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The purpose of the Central Ellesmere Port Area Action Plan (AAP) is to create a vision and strategy for the comprehensive and integrated regeneration of the Central Ellesmere Port area. The AAP will set out the spatial framework for the development of a number of key development sites such as the former H H Robertsons site on Cromwell Road.

The requirement for Habitats Regulations Assessment of plans is outlined in Article 6(3) and (4) of the European Communities (1992) Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (Habitats Directive). These European sites, collectively known as Natura 2000 sites, consisting of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Offshore Marine Sites (OMSs). It is Government policy to consider sites listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance as part of the same procedure. These sites are known as RAMSAR sites.

The Preferred Options Habitats Regulations Assessment report documents the Appropriate Assessment of the Central Ellesmere Port Area Action Plan Preferred Options DPD, providing the information and conclusions regarding the Natura 2000 sites that were subject to assessment, the detailed assessment of the relevant AAP preferred options policies and any associated recommendations.

The 'Central Ellesmere Port Area Action Plan - Issues and Options - Habitats Regulations Screening Report' (Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council, 2009 - see Supporting Documents below) identified a number of European sites where there was sufficient uncertainty, at that stage, to exclude the possibility of a significant effect. Three European sites were considered to have links via pathways with development within the Central Ellesmere Port Area Action Plan boundary and were 'screened in' for further appropriate assessment work. They are:

• The Dee Estuary Ramsar, SPA and candidate SAC
• River Dee and Bala Lake SAC
• The Mersey Estuary Ramsar and SPA