Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA)
A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) is required for all plans deemed likely to have an adverse effect on a protected 'European Site' . The term ‘European site’ is being used to refer to what were previously known as ‘Natura 2000’ sites. In Scotland, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are given legal protection by the Habitats Regulations.
A HRA comprises both the process for determining whether an 'appropriate assessment' of the environmental risk is required, and the appropriate assessment itself.
Plan-making authorities must consult NatureScot (formerly known as Scottish Natural Heritage or SNH) as part of any appropriate assessment process, and may only take the plan forward if the appropriate assessment concludes that the plan would not adversely affect the integrity of any european site.
Further guidance and reading can be found on NatureScot’s webpages.