Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment

1.1 Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (The Council) is inviting experienced consultants to submit bids to conduct a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of its emerging Local Plan.

The Local Plan sets out the future spatial strategy for the Borough and will include sites for allocation.

It is being produced in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

1.2 The HRA will form part of the Council's local plan evidence base and will guide the development of the Local Plan.

It will be prepared in accordance with relevant legislation and best practice.

In brief, the HRA will identify any aspects of the Plan that would cause a likely significant effect on any European Sites , either in isolation or in combination with other plans and projects, and advise on appropriate policy mechanisms for delivering mitigation where if such effects are identified.

1.3 The HRA will cover the following key stages in the Local Plan process: • Publication and consultation on a Regulation 18 consultation paper (a follow up from an earlier Regulation 18 Issues and Options consultation) • Publication and consultation on a Regulation 19 pre-submission document 1.4 In addition to providing the HRA, the appointed consultant will need to act as an expert witness (if required) for the Council at the Local Plan examination in relation to HRA issues.

The examination is likely to be scheduled for autumn 2020.