# The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, Paragraph 2: Location of development

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

(1) The environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by development must be considered with particular regard 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 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 assimilated law 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.
(2) In this Schedule “European site” means a site within the meaning of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/572/schedule/3/paragraph/2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/infrastructure-planning-environmental-impact-assessment-regulations-2017/schedule-3/paragraph-2
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.