Habitat Regulations Assessment - additional information

Types of application or development that require this information

The applicant must provide details of an appropriate level of survey, an impact assessment and details of the mitigation required to avoid Likely Significant Effects. The impact assessment must demonstrate the impacts  for both the absence and presence of mitigation. It will also be required to show the implications of the proposed development on the National Network Sites, in terms of the sites’ conservation objectives (Part 6 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017). This does not apply to plans or projects directly connected to the conservation management of the features for which the site was designated.

Where Appropriate Assessment concludes that adverse effects cannot be avoided or adequately mitigated, development proposals will have to meet the derogation tests of regulations 64 and 68 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations. The tests require that less damaging suitable alternative solutions are not available; that there are Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public (IROPI) Interest and that appropriate compensation measures can be implemented.