Habitats Regulations Assessment

Habitats Regulations Assessment Reports

When a proposed development or plan is likely to have a ‘significant effect’ on a Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or Ramsar site, the relevant Competent (consenting) Authority is legally required to undertake a Habitats Regulations Assessment before it can determine the application.

HRA Screening/Shadow HRA Report

The process of HRA involves an initial ‘Screening’ stage, which considers the potential effects of the development on the European Site and filters out proposals that do not need further consideration.

Appropriate Assessment

If proposals are likely to have a significant (adverse) impact on the European site and mitigation measures will be necessary, a Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment will be required to be prepared.

The information that the Competent Authority needs to inform this process is supplied by the applicant. At Landmark, we can offer early advice on whether Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is likely to be required and screen projects for likely significant effects.

If Appropriate Assessment is required, we will then scope the level of information likely to be needed with the Competent Authority and prepare any necessary reports. Should an Appropriate Assessment find that significant adverse effects are likely, we can either assist our client with scheme amendment to avoid the effects or prepare strategies to address them.