Item10Appendix2HRA20230210DETBadaguish

This document contains a habitats regulations appraisal (HRA) for planning application 2023/0210/DET, concerning the retention of ten wigwam accommodation units at Badaguish Outdoor Centre in the Cairngorms National Park. It builds on previous HRAs from 2017 and 2020, re-evaluating the potential impact of the wigwams on protected species and habitats. The assessment considers the potential for disturbance to capercaillie and other species within the Cairngorms Special Protection Area (SPA) and other nearby SPAs due to increased recreational activity. It concludes that with existing mitigation measures, primarily the Visitor Management Plan (VMP), the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorms SPA or other Natura sites, resulting in only minor residual effects on capercaillie. The appraisal considered existing recreational activity, visitor management and the characteristics of the surrounding area to ensure that the project avoids detrimental impacts on the environment.