Natura Impact Statement for the purpose of Appropriate Assessment

What is an Appropriate Assessment?

Natura 2000 sites are important ecological sites that occur across the European Union and that are given special protective status to ensure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats.   They are comprised of areas known as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservations (SACs).

An Appropriate Assessment is an examination of the effects that a plan or project has on Natura 2000 sites and in particular, whether it has the potential to adversely affect their ‘integrity’.

What work has been undertaken related to Appropriate Assessment?   

ANCA has prepared an Appropriate Assessment Natura Impact Statement (NIS) which documents the findings of an assessment undertaken of the effects of the NAO proposals on relevant Natura 2000 sites.  Undertaking this assessment has also allowed the AA process to influence the NAO proposals themselves.

The Appropriate Assessment NIS is attached to this consultation and can be found in the ‘Materials’ section.