{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/infrastructure-planning-environmental-impact-assessment-regulations-2017/schedule-3/paragraph-2",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/infrastructure-planning-environmental-impact-assessment-regulations-2017/schedule-3/paragraph-2.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/2017/572",
  "legislation_title": "The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/infrastructure-planning-environmental-impact-assessment-regulations-2017",
  "path": "schedule/3/paragraph/2",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "2",
  "heading": "Location of development",
  "text": "(1) The environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by development must be considered with particular regard to—\n(a) the existing and approved land use;\n(b) the relative abundance, availability, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources (including soil, land, water and biodiversity) in the area and its underground;\n(c) the absorption capacity of the natural environment, paying particular attention to the following areas—\n(i) wetlands, riparian areas, river mouths;\n(ii) coastal zones and the marine environment;\n(iii) mountain and forest areas;\n(iv) nature reserves and parks;\n(v) European sites and other areas classified or protected under national legislation\n(vi) areas in which there has already been a failure to meet the environmental quality standards, laid down in assimilated law and relevant to the project, or in which it is considered that there is such a failure;\n(vii) densely populated areas;\n(viii) landscapes and sites of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.\n(2) In this Schedule “European site” means a site within the meaning of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 2(1)(c)(vi) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environmental Assessments and Miscellaneous Planning (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1232), regs. 1(2), 7(10); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Word in Sch. 3 para. 2(1)(c)(vi) substituted (27.2.2025) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/82), reg. 1(2), Sch. 5 para. 5(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 2(2) substituted (30.11.2017) by The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1012), reg. 1(2), Sch. 6 para. 80(3)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/572/schedule/3/paragraph/2",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-28T23:11:14.242616+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}