There is no widely agreed definition of social impact assessment (SIA). Put simply, it focuses on the possible impacts of a development proposal on people (UNEP 2002: 463). SIA seeks to identify, in advance, the social repercussions that are likely to follow from proposed development projects (Finsterbusch 1980). SIAs traditionally tend to focus on the assessment of potentially adverse impacts. With prior knowledge of the possible harmful consequences of their actions, planners can formulate plans that help avoid or at least minimise the hurtful impacts on people. As an aid to the decision-making process, SIA provides information on social and cultural factors that need to be taken into account in any planning decision that affects the lives of project area people.