The launch of the guidance coincided with a well-attended conference “Delivering Appropriate Assessment in Ireland”, held at the RDS in Dublin. This long-awaited document is aimed primarily at Planning Authorities but is also of some use to practitioners, charged with undertaking the reports that inform these assessments.
Welcoming the new guidance, Richard Nairn, Director of Natura Environmental Consultants, said that there still remains a need for “Guidelines for Best Practice in Habitats Directive Assessment” and he proposed that the professional bodies, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), should take the initiative on this. He highlighted that the new DEHLG Guidance states that “the Statement (for Appropriate Assessment) must be prepared by a person or persons with the requisite ecological expertise, supplemented as necessary by additional expertise and experience and produced in a scientifically complete, professional and objective manner”. This puts the onus on the professional ecologist to ensure that the report which informs the Appropriate Assessment decision is undertaken to the very best standards available.
Speaking at the conference, Sarah Anthony of Natural England also emphasised the need for high standards. She confirmed that the UK statutory agency requires the AA report to be “based on science alone”. It is not acceptable for these reports to be prepared by non-scientists and in particular by non-ecologists. Issues such as ecological integrity cannot by adequately assessed by planners, architects and engineers. Dr Antonia Gaughran gave some case studies of Appropriate Assessment including that for the Dublin Water Supply scheme which was undertaken by Natura Environmental Consultants. Other speakers at the conference included Dr Gerry Clabby of Fingal County Council and Dr Linda Patton of National Parks and Wildlife Service. Both these speakers used case studies that confirmed Natura as among the leading practitioners in Ireland in this area.
The AA Guidance launched on Thursday 10 December is now available at www.npws.ie as a PDF document. The majority of presentations from the conference on 10 December on Delivering Appropriate Assessment in Ireland are now available at www.birdwatchireland.ie
Further information from: Richard Nairn
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