Planning Policy

Habitat Regulation Assessments & related work

Footprint Ecology is acknowledged as a leading environmental consultancy in the preparation of Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs) for public bodies. Habitats Regulations Assessment is a requirement of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, as amended, which transposes the duties placed on European Member States within the Habitats Directive and Wild Birds Directive into domestic legislation.

Those duties include the protection, maintenance and restoration of European wildlife sites. Public bodies must, before undertaking or permitting others to undertake a project, or before adopting or authorising a plan, carry out a Habitats Regulations Assessment to give certainty that the plan or project will not adversely affect any European wildlife site before allowing it to proceed.

The Habitat Regulation Assessments process

The Habitats Regulations Assessment process includes a series of tests that must be considered in turn. Assessing potential impacts that may occur as the result of a plan or project can include gathering new survey information, researching wider literature, modelling, GIS mapping and statistical analysis and drawing on expert opinion. We have long-standing research and assessment experience in this field, which has led to a wide range of Habitats Regulations Assessment commissions. Footprint Ecology is a leading expert in the assessment of recreational impacts on birds, heath and coastal habitats, facilitated by an extensive library of research material and specialist skills in statistical analysis.

Our work on HRAs

Footprint Ecology prides itself on the production of high quality assessments that are evidence based and fit for purpose in each case, ensuring robust protection for European wildlife sites. We work closely with our clients, statutory nature conservation bodies and wildlife organisations to provide practicable approaches in complex situations. Footprint Ecology has led the Habitats Regulations Assessment work for a number of strategic mitigation schemes across the country, involving multiple authorities and multiple European wildlife sites. Some examples are listed below. See also the Poole Harbour case study for an example of how our HRA work can integrate with other work areas to help further the conservation of a particular important area.

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  HRAs at plan level for many different local authorities
  including Purbeck, Poole, East Devon, Teignbridge, the Broads Authority, Breckland, North Dorset, and Great Yarmouth
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  Strategic work on estuaries around the English coast
  identifying European sites at risk from increased housing development and recreation pressures (for Natural England)
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  Work with a consortium of local authorities around Cannock Chase
  to consider the implications of access and recreation impacts to Cannock Chase SAC
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  Work with the Solent Forum and a consortium of local authorities
  building an evidence base around in-combination effects of housing and growth around the Solent European sites. A range of reports are available - please see downloads page for more.
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  Evidence gathering work for Dorset County Council
  to inform appropriate assessment and planning policy relating to the Dorset Heaths
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  Impact assessment for a proposed new visitor centre at Spurn Point
  for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust