Appendices for Advice note 10: Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)
APPENDIX 1 – HRA SCREENING CHECKLIST .......................................................................................... 2
APPENDIX 2 – NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS REPORT CHECKLIST .......................................................... 9
APPENDIX 3 – INFORMATION TO INFORM APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST .................... 11
APPENDIX 4 – ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS CHECKLIST ......................................... 16
APPENDIX 5 – IROPI CHECKLIST ............................................................................................................ 19
APPENDIX 6 – COMPENSATORY REASONS CHECKLIST ..................................................................... 20
These checklists are provided as a guide to assist developers and should accompany the HRA report required under Regulation 5 (2) (g)
of The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 together with the developer's screening
matrix. Consideration should be given to the presentation of information. Where appropriate developers could use a single checklist to
cover multiple European sites.
** Where information is not provided within the developer’s HRA report the box should be completed to provide explanation as to why
this information is not relevant.
APPENDIX 1 – HRA SCREENING CHECKLIST
1 - HRA SCREENING CHECKLIST
NAME OF PROJECT
NAME, LOCATION AND EU CODE OF EUROPEAN SITE INCLUDING QUALIFYING
FEATURES
DATE
AUTHOR NAME/ORGANISATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
1A - DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report
or the ES, if appropriate**
The purpose and objectives of the project including strategic
importance with reference to specific sections of relevant NPS(s)
The key stages of the project and the various timescales thereof
Any other services (e.g. pipelines, electricity, traffic
management/technology, lighting, signage etc) which will be
required as part of the project
The resource requirements throughout the lifetime of the project
Any waste products arising during construction and operation
Distance of the project from the European site or qualifying
features of the site
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Maps and plans which illustrate the nature of the works planned
as part of the project
1B - CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EUROPEAN SITE
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report
or the ES, if appropriate**
Map(s) indicating the relative position(s) of the European site to
the project and where appropriate showing the location and
spatial extent of the qualifying features
Size of the European site
The qualifying features of the European site including the
primary reasons for selection and any other qualifying interests
(please present copies of the citations in an appendix
Details of the existing baseline conditions of the site
Details of data collection methodologies, and consultations
undertaken
Cross-reference to any accompanying surveys or reports/ data
form
The vulnerability of the Europeans site’s qualifying features
Available information on potential effect pathways from the
standard data forms or gained from consultation with relevant
nature conservation bodies
The European site conservation objectives in consultation with
relevant nature conservation bodies and/or management plans
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Conservation status of each qualifying feature on the European
site (favourable or otherwise)
The seasonal influences on the qualifying Annex I habitats and
Annex II species on the site
The physical and chemical composition of the European site e.g.
geology, hydrology or soils, identifying key physical features with
a direct influence on the qualifying features of the site
The dynamics of the habitats, species and their ecology
The key structural and functional relationships that create and
maintain the site’s integrity
The likely future natural changes in baseline conditions at the
site in the absence of the project
1C - INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report
or the ES, if appropriate**
A description of the individual elements of the project likely to
give rise to impacts on the European site (either alone or in
combination with other plans or projects)
An explanation of the physical scope for surveys used to inform
the assessment
DESCRIBE ANY LIKELY DIRECT, INDIRECT OR SECONDARY IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT OR ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT,
(ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER PLANS OR PROJECTS) IN THE CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND
DECOMMISSIONING PHASE ON THE EUROPEAN SITE BY VIRTUE OF:
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The extent of habitat loss
Resource requirements (from the European site or from areas in
close proximity to the site, in relevance to consideration of
impacts e.g. water abstraction)
Physical changes that would occur as a result of project (e.g.
from excavation, piling, dredging etc) taking into consideration
the duration, frequency and reversibility of potential impacts
Waste products arising during construction and operation
Emissions (to land, water or air e.g. polluted surface water runoff
– both soluble and insoluble pollutants)
Excavation requirements (e.g. impacts on local hydrogeology)
Transportation requirements
Duration of construction, operation, decommissioning etc
Any other likely impacts
In combination impacts with other projects or plans, in
consultation with the relevant nature conservation bodies to
ensure all potential receptors of likely changes are considered
and adequately assessed
THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL IMPACTS (ALONE OR IN
COMBINATION WITH OTHER PLANS OR PROJECTS)
DESCRIBE ANY LIKELY CHANGES TO THE SITE ARISING AS A RESULT OF:
The extent of habitat loss
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Habitat or species fragmentation
Disturbance to qualifying species on the site
Reduction in population size of species
Changes in key indicators of conservation value (water quality,
etc)
Climate change
WITH REFERENCE TO ITS CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES, DESCRIBE ANY LIKELY IMPACTS ON THE EUROPEAN SITE AS A
WHOLE IN TERMS OF:
Interference with the key relationships that define the structure of
the site
Interference with key relationships that define the function of the
site
INDICATE THE SIGNIFICANCE AS A RESULT OF THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS SET OUT ABOVE AND IN
CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT NATURE CONSERVATION BODIES IN TERMS OF:
The extent of habitat loss
Fragmentation
Disruption e.g. to foraging or migration routes
Disturbance of qualifying species on site
Population size
Change to key elements of the site (e.g. water quality,
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hydrological regime etc)
A description of those elements of the project, or combination of
elements, where the above impacts are likely to affect the
integrity of the European site or where the scale or magnitude of
impacts is not known
Provide certainty/deliverability of mitigation and whether a
mitigation impact affects the integrity of the site
1D - RESULTS OF CONSULTATION
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report
and/or the ES/Consultation Report if appropriate.**
Name(s) of agency(ies) or body(ies) consulted (provide contact
name and telephone or e-mail address, date of consultation etc)
The date when formal s.42 consultation commenced
ANTICIPATED OUTCOME OF THE HRA (DETERMINED BY THE DEVELOPER PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF THE DCO APPLICATION)
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES, if appropriate**
A conclusion that significant effects are likely
A conclusion that sufficient uncertainty remains
A conclusion that mitigation is able to reduce the effect(s) to
negligible levels
A conclusion that there is not likely to be Significant Effects
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Any questions or concerns over any of the HRA issues from non
statutory bodies e.g. RSPB
Evidence as appropriate that the relevant nature conservation
bodies is in agreement with this conclusion
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APPENDIX 2 – NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS REPORT CHECKLIST
2A- NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS REPORT
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES, if appropriate**
A description confirming if the project is directly connected with
or necessary to the management of the site (provide details)
Other projects or plans that together with the project being
assessed could have effects on the site
Defined boundaries for the assessment
(provide details of responsibility (for consenting, ownership or
development) regarding other projects/plans and the name and
location of other projects/plans (provide maps where available)
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECTS, INCLUDING MITIGATION
A description of how the project is likely to affect the European
site (alone or in combination with other plans and projects)
Include direct and indirect effects and explain how the
assessment was carried out
An explanation of why these effects are not considered
significant
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2B - RESULTS OF CONSULTATION
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report
and/or the ES/Consultation Report if appropriate**
The name(s) of agency(ies) or body(ies) consulted (provide
contact name and telephone or e-mail address, date of
consultation etc)
A summary of their response
The date when formal s.42 consultation commenced
DATA COLLECTED TO CARRY OUT THE ASSESSMENT
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES, if appropriate**
The name and qualifications of the person who carried out the
assessment
The sources of data e.g. field studies, existing records,
consultation
The level of, and confidence in, assessment e.g. desk top, full
assessment
The full results of the assessment (if provided in other
documents please provide reference)
An overall conclusion
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APPENDIX 3 – INFORMATION TO INFORM APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
3A - INFORMATION TO INFORM APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT (IF REQUIRED)
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES, if appropriate**
An Executive Summary
The Characteristics of European site (See Checklist 1B)
A description of the assessment techniques, including details of
how impacts on integrity are assessed1
A reference to the sources of information used in the
assessment
An assessment of significant residual impacts on qualifying
interests against the conservation objectives for each designated
feature
(Given the nature conservation value of the sites in a European
context, any residual impact on a qualifying interest that in the
view of the developer was greater than ‘negligible’ would be
considered significant)
A description of how the project will affect qualifying species and
qualifying habitats
Acknowledge uncertainties and any gaps in information
1
Where reference is made to guidance or technical advice, the developer is required to provide an accurate reference and where possible an up to date web-link
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A description of the anticipated duration and reversibility of the
impacts
Acknowledge uncertainties and any gaps in information
A description of how the project has the potential to cause
changes to the vital site characteristics (e.g. nutrient balance)
that determine how the site functions as a habitat or ecosystem*
A description of how the project has the potential change the
dynamics of the relationships (between, for example, soil and
water or plants and animals) that define the structure and/or
function of the site*
A description of how the project has the potential to interfere with
predicted or expected natural changes to the site (such as water
dynamics or chemical composition)*
A description of how the project has the potential to reduce the
area of key habitats*
A description of how the project has the potential to reduce the
population of key species*
A description of how the project has the potential to change the
balance between key species*
A description of how the project has the potential to reduce the
diversity of species and habitat on the site*
A description of how the project has the potential to result in
disturbance that could affect population size or the balance
between key species*
A description of how the project has the potential to result in
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fragmentation of species or habitat*
A description of how the project has the potential to result in loss
or reduction of qualifying features (e.g. tree cover, tidal
exposure, annual flooding, etc)*
A description of how the project has the potential to disrupt those
factors that help to maintain the favourable conditions of the site*
A description of how the project has the potential to interfere with
the balance, distribution and density of key species that are the
indicators of the favourable condition of the site*
A description of how the project has the potential to interrupt or
cause delays in progress towards achieving the conservation
objectives of the site*
A description of how the integrity of the site (determined by
structure and function and conservation objectives) is likely to be
affected by the project (e.g. loss of habitat, disturbance,
disruption, chemical changes, hydrological changes and
geological changes, etc.)
An acknowledgment of any uncertainties and any gaps in
information
* Descriptions should include consideration of the project either alone or in combination with other plans and projects
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3B - MITIGATION MEASURES (INCLUDING s174 PLANNING OBLIGATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS)
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report,
DCO and/or the ES/s174 Heads of Terms2if
appropriate**
Mitigation measures to be introduced
An explanation of how these measures would avoid the adverse
effects on the integrity of the site
An explanation of how these measures would reduce the
adverse effects on the integrity of the site
A description of what the residual effect on site or species would
be
An explanation of how these effects would have an in
combination impact with any other plans or projects
Evidence of how they would be implemented and by whom
Evidence of degree of confidence in their success
A timescale, relative to the project, for implementation
An explanation of the proposed monitoring scheme and how any
mitigation failure will be addressed
2
Developers should agree at least the heads of terms of any development consent obligation with the relevant local authority before an application is submitted.
Ideally a fully drafted agreement (or unilateral undertaking) which has been consulted upon and referred to in the consultation report should be included with the
application.
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3C - RESULTS OF CONSULTATION
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report,
and/or the ES/Consultation Report if appropriate**
The name(s) of agency(ies) or body(ies) consulted (provide
contact name and telephone or e-mail address, date of
consultation etc)
A summary of their response
DATA COLLECTED TO CARRY OUT THE ASSESSMENT
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES, if appropriate**
The name and qualifications of the person who carried out the
assessment
The sources of data e.g. field studies, existing records,
consultation
The level of, and confidence in, assessment e.g. desk top, full
assessment
The full results of the assessment (if provided in other
documents please provide reference)
An overall conclusion
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APPENDIX 4 – ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS CHECKLIST
4A – ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES, if appropriate**
A description and objectives of the project
The ‘do nothing’ alternative
The predicted adverse effects of the project on the European
site, following the HRA screening
The possible alternative solutions
Evidence of how the alternative solutions were assessed
A Description of the relative effects on the conservation
objectives of the European site (greater or less adverse effects)
Alternative locations/routes
Alternative size and scale
Alternative means of meeting objectives (e.g. demand
management)
Alternative methods of construction
Alternative operational methods
Alternative decommissioning methods
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Alternative timescales
The conclusions on Alternatives
A description of the alternative solution that would avoid or
minimise significant impacts on the European Site
An explanation why the proposed project is favoured over the
other alternative solutions assessed
An overall statement to explain why it is considered that in this
instance there are no alternative solutions that would avoid
reducing the conservation value of the European Site
4B - RESULTS OF CONSULTATION
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report
and/or the ES/Consultation Report**
The name(s) of agency(ies) or body(ies) consulted (provide
contact name and telephone or e-mail address, date of
consultation etc)
A summary of their response
DATA COLLECTED TO CARRY OUT THE ASSESSMENT
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES, if appropriate**
The name and qualifications of the person who carried out the
assessment
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The sources of data e.g. field studies, existing records,
consultation
The level of, and confidence in, assessment e.g. desk top, full
assessment
The full results of the assessment (if provided in other
documents please provide reference)
An overall conclusion
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APPENDIX 5 – IROPI CHECKLIST
5A – IMPERATIVE REASONS OF OVERIDING PUBLIC INTEREST (IROPI)
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES, if appropriate**
A statement for IROPI
(That refers to Europa Guidance on Article 6 (4)

Identify social and economics issues

If site hosts priority natural habitats and species reasons
should identify;
o Human health
o Public safety etc.)
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APPENDIX 6 – COMPENSATORY REASONS CHECKLIST
6A – COMPENSATORY MEASURES s174 PLANNING OBLIGATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES also s174 planning obligations and
requirements if appropriate**
A description of Compensatory Measures (e.g. relevant method
statements, management agreements and monitoring proposals)
and timetable. Provide a cross reference to the DCO
requirements and s174 planning obligations which secure
compensatory measures
How compensatory measures were identified
What alternative measures were identified
How the compensatory measures relate to the conservation
objectives of the site
How the compensatory measures address, in comparable
proportions, the habitats and species negatively affected
How the compensatory measures would maintain or enhance the
overall coherence of the European site network
How the compensatory measures relate to the same
biogeographical region in the same Member State
Provide evidence to the effect that if the compensatory measures
require the use of land outside the affected European site, is that
land under the long-term ownership and control of the developer
or relevant national or local authority
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(Provide reference to DCO land plan provided in accordance
with Reg. 5(2)(i) and if it is proposed to acquire land or rights
compulsorily cross reference to relevant interests/land in Book of
Reference)
Information on the geological, hydrogeological, soil, climate and
other local conditions that exist on the compensation site and if
they are the same as those that exist on the European site
adversely affected by the project
Information on the compensatory measures and whether they
provide functions comparable to those that had justified the
selection criteria of the original site
Evidence that exists to demonstrate that this form of
compensation will be successful in the long term
The timescale for the delivery of compensatory measures (in
relation to the project implementation timescale)
6B - RESULTS OF CONSULTATION
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report
and/or the ES/Consultation Report if appropriate**
The name(s) of agency(ies) or body(ies) consulted (provide
contact name and telephone or e-mail address, date of
consultation etc)
A summary of their response
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DATA COLLECTED TO CARRY OUT THE ASSESSMENT
Tick as
Is the following information provided within the HRA report? appropriate
Yes No
Cross refer to relevant sections in the HRA report or
the ES, if appropriate**
The name and qualifications of the person who carried out the
assessment
The sources of data e.g. field studies, existing records,
consultation
The level of, and confidence in, assessment e.g. desk top, full
assessment
The full results of the assessment (if provided in other
documents please provide reference)
An overall conclusion
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