Environmental Impact Assessment (Uncultivated Land and Semi-Natural Areas) Regulations (N.I.) Order 2001

These Regulations, which came into operation in February 2002, implement Council Directive 85 / 337/ EEC (as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EEC). Under the Regulations, any person intending to alter the use or management of areas of uncultivated or semi-natural land must obtain prior approval from Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).  DARD will screen all such applications and any that are likely to have significant environmental effects will be requested to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment before a decision on whether the project can go ahead is given.

It is an offence to carry out any such work without prior permission from DARD. DARD may serve a notice to stop unauthorised works with immediate effect. It is an offence not to comply with a stop notice.

The maximum penalty for non-compliance is currently £5,000. In addition the offender may be liable for the cost of reinstating the land to its former condition. If after a conviction, the land is not reinstated as requested, a further daily fine will be imposed until the reinstatement work is carried out.

For further information contact the DARD Environmental Policy Branch on (028) 90524130 or email eia@dardni.gov.uk or download an EIA application form