HRO application summary

A Harbour Revision Order (HRO) enables ports to make changes to their infrastructure and operations.  An order can be issued when a Minister is satisfied that it is in the interests of improving, maintaining or managing the harbour in an efficient and economical manner. 

• In March 2007 The Bristol Port Company notified DfT (Ports Division) of its intention to develop a deep sea container terminal.  An Environmental Scoping Report (ESR) was submitted and a formal screening and scoping opinion on the proposal was requested.
• Following this submission, the ESR was circulated by the DfT and The Bristol Port Company to statutory consultees and potentially interested parties in order to provide opportunity for comment.
• The DfT responded in July 2007 stating that the project, under current regulations, required an Environmental Statement (ES) to accompany the HRO application.
• A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out covering the expansion plans, and the outcome reported in the ES.
• On 22 July 2008 The Bristol Port Company submitted its HRO application and ES in respect of the planned deep sea container terminal.

The HRO documents consist of the formal statutory application, plans for the proposed development, and a public notice of the application.  These are available in Information sources.

The ESR document is a comprehensive, technical report.  It is available in Information sources as a single large document and also as a series of smaller sections and appendices.