A key factor of success for HRA work is the consultation process with the statutory nature conservation organisation (SNCO) (e,g. Natural England or Scottish Natural Heritage) as they must be consulted on all projects that require an ‘Appropriate Assessment’. Although these regulations originated from European Directives the legislation has been retained by the UK and NI governments and requires a lateral thinking approach to avoid incurring huge costs for unnecessary mitigation or compensatory measures.

Baker Consultants’ team not only has an intimate knowledge of the legislation, caselaw and guidance but also understand the work of specialist consultants (e.g air quality and transport) translating their assessments into the relevant chapter of the Appropriate Assessment. Appropriate Assessments require a higher burden of proof than Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and our team is used to ensuring that all specialist contributions to the AA meet the requirements of the legislation.