Habitats Regulations Assessments
The requirement for Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) stems from Articles 6(3) and 6(4) of the European Union Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) which seeks to conserve the integrity and extent of important habitats that support rare, threatened or endemic animal and plant species. These habitats are designated as nature conservation sites of European importance, and contribute to the Natura 2000 network. The Directive requires that: ‘Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives.’ Article 6(3) These requirements are transposed into UK law via the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (‘the Habitats Regulations’, as amended) which obliges all competent authorities giving consent for land use plans and projects to consider the likelihood of significant effects on European sites.
