Site screening
Natura 2000 Screening for Solar Projects
Use mapped Natura 2000 context to identify potential Habitats and Birds Directives implications and next actions.
Why this workflow matters
A site outside a Natura 2000 boundary may still create pathways to a protected site through hydrology, species movement, disturbance or associated infrastructure. Screening needs both geometry and ecological reasoning.
Questions to answer
- Does any project component intersect a Natura 2000 site?
- Which qualifying features and conservation objectives apply?
- Are there functional or hydrological connections?
- Could likely significant effects arise alone or in combination?
Recommended workflow
- 1Map the project, grid route and access against current Natura 2000 data.
- 2Identify nearby sites, designations and qualifying features.
- 3Describe impact pathways and information gaps.
- 4Seek specialist advice on screening and appropriate-assessment requirements.
Evidence to collect
- ✓ Official Natura 2000 boundaries and site codes
- ✓ Standard data forms and conservation objectives
- ✓ Ecological connectivity and hydrology
- ✓ Project description and construction methods
Decision-ready outputs
- → Natura 2000 context map
- → Impact-pathway screening table
- → Specialist assessment scope