Southern North Sea review of consents: draft Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
We're seeking views on a draft Habitats Regulations Assessment for a review of consented wind farms in the Southern North Sea cSAC/SCI.
In January 2017 the Southern North Sea candidate Special Area of Conservation / Site of Community Importance (cSAC/SCI) was designated for the protection of harbour porpoise.
When a new SAC is designated there is a statutory requirement for a review to be undertaken of certain projects. As part of the review, the competent authorities (in this case BEIS and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)) are required to undertake a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).
The draft HRA published here informs the review of 6 offshore wind farm consents and considers representations made in a Call for Information issued in October 2017.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek the views of all interested parties on the draft HRA.