Habitats Regulations Assessment
Assessing impacts on sites of international conservation significance.
For a plan or project to be granted a safe and legal consent, the HRA will need to demonstrate no adverse effect on the integrity of any Habitat Site. Otherwise, it must be shown that there are no alternative solutions, there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest, and a suitable compensation strategy must be put forward.
A Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is required where a plan or project could affect one or more sites of international conservation significance.
These sites are commonly referred to as ‘Habitats Sites’, and include Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Ramsar sites. The requirement for a HRA is imposed through The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended).
The duty to undertake a HRA falls on the decision maker, usually the Local Planning Authority, but applicants must provide all the information needed to inform that assessment, typically in the form of a shadow HRA.
Aurochs Ecology has extensive experience preparing shadow HRAs for plans and projects of varying magnitude, extent and complexity. This includes residential, commercial and infrastructure schemes across the UK. We offer:
- A thorough understanding of relevant legislation and associated case law.
- Engagement with Local Planning Authority officers and Natural England advisers, many of whom we have strong working relationships with.
- Experience developing and delivering schemes with bespoke avoidance and mitigation measures, or otherwise in accordance with identified strategic measures.
- Detailed reporting and data collection, often in collaboration with air quality, noise, lighting and hydrological consultants to provide the necessary evidence to consultees and decision makers.