Sch 3 para 2 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.