Item5Appendix2HRA20200220DET

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for a planning application (2020/0220/DET) regarding the erection of a bothy with a wastewater treatment system near Lochan nan Reamh, south of Kingussie. The appraisal, carried out by Nina Caudrey, a planning officer, on 30 September 2021, considers the potential impact of the project on the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the River Spey – Insh Marshes Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site, particularly concerning freshwater pearl mussels, sea lamprey, Atlantic salmon, and otters. The assessment concludes that while there's a potential for significant effects due to sediment pollution during construction and disturbance to otters, these can be mitigated. Implementing a Construction Method Statement and conducting a pre-construction otter survey, along with a species protection plan if needed, would ensure that the conservation objectives are met and there would be no adverse effect on site integrity.