Paragraph 2 Location of the projectI1

United Kingdom

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 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)

areas classified or protected under national legislation, or Natura 2000 as defined in regulation 3(1) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 M1;

(vi)

areas in which there has been a failure to meet the environmental quality standards laid down in F1assimilated law, 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

Textual amendments

F1: Word in Sch. 5 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. 13 para. 10(2)(c)

Marginal citations

M1: S.I. 2017/1012. Amended by S.I. 2019/579. There are other amendments which are not relevant.

Commencement

I1: Sch. 5 para. 2 in force at 31.12.2020 immediately before 11 p.m., see reg. 1(1)