4.—(1) The environmental impact assessment (“ EIA”) is a process consisting of—
(a)the preparation of an environmental statement;
(b)any consultation, publication and notification required by, or by virtue of, these Regulations or any other enactment in respect of EIA development; and
(c)the steps required under regulation 26.
(2) The EIA must identify, describe and assess in an appropriate manner, in light of each individual case, the direct and indirect significant effects of the proposed development on the following factors—
(a)population and human health;
(b)biodiversity, with particular attention to species and habitats protected under Directive 92/43/EEC M1 and Directive 2009/147/EC M2;
(c)land, soil, water, air and climate;
(d)material assets, cultural heritage and the landscape;
(e)the interaction between the factors referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (d).
(3) The effects referred to in paragraph (2) on the factors set out in that paragraph must include the operational effects of the proposed development, where the proposed development will have operational effects.
(4) The significant effects to be identified, described and assessed under paragraph (2) include the expected significant effects arising from the vulnerability of the proposed development to major accidents or disasters that are relevant to that development.
(5) The relevant planning authority or the Secretary of State must ensure that they have, or have access as necessary to, sufficient expertise to examine the environmental statement.