National Planning Framework 4: habitats regulations appraisal

5. Conclusion

5.1 No likely significant effects were identified from the Spatial Strategy or National Planning Policies. Although NPF4 contains numerous policies which promote or support types of development that have the potential to result in likely significant effects, the policies themselves do not make specific allocations or commitments to a specific quantum or location of such development. As such, the policies are unable to result in any likely significant effects on European sites. The Spatial Strategy and National Planning Policy elements of NPF4 were therefore screened out of further assessment.

5.2 Of the 18 National Developments, 7 were screened out of further assessment. No likely significant effects were identified from these National Developments on any European sites, either alone or in-combination with other plans or projects. In accordance SNH (2015), this is because:

a) they are intended to protect the natural environment

b) they will not themselves lead to development or other change

c) they make provision for change but could have no conceivable effect on a European site

d) they make provision for change but could have no significant effect on a European site, or

e) effects on any particular European site cannot be identified, because they are too general or lack any spatial definition.

5.3 These National Developments were therefore not taken forward to the appropriate assessment.

5.4 Likely significant effects could not be ruled out for the remaining National Developments. These were therefore screened in and were subject to further appraisal as part of the appropriate assessment stage of the HRA. At this stage, consideration was given to the requirement for mitigation to ensure that the projects brought forward under these National Developments do not adversely affect the integrity of any European sites. The 11 National Developments screened in and subject to appropriate assessment were:

• Energy Innovation Development on the Islands
• Pumped Hydro Storage
• Edinburgh Waterfront
• Dundee Waterfront
• Stranraer Gateway
• Clyde Mission
• Aberdeen Harbour
• Industrial Green Transition Zones
• Hunterston Strategic Asset
• Chapelcross Power Station Redevelopment, and
• High Speed Rail.

The appropriate assessment concluded that, subject to detailed design and the implementation of avoidance and mitigation measures, including further study and assessment where necessary, projects brought forward under each National Development could be delivered without adverse effect on the integrity of any European site, either alone or in-combination with other currently known plans or projects.

5.5 The HRA conclusion reached must be considered again at future stages of the planning process, including at development plan and project level, when more detailed information should be available to inform the assessment.

5.6 The recommendations given in this document for specific mitigation measures provide an initial starting point for incorporation into development plans or projects when taking forward proposals under National Developments. However, these can almost certainly be refined further once more detail on relevant proposals is known through the planning process. Moreover, a requirement for additional mitigation measures not suggested at this stage may also be identified based on the precise nature of relevant proposals and/or the occurrence / distribution of qualifying features in relation to the development.