The purpose of a spatial impact assessment procedure is to determine as early as possible - even before an approval procedure - whether a major project can be implemented in a spatially and environmentally compatible manner at the location or in the route area envisaged by the project developer. If there are serious alternative locations or routes for a project, these are also examined and evaluated from a spatial planning perspective. As a rule, an initial environmental impact assessment is carried out.
Spatial planning procedures are considered, for example, for major pipeline construction projects or transport projects, but also for spatially significant soil extraction projects, wind farms, leisure facilities, shopping centers, etc.

As a result of the procedure, a regional planning statement is issued, which has the character of an expert opinion for the project developer. It enables further project planning to be geared towards a suitable location or route and optimized.
Public authorities must take the result of the spatial impact assessment procedure into account in subsequent planning and measures as well as in decisions on planning approvals. In a subsequent approval procedure, the results of the spatial impact assessment procedure can be used as a basis.

The services of the competent body include

• advising project developers
• Receiving applications and notifications in accordance with Section 15 of the Spatial Planning Act
• determining whether a spatial planning procedure is required for a project
• holding an application conference to coordinate the scope of the investigation and the necessary procedural documents for the regional planning procedure
• carrying out the regional planning procedure with the associated participation procedure
• the regional planning assessment of the spatial and environmental compatibility of the project.

In addition to the involvement of public bodies, the procedure also includes public participation. To enable citizens to participate, the procedural documents are made available to the public at the responsible office and on the Internet and the comments are then evaluated.
Public participation may only be omitted in so-called "accelerated regional planning procedures". This only comes into consideration in rare exceptional cases for projects for which there is no obligation to carry out an environmental impact assessment.
The final state planning assessment is made public and made available on the Internet.