Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) Services for the East Lothian Local Development Plan

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East Lothian Council is preparing an area wide Local Development Plan (LDP), with the Proposed Plan due in March 2027. As part of this work, a formal assessment under the Habitats Regulations will be required. East Lothian Council is now seeking to appoint consultants to carry out a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA), including a report to inform the Appropriate Assessment, and invites quotes and tenders from appropriately qualified and experienced consultants for this work. The consultant engaged will carry out a Habitats Regulations Appraisal following the methodology set out in NatureScot’s “Habitat Regulations Appraisal of Plans – Guidance for Plan-making bodies in Scotland” revised in November 2023. The consultant is expected to consult NatureScot where appropriate, and in particular should consult them on scope of the HRA, the draft of any Appropriate Assessment required, and on a working final draft of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal Record. NatureScot’s views must be taken into account such that they accept that the HRA has been satisfactorily carried out. Should the Proposed Local Development Plan be subject to recommended changes through an Examination in Public, this may lead to further assessment work to assess changes recommended to the plan. Lot 1: East Lothian Council is preparing an area wide Local Development Plan (LDP), with the Proposed Plan due in March 2027. As part of this work, a formal assessment under the Habitats Regulations will be required. East Lothian Council is now seeking to appoint consultants to carry out a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA), including a report to inform the Appropriate Assessment, and invites quotes and tenders from appropriately qualified and experienced consultants for this work. The consultant engaged will carry out a Habitats Regulations Appraisal following the methodology set out in NatureScot’s “Habitat Regulations Appraisal of Plans – Guidance for Plan-making bodies in Scotland” revised in November 2023. The consultant is expected to consult NatureScot where appropriate, and in particular should consult them on scope of the HRA, the draft of any Appropriate Assessment required, and on a working final draft of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal Record. NatureScot’s views must be taken into account such that they accept that the HRA has been satisfactorily carried out. Should the Proposed Local Development Plan be subject to recommended changes through an Examination in Public, this may lead to further assessment work to assess changes recommended to the plan.. The purpose of this PIN is for market engagement only. Information provided is not exhaustive and is subject to change. By noting interest please be aware you may be contacted during future market engagement, in relation to potential future contracts within the scope of this PIN – this could be in the form of questionnaire or market engagement events etc.