Habitats Regulations Assessment - AWARD

South Downs National Park Authority requires a Habitat Regulation Assessment . The National Park Authority decided to review its Local Plan in May 2022 in line with paragraph 33 of the NPPF. Under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended), an Appropriate Assessment is required, where a plan or project is likely to have a significant effect upon a European Site, either individually or 'in combination' with other projects.

The purpose of the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is to inform the preparation of the South Downs Local Plan Review covering the plan period 2022 to 2042. The HRA should identify any aspects of the Plan Review that would cause an adverse effect on the integrity of European sites (Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs), potential Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) and Ramsar sites), either alone or in combination with other plans and projects, and to advise on appropriate policy mechanisms for delivering mitigation where such effects are identified.