Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan. Habitats Regulations Appraisal Record.

1 Introduction to the Habitats Regulation Appraisal (HRA)

1.1 The Habitats Regulations Appraisal ( HRA) process initially required an appraisal of whether the components of the Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan (the Pilot Plan) would result in likely significant effects ( LSE) on European Sites; those sites designated under the European Habitats or Birds Directives as Special Areas for Conservation ( SACs) or Special Protection Areas ( SPAs). If determined that LSE on a European site may occur then the Pilot Plan would be subject to an 'appropriate assessment' ( AA) of its implications for European sites, in view of these site's conservation objectives.

1.2 This HRA Record sets out the methodology undertaken in the appraisal process of the Pilot Plan, the steps undertaken to consider the Pilot Plan, and discussion on the findings of the HRA process. This HRA was undertaken using guidance provided by the Scottish Government ^[1] and Scottish Natural Heritage ( SNH) ^[2] which details advice on the steps and process to be followed in undertaking plan-level HRA.