Item8Appendix3HRA20210262DET

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for planning application 2021/0262/DET, which concerns the formation, maintenance, and upgrading of a vehicular access track in Glen Clova. The appraisal, completed on 31 August 2021, assesses the potential impact of the project on two European sites: the Cairngorms Massif Special Protection Area (SPA) and the River South Esk Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The assessment concludes that the project is likely to have a significant effect on golden eagles (Cairngorms Massif SPA) and freshwater pearl mussels and Atlantic salmon (River South Esk SAC) due to potential habitat disturbance and sediment release. The appraisal suggests that the project as originally submitted would prevent meeting the conservation objectives of the River South Esk SAC, but if a condition to prevent sediment release is applied, it should meet conversation objectives.