The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 No. 83

Regulation 2(2) definition of “selection criteria”

SCHEDULE 3 N.I. Selection criteria referred to in Article 4.3 of the Directive

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 3 in operation at 16.5.2017, see reg. 1

1. Characteristics of development N.I.

The characteristics of development shall be considered having regard, in particular, to—

(a) the size and design of the whole development;

(b) the cumulation with other existing development and/or approved development;

(c) the use of natural resources, in particular land, soil, water and biodiversity;

(d) the production of waste;

(e) pollution and nuisances;

(f) the risk of major accidents and/or disasters which are relevant to the development concerned, including those caused by climate change, in accordance with scientific knowledge;

(g) the risks to human health (for example due to water contamination or air pollution).

2. Location of development N.I.

The environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by development shall be considered, with particular regard to—

(a) the existing and approved land use;

(b) the relative abundance, availability, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources (including soil, land, water and biodiversity) in the area and its underground;

(c) the absorption capacity of the natural environment, paying particular attention to the following areas—

(i) wetlands, riparian areas, river mouths;

(ii) coastal zones and the marine environment;

(iii) mountain and forest areas;

(iv) nature reserves and parks;

(v) areas classified or protected under national legislation and areas designated pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(1) and Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds(2);

(vi) areas in which there has already been a failure to meet the environmental quality standards laid down in Union legislation and relevant to the development, or in which it is considered that there is such a failure;

(vii) densely populated areas;

(viii) landscapes and sites of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.

3. Characteristics of the potential impact N.I.

The likely significant effects of development on the environment shall be considered in relation to criteria set out under paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Schedule, with regard to the impact of the development on the factors specified in regulation 5(2), taking into account—

(a) the magnitude and spatial extent of the impact (for example geographical area and size of the population likely to be affected);

(b) the nature of the impact;

(c) the transboundary nature of the impact

(d) the intensity and complexity of the impact;

(e) the probability of the impact;

(f) the expected onset, duration, frequency and reversibility of the impact;

(g) the cumulation of the impact with the impact of other existing and/or approved development;

(h) the possibility of effectively reducing the impact.

(1)

O.J. No. L206, 22.7.92, p7

(2)

O.J. No. L20, 26.1.2010, p7