A screening request is an early opportunity to explain how a development could affect its surroundings. The transport input should make the likely movements and the people or places exposed to them understandable, so the planning and environmental team can address the whole project.
Screening concerns the whole project
In England’s town and country planning system, screening helps establish whether a relevant project requires Environmental Impact Assessment. The decision is made through the applicable authority process. A transport note contributes evidence to that decision; the EIA lead must also consider the other environmental topics and the project as a whole.
Start by confirming the consent route, the project description and the extent of associated works. An off site road improvement or a construction compound may affect the transport picture even when the first site plan concentrates on the main development area.
Describe the movement before judging its effect
Provide a proportionate account of likely construction and operational movements, including the type of vehicles, routes, timing and any important uncertainty. A daily total without a route can conceal the feature that matters most: for example, repeated heavy vehicle movements through a narrow village street.
Identify the people and places along that route. A school entrance, a busy crossing or a street with little footway space changes the questions the team should investigate. Our recommendation is to describe the connection between the movement and the potential effect rather than rely on a traffic percentage alone.
Make assumptions and proposed measures credible
Where a screening request relies on delivery restrictions, a particular access or other measures, explain what is proposed and whether it can be delivered. A construction route across land that is not secured remains a dependency. The environmental coordinator needs to know how much confidence can be placed in that assumption.
The first submission should distinguish existing evidence, preliminary estimates and items requiring further work. If the proposal changes, tell the EIA lead promptly. Screening advice prepared for one development envelope should not quietly become the basis for a materially different project.
Use the right national procedure
England, Wales and Scotland have their own EIA arrangements. Wales also has different consent routes, and the linked PEDW guidance concerns projects decided by Welsh Ministers. Scottish planning guidance uses EIA Report terminology. Establish the applicable procedure with the planning or EIA lead at the outset.
For the client, the useful outcome is a clear early record of the transport characteristics and uncertainties. A conclusion that EIA is not required does not remove the need for transport information to support the planning application where that information is necessary.
For the next project
Describe routes, vehicle types and sensitive locations early enough for screening to address the real proposal.
Sources and scope
- GOV.UK: Environmental Impact AssessmentEngland. Town and country planning EIA screening, scoping and Environmental Statements.
- PEDW: Environmental impact assessment guidanceWales. Guidance for projects decided by Welsh Ministers; confirm the applicable consent route.
- Scottish Government: preparation and content of an EIA ReportScotland. Planning Circular 1/2017 uses the term EIA Report.
Sources checked 18 October 2026. National and local procedures differ. The project checks above are Ripple’s practical recommendations; the relevant authority determines the applicable approvals.
Related services: EIA transport input · Transport scoping.