Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, under what circumstances an environmental impact assessment can be requested when a housing development is proposed; and if he will make a statement.

An environmental impact assessment is required for development proposals which are likely to have a significant impact on the environment. The procedure for establishing whether an environmental impact assessment is necessary (the screening process) is set out in planning regulations and explained in planning guidance (http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/).

The guidance makes it clear that only a very small proportion of developments should require a formal environmental impact assessment. We have consulted on proposals to reduce the number of residential cases that local planning authorities have to screen (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/339528/Technical_consultation_on_planning.pdf ) and we will publish the Government's response in due course.