DECC has issued new guidance for developers and holders of offshore renewable energy project consents and licences to understand how sites these will be affected by new marine Natura 2000 sites.
The guidance relates to Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive which require that sites for certain species and habitat types that form part of the Natura 2000 network are protected.
The department said the guidance is most relevant for developers and operators who are applying or already hold a Development Consent Order in England and Wales or a Section 36 consent, as well as and associated marine licences.
Under the new guidance, DCO and S36 consents will be reviewed as soon as reasonably practicable for schemes yet to be not completed before a site becomes a Special Protection Area or a candidate Special Area of Conservation.
If a project is already generating the guidance does not apply.
DCOs and S36 consents for projects beyond the 12-mile territorial sea limit will be reviewed after a site becomes a cSAC or SPA.
Scottish Natural Heritage has meanwhile produced guidance for those assessing the risk of marine wildlife colliding with underwater turbines.
SNH has produced the guidance to help developers, consultants and regulatory bodies, to promote a standardised approach to collision risk assessment for tidal energy projects.
Developers can be asked to include a collision risk assessment as part of their Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitat Regulations Appraisal.
The guidance includes three models which can be used to estimate the number of animals likely to collide with tidal arrays.
Image: sxc
