1. Executive Summary

  1. This Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment (RIAA) presents the findings of a study to inform the second stage of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) required for the Array in order to comply with the Habitats Regulations.
  2. The study set out in this report (a study to inform an Appropriate Assessment) assesses whether the Array could have adverse effects (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects), on the integrity of 47 European sites (12 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and 35 Special Protection Areas (SPAs), of which 16 are also Ramsar sites) for which the potential for Likely Significant Effects (LSE2) could not be ruled out.
  3. An Appropriate Assessment of the Array has been carried out in view of the conservation objectives for each European site screened into the assessment, using the best available evidence, and in view of the measures proposed to avoid or mitigate the potential for adverse effects. This has been undertaken for impacts associated with the Array alone and in-combination with other plans and projects.
  4. The assessment of the potential for adverse effects on European site integrity is made with reference to the sites’ overall ecological functions and the lasting preservation of the constitutive characteristics of the sites.

1.1.        Annex I Habitats

1.1. Annex I Habitats

  1. The Array HRA Stage One LSE2 Screening Report (appendix 1A) did not identify the potential for LSE2 on any Annex I habitats, therefore none were advanced to the RIAA.

1.2.        Annex II Diadromous Fish Species

1.2. Annex II Diadromous Fish Species

  1. The Array HRA Stage One LSE2 Screening Report (appendix 1A) identified the potential for LSE2 on nine SACs for Annex II diadromous fish species and dependent features, which have been assessed in the HRA Stage Two RIAA. The conclusions of Part 2 (SAC Assessments) of the HRA Stage Two RIAA for the European sites assessed for Annex II diadromous fish are summarised in Table 1.1   Open ▸ in order of increasing distance from the Array.

1.3.        Annex II Marine Mammals

1.3. Annex II Marine Mammals

  1. Following Array HRA Stage One LSE2 Screening and consideration of stakeholder feedback from the EIA Scoping Opinion, the potential for LSE2 has been identified for three SACs for Annex II marine mammals, which have been assessed in the HRA Stage Two RIAA. The conclusions of Part 2 (SAC Assessment) of the HRA Stage Two RIAA for the European sites assessed for Annex II marine mammals are summarised in Table 1.2   Open ▸ in order of increasing distance from the Array.

1.4.        Offshore Ornithology

1.4. Offshore Ornithology

  1. The Array HRA Stage One Screening Report identified the potential for LSE2 on 35 SPAs for ornithological features (of which, 16 are also Ramsar sites), which have been assessed in the HRA Stage Two RIAA. The conclusions of the Part 3 (SPA and Ramsar Site Assessments) of the HRA Stage Two RIAA for the European sites assessed for ornithological features are summarised in Table 1.3   Open ▸ in alphabetical order.

1.5.        Overarching Conclusion

1.5. Overarching Conclusion

  1. This report summarises the findings of a study to inform the second stage of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal required for the Array to ensure compliance with the Habitats Regulations.
  2. Based on the information presented within Part 2 of this HRA Stage Two RIAA, it is considered that the Array, acting either alone or in-combination with other plans and projects, will not lead to an Adverse Effect on Integrity (AEOI) on any of the 12 SACs considered.
  3. Based on the information presented within Part 3 of this HRA Stage Two RIAA, it is considered that the Array alone will not lead to an AEOI on any of the 35 SPAs and Ramsar Sites considered. However, a potential AEOI was identified at seven SPAs and for three qualifying species as a result of disturbance and displacement and/or collision during the operation and maintenance phase of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects:
  • Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA;

–           seabird assemblage (with regards to kittiwake Rissa tridactyla);

  • East Caithness Cliffs SPA;

–           kittiwake and seabird assemblage (with regards to kittiwake);

  • Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA;

–           kittiwake, gannet Morus bassanus, and seabird assemblage (with regards to gannet and kittiwake);

  • Forth Islands SPA;

–           gannet and seabird assemblage (with regards to gannet and kittiwake);

  • Fowlsheugh SPA;

–           kittiwake and seabird assemblage (with regards to kittiwake and razorbill Alca torda);

  • North Caithness Cliffs SPA;

–           seabird assemblage (with regards to kittiwake); and

  • Troup, Pennan and Lion’s Head SPA

–           kittiwake and seabird assemblage (with regards to kittiwake).

 

Table 1.1:
Summary of Conclusions on the AEOI of the SACs Designated for Annex II Diadromous Fish

Table 1.1: Summary of Conclusions on the AEOI of the SACs Designated for Annex II Diadromous Fish

Table 1.2:
Summary of Conclusions on the AEOI of the SACs Designated for Annex II Marine Mammals

Table 1.2: Summary of Conclusions on the AEOI of the SACs Designated for Annex II Marine Mammals

 

Table 1.3:
Summary of Conclusions on the AEOI of the SPAs and Ramsar Sites Designated for Offshore Ornithology

Table 1.3: Summary of Conclusions on the AEOI of the SPAs and Ramsar Sites Designated for Offshore Ornithology