Statement of case in support of a Determination that a statutory EIA is not required

This is a relevant project in terms of section 55A(16) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as it is a project for the improvement of a road and the completed works (together with any area occupied by apparatus, equipment, machinery, materials, plant, spoil heaps, or other such facilities or stores required during the period of construction) do not exceed 1 hectare in area, however is situated in whole or in part in the LLTNP which is a sensitive area within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999.

The project has been subject to screening using the Annex III criteria to determine whether a formal Environmental Impact Assessment is required under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended by The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017). Screening using Annex III criteria, reference to consultations undertaken and review of available information has not identified the need for a statutory EIA.

The project will not have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as:

Characteristics of the schemes

• The works are confined to two laybys on the A85 with a total length of 160m and area of 0.1ha.
• The works will be temporary, localised, and completed during daytime hours.
• No species of conservation importance have been noted during the ECS on 19^th March 2026 within the works disturbance buffers. Works are not expected to result in significant disturbance to protected species that may be present in the wider area.
• The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
• Layby improvements will improve the road safety and pedestrian facilities within this section of the trunk road.
• No impacts on the environment are expected during the operational phase as a result of works. The works are expected to result in positive impacts on road users during the operational phase.

Location of the schemes

• The scheme is located within the existing A85 trunk road boundary and as such, no land take is required.
• The scheme does not share connectivity with a European Site or locally or nationally designated site of ecological significance.
• Layby 4 lies within St Fillans Conservation Area; however, the works are minor, within the character of the existing trunk road, and will not result in alternation of the local landscape. No tree felling works are required and consultation with local Community Council and LLTNP regarding the works is ongoing.
• Both laybys lie within LLTNP. Consultation with the National Park Authority has been undertaken with the works assessed as positive for the users of the National Park.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the schemes

• Any potential impacts of the works are expected to be temporary, short-term, non-significant, and limited to the construction phase.
• Measures will be in place to ensure appropriate removal and disposal of waste where required.
• No impacts on the environment are expected during the operational phase as a result of works. The works are expected to result in positive impacts on road users, ecological and human receptors during the operational phase.
• As the works will be limited to the improvements of the existing laybys there is no change to the vulnerability of the road to the risk or severity of major accidents/disasters that would impact on the environment.
• Works are programmed to be of short duration and undertaken over daytime working programme.
• Mitigation measures detailed above (and in the SEMP) will be put in place with the objective to prevent and, if required, subsequently control any potential impacts on sensitive receptors.