Habitats Regulations Assessment

Habitats Regulations Assessment has its roots in Articles 6(3) and 6(4) of the European Union Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) which seeks to protect and enhance the integrity and extent of important habitats that support rare and notable 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’) which obliges all competent authorities giving consent for land use plans and projects to carry out a screening exercise for the effects they may have on European sites.

European sites are Special Protection Areas designated under the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) and Special Areas of Conservation designated under the Habitats Directive. Government policy extends this requirement to also cover Ramsar sites designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (1971).

Brighton based Urban Edge Environmental Consulting has extensive experience in advising developers and competent authorities on HRA procedures, and assist in the preparation of Screening Statements and Habitats Regulations Assessment Reports. Our in-depth understanding of the planning system, experience in related assessment processes (such as EIA and SEA), ecological expertise and solid links with the statutory environmental consultation bodies enable us to deliver consistently precise, robust and innovative assessments under the Habitats Regulations.

Our HRA capabilities include:

• Site analysis and trend analysis
• Screening frameworks
• Geographic Information Systems
• Strategic alternatives
• Alternatives to scheme design
• Design of avoidance measures
• Mitigation and sustainability advice
• Screening Statements and AA Reports
• Quality Assurance
• Expert Witness
• Capacity building