Our response to Defra’s consultation on updates to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) guidance, applying to England.

This response was developed by members of the Strategic Policy Panel, England Policy Group, and other CIEEM members.

Key points:

• A principle of achieving favourable conservation status for protected sites and features should be an overarching principle in the guidance.
• Further guidance is needed on the impact of cumulative effects, particularly with regards to re-using existing HRAs and mitigating for these effects.
• The efficiencies sought by updating this guidance would be better delivered by improvements to data availability, data sharing, resourcing of competent authorities, and improved strategic use of local plans.