Planning and Development Act 2024
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Natura impact report | ||
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203. (1) Where a competent authority has made a determination under subsection (3) of section 202 that the likelihood of a proposed plan (either individually or in combination with any project or other plan) having significant effects on a European site cannot be excluded, the competent authority shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, a Natura impact report in relation to the plan concerned. | ||
(2) A Natura impact report prepared under subsection (1) shall— | ||
(a) be prepared by a person with the necessary scientific competence to do so, | ||
(b) specify all of the habitat types and species— | ||
(i) for which the relevant European site is designated, and | ||
(ii) in relation to which the likelihood of significant effects arising from the proposed plan cannot be excluded, | ||
(c) having regard to the European site’s conservation objectives— | ||
(i) identify all potential significant effects of the proposed plan on the European site, whether such effects arise from the plan itself or the plan in combination with any project or other plan, and | ||
(ii) assess the effects identified in accordance with subparagraph (i) and the implications of the plan for the European site, | ||
(d) identify any measures proposed to be taken for the purposes of avoiding or reducing any adverse effects (identified in accordance with paragraph (c)) of the plan on the European site, | ||
(e) having regard to— | ||
(i) the habitat types and species specified in accordance with paragraph (b), | ||
(ii) the potential significant effects identified and assessments made in accordance with paragraph (c), and | ||
(iii) any measures identified in accordance with paragraph (d), | ||
conclude either— | ||
(I) that the proposed plan will adversely affect the integrity of a European site, or | ||
(II) that the proposed plan will not adversely affect the integrity of a European site, | ||
and | ||
(f) include such other information as may be prescribed. |