News
An HIA Review Package
Mette Winge Fredsgaard and Ben Cave of Ben Cave Associates Ltd and Alan Bond of InteREAM, University of East Anglia have developed a review package for HIA reports. We were advised and assisted by a panel of experts and by participants on our training courses. The review package consists of a short introduction, some guidance notes and then a series of questions. It enables a commissioner or reviewer of an HIA report to reach an opinion as to the quality of the completed report in a simple, quick and systematic manner. We see the users of this review package as being commissioners of HIA both in the public and private sector and those who may be asked to review HIA reports. The review package is for HIA reports which are submitted as evidence associated with an application for development consent. With some modification the review package may be applicable to a wider range of HIAs. Whilst considerable effort has gone into the production of this HIA review package, we acknowledge that experience gained through its application will be essential to ensure that it covers all that it should, and that it continues to promote best practice in HIA. Thus we are interested to receive comments on this review package. Please send an e mail to hiareview@bcahealth.co.uk if you have comments on the HIA Review Package and would like to be kept up to date with its use and development. ( click here or icon above to dowload pdf)
BCA works with the University of the West of England
We are currently working in partnership with the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities and Urban Policy at the University of the West of England (UWE). UWE have an extensive programme of training courses and we adding to their capacity by delivering courses in planning and health. Ben Cave and Paul Iggulden are currently delivering a training programme for Barnsley MBC and NHS Barnsley.
Understanding of, and response to, severe flash flooding
BCA worked with Halcrow and The Flood Hazard Research Centre (FHRC) to look at flash flooding. This was for the Environment Agency (Head Office), as part of the ‘Making Space for Water’ project RF7. Flash flooding presents a real threat to life and people must take immediate evasive action. Liza Cragg (Associate Consultant, BCA) conducted a review of the literature on flash flooding and with Sue Tapsell of FHRC conducted focus groups with members of the public and with professionals. The study is designed to understand people’s perceptions of flash flooding and what their needs are in response to it. Its primary purposes is to provide a knowledge base to:
- allow the Environment Agency to tailor its awareness message to suit people’s needs
- investigate into the feasibility of a warning service for flash flooding
- understand the measures we can all take to prepare in advance for flash flooding.
The work forms part of the MSW RF7 (Rapid Response Catchments) and the combined flood action plans.