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Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)

What is a HRA?

A Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is required when a development project could impact a site containing habitats and/or species of European importance, including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). These assessments ensure projects meet stringent environmental regulations, safeguarding designated habitats and species.

It is a stage-based process, starting with a screening stage and the gov.uk website recommends that you consult an ecologist to help with the decision making.

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Our Approach.

In many cases, the first stage may not require a site visit and can be done using desk-based tools such as online resources and GIS mapping.

Depending on the results of this first screening stage, more detailed assessments and surveys may be required such as EcIAs and/or further surveys for protected species.

Reporting.

The process can have up to 3 stages but not all stages may be needed. The stages are:

  1. Screening - to check if the proposal is likely to significantly affect the site’s conservation objectives. If not, then no further stages will be needed but this screening stage will need to be robust, as the government takes a very precautionary approach.

We will produce an initial report which makes recommendations as to whether further assessments are needed.

  1. Appropriate Assessment – these will be site and project specific, and may require more detailed, longer-term surveys. Proposals for minimising disturbance and mitigation measures need to be included as part of an “integrity test”.
  2. A If proposals would have an adverse effect on a European site, it is still possible to qualify for an exemption on some bases such as there being no feasible alternative solutions that would be less damaging or avoid damage to the site; there being imperative reasons of overriding public interest or that necessary compensatory measures can still be secured.

Ecology by Design has substantial experience delivering both initial screening reports and more in-depth assessments to inform HRAs.

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