Appropriate Assessment and Habitat Regulations Assessment

The MKA Ecology team are experienced in compiling detailed and authoritative ‘Studies to Inform an Appropriate Assessment’ for Local Planning Authorities for a wide range of sectors and have a background of working in multidisciplinary teams for large-scale projects.

Appropriate Assessment is part of the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) process. It follows the initial ‘screening’ step, and is required where a development proposal is likely to have a significant effect on a Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Ramsar site. The Appropriate Assessment stage is an objective assessment on the implications of the development for the conservation objectives of the SPA, SAC or Ramsar site. It will also look at options to avoid or mitigate any potential adverse effects of the development on the SPA of SAC. Ways that your proposed development could effect a SPA, SAC or Ramsar site may depend on the following:

Its proximity to the designated site (either adjacent or some distance away)
What type of development it is (e.g. industrial, infrastructure or residential housing)
Whether the effect is direct or indirect. For example, a new residential housing development near a SPA/SAC/Ramsar may not cause any direct negative effects, but the increase in footfall from the residents may negatively impact the site if it is designated for its habitats or botanical interest.

The HRA is the next step following on from the Appropriate Assessment – you only need to carry out an HRA if the proposal will affect a European site. The actual HRA will need to be carried out by a Competent Authority, usually the decision maker i.e. the local planning authority.