Habitats Regulations Assessment
Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is a requirement under Directive 92/43/EEC (“Habitats Directive”) on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Conservation (Habitats, &c) Regulations 1994. The purpose of HRA is to assess the impacts of a plan (or project) against the conservation objectives of a European designated site for any likely significant effects, and to ascertain whether the proposed plan would adversely effect the integrity of the site. The first stage involves production of a screening report. This is undertaken to assess the likelihood of significant effects of the plan against the conservation objectives of a European designated site, and whether or not it is required to progress to a full Appropriate Assessment (AA).