As a shared service, MEAS is able to provide high quality environmental advice in a cost efficient and timely manner to the districts. Our primary customers are the planning, environmental protection and technical services departments whom we support in meeting Council responsibilities under National and European legislation and regulations. In responding to planning applications and developing local planning policy, in managing habitats, species and protected sites, in managing land contamination, mineral and waste resources, as well as advising on low carbon and climate change issues, we continually aim to find deliverable solutions to environmental challenges.

Development Management and Strategic Planning Advice

Our planning application advice varies according to the size of development but can range from advising on waste audits through to full scale Habitats Regulations Assessments. MEAS provides advice on production of Local Plans, Master Plans Sustainable Urban Extension Areas and wider strategies, as well as on single issue plans such as the Merseyside and Halton Joint Waste Local Plan.

In addition to the above, MEAS undertakes technical reviews of third party and Council documents and, where necessary assist our customers with appeal and public inquiry strategy, written evidence and representation, as well as supporting Examination in Public Hearings.

Consultation

MEAS prepares joint responses on public consultation documents ranging from Government policy, national guidance and on the Local Plans of neighbouring authorities. We also represent the Liverpool City Region on a number of regional and wider groups including Regional Aggregates Working Party, North West Waste Network and Nature Connected (Local Nature Partnership).

Project Management and Training

MEAS is also able to co-ordinate, appoint and manage specialist consultancy contracts on behalf of the Merseyside Districts in support of specific projects, often delivering financial savings and efficiencies for the Councils. MEAS can provide training workshops / seminars to local authority officers on a range of specialist topics. Training requests should be directed through the Director or Lead Officers.

Historic Environment

The Historic Environment team manages the Historic Environment Record (HER) and provides advice on archaeology to our Districts. As the first stage of this work, the Merseyside Historic Environment Record (HER) is being digitised and brought up to date (see main HER page). From June 2016 MEAS is also providing planning advice relating to archaeology to developers and local authorities for 5 Councils within the Liverpool City Region.