Offshore wind - strategic compensation policy: business and regulatory impact assessment
Partial business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) for the strategic compensation policy for offshore wind assesses potential impacts of the proposed policy to businesses and regulatory frameworks.
Section 5: Next Steps and Implementation
Recommendations/Preferred Options
At this stage of policy development, the preferred option is for the policy to be progressed to consultation rather than to adopt a ‘do nothing’ approach. As set out above, the current approach to securing compensatory measures under the Habitats Regulations creates challenges for delivering Scotland and UK offshore wind ambitions. There have been difficulties identifying suitable compensatory measures that directly benefit the feature affected by an offshore wind development. To meet the pipeline of upcoming developments, greater flexibility in our approach to compensation is required.
Proceeding to consultation will also provide an opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders (including but not limited to businesses, eNGOs and communities) to meaningfully engage with the policy and influence its continued development.
Implementation Considerations/Plan
The immediate next step is for the policy to progress to a six-week consultation period. The policy will then be considered in further detail ahead of guidance and the relevant SSI being developed and progressed.
Post Implementation Review
Further detail on how the policy would be implemented following its adoption will be included in the final BRIA. At this stage, the policy is not anticipated to create any unique challenges relating to enforcement/compliance.