Habitats Directive: consultation on draft guidance on the application of article 6(4)

Views were sought on draft guidance on the application of article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive. Article 6(4) allows plans or projects which may have an adverse effect on the integrity of a European site to go ahead on grounds of “imperative reasons of overriding public interest” (IROPI) when there are no alternative solutions and compensatory measures have been secured. In particular, views were sought on:

• The overall approach to allowing plans or projects to go ahead on grounds of IROPI
• The relationship between alternative solutions and IROPI
• The definition of IROPI
• Compensatory measures

Further information

• Habitats Directive Implementation Review
• Habitats and Wild Birds Directives: guidance on the application of article 6(4) (Final guidance)