OpenLegislation

Paragraph 2 Location of the projectF1F2

The environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by the project, 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 below ground in that area;

(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)

areas classified or protected under national legislation, Natura 2000 areas designated or classified by member States pursuant to the Habitats Directive or the Wild Birds Directive;

(vi)

areas in which there has already been a failure to meet the environmental quality standards laid down in EU legislation F3as it applied in the United Kingdom immediately prior to exit day, or in F4assimilated law and relevant to the project, or in which it is considered that there is such a failure;

(vii)

densely populated areas; and

(viii)

landscapes and sites of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

Regulations revoked (S.) (16.5.2017) by The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (S.S.I. 2017/115), reg. 42(a) (with regs. 1(2), 40, 41)

F2

Sch. 1 substituted (16.5.2017) by The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/588), regs. 1(1), 29, Sch. 2 (with reg. 34)

F3

Words in Sch. 1 para. 2(c)(vi) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/25), regs. 1(1), 6(12); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F4

Word in Sch. 1 para. 2(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. 15 para. 14(b)