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Appropriate Assessment is now a standard legal requirement for all plans and projects likely to have a significant impact on European sites (Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Area (SPA). The Assessment may be required to accompany a planning application or similar consent application or it may be integrated with an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). It is required under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997.
If that sounds a bit complicated, it can be simplified as follows: The promoter of any proposed development or land use plan, that is within or near to a SAC or SPA, is required by law to carry out an Appropriate Assessment of the effects on the European site. This assessment is focused on the conservation objectives of the SAC or SPA and this is usually linked to the important habitats and species for which the SAC or SPA was designated.
Natura has a team of professional ecologists skilled in the delivery of these Appropriate Assessments. and have established a database of information to quickly focus on the key issues to provide a professional assessment. We can prepare the necessary documents to satisfy legal requirements and help you to respond to a request from a Planning Authority, An Bord Pleanala or from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
If you need more advice on how to proceed with an Assessment, contact either Richard Nairn or Elaine Dromey at
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