role of impact statements in environmental planning in Britain

Environmental Impact Statements have been required in the United States for "major federal projects likely to have significant effects on the human environment"; since the National Environmental Policy Act became law on 1st January 1970. In most states private developments are excluded from impact analysis even though their effects may be equally profound. Only environmental factors are considered, yet in many instances, the major impacts of development have been social, particularly in sparsely populated areas. The major cirticism of impact analysis in the United States is that impact statements are not used as the factual basis for planning decisions, but simply seek to justify decisions already taken. As impact analysis is extending into British planning on an ad hoc basis, careful consideration must be given to their role.