# The Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Unloading and Storage (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2020, Paragraph 2: Location of the project

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

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 ;
(vi) areas in which there has been a failure to meet the environmental quality standards laid down in assimilated 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.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1497/schedule/5/paragraph/2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/offshore-oil-and-gas-exploration-production-unloading-and-storage-environmental-impact-assessment-regulations-2020/schedule-5/paragraph-2
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

