Characteristics of development
The characteristics of the development must be considered, having regard in particular to—
(a) the size and design of the whole development;
(b) cumulation with other existing and approved developments;
(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 disasters that are relevant to the development, 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).
Location of development
The environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by the development must be considered, having regard in particular 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 and 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 domestic legislation or legislation of ... EEA states;
(vi) European sites (as defined in regulation 8(1) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 );
(vii) areas in which there has already been a failure to meet environmental quality standards that are set out in assimilated law and are relevant to the development, or in which it is thought that there is such a failure;
(viii) densely-populated areas;
(ix) landscapes and sites of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.
Type and characteristics of potential impact
The likely significant effect of the development on the environment must be considered in relation to the criteria set out in paragraphs 1 and 2, with regard to the impact of the development on the factors set out in regulation 7(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 approved developments;
(h) the possibility of effectively reducing the impact.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (legislation.gov.uk).
