Article 6(3) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (as amended) ( ‘the Habitats Directive’) requires that, any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of a designated site, but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives. This is a four stage process as follows:
- Stage 1 Screening
- Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment
- Stage 3 Assessment of Alternatives
- Stage 4 : Assessment where no alternative solutions exist and where adverse impacts remain
DixonBrosnan have considerable experience in both screening reports and NIS including one-off dwellings, commercial developments, gas pipelines, quarrie and incinerators.