1. Introduction

1.1. The Purpose of this Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment

  1. This Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment (RIAA) has been prepared by RPS and Niras on behalf of Ossian Offshore Wind Limited (Ossian OFWL) (hereafter referred to as the ‘Applicant’). The purpose of this RIAA is to support the Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) of the Array in the determination of the implications for European sites. This RIAA builds upon the Array HRA Stage One Likely Significant Effects (LSE2) Screening Report (Part 1, appendix 1A) and the subsequent joint Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping and LSE1 Screening advice received in the Ossian Array Scoping Opinion (Marine Directorate – Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT) (2023)).
  2. This RIAA assesses whether the Array could have an adverse effect, either alone, or in-combination with other plans or projects, on the integrity of any European site. This report will provide the Competent Authority with the information required to undertake an HRA Stage Two Appropriate Assessment.
  3. The scope of this RIAA Part 2 SAC Assessments covers all relevant SACs and qualifying interest features where a LSE2 has been identified in the Array HRA Stage One LSE2 Screening Report (Part 1, appendix 1A), due to the potential impacts arising from the Array. This includes ‘offshore’ European sites and features.
  4. There were no SACs designated for Annex I habitats or Annex II European otter Lutra lutra advanced to the RIAA stage, and therefore these are not included in this assessment.

1.2. Structure of the RIAA

  1. As detailed in section 1.5 of Part 1, for clarity and ease of navigation, the RIAA is structured and reported in the below ‘Parts’, as follows:
  • Executive Summary and Conclusion;
  • Part 1: Introduction;
  • Part 2 Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Assessments; and
  • Part 3: Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site Assessments.

1.3. Structure of this Document

  1. As stated in paragraph 5, this document constitutes Part 2 of the RIAA, and presents the assessment of the implications of the Array on SACs.
  2. This document is structured as follows:
  • Section 1: Introduction, which details the purpose and structure of the RIAA and this Part 2 document;
  • Section 2: Consultation, which provides a summary of relevant consultation undertaken to date, the responses provided, and how these have been addressed in this Part of the RIAA;
  • Section 3: Summary of the HRA Stage One LSE2 Screening conclusions for SACs;
  • Section 4: Information to inform the Appropriate Assessment, which includes the Maximum Design Scenario (MDS), information on designed in measures, and an outline of the baseline data on the SACs;
  • Section 5: Assessment of adverse effects on integrity on designated sites for Annex II diadromous fish both alone and in-combination with other plans and projects;
  • Section 6: Assessment of adverse effects on integrity on designated sites for Annex II marine mammals both alone and in-combination with other plans and projects;
  • Section 7: Overall summary of this Part of the RIAA; and
  • Section 8: References.