SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)·Page 91·6.237
Environmental legislation compliance for renewable and low carbon energy
All development proposals, including renewable and low carbon energy projects, must comply with environmental legislation including the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations (NI) 1995 and the Planning (EIA) Regulations (NI) 2017, and must be assessed for environmental impacts across installation, operation, and decommissioning stages.
For all development, applicants, operators, planning authorities and statutory consultees will be bound by environmental legislation requirements such as The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 as amended and The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017. Proposals for renewable and low carbon energy must be assessed for their environmental impacts (covering installation, operation, and decommissioning stages, as appropriate) and comply with the relevant environmental legislation, case law, policy, and guidance prevailing at the time.
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