Events

Navigating Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) 

The Environment and Planning Law Association of Northern Ireland brings you a seminar by leading experts Tim Goodwin and Josh Fothergill on the function and complexities of the EIA and HRA processes and how to navigate them, followed by a panel discussion chaired by Willam Orbinson KC LARTPI featuring EPLANI Committee members and a representative of the Planning Appeals Commission.

This is a free online event however booking is essential. To register please click here

Speaker Bios:

Tim Goodwin – Managing Director, Ecology Solutions Group Ltd, BSc (Hons), MSc, MIEnvSc, MCIEEM

For the last 40 years Tim has been involved with ecological planning, working on numerous high profile or complex development schemes throughout the UK and Europe. He is one of the few ecologists with extensive experience of detailed legal cases particularly in relation to the Habitat Regulations and has given evidence at numerous Section 78 Appeals; Call-in Inquiries, Local Plan Examinations, and has prepared and given evidence for select committee and in the High Court and Appeal Court for Judicial Review. Tim remains a preferred expert witness for many solicitors, barristers and leading planning silks. Tim has extensive wildlife habitat survey and site assessment experience, involving significant consultation with statutory bodies in the UK and abroad. Not known for simply rolling over in the face of disagreements with the conservation lobby, he gives clients clear strategic advice and rarely pulls any punches. He is always committed to steering clients through the maze of ecological legislation necessary to get a planning consent. In the past his knowledge of international ecological issues has led to him being retained as a consultant with the Department of the Environment and HM Customs and Excise on both national and international legislation, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 and Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

Josh Fothergill – Founder & Director – Fothergill Training & Consulting Ltd

Josh is an internationally recognised expert in Impact Assessment (IA), a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv). He is the UK’s leading EIA trainer with clients including: Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Planning Appeals Commission Northern Ireland (PACNI), and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA). Prior to founding Fothergill TC, Josh spent a decade as Policy Lead for IEMA responsible for impact assessment, circular economy, and the skills needs of a sustainable economy, during this time he developed the UK’s internationally award-winning Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Quality Mark standard, and co-authored much of the UK’s EIA practice guidance.