Paragraph 2 Location of proposed development

The environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by the proposed development must be considered having regard, in particular, to—

(a)

the existing and approved land use,

(b)

the relative abundance, availability, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources (including soil, land, water and biodiversity) in the area and its underground,

(c)

the absorption capacity of the natural environment, paying particular attention to the following areas—

(i)

wetlands, riparian areas, river mouths,

(ii)

coastal zones and the marine environment,

(iii)

mountain and forest areas,

(iv)

nature reserves and parks,

(v)

European sites within the meaning of regulation 10 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994^f1 and other areas classified or protected under national legislation,

(vi)

areas in which there has already been a failure to meet the environmental quality standards, laid down in national legislation and relevant to the project, or in which it is considered that there is such a failure,

(vii)

densely populated areas,

(viii)

landscapes and sites of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.

Annotations

Footnotes

f1: S.I. 1994/2716, regulation 10 was amended by S.S.I. 2004/475, S.S.I. 2015/249 and S.S.I. 2019/113.