration, and where appropriate DECC has powers to hold a Public Inquiry to deal with such objectives, in particular if raised by any local planning authority.

Once any objections have been resolved, it is open to DECC to grant or refuse the application. The authorisation may include planning conditions including mitigation measures to reduce any significant environmental impact. Pipeline construction must have commenced within 12 months of issue of the PCA.

Applications must be submitted to the

DECC Oil and Gas Division,

1 Victoria Street,

London

SW1H 0ET

Tel: 020 7215 5151

Fax: 020 7215 5292

If the pipeline route crosses the coastal zone between the low and high water marks, a separate application must also be made to the Department for Transport for consent under the Coast Protection Act 1949.

Applications may be submitted at any time, however it is recommended that depending on the sensitivity of the project, that the application be submitted about 3-6 months prior to planned construction.

The Pipeline Construction Authorisation is likely to contain conditions. Conditions normally included are described in Appendix 3 to the Guidance Notes on the Pipeline Act 1962.

If the project is likely to have significant transboundary effects these must be addressed in the EIA and reported in the ES.

When seeking a Direction under the Regulations, the requirement for an EIA will also be determined (amongst other things) by the likelihood and significance of transboundary impacts.

Not directly applicable

Not directly applicable

Regulation 13 gives the Secretary of State powers to apply to the court for an order for pipeline works to be removed where there has been a failure to comply with the Regulations. If an applicant fails to comply with such an order, then the Secretary of State can remove the works and to recover reasonable costs from the applicant.

Regulation 14 of the 2000 Regulations makes it an offence, subject to certain exceptions, to carry out pipeline works without a PCA or intentionally to break the terms of a condition of any PCA. It is also an offence to supply false or misleading information.

Not Applicable

The Environmental Liability Directive was adopted in 2004 and was required to be implemented by 30 April 2007.  The Directive enforces strict liability for prevention and remediation of environmental damage to ‘biodiversity’, water and land from specified activities and remediation of environmental damage for all other activities through fault or negligence. 

DEFRA undertook a consultation on draft Regulations and guidance on UK implementation of the Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/EC. Further information on implementation of the Directive can be found on the DEFRA website.

Scottish Government has launched a 2nd Consultation on implementation of the Environmental Liability Directive. Closing Date for Responses 8 August 2008