5: nature conservation and planning · 3 royal town planning institute, 1999, planning for...

Planning Policy Wales

Technical Advice Note

5: NATURE CONSERVATION AND PLANNING

September 2009

This document is one of a series of Technical Advice Notes (TANs) which supplement Planning Policy Wales (2002) (as updated by Ministerial Interim Planning Policy Statements).

Further copies can be obtained free of charge from:

The Publications CentreNational Assembly for WalesCathays ParkCardiffCF10 3NQTel: 029 2082 3683E-mail: [email protected]

Cover satellite image compiled from Landsat data(colour enhanced visible/near visible infrared) andsupplied by Infoterraglobal.com.

ISBN 978 0 7504 5430 8

© Crown copyright September 2009

CMK-22-04-045(401)

E5210910

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CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 IntroductiontotheTAN1.2 PurposeandStructureoftheTAN1.3 Cancellations1.4 Scopeofnatureconservation1.5 Theimportanceofnatureconservation1.6 ThevitalroleofthePlanningsysteminnatureconservation

2. KEYPRINCIPLESOFPOSITIVEPLANNINGFORNATURECONSERVATION 4

3. NATURECONSERVATIONANDLOCALDEVELOPMENTPLANS 6

3.1 Introduction3.2 RelevantStatutoryRequirements3.3 Adviceinrespectofthepreparationandreviewoflocaldevelopmentplans3.4 SupplementaryPlanningGuidance3.5 SustainabilityAppraisal,StrategicEnvironmentalAssessmentandHabitats

RegulationsAppraisal3.6 Monitoring

4. NATURECONSERVATIONINDEVELOPMENTCONTROL-PROCEDURES 12

4.1 Introduction4.2 Pre-applicationdiscussions4.3 Preparingplanningapplications4.4 Requiringfurtherinformation4.5 EnvironmentalImpactAssessment4.6 Theuseofconditionsonplanningpermissions4.7 Theuseofplanningobligations

5. DEVELOPMENTAFFECTINGDESIGNATEDSITESANDHABITATS 20

5.1 Introductiontodesignatedsites5.2 Furtherconsiderationsandpolicyinrespectofinternationaland nationallydesignatedsites5.3 Developmentaffectinginternationallydesignatedsites5.4 Developmentaffectingnationallydesignatedsites5.5 LocalSites

6. DEVELOPMENTAFFECTINGPROTECTEDANDPRIORITY 37 HABITATSANDSPECIES

6.1 Introduction6.2 Protectedspeciesasamaterialplanningconsideration6.3 ProtectionofEuropeanprotectedspecies6.4 Protectionofbirds,badgers,otheranimalsandplants6.5 HabitatsandspeciesofprincipalimportanceforbiodiversityinWales

ANNEXES

1 Statutoryframeworkfornatureconservationrelevanttoplanning 43

2 StatutoryNatureconservationdesignations 47

3 Developmentproposalslikelytoaffectaninternationallydesignated natureconservationsite 51

4 Thereviewofoutstandingplanningpermissionsanddeemedplanning permissionslikelytoaffectaninternationallydesignatednature conservationsite 65

5 Restrictionsofpermitteddevelopmentthatmayaffectaninternationally designatednatureconservationsite 69

6 TheappraisalofdevelopmentplansinWalesundertheprovisions oftheHabitatsRegulations 75

7. Keylegislativeprovisionsfortheprotectionofspecies 101

8 Listsofspeciesprotectedbylaw 105

9 Listofspeciesandhabitatsofprincipalimportancefortheconservation ofbiologicaldiversityinWales 118

10 CountrysideCouncilforWales 119

11 Otherusefulcontacts 121

12 Linkto:'TheBirdsDirective','TheHabitatsDirective'and 'TheRamsarConvention' 123

13 Glossary 124

Nature Conservation & Planning

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 IntroductiontotheTAN

1.1.1 Planning Policy Wales(PPW)(2002)setsoutthelanduseplanningpoliciesoftheWelshAssemblyGovernment(theAssemblyGovernment).ItissupplementedbyaseriesofTechnicalAdviceNotes(TANs).ProceduraladviceisgiveninNationalAssemblyforWales/WelshOfficecirculars.PPW,MinisterialInterimPlanningPolicyStatements(MIPPS),theTANsandcircularstogethercomprisenationalplanningpolicytowhichlocalplanningauthoritiesinWalesmusthaveregardinthepreparationofdevelopmentplans.TheymaybematerialtodecisionsonindividualplanningapplicationsandwillbetakenintoaccountbytheAssemblyGovernmentandPlanningInspectorsinthedeterminationofcalled-inplanningapplicationsandappeals.Detailedadviceonthepreparationofunitarydevelopmentplans(UDPs)iscontainedinUnitary Development Plans Wales, 2001.DetailedadviceonthepreparationofLocalDevelopmentPlans(LDPs)underthePlanningandCompulsoryPurchaseAct2004isgiveninLocal Development Plans Wales, 2005.

1.2 PurposeandStructureoftheTAN

1.2.1 ThisTechnicalAdviceNoteprovidesadviceabouthowthelanduseplanningsystemshouldcontributetoprotectingandenhancingbiodiversityandgeologicalconservation.ThisguidancenoteshouldbereadinconjunctionwithPlanning Policy Wales (2002),inparticularwithChapter5Conserving and Improving the Natural Heritage and CoastwhichsetsouttheAssemblyGovernment’sobjectivesforthenaturalheritageandthelanduseplanningpolicieswhichsupportthese.

1.2.2 ThisTANbringstogetheradviceonsourcesoflegislationrelevanttovariousnatureconservationtopicswhichmaybeencounteredbylocalplanningauthorities.Chapter2setsoutthekeyprinciplesofplanningfornatureconservation.Chapter3providesadviceaboutthepreparationandreviewofdevelopmentplans,includingtherelevantstatutoryrequirements.Chapter4addressesnatureconservationindevelopmentcontrolprocedures.Chapter5dealswiththeconservationofinternationallyandnationallydesignatedsitesandhabitatsandalsocoverslocalsites.Chapter6dealswiththeconservationofprotectedandpriorityspecies.TheAnnexesformpartofthisTANandprovidemoredetailedinformationandguidanceonarangeofissues.

1.2.3 DocumentslistedinthefootnotesprovideadditionalinformationwhichmaybereadinconjunctionwiththisTAN.

1.3 Cancellations

1.3.1 TAN5,Nature Conservation and Planning (1996) andCircular23/2001, Guidance for local planning authorities on European protected species and licensing proceduresareherebycancelled.

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1.4 Scopeofnatureconservation

1.4.1 Natureconservationasreferredtoinstatute1meanstheconservationofflora,fauna,geologicalandphysiographical(alsocalledgeomorphological)features.Natureconservation,asreferredtothroughoutthisTAN,includestheconservationofbiodiversityandgeodiversityincludingthenaturalsystemsandprocessesthatcontinuetochangethelandform,riversandcoastsofWales.

1.4.2 “Biodiversity”isthetermappliedtothevarietyoflifeonearthandisshortforbiologicaldiversity.Itdescribestherichnessandvarietyofalllivingthings,fromthesmallestmicroscopicorganismtothelargesttree.“Geodiversity”isthevarietyofgeologicalenvironments,phenomenaandactiveprocessesthatmakelandscapes,rocks,minerals,fossils,soilsandothersuperficialdepositsthatprovidetheframeworkforlifeonearth.Geodiversityisimportantbecauseitunderpinsbiodiversitywithsoilsbeingthelinkbetweenthem.

1.4.3 “Conservation”inthecontextofthisTAN,involvespreservation,protection,wiseuse,sustainablemanagementandrestorationofthenaturalheritage.‘Conservingbiodiversity’isalsodefinedinstatuteasincluding,inrelationtoalivingorganismortypeofhabitat,therestorationorenhancementofapopulationorhabitat2.TheAssemblyGovernmentlookstotheplanningsystemtoimproveaswellasprotecttheenvironmentandtoenhanceaswellasconservethecountrysideandundevelopedcoast,includingstatutorilydesignatedareas(PPWparagraph2.3.2).Consequently,thisTANalsoaddresseswaysinwhichtheplanningsystemcanhelptoenhanceaswellasconservenaturalfeatures,naturalprocesses,wildlifeandthehabitatsonwhichitdepends.

1.4.4 Section40(1))ofNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006(NERC)placesadutyoneverypublicauthority,inexercisingitsfunctions,to“have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity".ThisTANsetsoutthemannerinwhichplanningauthoritiesshouldcomplywiththisduty.

1.5 Theimportanceofnatureconservation

1.5.1 Biodiversityisimportantinitsownrightandessentialtomaintainthelifesupportsystemsthatallowlife,includinghumanlife,toexistontheplanet.Wildlifeanditshabitatsareoffundamentalimportancetoourfuturewell-beingandprosperitybecausearichanddiverseenvironmentsupportsalong-termsustainableeconomyandcontributestoahealthierandhappiersociety.Biodiversityisanimportantindicatorofsustainabledevelopment.Biodiversityandgeodiversityaddtothequalityoflifeandlocaldistinctiveness.ThegeologyofWales,includingitslandforms,mineralsandfossils,isdiverse,visuallyimpressiveandofgreatscientificimportance.

1Section39NaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006.2Section40(3)NaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006.


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1.5.2 Theenjoymentofwildlifeandgeologyprovidesopportunitiesforlifelonglearning,recreationandtourism.Environmentswherearichdiversityofwildlifeandnaturalfeaturesisappreciated,fosteredandenhancedhelptoretainjobs,attractinwardinvestmentanddiversifytheeconomy.Theconservationofournaturalresourcesisanecessity,notmerelyachoice.TheAssemblyGovernment’sobjectivesfortheconservationandimprovementofthenaturalheritagearesetoutinPPWatparagraph5.1.2.

1.6 ThevitalroleofthePlanningsysteminnatureconservation

1.6.1 Biodiversityconservationandenhancementisanintegralpartofplanningforsustainabledevelopment.Theplanningsystemhasanimportantparttoplayinnatureconservation(PPWparagraph5.2.7).Theuseanddevelopmentoflandcanposethreatstotheconservationofnaturalfeaturesandwildlife.Pastchangeshavecontributedtothelossofintegrityofhabitatnetworksthroughland-take,fragmentation,severance,disturbance,hydrologicalchangesandotheradverseimpacts.Butdevelopmentcanalsopresentsignificantopportunitiestoenhancewildlifehabitatsandtheenjoymentandunderstandingofthenaturalheritage.Whilsttheplanningsystemneedstobewatchfulofthecumulativeeffectsofaseriesofsmall,perhapsoccasional,apparentlyinsignificantlossesfromthenaturalworld,whichcancombinetoseriouslydepletethenaturalheritage,includingessentialhydrologicalandecologicalsystems;smallscaleopportunitiesforhabitatcreationandenhancementcanbesignificantandcanbuildintomajorcontributionsovertime.3,4ThisTANdemonstrateshowlocalplanningauthorities,developersandkeystakeholdersinconservationcanworktogethertodelivermoresustainabledevelopmentthatdoesnotresultinlossesfromthenaturalheritagebutinsteadtakeseveryopportunitytoenhanceit.

3RoyalTownPlanningInstitute,1999,Planning for Biodiversity,Foreword.4Planning to halt the loss of biodiversity: Biodiversity conservation standards for planning in the UK(PAS2010),

BritishStandardsInstitutionandAssociationofLocalGovernmentEcologists,2006.


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2. KEYPRINCIPLESOFPOSITIVEPLANNINGFORNATURECONSERVATION

2.1 ThetownandcountryplanningsysteminWalesshould:

• worktoachievenatureconservationobjectivesthroughapartnershipbetweenlocalplanningauthorities,CCW,theEnvironmentAgencyWales,voluntaryorganisations,developers,landownersandotherkeystakeholders(PPW5.1.5and5.2.5);

• integratenatureconservationintoallplanningdecisionslookingfordevelopmenttodeliversocial,economicandenvironmentalobjectivestogetherovertime5(PPW5.1.3and5.1.4);

• ensurethattheUK’sinternationalandnationalobligationsforsite,speciesandhabitatprotectionarefullymetinallplanningdecisions(PPW5.3.8-10);

• lookfordevelopmenttoprovideanetbenefitforbiodiversityconservationwithnosignificantlossofhabitatsorpopulationsofspecies,locallyornationally(PPW5.1);

• helptoensurethatdevelopmentdoesnotdamage,orrestrictaccessto,orthestudyof,geologicalsitesandfeaturesorimpedetheevolutionofnaturalprocessesandsystemsespeciallyonriversandthecoast(PPW1.4.14,2.2.1,2.3.2and5.6.3);

• forgeandstrengthenlinksbetweenthetownandcountryplanningsystemandbiodiversityactionplanningparticularlythroughpoliciesinlocaldevelopmentplansandthepreparationofsupplementaryplanningguidancethataddsvaluetoLocalBiodiversityActionPlans(LBAPs)byhighlightingthewaysinwhichtheplanningsystemcanhelptodelivertheobjectivesofLBAPsinpracticalways(PPW5.4.2);

• plantoaccommodateandreducetheeffectsofclimatechangebyencouragingdevelopmentthatwillreducedamagingemissionsandenergyconsumptionandthathelphabitatsandspeciestorespondtoclimatechange(PPW2.2.1and2.3.2)6.

2.2 Localdevelopmentplanpoliciesandproposalsshouldbebaseduponup-to-dateinformation,whichshouldbekeptunderreview,aboutthebiodiversityandgeologicalresourcesoftheplanarea(PPWparagraphs3.1.4and3.1.5).Inlocaldevelopmentplanreviews,localplanningauthoritiesshouldassessthepotentialtoconserveandenhancethoseresources(PPWparagraph5.4.1).

5HMGovernment,2005,Securing the future: delivering UK sustainable development strategyCommand6467.6GuidanceonplanningandclimatechangeisavailableinThe Planning Response to Climate Change - Advice on Better

Practice,ODPM,WelshAssemblyGovernment,ScottishExecutive,2004.


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2.3 Developmentpoliciesand,whereappropriate,supplementaryplanningguidance,shouldpromoteopportunitiesfortheincorporationofwildlifeandgeologicalfeatureswithinthedesignofdevelopmentandgreeninfrastructure(PPW2.9.4).

2.4 Whenconsideringpoliciesandproposalsinlocaldevelopmentplansandwhendecidingplanningapplicationsthatmayaffectnatureconservation,localplanningauthoritiesshould:

• payparticularattentiontotheprinciplesofsustainabledevelopment,includingrespectforenvironmentallimits,applyingtheprecautionaryprinciple,usingscientificknowledgetoaiddecisionmakingandtakingaccountofthefullrangeofcostsandbenefitsinalongtermperspective(PPW2.2.1);

• contributetotheprotectionandimprovementoftheenvironment,soastoimprovethequalityoflifeandprotectlocalandglobalecosystems,seekingtoavoidirreversibleharmfuleffectsonthenaturalenvironment(PPW2.3.2);

• promotetheconservationandenhancementofstatutorilydesignatedareasandundevelopedcoast(PPW2.3.2);

• ensurethatappropriateweightisattachedtodesignatedsitesofinternational,nationalandlocalimportance(PPW5.3.2);

• protectwildlifeandnaturalfeaturesinthewiderenvironment,withappropriateweightattachedtopriorityhabitatsandspeciesinBiodiversityActionPlans(PPW5.2);

• ensurethatallmaterialconsiderationsaretakenintoaccountanddecisionsareinformedbyadequateinformationaboutthepotentialeffectsofdevelopmentonnatureconservation(PPWparagraphs5.5.1and5.5.2);

• ensurethattherangeandpopulationofprotectedspeciesissustained(PPW5.2.3,5.5.11and5.5.12);

• adoptastep-wiseapproachtoavoidharmtonatureconservation,minimiseunavoidableharmbymitigationmeasures,offsetresidualharmbycompensationmeasuresandlookfornewopportunitiestoenhancenatureconservation;wheretheremaybesignificantharmfuleffectslocalplanningauthoritieswillneedtobesatisfiedthatanyreasonablealternativesitesthatwouldresultinlessornoharmhavebeenfullyconsidered(PPW5.2.2,5.2.7and5.5.2).


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3. NATURECONSERVATIONANDLOCALDEVELOPMENTPLANS

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 Paragraphs5.4.5and5.4.6ofPPWindicatetheexpectationsoftheAssemblyGovernmentinrespectofthecontentofUnitaryDevelopmentPlans.Consistentwiththatapproach,whenlocalplanningauthoritiesarepreparingandreviewinglocaldevelopmentplanstheyshouldadoptthekeyprinciplessetoutinChapter2aboveandconsidertheadvicesetoutinthisChapter.Theyshouldalsoensurethattheplanmeetsthestatutoryrequirementsassetoutbelow.

3.2 RelevantStatutoryRequirements

3.2.1 Section61ofthePlanningandCompulsoryPurchaseAct2004requireslocalplanningauthoritiestokeepunderreviewmatterswhichmaybeexpectedtoaffectthedevelopmentoftheirareaortheplanningofitsdevelopment:thesemattersincludetheprincipalphysicalandenvironmentalcharacteristicsoftheauthority’sareaandanyconsiderationswhichmaybeexpectedtoaffectthosematters.Localplanningauthoritiesshouldtakestepstoensuretheyhaveanadequatebaselineofdatatoinformthepreparation,appraisalandexaminationofthelocaldevelopmentplan.Thiswillincludeanunderstandingofthewildlifeandnaturalfeaturesoftheirarea,howtheymaybeconservedandenhancedandhowdevelopmentmayaffectthem,beneficiallyoradversely.LocalRecordCentres(LRCs)areaneffectivesourceofsuchinformationastheirmainfunctionistocollate,manageanddisseminatebiodiversityinformationandtheymayalsoholdothertypesofenvironmentaldata7(seeAnnex11forotherusefulsourcesofinformation).

3.2.2 Regulation3(4)oftheHabitatsRegulationsrequiresallcompetentauthorities(includingLPAs),intheexerciseoftheirfunctions,tohaveregardtotherequirementsoftheHabitatsDirective,sofarastheymaybeaffectedbytheexerciseofthosefunctions.LocalplanningauthoritiesshouldthereforefamiliarisethemselveswiththerequirementsoftheHabitatsDirectiveandfactorthemintotheirdecision-making.Forexample,Article10oftheHabitatsDirective8requiresMemberStatestoendeavour,intheirland-useplanninganddevelopmentpolicies,toencouragethemanagementoffeaturesofthelandscapethatareofmajorimportanceforwildfloraandfauna.Thesefeaturesarethosethat,becauseoftheirlinearandcontinuousstructureortheirfunctionasstepping-stones,areessentialformigration,dispersalandgeneticexchange.ExamplesgivenintheDirectiveareriverswiththeirbanks,traditionalfieldboundarysystems(suchashedgerows),pondsandsmallwoods.Statutorysitesandnon-statutorysites,togetherwithfeatureswhichprovidewildlifecorridors,linksorsteppingstonesfromonehabitattoanother,allcontributetothenetworknecessarytoensurethemaintenanceofthecurrentrangeanddiversityofourflora,fauna,geologicalandlandformfeaturesandthesurvivalof

7FormoredetailsaboutestablishingandmaintaininganevidencebaseandaboutthebenefitsofLRCsseeSection2ofPlanning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - A Good Practice Guide,ODPM,Defra,EnglishNature,2006.

8CouncilDirective92/43/EECof21May1992ontheconservationofnaturalhabitatsandofwildfaunaandflora.


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importantspecies.Sensitivelandscapingandplanting,thecreation,maintenanceandmanagementoflandscapefeaturesimportanttowildlife,andtheskilledadaptionofderelictareascanprovideextendedhabitats.Inordertocomplywiththeirdutyunderregulation3(4),localplanningauthoritiesshouldconsiderwhetherthereisscopetomakeprovisionforsuchmatterswhenexercisingtheirfunctions.

3.2.3 Section40oftheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006requiresallpublicauthorities(includingLPAs),inexercisingtheirfunctionstohaveregard,sofarasisconsistentwiththeproperexerciseofthosefunctions,tothepurposeofconservingbiodiversity.

3.2.4 Section11oftheCountrysideAct1968requiresallpublicbodies(includingLPAs),intheexerciseoftheirfunctionsrelatingtoland,tohaveregardtothedesirabilityofconservingthenaturalbeautyandamenityofthecountryside.Section49(4)ofthatActprovidesthatreferencesintheActtotheconservationofnaturalbeautyaretobeconstruedasincludingreferencetotheconservationofitsflora,faunaandgeologicalandphysiographicalfeatures.

3.2.5 Section28GoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981placesadutyonpublicauthorities(includingLPAs),inexercisingtheirfunctionssofarasthisislikelytoaffecttheflora,faunaorgeologicalorphysiographicalfeaturesbyreasonofwhichaSSSIisofspecialinterest,totakereasonablesteps,consistentwiththeproperexerciseoftheirfunctions,tofurthertheconservationandenhancementofthosefeatures.

3.2.6 Localdevelopmentplansshouldincludepoliciesinrespectoftheconservationofthenaturalbeautyandamenityoftheland;suchpoliciesshouldencouragethemanagementoffeaturesofthelandscapewhichareofmajorimportanceforwildfloraandfauna.Suitableplanningconditionsandobligationsmayservetopromotesuchmanagement.

3.2.7 OtherrelevantlegislationisreferredtoinAnnex1.

3.3 Adviceinrespectofthepreparationandreviewoflocaldevelopmentplans

3.3.1 Indevelopingtheoverallstrategyofaplan,localplanningauthoritiesshouldseekto:

• Developanambitiousbutachievablevisionoftheenvironmentoftheplanarea,includinghealthy,functioningecosystems,awealthofnativewildlifeandnaturalfeaturesandthehabitatsandnaturalprocessesonwhichtheywilldepend;

• IncorporateinternationalandWelshAssemblyGovernmentnatureconservationobjectivesintolocaldevelopmentplanobjectives;


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• IntegratetheCommunityStrategy(andinNationalParks,NationalParkManagementPlans)andLBAPobjectivesrelatedtotheuseanddevelopmentofland;

• Ensurethattheenvironmentalinformationbaseisuptodateandislinkedtoindicatorsforchangeinwildlife,habitatsandgeologicalfeatures;

• Considertheuseofevolvingtechniquessuchasenvironmentalcapacitystudiestoassesstheamountofdevelopmentthatcanbesupportedinanareawithoutcausinglong-termenvironmentalharm;

• Selectmonitoringindicatorsthatareintegratedwithwiderbiodiversitymonitoringinthearea;and

• EnsuredevelopmentplanshaveregardtootherplansandstrategiessuchasShoreline,Estuary,IntegratedCoastalZoneandRiverBasinManagementPlans.

3.3.2 Whererelevant,localdevelopmentplansshouldincludepoliciesthat:

• Setoutgeneralcriteriaagainstwhichalldevelopmentproposalswillbetestedfortheircompatibilitywithnatureconservationobjectivesand/orsustainabledevelopmentprinciples;

• Drawattentiontothelegalproceduresthatwouldapplytodevelopmentslikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaninternationallydesignatedsiteandrefertothesitesshownontheproposalsmap;

• Safeguardnationallyandlocallydesignatedsiteswhilstmakingcleartherelativeweighttobeattachedtothedifferentdesignations;

• Protectancientwoodlands,veterantreesandothertreesofnatureconservationvalue;

• Encouragetheconservationandmanagementoffeaturesofthelandscapeofmajorimportanceforwildfloraandfauna;

• Givelocalexpressiontotheprotectionand,wherepossible,enhancementofspeciesandtheirhabitats,especiallythosewithlegalprotectionandthoseofprincipalimportanceforbiodiversityconservationinWales9;

• Applytheprecautionaryprinciplewhereappropriate;

• CreatestronglinkstonationalandlocalBiodiversityActionPlansandincludeprovisionforhelpingtomeettheirtargetsbyhabitatcreationandmanagement;

9Section42oftheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006requirestheWelshMinisterstopublishalistofthelivingorganismsandhabtiatswhich,intheiropinion,areofprincipalimportanceforthepurposeofconservingbiodiversityinWales.Thislistcanbefoundat:http://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/english/default.aspx.


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• Providefortheconservation,enhancement,sustainablemanagementand,whereappropriate,therestorationofnetworksofnaturalhabitatsincludingwildlifecorridorsandothergreenspace,andnetworksandchainsofopenspace;

• Addressthelocalimplicationsofclimatechange,includingpotentialeffectsofhabitatchange,therisksofcoastalfloodinganderosionandriverbasinfloodmanagementissues10;

• Anticipate,planandmanagetheeffectsofnaturalprocesses,withminimumintervention;

• Providefortheconservation,enhancement,sustainablemanagementand,whereappropriate,therestorationoflocallydistinctivenaturalhabitats11;

• Protectlocallydesignatedsitesofdemonstrablysubstantivenatureconservationvalue;

• Makeproposalsfornecessarynewdevelopmentinwaysandatlocationsthatareconsistentwiththenatureconservationobjectivesandpoliciesintheplanitselfandwithnationalplanningpolicies.

3.4 SupplementaryPlanningGuidance

3.4.1 SupplementaryPlanningGuidance(SPG)helpstodeliverbetterconservationforbiodiversityandgeology.Thereisconsiderablescopeforsupplementinglocaldevelopmentplanpolicieswithguidancethatisfocusedonlocalissues,designandgoodpracticeindevelopmentandwhichlinkthelocaldevelopmentplantotheLocalBiodiversityActionPlan(LBAP).AnumberoflocalplanningauthoritieshavealreadyusedexistingprovisionsforSPGtoraisetheprofileofbiodiversityissuesinplanning,providemoredetailedguidanceandtostrengthenlinksbetweentheLBAPandthelocaldevelopmentplantohelptodeliverLBAPtargetsandobjectives12.

3.4.2 LocalplanningauthoritiesmayadoptSPGtoprovidemoredetailed,locallyrelevantguidancefor:

• waysinwhichtheplanningsystemcandeliverLBAPobjectivesandthetargetsofHabitatandSpeciesActionPlans;

• thedesign13,layout,programmingandconstructionofdevelopmentthatfurtherstheconservationandenhancementofbiodiversityandgeodiversity;

10GuidanceonplanningandclimatechangeisavailableinThe Planning Response to Climate Change - Advice on Better Practice,ODPM,WelshAssemblyGovernment,ScottishExecutive,2004.Thisincludesanumberofusefulinformationsources,suchastheUKClimateImpactsProgramme(UKCIP).

11Forexamplesofdeveloping'opportunitymaps'toshowwherepriorityhabitatscouldberestoredorre-createdsee2.18-2.19ofPlanning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - A Guide to Good Practice,ODPM,Defra,EnglishNature,2006.

12SomegoodpracticeexamplesofSPGareprovidedin4.44-4.49ofPlanning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - A Guide to Good Practice,ODPM,Defra,EnglishNature,2006.

13TheGuidetoGoodPracticealsoprovidesexamplesofhownewdevelopmentcanofferopportunitiestoenhancenatureconservation(at5.32-5.45)FurtherguidanceandcasestudiesareprovidedinBiodiversity by Design: a guide for sustainable communities,TCPA,2004.


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• achievingmoresustainablesolutionstodevelopmentproblemsandopportunitiesthatrespectnaturalprocessesandecologicalsystems;

• householderstoaddressbiodiversityissuesinplanningapplications;

• developerstoavoidadverseeffectsonnatureconservation,minimiseunavoidableeffectsbymitigationmeasuresandcompensateforresidualeffectsonnatureconservation,andprovidingnewbenefitsforconservation,usingexamplesofdifferenttypesofdevelopmentanddifferentconservationscenariosandinitiatives;

• thecreationofnewwildlifehabitatsandtheenhancementofnatureconservationinterests;

• ensuringdevelopmentsmakeappropriateprovisionforthemanagementoflandfornatureconservationandtheenjoymentofareasofwildlifeandgeologicalinterest.

3.5 SustainabilityAppraisal,StrategicEnvironmentalAssessmentandHabitatsRegulationsAppraisal

3.5.1 Adviceonsustainabilityappraisalandthestrategicenvironmentalassessmentofdevelopmentplansisprovidedin:

• Sustainability Appraisal of Unitary Development Plans in Wales - A Good Practice Guide,WelshAssemblyGovernment,2002;

• Strategic Environmental Assessment of Unitary Development Plans - Interim Good Practice Guide,WelshAssemblyGovernment,2004(amendmenttoSEAelementsofSustainability Appraisal of UDPs in Wales,2002);

• A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive,ODPM,2005;

• Local Development Plan Manual,WelshAssemblyGovernment,2006.

3.5.2 TheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c)Regulations199414(“theHabitatsRegulations”)havebeenamended15togiveeffecttoajudgmentoftheEuropeanCourtofJustice16thattherequirementsofArticle6(3)and(4)oftheHabitatsDirectiveapplyinrelationtolanduseplans:anewPartIVAhasbeenaddedtotheRegulationsunderthetitle“Appropriate Assessments for Land Use Plans in England and Wales”.Beforealocaldevelopmentplanmaybeadoptedbyaplanningauthorityundersection67ofthePlanningandCompulsoryPurchaseAct2004,andbeforeaunitarydevelopmentplanmaybeadoptedbyalocalplanningauthorityundersection15(1)oftheTownandCountry

14S.I.1994/2716.15BytheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)(Amendment)(EnglandandWales)Regulations2007(SI2007/1843).16CaseC-6/04,Commission of the European Communities v United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,

20thOctober2005.


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PlanningAct199017,theplanningauthoritymustdeterminewhethertheplanislikelytohavesignificanteffectsonaEuropeansiteinGreatBritainoronaEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.

3.5.3 IftheplanmighthaveasignificanteffectonanyEuropeansite,inoroutsideWales,oronaEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,theplanningauthoritymustundertakean‘appropriateassessment’oftheplantoascertainwhetheritwouldadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite.Ifsuchaneffectcannotberuledout,theplanningauthorityshouldamendtheplantoavoidsucheffectsoccurring;itisonlyinthemostexceptionalcircumstancesthatalocalplanningauthoritymayadoptaplanwhichislikelytohavesuchaneffect.

Annex6providesfurtherguidanceontheappraisalofplansundertheHabitatsRegulations.TherequirementsoftheRegulationsapplyirrespectiveofwhenworkontheplanwasstarted.SupplementaryPlanningGuidanceshouldalsobesubjecttoappraisalofitseffectsonthesesitesinthesameway.

3.6 Monitoring

3.6.1 ThemonitoringoflocaldevelopmentplansshouldincludeindicatorsandtargetsthatenabletheeffectivenessoftheplansandanySPGtobeassessed.Thiswillgenerallymeanthattheindicatorswillneedtoconcentrateontheinfluenceoftheplaninplanningdecisions,andthedecisionsthemselves,ratherthangeneralindicatorsofchangesinbiodiversityandgeodiversitythatcouldbetheresultofawiderangeofeffectsandinteractions,manyofwhichmayhaveno,orverylittle,relevancetodevelopmentorplanningissues.Ananalysisisrequiredthatwillinformthereviewofthelocaldevelopmentplanastowhethertheplan’spoliciesandproposalsareworkingtoachievetheplan’snatureconservationobjectivesandwhetheranytargetsexpressedintheplanorSPGarebeingmetormissed.

3.6.2 TheremaywellbeconvergencebetweenthebiodiversityobjectivesofthelocaldevelopmentplanandthoseoftheSustainabilityAppraisal,inwhichcasesharedtargetsandindicatorscanbedeveloped.Inturntheseshouldalignwellwiththoseoftheotherplanswhichinformthelocaldevelopmentplan,suchasthecommunitystrategy.

17Unitarydevelopmentplansmayonlybeadoptedtotheextentpermittedbysection122(3)ofthePlanningandCompulsoryPurchaseAct2004andarticle4ofthePlanningandCompulsoryPurchaseAct2004(CommencementNo.3andConsequential,TransitionalandSavingsProvisions)(Wales)Order2005.(S.I.2005//1229(W.87)).


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4. NATURECONSERVATIONINDEVELOPMENTCONTROL-PROCEDURES

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 ThedevelopmentcontrolprocessisacriticalstageindeliveringtheprotectionandenhancementofnatureconservationrequiredbyPPW.Thefollowingcanhelptoachievetheseobjectives:

• adoptingthefive-pointapproachtodecision-making-information,avoidance,mitigation,compensationandnewbenefits;

• ensuringthatplanningapplicationsaresubmittedwithadequateinformation,usingearlynegotiation,checklists,requiringecologicalsurveysandappropriateconsultation18;

• securingnecessarymeasurestoprotect,enhance,mitigateandcompensatethroughplanningconditionsandobligations;

• carryingouteffectiveplanningenforcement;

• identifyingwaystobuildnatureconservationintothedesignofnewdevelopment.

4.2 Pre-applicationdiscussions

4.2.1 PPWrecommendspre-applicationdiscussions(paragraph5.5.1)andconsultations(paragraph5.5.4)betweendevelopers,localplanningauthoritiesandthestatutoryagencies.Itisessentialthatallpotentiallyimportantnatureconservationissues(includingeffectsoninternational,nationalandlocalsites,Europeanandotherprotectedspecies,organismsandhabitatslistedundersection42oftheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct,UKBAPhabitatsandspecies,andcoastalandinlandwatersandotherwetlands)areidentifiedandfullyaddressedattheearlieststagesofpreparingaplanningapplication.AclearaudittrailneedstobeprovidedforanydecisionswhichmightimpactonspeciesandhabitatsontheNERCActsection42list.Informationshouldbesoughtfromappropriateexpertsandtakenintoaccount.19TheLocalRecordsCentre(LRC)canbeengagedtoprovideservicestoassistwiththisprocess,includingcheckingofproposedapplicationsagainsttable4.1below.Ignoringorinadequatelyaddressingthepotentialofadevelopmenttoaffectimportantwildlifehabitatsorspeciescouldleadtodelayintheprocessingoftheapplicationorrefusalofpermission.Insomecasesitcoulddelayorevenpreventimplementationofaplanningpermission,forexample,whereaprotectedspeciesisfoundonadevelopmentsiteafterworkhasstarted.

18Forexamplesofchecklistsandadviceforapplicantsoncarryingoutecologicalandothersurveys,seeSection5ofPlanning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - A Guide to Good Practice,ODPM,Defra,EnglishNature,2006.

19TheproceduretobefollowedisoutlinedintheWalesBiodiversityPartnershipguidancewhichcanbefoundat:http://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/legislation_guidance-20.aspx.


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4.2.2 TheneedforearlydiscussionstoidentifypotentiallyimportantnatureconservationissuesisnotconfinedtoplanningapplicationsinruralWales.ItcanapplyalsotoapplicationsforListedBuildingconsent,TreePreservationOrderconsent,ConservationAreaconsent,andapplicationsforapprovalunderconditionsimposedonpermitteddevelopment20.Itcanalsoapplytoproposeddevelopmentsinurbanareas,especiallywhereimportantgreenspace,wildlifehabitatsandprotectedspeciesmaybeaffected.

4.2.3 Inadditiontopre-applicationdiscussionswiththelocalplanningauthority,developersshouldhaveregardtootherconsulteeswhoshouldbecontactedatanearlystage.Table4.1belowsummarisesadviceastowhichorganisationshouldbecontacted.

Table 4.1 Pre-application discussions

NatureConservationinterestspotentiallyaffectedbyaproposeddevelopment

Whoshouldbecontactedbeforetheapplicationisprepared?

Aninternationallydesignatedsiteorproposedsite(EuropeanandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,proposedEuropeanandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,andRamsarsites)21

CountrysideCouncilforWales(CCW)andtheLocalPlanningAuthority(LPA)

ASiteofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSI) CCWandtheLPA

AEuropeanProtectedSpecies CCWandtheLPA

OtherProtectedSpecies CCWandtheLPA

ANationalNatureReserve CCWandtheLPA

ALocalNatureReserve TheLPA

ASiteofImportanceforNatureConservation(SINC)

TheWildlifeTrust,LocalRecordsCentre(LRC)andtheLPA

ARegionallyImportantGeologicalSite(RIGS)

TheLocalRIGSgroup,LRCandtheLPA

AlivingorganismorhabitatlistedasbeingofprincipalimportanceinWales(section42NERClist)orBAPpriorityhabitatorspecies.

TheWildlifeTrustand/orLRC,theLPA,CCWand(forwater-relatedhabitatsandspecies)EnvironmentAgencyWales.

Whereeffectsonnatureconservationareuncertain

TheLRCand/orLPAecologistoraconsultantecologist

Coastalwaters,lakes,rivers,streamsorotherwetlands

LPAandEnvironmentAgencyWales

20Article3andSchedule2,TownandCountryPlanning(GeneralPermittedDevelopment)Order1995(S.I.1995/418).21Seesection5.1belowforthefulldescriptionofinternationallydesignatedsitesincludingEuropeanOffshore

MarineSites.


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4.3 PreparingPlanningApplications

4.3.1 PPWexplainstheimportanceofnatureconservationintheconsiderationofplanningproposals(paragraphs5.5.1-5.5.4).

4.3.2 Tofacilitatetheefficientandtimelyprocessingofplanningapplicationsdevelopersshouldensurethatapplicationsarecarefullypreparedwithallrelevantinformationincludedandallmaterialconsiderationsaddressedinthelayout,designandrelatedaccess,drainageandinfrastructure.Landscapingproposalsshouldbeincludedtogetherwithanymeasuresdesignedtoavoid,mitigateorcompensateforpotentialadverseeffectsonnatureconservation.Anyproposalsforenhancementofnatureconservationinterestsshouldalsobeincluded.Thesemattersshouldnotnormallybeleftforlatersubmissionunderconditionsimposedonanypermissiongiven,becausetheywillbematerialtothedeterminationofwhetherplanningpermissionshouldbegranted.

4.3.3 Whereproposalsforaddressingnatureconservationinterestsareuncertainorrequiremonitoringtoidentifypotentialeffects,theapplicationshouldincludeproposalsastohowtheseissueswillbeimplemented.Forexample,theheadsoftermsofaproposedplanningobligationshouldbesubmittedwiththeapplication.

4.3.4 Theinformationsubmittedwiththeplanningapplicationshouldbeproportionaltothelikelihoodofeffectsonnatureconservationinterestsandtotheirpotentialsignificance.WhereaproposalisnotEIAdevelopment(seebelow)applicantsmayfinditusefultoprepareandsubmitoneormoreofthefollowingasappropriate:

a) HabitatSurvey:showingthetypesofhabitatonthesite,theirdistribution,interrelationships,significanceandananalysisofpotentialchangescausedbytheproposeddevelopment;

b) Geological/Geomorphological/Hydrological/HydrogeologicalReport:addressingrelevantissuesonthesiteorfeaturesdirectlyorindirectlyaffectedbytheproposeddevelopmentincludingsurvey,analysis,avoidance,mitigation,compensationmeasuresandanyproposalsforenhancement;

c) SoilsReport:demonstratinghowandwhenthesoilsthatmaybeaffectedbythedevelopmentproposalswillbemoved,stored,usedandconserved;

d) ProtectedSpeciesReport:includingsurveymethod,timing,results,anylimitationsinthesurvey,analysisofpotentialharmtothespeciesandanyavoidanceormitigationmeasuresproposed22;

e) AnEcologicalAppraisal:amorecomprehensiveappraisalofnatureconservationissuesincludingbutnotlimitedtosurvey,analysis,avoidance,mitigation,compensationmeasuresandproposalsforenhancement;

22TheConstructionIndustryResearchandInformationAssociation(CIRIA)haspublishedWorking with Wildlife(2004)whichprovidesinformationandgoodpracticeadviceforthedevelopmentindustryindealingwithprotectedspecies.


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f) NatureConservationEnhancementProposals:showinghowthedevelopmentwillconservenaturalheritagefeaturesonthesiteandprovidenetbenefitsfornatureconservationinterests;

g) AMonitoringPlanorProgramme:describinginsufficientdetailtheproposalsformonitoringtochecktheeffectsoftheproposeddevelopmentonnatureconservation(andotherinterests).Dependingonthecircumstancesmonitoringmaybenecessaryto:

i) validatethepredictedeffects;

ii) identifydeparturesfrompredictedeffectsandassessandreportontheirsignificanceandanymeasuresneededtoremedyunforeseeneffects,ortoreducemitigationorcompensationmeasuresthatareshowntobeunnecessary;

iii) actasan“earlywarning”signalthatsignificantadverseeffectsmayoccuriffurthermeasuresarenottaken(e.g.tosuspendwaterpumpingoractivitiescausingdisturbance);

iv) measureeffectsagainstpre-determinedthresholdsaboveorbelowwhichmeasurestoreducetheeffectsofdevelopmentmaybescaleddownorshouldbeincreased,asappropriate.

h) ANatureConservationManagementPlan:describinghowthesitewillbemanagedtoconserveandenhancenatureconservationonandoff-siteincludingwhowillmanagedifferentpartsorelements,howmanagementwillbefunded,reviewedandadaptedovertime.

4.3.5 SomeofthisinformationmayalsoberequiredatalaterstagetosupportlicenceapplicationstotheAssemblyGovernmentwhereEuropeanprotectedspeciesareaffected(seesection6.3below).

4.4 Requiringfurtherinformation

4.4.1 Thelocalplanningauthoritycandirecttheapplicanttosupplyanyfurtherinformationreasonablynecessarytodetermineanyplanningapplication23.WherealocalplanningauthorityisconsideringwhetheraplanningapplicationislikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansite24orEuropeanoffshoremarinesite25,soastomakeitnecessarytocarryoutanappropriateassessmentundertheHabitatsRegulations,theplanningauthoritymayrequiretheapplicanttoprovidesuchinformationasitreasonablyneedstodeterminethatquestion;andwhereaplanningauthoritydeterminesthatanappropriateassessmentisnecessary,itmayrequiretheapplicanttoprovidesuch

23Article4,TownandCountryPlanning(Applications)Regulations1988(S.I.1988/1812).24Definedinregulation10oftheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c)Regulations1994(S.I.1994/2716).25Definedinregulation15oftheOffshoreMarineNatureConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c.)Regulations2007

(S.I.2007/1842).


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informationasitreasonablyneedsforthepurposesofthatassessment26.Thecollection,analysisandreportingofthisinformationmaysometimesmeanadelayindecidingtheapplication,especiallyifthereareseasonalconstraintsonsurveys.

4.4.2 Thepotentialdelayshouldnotbeseenasajustificationforgrantingpermissionwithouttakingtheinformationintoaccount.Apartfromtheharmthatcouldresult,thedecisionmaybeopentolegalchallengeifallmaterialconsiderationsarenotproperlyaddressedinthedecision.Wheretheinformationisnecessarytoadequatelyassessthepotentialharmtonatureconservation,butitisnotprovided(becausetheapplicantcannotorwillnotprovideit),planningpermissionwillneedtoberefusedifsignificantadverseeffectsonthenatureconservationinterestsarepossibleandthebenefitsofthedevelopmentdonotclearlyoutweightheharmthatcouldresult(PPWparagraph5.5.3).

4.5 EnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)

4.5.1 EIAisaprocessintendedtoidentifyandassessthelikelysignificantenvironmentaleffectsofaproposeddevelopment,inordertoinformdecision-making.ItshouldidentifyatanearlystagethenatureconservationinterestslikelytobeaffectedbyanEIAdevelopment.Itshouldensurethattheimpactsofprojectslikelytohaveasignificanteffectontheenvironmentarethoroughlyinvestigated,understoodandconsideredbeforedecidingwhetherornottograntconsent.Theprocessguidesthedesignandimplementationofthoseprojectsthatareultimatelyconsented,andhelpsensurethatthecapacityofWales’environmenttoaccommodatechangeisnotexceeded.DetailedguidanceonEIAisprovidedinWelshOfficeCircular11/99Environmental Impact Assessment.27

4.5.2 EIAisundertakenbylocalplanningauthoritiesprimarilythroughtheprovisionsoftheTown and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)(England and Wales) Regulations1999(asamended).PPW(paragraphs4.3.1-4.3.8and5.5.9)explainstheapplicationandimportanceoftheEIAprocess.Inallcasesitisessentialto:

a) carefullyscreenallSchedule2developmentsforlikelysignificanteffectsonnatureconservation;

b) ensurethatallpotentiallysignificantnatureconservationinterestsandeffectsonthemareconsideredattheoutsetandparticularlyatthescopingstage;

c) encouragepotentialapplicantstoapplyforascopingopinionfromthelocalplanningauthorityandengageasearlyaspossiblewithCCW,theEnvironmentAgencyWales,non-governmentalorganisationspromotingenvironmentalprotectionandotherstakeholderslikelytobeaffectedby,orhaveaninterestin,theproposeddevelopment,toestablishwhatandhownatureconservationinterestsarelikelytobesignificantlyaffected;

26Regulation48(2),TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994(S.I.1994/2716).27SeealsoEuropeanCommission,1996,Environmental Impact Assessment: Guidance on ScreeningandEuropean

Commission,1996,Environmental Impact Assessment: Guidance on Scoping.


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d) agreethroughthescopingprocess,orotherwise,theeffectstobeassessed,theinformationrequired,includingthewayinwhichbaselineinformationwillbegathered,theassessmentmethodology,thetimingandcoverageofsurveysandthecriteriaforpredictingandevaluatingthesignificanceoftheeffects;

e) agreethescopeforavoiding,mitigatingorcompensatingforadverseeffectsonnatureconservation,andensuretheseareclearlystatedintheenvironmentalstatement;

f) ensurethatdevelopmentproposalsinoutlineplanningapplicationsaresufficientlyprescribed,andthatenvironmentalimpactstatementsfullyaddressalllikelysignificantenvironmentaleffects,inordertoavoidtheproceduresapplyingagainattheapprovalofreservedmattersstage28;

g) ensuretheEIAprocessisusedtofulladvantagetoidentifyopportunitiesfortheenhancementofnatureconservationinterest,forexample,throughthedesign,location,scaleormanagementofmeasuresmitigatingotherenvironmentaleffectssuchasnoiseattenuationbunds,screenplantingorprovisionofbufferzones.

4.6 Theuseofconditionsonplanningpermissions

4.6.1 AssemblyGovernmentpolicyontheuseofplanningconditionsissetoutinparagraphs4.6.1-4.6.4and5.5.3ofPPW29.Conditionsmaycontributesignificantlytobiodiversityconservation.Theuseofconditionscan:

• avoidadverseimpactsorremovethelikelihoodofadverseimpactsoccurring;

• reduceadverseimpactsthatmayoccur;

• compensateforlossesorimpactsthatcouldnotbeavoidedormitigated;

• enhanceaspectsofthenaturalheritageanditsenjoyment.

4.6.2 Amongstotherways,conditionscanachievetheseobjectivesby:

• Restrictingorotherwiseregulatingthedevelopmentpermitted,forexamplebyrestrictingspecificoperationstoparticularseasons;

• Requiringworkstobecarriedoutwhicharenecessaryforthedevelopmenttoproceed;

• Requiringschemesorfurtherdetailstobesubmittedforapproval,perhapsinconsultationwithCCW;

• Requiringtheprotectionandplantingoftrees;

28SeejudgmentsoftheECJinR(Delina Wells)vSecretaryofStateCaseC-201/02,Commission v UKCaseC-508/03andBarkerCaseC-290/03andtheHouseofLordsinR v Bromley LBCexparteBaker[2006]UKHL52.

29SeealsoWelshOfficeCircular35/95The Use of Conditions in Planning Permissions.


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• Requiringtherestorationandaftercareoflandfollowingmineralsextractionorwastedisposal;

• Limitingthedurationofallorpartofthedevelopment;

• Requiringappropriatemanagementandmaintenance;

• Requiringpropertreatmentofinvasiveandexoticspeciesontheapplicationsite.

4.6.3 Allconditionsshouldbenecessary,relevanttoplanning,relevanttothedevelopmentpermitted,enforceable,preciseandreasonable.

4.6.4 Theuseofconditionscandeliveranumberofpositivebenefitstobiodiversitybeyondthoseofsimplyavoidingadverseeffects.Itispossibleforconditionstorequirecertaintypesofpositiveactions,forexample:

• Thesubmissionandagreementofalandscapeschemesothatgreaterattentioncanbegiventoissuessuchasspeciescomposition;

• Themaintenanceoflandscapeplantingforafive-yearperiod,orlonger,wheretheneedforthiscanbejustified;

• Habitatenhancement;

• Therestorationandaftercareofasitewhereapositiveapproachtorestorationandafter-userequiredbyconditionscanproducesignificantbiodiversitybenefitsintermsofhabitatcreationandenhancement.

4.7 Theuseofplanningobligations

4.7.1 Planningobligationscanalsobeaneffectivewayofavoidingpotentialadverseeffectsonnatureconservationenablingapermissiontobegranted30.Ifthereisachoicebetweenimposingconditionsandenteringintoaplanningobligation,theimpositionofaconditionispreferable(PPWparagraphs4.7.1-4.7.5and5.5.3).Inmanycircumstances,fornatureconservationmatters,obligationsprovideamoreflexible,butequallyreliableandenforceable,meansofcontrollingdevelopmentthanconditions.Theyareparticularlyusefulfordeliveringthemeasuresinaproposeddevelopmenttoavoid,mitigateorcompensateforpotentialharmtonatureconservationandtoensureproposednaturalheritagebenefitsaredeliveredinatimelyandappropriateway,wherethesehavebeenmaterialconsiderationsintheplanningdecision.

4.7.2 Obligationsmaybeappropriateforproviding:

• forthemanagementoflandandconservationofnaturalheritagefeaturesassociatedwithdevelopmentincludinganycompensatoryareas;

30SeealsoWelshOfficeCircular13/97Planning Obligations.


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• monitoringsystemsandthemeansofreporting,reviewingandadjusting,monitoringandmitigationandcompensationmeasures(seeparagraph4.6.1above);

• newhabitatsorenhancingexistinghabitats,onoroff-site;

• informationandinterpretation,forexample,aboutthegeologicalinterestofasiteorfeature;

• improvedaccessforalltositesorfeaturesofnatureconservationinterest;

• newnaturereservesorthefundingofnaturereservemanagementorprovision;

• wardenorrangerservicestohelpmanagerecreationalorotherpressuresonlandonoroff-site;

• measurestoavoidharmtoprotectedspeciesinbuildingsorelsewhere;

• otherappropriatefinancialcontributionstonatureconservation.

4.7.3 Thisisnotanexhaustivelistbutillustratesthescopeofuseofplanningobligations.LocalplanningauthoritiesanddevelopersareencouragedtouseobligationsinapositiveandinnovativewayinaccordancewiththeAssemblyGovernment’spoliciessetoutinsection4.7ofPPW.


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5. DEVELOPMENTAFFECTINGDESIGNATEDSITESANDHABITATS

5.1 Introductiontodesignatedsites

5.1.1 ManysiteswhichareimportantfornatureconservationhavebeendesignatedundertheinternationalconventionsandnationallegislationoutlinedinthisChapter.Alongwithlocalsites,thesecompriseahierarchyofdesignationswhicharesetoutbelow.Localplanningauthoritieswillrequireup-to-datespatialinformationonthelocationandextentofthesesites.

International sites

SiteDesignationInternationalDirectives/

ObligationsDesignatingAuthority

SpecialProtectionAreas(SPAs)includingSPAsthatareEuropeanOffshoreMarineSites

ClassifiedunderArticle4oftheECDirectiveontheConservationofWildBirds(79/409/EEC)(theBirdsDirective)andRegulation12oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations2007

ClassifiedbytheWelshMinistersinthelightofrecommendationsmadebyCCWthroughtheJointNatureConservationCommittee(JNCC);beyondtheterritorialseaadjacenttoWales,SPAsareclassifiedbytheUKGovernmentontheadviceofJNCC

SpecialAreasofConservation(SACs)includingcandidateSpecialAreasofConservation(cSACs)andSACsandcSACsthatareEuropeanOffshoreMarineSites

DesignatedunderArticle4oftheECDirectiveontheConservationofNaturalHabitatsandofWildFauna&Flora(92/43/EEC)(theHabitatsDirective)viaRegulations7and8oftheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994andRegulations7to11oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations2007

DesignatedbytheWelshMinistersinthelightofrecommendationsmadebyCCWthroughtheJNCC;beyondtheterritorialseaadjacenttoWales,SACsaredesignatedbytheUKGovernmentontheadviceofJNCC

RamsarSites Designatedunderarticle2oftheConventiononWetlandsofInternationalImportanceespeciallyasWaterfowlHabitat(RamsarConvention,1971)

DesignatedbytheUKGovernmentinthelightofrecommendationsmadebyCCWthroughtheJNCC


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5.1.2 TheUKisboundbythetermsoftheECBirdsandHabitatsDirectives31andtheRamsarConvention32.TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c.)Regulations199433(theHabitatsRegulations)andtheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations200734referto“Europeansites”and“EuropeanOffshoreMarineSites”.

“Europeansites”aredefinedinregulation10oftheHabitatsRegulations.Theyconsistofthefollowingsites:

• SpecialProtectionAreas(SPAs)classifiedpursuanttotheECWildBirdsDirective;

• SpecialAreasofConservation(SACs)designatedundertheECHabitatsDirective;

• CandidateSpecialAreasofConservation(cSACs)proposedtotheCommissionbytheWelshMinistersortheSecretaryofStateunderArticle4(1)oftheHabitatsDirective35;

• SitesofCommunityImportance(SCIs)adoptedbytheCommissionunderArticle4(2)oftheECHabitatsDirective;

• SiteshostingprioritynaturalhabitattypesorpriorityspeciesinrespectofwhichconsultationhasbeeninitiatedunderArticle5(1)oftheHabitatsDirective36.

“Europeanoffshoremarinesites”aredefinedinregulation15oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c.)Regulations2007andconsistofsiteslocatedbeyondtheterritorialseaadjacenttotheUK,i.e.beyond12nauticalmiles:therearenosuchsitesinGreatBritainatpresent.

TheRamsarConventionprovidesforthedesignationofsuitablewetlandsforinclusionina“ListofWetlandsofInternationalImportance”andfortheformulationandimplementationofplanninginordertohelptosafeguardthewiseuseandconservationofthosewetlands.

5.1.3 InordertomakethisTANmorereadable,EuropeanSites,EuropeanOffshoreMarineSitesand,asamatterofAssemblyGovernmentpolicy37,pSPAs,pSACsandRamsarsites,areincludedintheexpression“internationallydesignatedsites”inthewholeoftherestoftheTAN,includingitsAnnexes.Whereaparticularsectionappliesinrelationtosomeinternationallydesignatedsitesbutnottoothers,thisisstatedintherelevantsection.

31CouncilDirectiveofApril2,1979ontheconservationofwildbirds(79/409/EEC)andCouncilDirectiveofMay21,1992ontheconservationofnaturalhabitatsandofwildfaunaandflora(92/43/EEC).

32ConventiononwetlandsofinternationalimportanceespeciallyaswaterfowlhabitatRamsar,Iran2/2/71asamendedbytheParisProtocol3/12/92andtheReginaamendmentsadoptedattheextraordinaryconferenceofcontractingpartiesatRegina,Saskatchewan,Canadabetween28/5and3/6/87.

33S.I.1994/2716.34S.I.2007/1842.35SuchsitesremainEuropeansitesuntilsuchtimethattheyareadoptedbytheCommissionassitesofCommunity

importanceoragreementisreachedoradecisionistakenthattheyshouldnotbeadoptedassuchsites:regulation10(1)(e).

36SuchsitesremainEuropeansitesuntiltheconsultationperiodhasendedandadecisionhasbeentakenbytheCouncilunderArticle5(3)oftheHabitatsDirective:article10(1)(c).

37MinisterialLetteronTAN5andrelatedpolicyissues,dated16September2009.


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5.1.4 TheprotectionandmanagementofinternationallydesignatedsitesisachievedbyacombinationoftheprovisionsoftheHabitatsRegulationsandtheprovisionsofPart2oftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamended(see5.1.5below).Inrespectoflandabovemeanlowwatermark,themajorityofinternationallydesignatedsiteswillalreadyhavebeennotifiedasSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs)undertheprovisionsofsection28oftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981.LocalplanningauthoritiesarealsonotifiedofRamsarsitesundertheprovisionsofsection37AoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981.

Nationally designated sites

SiteDesignation RelevantNationalLegislationResponsible/Relevant

Authority

NationalNatureReserves(NNRs)

Declaredundersection19oftheNationalParksandAccesstotheCountrysideAct1949orsection35oftheWildlife&CountrysideAct1981

DeclaredbyCCW.NNRsmaybedeclaredonanylandofnationalconservationimportancewhichisbeingmanagedasanaturereserve(asdefinedinS.15ofthe1949Act)toprovideopportunitiesforresearchintomattersrelatingto,ortopreserve,plantsandanimalsandthephysicalconditionsinwhichtheylive,orgeologicalorphysiographicalfeaturesofspecialinterest.

SitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs)

Notifiedundersection28oftheWildlife&CountrysideAct1981

NotifiedbyCCW.SSSIsmaybenotifiedwhereCCWareoftheopinionthatanyareaoflandisofspecialinterestbyreasonofitsflora,fauna,geologicalorphysiographicfeatures.Thepurposeofthenotificationistoprotectthespecialfeaturesofthesite.


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SiteDesignation RelevantNationalLegislation Responsible/RelevantAuthority

MarineNatureReserves(MNRs)

DesignatedunderSection36oftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981

DesignatedbytheWelshMinistersonanapplicationmadebyCCW.MNRsaredesignatedtoconservemarinefloraorfaunaorgeologicalorphysiographicalfeaturesofspecialinterest,ortoprovideopportunitiesforthestudyofthemarinefloraandfaunaandthephysicalconditionsinwhichtheyliveorthegeographicalorphysiographicalfeatures.

5.1.5 Part2oftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct198138setsoutsignificantprovisionsimprovingthenotification,protectionandmanagementofSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs).CCWhasadutytonotifyanyareaofWalesthatitconsiderstobeofspecialscientificinterestandtodesignatethesiteforprotectionandmanagementbyanotificationprocedurethatincludesthegivingofnoticetothelocalplanningauthorityinwhoselandtheareaissituated.

5.1.6 Localplanningauthorities,alongwithotherpublicbodies,haveadutytotakereasonablesteps,consistentwiththeproperexerciseoftheirfunctions,tofurthertheconservationandenhancementofthefeaturesbyreasonofwhichSSSIsareofspecialscientificinterest39.Furthermore,localplanningauthoritiesmustgivenoticetoCCWbeforeundertakingorpermittinganyoperationslikelytodamageanyoftheinterestfeaturesofaSSSI40,whetherornottheoperationswouldtakeplaceonlandwithintheSSSI.Failuretocomplywiththenotificationrequirementsandotherrequirementsofsections28Hand28IoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981isanoffence(seefurther5.5.10below).

5.1.7 CCWhaspowerundertheNationalParksandAccesstotheCountrysideAct1949andundertheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981todesignatelandasNationalNatureReserves(NNR).NNRsrepresenttheverybestexamplesofourwildlifehabitatsandgeologicalfeaturesandareland-managedforthepurposesofprovidingspecialopportunitiesforstudyandresearch.AllNNRsinWalesarealsoSSSIsandarethereforeprotectedunderPart2oftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981.

38Asamendedbysection75of,andSchedule9to,theCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000andsections55,56,58and105of,andSchedules11and12to,theNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006.

39Section28GoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,insertedbytheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000andamendedbytheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006.

40Sections28Hand28IoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,insertedbytheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000andamendedbytheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006.


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5.2 Furtherconsiderationsandpolicyinrespectofinternationalandnationallydesignatedsites

Planning Policy

5.2.1 PPWparagraph5.3.9indicatesthattheAssemblyGovernmentwillensurethatinternationalresponsibilitiesandobligationsforconservationarefullymetandthat,consistentwiththeobjectivesofthedesignation,statutorilydesignatedsitesareprotectedfromdamageanddeterioration,withtheirimportantfeaturesconservedbyappropriatemanagement.EuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites(seeparagraph5.1.2above)areprotectedundertheHabitatsRegulationsasamatteroflaw.41

5.2.2 PriortoitssubmissiontotheEuropeanCommissionasacSAC,aproposedSAC(pSAC)issubjecttowideconsultation.SitesunderconsiderationforclassificationasSPAsareknownaspotentialSPAs(pSPAs);theyarealsosubjecttowideconsultation.ProtectionforpSPAsandpSACs,throughtheplanningsystem,shouldapplyfromthebeginningoftheconsultationprocesscarriedoutbyCCWfortheAssemblyGovernment.Asamatterofpolicy,pSPAsandlistedRamsarsites42shouldbetreatedasiftheyareEuropeansites43forthepurposesoflanduseplanning,subjecttoparagraph5.2.3belowwithrespecttopSPAs.

5.2.3 PlanningdecisionspotentiallyaffectingapSPAshouldgenerallyfollowtheproceduresdescribedinAnnex3below.However,inordertocomplywiththejudgmentsoftheEuropeanCourtofJustice44,inlieuoftheintegritytestinRegulation48,planningauthoritiesshouldensurethatpSPAsarenotsubjecttopollutionordeterioration,oranydisturbanceaffectingthebirdsforwhichthepSPAhasbeenproposed,insofarasthesematterscouldbesignificantwithregardtotheobjectivesofclassificationunderArticle4oftheBirdsDirective.Additionally,inrespectofpSPAs,thederogationscontainedinRegulation49,allowingaprojecttobegrantedpermissiondespiteanegativeassessment,iftherearenoalternativesolutionsandimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest,donotapplyuntilthesiteisformallyclassifiedasaSPA.

5.2.4 PlanningauthoritiesshouldhaveregardtotheneedtosafeguardtheecologicalcharacteristicsofpSACssothattheyareprotectedasnecessarythroughtheplanningsystemuntilsuchtimeasthesitehasbeensubmittedtotheCommissionortheWelshMinistershavedecidednottosubmitthesiteasacSACunderArticle4(1)oftheHabitatsDirective.PlanningdecisionspotentiallyaffectingapSACshouldgenerallyfollowtheproceduresdescribedinAnnex3below.

41Regulation10oftheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994,asamendedbytheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)(Amendment)Regulations2007.

42SitesListedundertheRamsarConventiononWetlandsofInternationalImportanceespeciallyasaWaterfowlHabitat,madeatRamsar,1971,asamended.

43PPWparagraph5.3.10.44Commission v French RepublicCaseC-374/98(relatingtotheBasses Corbieressite).


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5.2.5 InordertocomplywiththejudgmentsoftheEuropeanCourtofJustice45siteswhichhavebeensubmittedtotheCommission(i.e.cSACs)mustbegivenfullprotection.InrespectofcSACs,derogationscontainedinRegulation49,allowingaprojecttobegrantedpermissiondespiteanegativeassessment,iftherearenoalternativesolutionsandimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest,donotapplyuntilthesiteisformallyclassified.

5.2.6 Localplanningauthoritiesmusthaveregardtotherelativeweighttobeattachedtotheinternationalandnationallydesignatedsites(PPW5.3.2).OntheadviceofCCW,theWelshMinisterswillnormallycallin,fortheirowndetermination,planningapplicationsthatarelikelytohaveasignificanteffectonEuropeansites46,Europeanoffshoremarinesites,RamsarSitesorSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSI)(PPW5.5.10).

Unauthorised developments affecting internationally and nationally designated sites

5.2.7 Havingregardtothepolicyonprotectinginternationallyandnationallydesignatedsitesandtothepolicyonenforcingplanningcontrol(PPWsection4.8),localplanningauthoritiesmayneedtoquicklyremedyanyallegedbreachofplanningcontrolthathas,orislikelytohave,asignificanteffectonaninternationallydesignatedsiteorSSSI.Ifacontinuingbreachofplanningcontrolislikelytoresultinsignificantharmtoasite,theauthorityshouldconsidertheserviceofastopnoticeaswellasanenforcementnotice,toprohibitenvironmentallyharmfulactivitythatwouldotherwisecontinueforthedurationofanenforcementappeal.Wherethesignificanteffectonadesignatedsiteappearstoresultfromanallegedbreachofaplanningcondition,itmaybemoreeffectivetoissueanenforcementnotice,reinforcedbyastopnotice,ratherthanserveabreachofconditionnotice.Thisisbecauseaminimumperiodof28daysmustbeallowedforcompliancewithabreachofconditionnotice,duringwhichperiodirremediableharmtothenaturalhabitatortothepopulationofspeciesmayoccur.Alternatively,oradditionally,theauthoritymayconsidersubmittinganimmediateapplicationtotheCourtforthegrantofaninterimplanningenforcementinjunctionwhiletheypreparetotakeotheractiontoenforceagainstabreachofcontrolwhichishavingasignificanteffectonadesignatedsite.AdviceonenforcementisgiveninPPW(sections4.8to4.10),TechnicalAdviceNote9,Enforcement of Planning Control,WelshOfficeCircular24/97andNationalAssemblyforWalesCircular08/03,butshouldbereadsubjecttotheaboveparagraphs.

45Commission v Bund Naturschutz in BayernCaseC-244/05.46InlightoftheECJjudgmentreferredtoinparagraph5.2.3above,considerationwouldalsobegiventocalling

inproposalsthatmayaffectapSPAorapSAC.


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5.3 Developmentaffectinginternationallydesignatedsites

Development proposals likely to affect international sites

5.3.1 LocalplanningauthoritiesshouldfollowtheproceduresdescribedbelowandinAnnex3fordevelopmentwhichmightaffectEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesand,moregenerally,shouldhaveregardtotherequirementsoftheHabitatsDirectiveintheexerciseoftheirplanningfunctions47.Asindicatedin5.2above,theseproceduresshouldalsobeappliedasappropriatetolistedRamsarsites,potentialSPAsandproposedSACseventhoughthesearenotEuropeansitesasamatteroflaw.ThiswillassisttheUKGovernmentinfullymeetingotherobligationsundertheHabitatsandBirdsDirectivesandRamsarConventionandincomplyingwiththejudgmentsoftheECJ(see5.2.2to5.2.4above).

5.3.2 Regulation48placesrestrictionsonthegrantingofplanningpermissionfordevelopmentwhichislikelytosignificantlyaffectaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,andwhichisnotdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytothemanagementofthatsite,byrequiringthatanappropriateassessmentisfirstcarriedoutinrespectoftheimplicationsofthedevelopmentforthesite’sconservationobjectives48.Thedecisiononwhetheranappropriateassessmentisnecessaryshouldbemadeonaprecautionarybasis.Anappropriateassessmentisrequiredwherethereisaprobabilityorriskthattheplanorproject(eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects)willhaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.SuchanapproachisinlinewiththerulingoftheEuropeanCourtofJusticeinCaseC-127/02(theWaddenzeeJudgment)whichstatesthat"any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site is to be subject to an appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives if it cannot be excluded, on the basis of objective information, that it will have a significant effect on that site, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects."

Thismeansthat:

• Thelocalplanningauthoritymustthendetermine,inthelightoftheconclusionsoftheassessment,whetheritcanascertainthattheproposalwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.Again,theauthorityshouldadoptaprecautionaryapproachinmakingitsdetermination49;

• Ifthelocalplanningauthoritycannotascertainthattherewillbenosuchadverseeffects,itmayonlygrantpermissioniftheprovisionsofregulation49havebeencompliedwith.

47Regulation3(4)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.48 Therequirementsofregulation48areappliedtothegrantofplanningpermissionbyregulation54ofthe

HabitatsRegulations.49 InlinewiththeWaddenzeejudgment,whichstatesthat “The competent national authorities, taking account of the

appropriate assessment … are to authorise such an activity only if they have made certain that it will not adversely affect the integrity of that site. That is the case where no reasonable scientific doubt remains as to the absence of such effects.”


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5.3.3 Regulation49requiresanauthorityproposingtoallowdevelopmentthatcouldadverselyaffecttheintegrityofaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesitetoconsider,firstofall,whetherthereareanyalternativesolutions.Iftherearealternativesolutionsthatwouldhaveno(oralesser)effectonthesite’sintegrity,thenpermissioncannotbegranted.Iftherearenosuchalternatives,however,theauthorityshouldconsiderwhetherthereareimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestforgrantingpermission,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofregulation49:theauthoritymayonlygrantpermissionifitsatisfiedthatsuchreasonsexist.Whereanauthorityproposestograntpermissioninsuchcircumstances,itmustnotifytheWelshMinistersinadvanceandrefrainfromgrantingplanningpermissionforaperiodof21daysunlesstheWelshMinistersnotifyitotherwise.ThisnotificationprocedureenablestheWelshMinisterstoconsiderwhethertocallintheapplicationfortheirowndeterminationandalsoenablesthemtoascertainwhetherornotcompensatorymeasureshavebeensecuredinaccordancewithregulation53.

5.3.4 Notethatthisisanoutlineonly:fullerdetailsofthelegalrequirementsaresetoutinAnnex3tothisTAN.Theserequirementsapply,asamatteroflaw,inrelationtoEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesonly50.However,localplanningauthoritiesshouldalsoadoptthesameapproach,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtopSPAs,RamsarsitesandpSACsandsitestowhichregulation48(7)oftheHabitatsRegulationsapply51.TheapproachissetoutinAnnex3below,andappliesregardlessofwhetherthedecision-takeristheAssemblyGovernment,anInspectororthelocalplanningauthorityandisrepresentedintheflowchart(Figure1)inAnnex3.

Review of outstanding planning permissions and deemed planning permissions likely to affect international sites

5.3.5 Whenconsultationstakeplaceinpreparationfortheclassificationordesignationofaninternationallydesignatedsite,localplanningauthoritiesareaskedtoconsiderallextantplanningpermissionsthatmayaffecttheproposedarea(i.e.thosepermissionswhichhavenotbeenimplementedatall,andthosewhichhavenotbeenfullyimplemented,includingongoingdevelopmentssuchaslandfillandmineralsextraction).Theyshouldconsiderforeachwhethertheimplementationofthatpermissionwouldbelikelytohaveasignificanteffectontheecologicalvalueofthesite.Ifso,theyshouldsaysointheirresponsetotheconsultation.

50Theserequirementsdonotapply,asamatteroflaw,tositeswhichareEuropeansitesbyvirtueofregulation10(1)(c)oftheHabitatsRegulations,orwhichareEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesbyvirtueofregulation15(c)oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c.)Regulations2007:seeregulation48(7)oftheHabitatsRegulations.

51WhenapplyingthisapproachinrelationtopSPAs,however,planningauthoritiesshould,insubstitutionforthetheintegritytestinRegulation48,ensureinsteadthatpSPAsarenotsubjecttopollutionordeterioration,oranydisturbanceaffectingthebirdsforwhichthepSPAhasbeenproposed,insofarasthesematterscouldbesignificantwithregardtotheobjectivesofclassificationunderArticle4oftheBirdsDirective.Seeparagraph5.2.3.


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5.3.6 WhenasitebecomesaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(seeparagraph5.1.2above),Regulations50,51,55and56oftheHabitatsRegulations1994requirethelocalplanningauthoritytoreviewextantplanningpermissionsgrantedbythemortheirpredecessorauthorities52thatarelikelytohaveasignificanteffectonasite,eitherindividuallyorincombinationwithanyotherplanorproject,andtotakeanyappropriateaction,followingthatreview,toaffirm,modifyorrevokesuchpermissions.Thesepermissionsincludeallpermissionsthatarevalidbutunderwhichdevelopmenthasnotyetbeencommencedandalsoallpermissionsunderwhichdevelopmenthasbeenstartedbuthasnotyetbeencompleted53.Thisrequirementapplies,asamatteroflaw,inrelationtoEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites.AsamatterofpolicytheAssemblyGovernmenthaschosentoextendtherequirementforreviewtolistedRamsarsitesinWales.

5.3.7 Localplanningauthoritiesmustreviewpermissionsassoonasisreasonablypracticable,followingtheproceduressetoutinAnnex4below.Theywillnormallyhaveidentifiedanyrelevantpermissionduringtheconsultationexerciseinpreparationforasite’sclassification.Localplanningauthoritiesmayhavesubsequentlygrantedfurtherplanningpermissions,someofwhichmaybelikelytohaveasignificanteffectonthesite.However,bearinginmindthatitistheAssemblyGovernment’spolicythattheproceduresoftheHabitatsRegulationsshouldbeappliedinrespectofproposedaswellasclassifiedEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites(seeparagraph5.3.2),noneofthesubsequentplanningpermissionsshouldhavethepotentialtoadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite.Nevertheless,anynewpermissions,outstandingatformalclassification/designation,willneedtobecheckedtoseewhetheritcanbeexcluded,onthebasisofobjectiveinformation,thatthepermissionwillhaveasignificanteffectonthesite,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansandprojects.However,theAssemblyGovernmentwouldnotexpectanypermissionstorequiremodificationorrevocationiflocalplanningauthoritieshaveactedconsistentlywithAssemblyGovernmentpolicy.

Restrictions on permitted development potentially affecting international sites

5.3.8 Article3oftheTown and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order1995(theGPDO),grantsageneralplanningpermission(subjecttospecifiedconditionsandlimitations)fortheclassesofdevelopmentsetoutinSchedule2totheGPDO.Thesepermitteddevelopmentrightslargelyapplytodevelopmentswhicharenon-contentious,andwhich,iftheywerethesubjectofindividualconsideration,wouldplaceanunnecessaryburdenonhouseholdersorotherdevelopersandonlocalplanningauthorities.Otherpermitteddevelopmentrightsrelatetodevelopmentsthatarecontrolledthrough

52Regulation55alsorequireslocalplanningauthoritiestoconsiderwhetheranyplanningpermissionsdeemedtobegrantedundersection90(1)oftheTownandCountryPlanningAct1990should,intheiropinion,bereviewed.PermissionsdeemedtobegrantedundertheprovisionsofthePipe-linesAct1962,theElectricityAct1989andtheTransportandWorksAct1992,orinrespectofdevelopmentauthorisedunderthoseActs,mustbereviewedinconjunctionwiththereviewoftheunderlyingauthorisation,consentororder.Anyotherpermissionsdeemedtobegrantedundersection90(1)oftheTownandCountryPlanningAct1990shouldbereferredtotheGovernmentDepartmentthatmadethedirectiondeemingpermissiontobegranted.

53Butfordevelopmentsthathavebeenstarted,thereviewcanonlyassesstheeffectsofthecompletionoftheremainingpartofthedevelopment,itshouldnotaddresstheeffectsofthecompletedpartofthedevelopment.


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otherapprovalprocedures,andtodevelopmentsbystatutoryundertakersandlocalauthoritiesintheperformanceoftheirstatutoryduties.

5.3.9 Regulations60to63oftheHabitatsRegulationsimposecontrolsonpermissionsgrantedbytheGPDOtoensurethatanypermitteddevelopmentisnotinbreachofthetermsofArticle6oftheHabitatsDirective54.TheseregulationspreventanydevelopmentwhichislikelysignificantlytoaffectaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,andisnotdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytothemanagementofthesite,frombenefitingfrompermitteddevelopmentrights,unlessthelocalplanningauthorityhasascertained,afterconsultingCCW,thatitwouldnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite55.Itshouldbeemphasisedthattheconditiondoesnotautomaticallywithdrawpermitteddevelopmentrightsforsuchdevelopments,butinsteadrequiresthemtobesubjecttoapriorapproval.TheseregulationsdonotapplyinrelationtopSPAs,pSACsandRamsarsitesbutinlightofparagraphs5.2.2to5.2.4above,localplanningauthoritiesshouldconsidertheuseofArticle4Directions56,wherenecessary,torestrictpermitteddevelopmentrightsthatmighthaveasignificanteffectonthesesites57andwhichwouldnotbeadequatelycontrolledbyotherregulatoryprocedures,suchastheprocessfornotifyingCCWundersection28IoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981(seefurtherparagraph5.4.6below).

5.3.10 TheproceduresforseekingapprovalaredescribedinAnnex5below.TheflowchartinAnnex5explainstheprocessdevelopersshouldfollowtofindoutwhethertheparticulardevelopmenttheyproposewouldbenefitfromapermitteddevelopmentright.ItidentifiestheroleofthelocalplanningauthorityandCCW.

Special Development Orders, Simplified Planning Zones, Enterprise Zones and Local Development Orders and international sites

5.3.11 Regulations64,65,and66and66A58oftheHabitatsRegulationsprovidethatanySpecialDevelopmentOrders,SimplifiedPlanningZoneschemesandEnterpriseZoneschemesthatwereinforcepriortothecommencementofthoseRegulationsceasetohaveeffecttograntplanningpermissionfordevelopmentthatislikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansiteandwhichisnotdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytothemanagementofthesite.TheseRegulations,togetherwithregulation64A,65Aand66A59,alsopreventnewSpecialDevelopmentOrders,SimplifiedPlanningZoneschemes,EnterpriseZoneschemesandLocalDevelopmentOrdersfromgrantingplanningpermissionfordevelopmentthatislikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.

54Regulation60TheHabitatsRegulations1994andArticle3(1)TheTownandCountryPlanning(GeneralPermittedDevelopment)Order1995StatutoryInstrument1995/418.

55Regulation60(1)and(2)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.56Article4TownandCountryPlanning(GeneralPermittedDevelopment)Order,1995.57InthecaseofpSPAs,localplanningauthoritiesshouldusetheirpowerstoensurethatpSPAsarenotsubjectto

pollutionordeterioration,oranydisturbanceaffectingthebirdsforwhichthepSPAhasbeenproposed,insofarasthesematterscouldbesignificantwithregardtotheobjectivesofclassificationunderArticle4oftheBirdsDirective.Seeparagraph5.2.3.

58Regulations65Aand66AwereinsertedbytheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)(Amendment)Regulations2007.59Regulations64AwasinsertedbytheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)(Amendment)Regulations2007.


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Further considerations in respect of Ramsar sites

5.3.12 WhereaproposeddevelopmentmayaffectalistedRamsarsite,Article3(1)oftheRamsarConventionmayberelevanttotheplanningdecision.ItrequiresContractingPartiesto'formulate and implement their planning so as to promote the conservation of the wetlands included in the List, and, as far as possible, the wise use of wetlands in their territory'.WhilstsomeRamsarsitesarealsoclassifiedasEuropeansites,theinterestfeaturesoftheRamsarsitemaybedifferenttothoseoftheSPAorSAC,andthelikelysignificanteffectsonalltheRamsarinterestfeatureswillneedtobeconsidered.

Consultation under the Habitats Regulations 1994

5.3.13 UndertheprovisionsoftheHabitatsRegulations1994,thereisastatutorydutyforalocalplanningauthoritytoconsultCCWwhen:

a. undertakinganappropriateassessmentforanewplanorproject60(seeAnnex3below);

b. undertakinganappropriateassessmentwhenreviewinganoutstandingconsentforaplanorproject61(seeAnnex4below);

c. undertakinganassessmentofaproposedpermitteddevelopment62(seeAnnex5below).

LocalplanningauthoritiesarerequiredtohaveregardtoanyrepresentationsmadebyCCW.

5.3.14 Therequirementat(a)abovewilloftenoverlapwiththedutytoconsultinrespectofSSSIbecausethemajorityofterrestrialEuropeansiteswillalsobeSSSI.However,therequirementsoftheHabitatsRegulationsapplyonlyinrespectoftheinterestfeaturesoftheEuropeanorEuropeanoffshoremarinesiteandsuchfeaturesmaybemorelimitedthantheinterestfeaturesoftheSSSI.ItwillthereforebeimportantforthelocalplanningauthorityandCCWtoclearlydistinguishhowtheproposeddevelopmentmayaffecttheinternationalinterestsandtheinterestsoftheSSSI.

5.4 Developmentaffectingnationallydesignatedsites

Sites of Special Scientific Interest - General Duty of Public Bodies

5.4.1 Paragraph5.5.8ofPPWreferstothestatutorydutiesplaceduponpublicbodiesinrespectofSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs).

60Regulation48(3)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994,asappliedbyregulation54.61ibid.Regulation50(2),asappliedbyregulation55.62ibid.Regulation62(4).


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5.4.2 TheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamendedbysection75of,andSchedule9to,theCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000,imposesanimportantnewdutyonpublicbodieswheretheyareexercisingstatutoryfunctionswhicharelikelytoaffectthespecialfeaturesofSSSIs.Section28G(2)63requiresthemtotakereasonablesteps,consistentwiththeproperexerciseofthesefunctions,tofurthertheconservationandenhancementofthefeaturesforwhichthesiteisofspecialinterest.Publicbodiesspecificallyincludelocalauthoritiesandthedutyapplieswherevertheyareexercisingtheirfunctions,includingwhentheyhavethepowertotakeaction,andappliesateverystagefromtheformulationofplanstothecarryingoutofoperationsandthemakingofdecisions.

5.4.3 Thosepublicbodiessubjecttothisdutyarecalledsection28GauthoritiesandincludeWelshMinisters,MinistersoftheCrown,localauthorities,statutoryundertakersandanyotherpublicbody.64Localplanningauthoritiesaresection28GauthoritiesandassuchhavespecificdutiesandresponsibilitiesinrespectofSSSIs.Thesearedescribedbelow.

5.4.4 TheAssemblyGovernmentexpectsallsection28Gauthorities,includinglocalplanningauthorities,to:

• applystricttestswhencarryingoutfunctionswithinoraffectingSSSIs,toensurethattheyavoid,oratleastminimise,adverseeffects;

• adoptthehigheststandardsofmanagementinrelationtoSSSIswhichtheyown;and

• asowners,orotherwise,takepositivesteps,whereverpossible,toenhancethespecialinterestfeaturesofaSSSIwheretheiractivitiesmaybeaffectingit,orwhereopportunitiesariseintheexerciseoftheirfunctions.

5.4.5 CCWwilladviseonacase-by-casebasisastoopportunitiesforenhancement.

Notification under section 28I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act

5.4.6 Asection28Gauthority(includingalocalplanningauthority)whichhaspowertoauthoriseorgrantpermissionforotherpartiestocarryoutoperationslikelytodamagethespecialfeaturesofaSSSI,isrequiredbysection28IoftheWildlife and Countryside Act 1981tonotifyCCWbeforereachingitsdecision.ThisrequirementapplieswhetherornottheoperationwouldtakeplaceonlandincludedintheSSSI.Theauthoritymustthenallow28daysbeforedecidingwhethertoissueitsconsent,unlessCCWhasnotifiedtheauthoritythatitneednotwaituntilthen.TheauthoritymusttakeaccountofanyadvicefromCCWindecidingwhetherornottopermittheproposedoperationsandifitdoesdecidetodoso,indecidingwhat(ifany)conditionsshouldbeattachedtothepermission.If,havingregardtoitsgeneraldutyundersection28G,theauthoritydecidesneverthelessthatitwillissueapermissionagainstCCW’sadvice,itmustnotifyCCWofthepermission,thetermsonwhichitisproposedtograntitandhow,ifatall,ithastakenCCW’sadviceintoaccount.

63Section28G(2)WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,insertedbytheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000.64ibid,section28G(3).


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Theauthoritymustnotgrantapermissionwhichwouldallowtheoperationstostartbeforetheendoftheperiodof21daysbeginningwiththedateofthatnotice.ThisallowsCCWtoconsiderwhetheranyfurtheractionisnecessary,suchas,inexceptionalcircumstances,legalactionchallengingthevalidityofthepermission.Whereasection28Gauthorityfailstocomplywithitsobligationsundersection28Iofthe1981Act:

• tonotifyCCW65,or

• towaitfor28daysbeforegrantingpermission66,or

• wheretheauthoritygrantspermissionagainstCCW’sadvice,torefrainfromgrantingapermissionwhichwouldallowtheoperationstostartbeforetheendofaperiodof21daysbeginningwiththedateonwhichCCWaregivennoticeofthatpermission67,

itcommitsanoffenceunlessithadareasonableexcuseforitsnon-compliance.Emergencyoperationswillqualifyasareasonableexcuse,providedthatparticularsoftheoperation(includingdetailsoftheemergency)werenotifiedtoCCWassoonaspracticableafterthepermissionwasgiven.68

5.4.7 Onceissued,aplanningpermissiongrantedonanapplicationunderPartIIIoftheTownandCountryPlanningAct1990givesanowneroroccupiera'reasonableexcuse'forcarryingoutanoperationwhichwouldotherwisebeunlawfulwithouttheconsentofCCW69.

Permitted development and SSSI

5.4.8 WhereanowneroroccupierwishestoexercisepermitteddevelopmentrightsonanSSSI,andtheworksinvolvedarespecifiedintheSSSInotificationasoperationslikelytodamagethefeaturesofspecialinterest,thenheorshemustapplytoCCWforconsentundersection28EoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981.IfCCWrefusesconsentforsuchworksitwillnotbepossibletoexercisethepermitteddevelopmentrightswithoutcommittinganoffenceunderthe1981Act.Insuchcases,orwhereCCWattachesconditionstoaconsentorgrantsconsentonlyforalimitedperiod,theapplicantmayappealtotheWelshMinisters70.Alternatively,theowneroroccupiermayapplytothelocalplanningauthorityforplanningpermissionunderPartIIIoftheTown and Country Planning Act1990.WhenconsideringsuchapplicationslocalplanningauthoritieswillconsultCCW.Ifplanningpermissionisgrantedwhichauthorisestheworksinquestion,theowneroroccupierwillhavea“reasonableexcuse”forcarryingoutthoseworkswithoutobtainingCCW’sconsent71andwillbeabletodosowithoutcommittingan

65section28(I)(2),WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamended.66section28(I)(4),WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamended.67section28(I)(6),WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamended.68section55(2),NaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006.69section28P(4),WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamended.70ibid,section28F.71Ibid,section28P(4).


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offence.ApplicantsmayappealtotheWelshMinistersagainstalocalplanningauthority'srefusalofanapplicationforplanningpermission,oragainstconditionsattachedtoanapproval.

Certificates of Lawful Development and SSSI

5.4.9 Section28PoftheWildlife and Countryside Act1981providesthatitisa“reasonableexcuse”fornothavinggivennoticetoCCWofoperationslikelytodamagethespecialfeaturesofaSSSIiftheoperationswerecarriedoutinaccordancewithavalidplanningpermissiongrantedfollowinganapplicationtothelocalplanningauthority.UnauthoriseddevelopmentaffectingaSSSIisnot,however,a“reasonableexcuse”and,inadditiontobeingabreachofplanningcontrol,mayalsoresultinthecommissionofanoffenceundersection28P(1)ofthe1981Act,ifsuchdevelopmentinvolvesthecarryingoutofoperationswhichhavebeennotifiedbyCCWasbeinglikelytodamagetheSSSI’sfeaturesandifnonoticewasgiventoCCWoftheproposedoperationsorifnoticewasgivenbutconsenthasnotbeengrantedfortheoperations.

5.4.10 Planninglegislationenablesadevelopertoapplyforacertificateoflawfuldevelopmentaftertheexpiryofspecifiedtimelimits.Ifalocalplanningauthorityisconsideringanapplicationforalawfuldevelopmentcertificate,72andthedevelopmentoruseappearsprima facietoinvolveacontraventionofthe1981Act,theyshoulddrawitsrequirementstotheapplicant'sattention.Thelocalplanningauthoritymustconsidertheapplicationforthecertificateonthefactsofthecase,inaccordancewiththerelevantplanningprovisions.Althoughacertificateoflawfuldevelopmentdoesnotgrantplanningpermission,theissueofacertificatewouldrenderthedevelopmentimmunefromenforcementunderplanninglegislation.However,suchacertificatewouldnotprovidea'reasonableexcuse'forthepurposesofsection28Pofthe1981ActandthecarryingoutofoperationswhichhavebeennotifiedbyCCWasbeinglikelytodamagetheSSSI’sfeatureswillthereforebeanoffenceunderthatAct,unlessCCWhasgivenitswrittenconsent.

Consultations under the General Development Procedure Order

5.4.11 UndertheprovisionsofArticle10oftheTown and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order1995(theGDPO),localplanningauthoritieshaveadutytoconsultCCWbeforegrantingplanningpermissionforanydevelopmentthat:

• IsinorlikelytoaffectaSiteofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSI)73;or

• IswithinaconsultationareaaroundaSSSInotifiedtothelocalplanningauthoritybyCCW74;or

72Undersection191or192oftheTownandCountryPlanningAct1990.73Article10(1)(u)(i)oftheTownandCountryPlanning(GeneralDevelopmentProcedure)Order1995Statutory

Instrument1995/419.74Ibid.Article10(1)(u)(ii).


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• Involvesthesitingofnewestablishmentsorconsistsofthemodificationofexistingestablishmentswhichcouldhavesignificantrepercussionsonmajoraccidenthazards,whereitappearstotheauthority,ineithercase,thatanareaofparticularnaturalsensitivityorinterestmaybeaffected75;or

• Includestransportlinks,locationsfrequentedbythepublicandresidentialareaswherethesitingordevelopmentissuchastoincreasetheriskorconsequencesofamajoraccident,ifitappearstotheauthoritythatanareaofparticularnaturalsensitivityorinterestmaybeaffected76.

5.4.12 TheseGDPOconsultationsshouldtakeplaceassoonaspossibleandlocalplanningauthoritiesmaynotdetermineanyapplicationthatcouldaffectsuchasiteuntilatleast14daysafterinitiatingconsultation.77However,theperiodinwhichCCWnowhastorespondundertheprovisionsofsection28IoftheWildlife and Countryside Act1981(seeparagraph5.4.6above),is28days,andthelongertimescaleof28daysinthe1981ActtakesprecedencewhereCCWisbeingconsultedinrelationtoanSSSIunderbothsection28IandtheGDPO.Foritspart,CCWwillrespondasquicklyaspossible.

5.4.13 SSSIscanbeseriouslydamagedorevendestroyedbydevelopmentoutsidetheirboundaries.TheGDPOalsorequiresalocalplanningauthoritytoconsultaboutplanningapplicationsinanyconsultationareaaroundanSSSIdefinedbyCCW.AnauthorityisalsorequiredtoconsultwhereanapplicationisfordevelopmentthatislikelytoaffectaSSSI,eveniftheapplicationsitefallsoutsidetheSSSIandanyconsultationarea.

5.4.14 CCWwillgenerallydefinetheconsultationareasasnarrowlyasisconsistentwithprotectingthescientificinterestoftheparticularsites.Aconsultationareamayextenduptoamaximumof2kilometresfromtheboundaryofaSSSI.Normallyitwillnotextendbeyondabout500metres,althoughforareassuchaswetlandsitmayextendasfarasthe2kilometresmaximum.CCWwillnotifytheboundariesofsuchconsultationareastolocalplanningauthorities.WhennotifyingaconsultationareaCCWmayadvisethatitwishestobeconsultedonlyaboutcertaintypesofdevelopmentwithinthatarea.Itmayalsoadvisealocalplanningauthoritythatitwouldliketobeconsultedaboutothertypesofdevelopment(forexampleamajorindustrialfacility)beyondthe2kilometresmaximum,on the basis that such development is likely to affect a SSSI.

5.4.15 Whereaconsultationareahasnotbeendefined,thelocalplanningauthorityshouldgiveparticularattentiontoanyplanningapplicationinthevicinityofanSSSIsoastodecidewhetherornotsuchconsultationisneeded.Thelocalplanningauthorityshouldbearinmindthepossibilitythatcertaindevelopmentsmayaffectasitesomedistanceaway.Forexampleawetlandsitemighthaveitswatertableloweredasaresultofwaterabstractionsomeconsiderabledistanceaway;andariverSSSImightbeaffectedbyanupstreamdevelopment.Consultationisnotrequiredonproposals,suchasminor

75ibid.Article10(1)(zb)(i)and(ii).76ibid.Article10(1)(zb)(iii).77ibid.Article10(4).


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houseextensions,thatwouldclearlyhavenoeffectonanearbySSSI.But,wherethereisanydoubtwhetherornotthereislikelytobeaneffect,thelocalplanningauthorityshouldcontacttheappropriateofficeofCCWforadvice.Annex10providescontactpoints.

Exceptions to GDPO consultation requirements

5.4.16 ThereareexceptionstotheGDPOconsultationrequirementsdescribedabove(5.4.11).AlocalplanningauthorityneednotconsultCCWwhere:

• CCWhasadvisedtheauthoritythatitdoesnotwishtobeconsulted78(thisexceptiondoesnotapply,however,inrelationtoconsultationsrelatingtomajoraccidenthazards)79.

• CCWhasprovided‘standingadvice’totheauthorityinrelationtothecategoryofdevelopmentinquestion,providedthatthe‘standingadvice’haseitherbeenissuedwithinthepasttwoyearsorhasbeenamendedorconfirmedwithinthatperiod.ThisexceptiondoesnotapplytoanyapplicationwhichisEIAdevelopment80.

5.4.17 TheseexceptionsapplyonlyinrelationtotheGDPOconsultationrequirements.Theydonotdisplacetherequirementundersection28IoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981foraplanningauthoritytogivenoticetoCCWbeforegrantingaplanningpermissionforoperationslikelytodamagethenatureconservationinterestfeaturesofaSSSI.NordotheyoverridetherequirementforaplanningauthoritytoconsultCCWinrespectofplansandprojectsundertheHabitatsRegulations.

5.5 LocalSites

5.5.1 Localsiteshaveanimportantroletoplayinmeetingbiodiversitytargetsandcontributingtothequalityoflifeandwell-beingofthecommunity.Paragraph5.3.11ofPPWexplainsthepolicyinrespectofsuchsites.PoliciesinUDPsandLocalDevelopmentPlansprovidefortheirprotection.Thenatureconservationinterestsforwhichtheyhavebeendesignatedareamaterialconsiderationinplanningdecisions.

5.5.2 Locallydesignatedsitesshouldbesubjecttotheapplicationofrigorouscriteriatoensuretheirdesignationisjustifiedonbiologicalorgeologicalgrounds.Theprocessofdesignatingandmaintainingthesitesshouldbetransparentwithrecordsandassessmentspubliclyavailable,unlessinformationaboutparticularspeciesissensitiveintermsoftheir

78Article10(1)(iii)oftheTownandCountryPlanning(GeneralDevelopmentProcedure)Order1995.79 ibid, Article10(1A).80 ibid, Article10(1)(iv)and(1B).81 LocalNatureReservesaredesignatedbylocalauthoritiesundersection21oftheNationalParksandAccesstothe

CountrysideAct1949.

LocalSites:includesSitesofInterestforNatureConservation(SINCs),LocalNatureReserves(LNRs)81,WildlifeSitesandRegionallyImportantGeologicalSites(RIGS)


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protection.Developersshouldbeabletoidentifyhowtheirproposalsmayaffecttheinterestsforwhichthesitesaredesignated(eitherpositivelyornegatively)andwhererelevant,howthesitescontributetowiderecologicalnetworksormosaics.

5.5.3 TheconservationandenhancementoflocallydesignatedsitesisanimportantcontributiontotheimplementationofBiodiversityActionPlansandtothemanagementoffeaturesofthelandscapeofmajorimportanceforwildfloraandfauna(seeparagraph3.2.2above).Developersshouldavoidharmtothoseinterestswherepossible.Whereharmisunavoidableitshouldbeminimisedbymitigationmeasuresandoffsetasfaraspossiblebycompensationmeasuresdesignedtoensurethereisnoreductionintheoverallnatureconservationvalueoftheareaorfeature.Wherelocallydesignatedsitesmaybeaffected,developersshouldconsultthelocalplanningauthorityandWildlifeTrustand/orLocalRecordCentretoagreetheinformationthatwillberequiredtoassesstheimplicationsofthedevelopmentandmitigationandcompensatorymeasures.

5.5.4 WheredevelopmentproposalsmayaffectnationalorlocalBAPhabitatsorspeciesthesameprinciplesapplyastolocallydesignatedsitesinparagraph5.5.2above(seefurtherhabitatsandspeciesofprincipalimportanceforbiodiversityinWalesinsection6.5below).


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6. DEVELOPMENTAFFECTINGPROTECTEDANDPRIORITYHABITATSANDSPECIES

6.1 Introduction

6.1.1 ParticularspeciesoffloraandfaunawithinWalesaresubjecttospecialprotection.Thisisnormallybecauseoftheirvulnerableconservationstatus,forexamplebecausetheyareendangeredoraresufferingdeclineinnumbersorrange,eitherwithinthecontextoftheUKortheEuropeanCommunity,orbecausetheycanbethevictimsofpersecutionorcruelty(suchasthatinflictedonbadgersorthecollectionoftheeggsofbirds).Thespeciesareprotectedunderlegislationthatisindependentof,butcloselyrelatedto,thetownandcountryplanninglegislationinWales.

6.1.2 Part1oftheWildlife and Countryside Act1981confersprotectionuponcertainwildanimalsandplants.Section25oftheWildlife and Countryside Act1981placesadutyonalllocalauthoritiestodowhattheyconsiderexpedienttobringtheprovisionsoftheActrelatingtoprotectedspeciestotheattentionofthepublicandparticularlyschoolchildren.LocalauthoritiesarealsoempoweredtoinstituteproceedingsagainstanypersoncommittinganoffenceunderPartIoftheAct(relatingtoprotectedspecies)withintheirarea82.

6.1.3 TheConservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations1994(theHabitatsRegulations)implementtherequirementsoftheHabitatsDirectiveinrelationtospecieslistedinAnnexesIVandVoftheDirective.

6.1.4 TheprotectionofferedbytheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981andtheHabitatsRegulationsisadditionaltothatofferedbytheplanningsystem.Inaddition,someanimalsareprotectedunderspecificlegislation(forexampletheProtection of Badgers Act1992).

6.2 Protectedspeciesasamaterialplanningconsideration

6.2.1 Thepresenceofaprotectedspeciesisamaterialconsiderationwhenalocalplanningauthorityisconsideringadevelopmentproposalthat,ifcarriedout,wouldbelikelytoresultindisturbanceorharmtothespeciesoritshabitat.LocalplanningauthoritiesshouldconsultCCWbeforegrantingplanningpermission.Theyshouldconsiderattachingappropriateplanningconditionsorenteringintoplanningobligations,underwhichthedeveloperwouldtakestepstosecuretheprotectionofthespeciesandadvisedevelopersthattheymustcomplywithanystatutoryspeciesprotectionrequirementsthatmayberelevant.

6.2.2 Itisessentialthatthepresenceorotherwiseofprotectedspecies,andtheextentthattheymaybeaffectedbytheproposeddevelopment,isestablishedbeforetheplanningpermissionisgranted,otherwiseallrelevantmaterialconsiderationsmaynothavebeenaddressedinmakingthedecision.Itisconsideredbestpracticethatsuchasurveyiscarried

82 section25(2)oftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981.


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outbeforeplanningapplicationissubmitted.Planningpermissionshouldnotbegrantedsubjecttoaconditionthatprotectedspeciessurveysarecarriedoutand,intheeventthatprotectedspeciesarefoundtobepresent,mitigationmeasuresaresubmittedforapproval.However,bearinginmindthedelayandcostthatmaybeinvolved,developersshouldnotberequiredtoundertakesurveysforprotectedspeciesunlessthereisareasonablelikelihoodofthembeingpresent.However,theleveloflikelihoodthatshouldtriggerarequirementfordeveloperstoundertakesurveysshouldbelowwherethereisapossibilitythatEuropeanprotectedspeciesmightbepresent.ItisconsideredbestpracticethatsuchscreeningshouldbecarriedoutbyacompetentecologistonthebasisofdataprovidedbytherelevantLocalRecordCentre(s)83.Whereasurveyisrequiredbytheauthority,thesurveyshouldbecompletedandanynecessarymeasurestoprotectthespeciesshouldbeinplace,throughconditionsand/orplanningobligations,beforethepermissionisgiven.Inappropriatecircumstances,thepermissionmayalsoimposeaconditionpreventingthedevelopmentfromproceedingwithouttheprioracquisitionofalicenceundertheappropriatewildlifelegislation.

6.2.3 Annex7ofthisTANsummarisesthelawinrelationtoprotectedspecies.Whereprotectedspeciesarefoundondevelopmentsites,theirstatutoryprotectionmaybecontravenedeitherbythedevelopmentworkitselforbyassociatedmitigationworkdesignedtoprotectthespeciesconcerned,forexamplecaptureandrescueortranslocationoftheprotectedspeciesfromthedevelopmentsiteinadvanceofworkscommencing.Inordertoavoidanoffencebeingcommitted,suchdevelopmentsmayrequirealicencefromCCWortheWelshMinisters.

6.3 ProtectionofEuropeanprotectedspecies

6.3.1 UndertheHabitatsDirective,developmentsthatwouldresultinabreachofthesystemofstrictprotectionaffordedtoEuropeanprotectedspeciesofanimalsandplantsarerequiredtobecoveredbyaderogationunderArticle16.Article16oftheDirectiveistransposedbyregulation44oftheHabitatsRegulations,whichenableslicencestobeissuedtoauthorisethecarryingoutofactionsforcertainspecifiedpurposes[listedinregulation44(2)(a)-((g)].Aregulation44licenceisaspecificformofderogationgiveninaccordancewithArticle16oftheDirective.

Undertheprovisionsofregulation44oftheHabitatsRegulations,however,alicensingauthoritycannotissuealicencetoenabledevelopmenttobecarriedoutunlessitissatisfiedthat:

a. thereis"nosatisfactoryalternative"tothederogation84,and

b. thederogationis"notdetrimentaltothemaintenanceofthepopulationofthespeciesconcernedatafavourableconservationstatusintheirnaturalrange"85.

83 TheWalesBiodiversityFramework:http://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/wales_biodiversity_partnership_documents-134.aspx.

84 TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994,Reg44(3)(a).85ibid.Regulation44(3)(b.)


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6.3.2 CCWisthelicensingauthorityinrelationtoactionswhicharetobecarriedoutforthepurposesinregulation44(2)(a)-(d),whichinclude"scientificoreducationpurposes".Suchpurposeswouldcovertheundertakingofsurveysfor,orlikelytoaffect,Europeanprotectedspecies.Inthecaseofsurveyworkconnectedwiththedevelopmentwhichislikelytoresultinanoffenceunderregulation39or43oftheHabitatsRegulationsbeingcommitted,itisrecommendedthatalicenceisobtainedfromCCW.AnypersonwishingtocarryoutsurveyworkthatcouldaffectEuropeanprotectedspeciesshouldcontacttherelevantlocalareateamofCCWlistedinAnnex10below.

6.3.3 TheWelshMinistersarethelicensingauthorityinrelationtoactionswhicharetobecarriedoutforthepurposesinregulation44(2)(e)-(g),whichincludethepurposesof“preservingpublichealthorsafety,orforreasonsofoverridingpublicinterest,includingthoseofasocialoreconomicnatureandbeneficialconsequencesofprimaryimportancefortheenvironment”.“Overridingpublicinterest”isthepurposemostlikelytocovertheimplementationofplanningpermissionslikelytoaffectEuropeanprotectedspecies.

6.3.4 LicenceapplicationsaredeterminedbytheAssemblyGovernmentfollowingthegrantingofplanningpermission.Toensurethatthelicensing"tests"setoutinregulation44aremet,thelicensingauthorityrequestsinformationfromthelocalplanningauthorityandthedeveloperand,whereappropriate,fromotherpersons,inordertoassistinmakingadeterminationastowhetherthereis"nosatisfactoryalternative"totheissueofaderogationlicence,andastowhethertheissueofaderogationlicenceisnecessaryfor"preservingpublichealthandpublicsafety,orotherimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest,includingthoseofasocialoreconomicnatureandbeneficialconsequencesofprimaryimportancefortheenvironment".CCWisaskedtoadviseastowhethertheissueofalicencewouldbe"detrimentaltothemaintenanceofthepopulationofthespeciesconcernedatafavourableconservationstatusintheirnaturalrange".TheAssemblyGovernmentthenconsiderstheevidenceonthesemattersbeforemakingitsdetermination.

6.3.5 Thus,anystepintheplanningorimplementationofadevelopmentlikelytoaffectaEuropeanprotectedspeciescouldbesubjecttoalicencetopermitthesurveyorimplementtheproposal.Thelicencemustbeobtainedbeforethesurveyordevelopmentiscarriedout.IfthepresenceofaEuropeanprotectedspeciescomestolightforthefirsttimeonasiteafterplanningpermissionhasbeengranted,forexampleduringthecourseofdevelopment,thenworkthatmightaffectthespeciesconcernedshouldstopandthedevelopershouldimmediatelyseekalicencetoproceed.ThedevelopermayinitiallyrequirealicencefromCCWtoundertakeasurveytoprovidefullinformationaboutthespecies.ThismayneedtobefollowedinduecoursebyanapplicationforalicencefromtheWelshMinisterstocompletethedevelopment.

6.3.6 Regulation3(4)oftheHabitatsRegulationsrequiresalllocalplanningauthorities,intheexerciseoftheirfunctions,tohaveregardtotheprovisionsoftheHabitatsDirectivesofarastheymightbeaffectedbytheexerciseofthosefunctions.Consequently,theDirective'sprovisionsarerelevantinreachingplanningdecisionswhereaEuropeanprotectedspeciesmaybeaffectedanditisthereforeimportantthatsuchplanningdecisions


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arereachedinamannerthattakesaccountof,andisconsistentwith,theDirective’srequirements.ThoserequirementsincludeasystemofstrictprotectionforEuropeanprotectedspecies,withderogationsfromthisstrictprotectionbeingallowedonlyincertainlimitedcircumstancesandsubjecttocertaintestsbeingmet.Asexplainedabove,theserequirementsaretransposedbytheprovisionsoftheHabitatsRegulations.TheissuesofwhetherdevelopmentcouldgiverisetoabreachoftheRegulations’requirements,andwhethertheremaybeapotentialneedforalicencetoavoidsuchabreach,arethereforeamaterialconsiderationinarelevantplanningdecision,andwherealicencemaybeneeded,thethreelicensing‘tests’requiredbytheDirectiveshouldbeconsideredbythelocalplanningauthority.Therequirementforalicenceandtheapplicationofthethreelicensingtestsisequallyamaterialconsiderationinplanningappeals.LocalplanningauthoritiesshouldgivedueweighttothepresenceofaEuropeanprotectedspeciesonadevelopmentsitetoreflecttheserequirementsandthismaypotentiallyjustifyarefusalofplanningpermission.

6.3.7 ItisclearlyessentialthatplanningpermissionisnotgrantedwithouttheplanningauthorityhavingsatisfieditselfthattheproposeddevelopmenteitherwouldnotimpactadverselyonanyEuropeanprotectedspeciesonthesiteorthat,initsopinion,allthreetestsfortheeventualgrantofaregulation44licencearelikelytobesatisfied.TodootherwisewouldbetoriskbreachingtherequirementsoftheHabitatsDirectiveandregulation3(4).Itwouldalsopresenttheveryrealdangerthatthedeveloperofthesitewouldbeunabletomakepracticaluseoftheplanningpermissionwhichhadbeengranted,becausenoregulation44licencewouldbeforthcoming.

6.4 Protectionofbirds,badgers,otheranimalsandplants

6.4.1 Annex7belowexplainsthelegislativeprovisionsfortheprotectionofbirds,badgers,otheranimalsandplantsandexplainswherelicencesmaybeneededtoundertakecertainoperationsassociatedwithdevelopment.AlistofallprotectedspeciesofanimalsandplantscanbefoundatTable2ofAnnex8below.

6.4.2 Part1oftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981providesprotectionforwildbirdsandwildplants,andforcertainwildanimals.ThissystemofprotectionisdescribedinAnnex7.

6.4.3 AlthoughthebadgerisnotarareanimalovermuchofWales,thereisspecificlegislationfortheprotectionofbadgersundertheProtection of Badgers Act 1992.Thelikelihoodofdisturbingabadgersett,oradverselyaffectingbadgers’foragingterritory,orlinksbetweenthem,orsignificantlyincreasingthelikelihoodofroadorrailcasualtiesamongstbadgerpopulations,arecapableofbeingmaterialconsiderationsinplanningdecisions.

6.4.4 CCWisresponsibleforissuinglicencesundertheProtectionofBadgersAct1992whereitisnecessarytointerferewithbadgersand/ortheirsettsinthecourseofdevelopment.Althoughconsiderationofthecaseforgrantingalicenceisseparatefrom


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theprocessofapplyingforplanningpermission,alocalplanningauthorityshouldadviseanyonesubmittinganapplicationfordevelopmentinanareawherethereareknowntobebadgersettsthattheymustcomplywiththeprovisionsoftheAct.Localauthoritiesandallotherpublicbodiesmayalsoneedalicenceinrespectofanydevelopmentwhichtheythemselvescarryoutinanyareaswherethereareknowntobebadgersetts.

6.5 HabitatsandspeciesofprincipalimportanceforbiodiversityinWales

6.5.1 ThepotentialeffectsofadevelopmentonhabitatsorspecieslistedasprioritiesintheUKBiodiversityActionPlan(BAP)86,habitatsorspecieslistedbytheAssemblyGovernmentasofprincipalimportanceforthepurposesofconservingbiologicaldiversity87andbylocalbiodiversitypartnershipsarecapableofbeingamaterialconsiderationinthepreparationoflocaldevelopmentplansandinmakingplanningdecisions.

6.5.2 Sections40and42oftheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006placeadutyontheAssemblyGovernmenttohaveregardtothepurposeofconservingbiodiversity,topublishalistoflivingorganismsandtypesofhabitatsofprincipalimportanceforthepurposeofconservingbiodiversityinWales,andtotake,andpromoteotherstotake,reasonablypracticablestepstofurthertheirconservation.TheAssemblyGovernmentsetsoutitscommitmenttotheBiodiversityActionPlanningprocessinsection5.2ofPPWwhichindicatesthatlocalplanningauthoritiesshouldfurthertheconservationofhabitatsandspeciesofprincipalimportancethroughtheirplanningfunction.TheListoftheSpeciesandHabitatsofPrincipalImportanceinWales(seelinkatAnnex9below)comprisesthelistofspeciesandhabitatsidentifiedbytheNationalAssemblyforWalesasbeingofprincipalimportanceforthepurposesofconservingbiologicaldiversity.

6.5.3 LocalBiodiversityActionPlans(LBAPs)originatefromtheprogrammeofactionfortheconservationandsustainableuseofbiodiversitydrawnupbytheUKinfulfillmentofitsobligationunderArticle6oftheConventiononBiologicalDiversity88.TheUKBiodiversityActionPlanproposedthatcostedactionplanswithtargetsshouldbedrawnuptoconservetheUK’smostrareand/orthreatenedhabitatsandspecies.AUKSteeringGroupinitiallyco-ordinatedtheproductionofthesenationalhabitatandspeciesactionplans.In1995theSteeringGrouprecommended89thatLBAPsshouldbepromotedasameansoftranslatingnationaltargetsintolocalaction,andalsotoprovidethebiodiversityelementoflocalstrategiesforsustainabledevelopment.

86 BiodiversityTheUKActionPlan,1994,Command2428,andsubsequentHabitatandSpeciesActionPlans.87Listedundertheprovisionsofsection42oftheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006(andformerly

undersection75oftheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000)andincompliancewiththecommitmentoftheUKGovernmenttotheUnitedNationsEnvironmentalProgrammeConventiononBiologicalDiversityof1992.

88UnitedNationsEnvironmentalProgrammeConventiononBiologicalDiversity,5June1992.89Biodiversity:TheUKActionPlan-VolumeII:Action Plans,1995,ISBN0-11-753228-2.


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6.5.4 TheWalesBiodiversityPartnershipbringstogetherthekeyplayersfromthepublic,privateandvoluntarysectorstopromote,monitorandadvisetheAssemblyGovernmentonissuesaffectingbiodiversityinWales.ThePartnershipwasestablishedin1996,alongsideparallelgroupsforotherpartsoftheUK,followingtherecommendationsoftheUKBiodiversitySteeringGroup.

6.5.5 LBAPsareproducedbyLocalBiodiversityPartnershipsofpublic,voluntaryandprivatesectororganisations.Therearetwenty-fourpartnershipsinWalescoveringeachlocalplanningauthorityarea(onepartnershipcoversPembrokeshireCountyCouncilandPembrokeshireCoastNationalParkAuthorityareas).TheWalesBiodiversityPartnershipprovidesguidanceandsupporttotheLocalBiodiversityPartnershipsinpreparingtheirLBAPs.


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ANNEX1

STATUTORYFRAMEWORKFORNATURECONSERVATIONRELEVANTTOPLANNING

TheFrameworkofPrincipalLegislationforNatureConservationandPlanninginWales1949-2009

TheNationalParksandAccesstotheCountrysideAct1949introducedtheconceptofNationalNatureReserves(NNRs)andSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs),importantfortheirfloraandfauna,geologicalorphysiographical(landform)features;andconferredpowersonlocalauthoritiestocreatenaturereserves.

TheCountrysideAct1968strengthenedmanyofthepowersgivenunderthe1949ActandimposedonMinisters,governmentdepartmentsandpublicbodies(includinglocalauthorities)adutytohaveregardtothedesirabilityofconservingthenaturalbeautyandamenityofthecountrysideintheexerciseoftheirfunctionsrelatingtoland.

TheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981wasintroducedpartlytosecureimplementationoftheBirdsDirective79/409/EEC,butalsostrengthenedtheprotectionforSSSIs,providedadditionalsafeguardsforparticulartypesofarea,andrestrictedthekilling,takingfromthewildanddisturbanceofvariousavianandnon-avianspecies.

TheEnvironmentalProtectionAct1990establishedthreecountryconservationcouncils(CountrysideCouncilforWales,EnglishNature,ScottishNaturalHeritage)andtheJointNatureConservationCommittee(JNCC)tosucceedtheNatureConservancyCouncil;andprovidedfurtherprotectionforSSSIs.

ThePlanningandCompensationAct1991improvedlocalplanningauthorities'abilitiestosafeguardconservationandamenityareasbystrengtheningtheirplanningenforcementanddevelopmentcontrolpowers.Italsorequireddevelopmentplanstoincludepoliciesinrespectoftheconservationofthenaturalbeautyandamenityofland.

TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c.)Regulations1994(theHabitatsRegulations)(asamended)formallytransposedtherequirementsoftheHabitatsDirective92/43/EECintonationallaw.TheybuildontheexistingnatureconservationlegislationfortheprotectionofhabitatsandspecieslistedintheDirectiveandapplyitsconsiderationsinrespectofdevelopmentplans,developmentcontrolandpollutioncontrollegislation.Theyalsointroduceanewsystemfortheconservationofcertainmarineareas.

TheEnvironmentAct1995conferredthefunctionsoflocalplanningauthoritiesupontheNationalParkauthorities.ItalsoconferredpowersonMinisterstomakeregulationsfortheprotectionofimportanthedgerowsandtomakegrantstopersonswhocarryoutactivitieswhichareconducivetotheconservationorenhancementofthenaturalbeautyoramenityofthecountryside(includingitsfloraandfaunaandgeologicalandphysiographicalfeatures).


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TheTownandCountryPlanning(EnvironmentalImpactAssessment)(EnglandandWales)Regulations1999(asamended)transposedtherequirementsoftheDirectiveontheAssessmentoftheEffectsofCertainPublicandPrivateProjectsontheEnvironment85/337/EEC.Theregulationsrequireanenvironmentalimpactassessmenttobecarriedoutbeforeadecisionistakenonwhetherdevelopmentconsentshouldbegrantedforcertaintypesofprojectwhicharelikelytohavesignificantenvironmentaleffects.

TheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000improvedtheproceduresforthenotification,amendmentanddenotificationofSitesofSpecialScientificInterestandincludedsubstantiallyenhancedstatutoryprovisionsfortheirprotectionandmanagement(seebelow).TheseprovisionsimposegeneralandspecificdutiesonallpublicbodiestofurthertheconservationandenhancementofSSSIinterestfeatures.TheActalsoenhancedtheprotectionofothercountrysideareas,includingAONBsandcommonland,andmadeextensiveprovisionforimprovedaccesstothecountryside.

TheEnvironmentalAssessmentofPlansandProgrammes(Wales)Regulations2004transposedtherequirementsofECCouncilDirectiveontheAssessmentoftheEffectsofCertainPlansandProgrammesontheEnvironment2001/42/EC.Theregulationsrequireenvironmentalassessmenttobecarriedoutbeforecertainplansorprogrammeswhicharelikelytohavesignificantenvironmentaleffectsareadoptedorsubmittedtothelegislativeprocedurefortheirapproval.

ThePlanningandCompulsoryPurchaseAct2004placesadutyontheNationalAssemblyforWalestoproducetheWalesSpatialPlan,andplacesadutyonlocalplanningauthoritiestoproducelocaldevelopmentplansthataretobesubjecttosustainabilityappraisalandindependentexamination.ItrequiresboththeNationalAssemblyandthelocalplanningauthorities,inproducingtheirrespectiveplans,toexercisetheirfunctionswiththeobjectiveofcontributingtotheachievementofsustainabledevelopment.

TheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006addressesawiderangeofissuesrelatingbroadlytothenaturalenvironment.TheActmakesprovisioninrespectofbiodiversity,pesticidesharmfultowildlifeandtheprotectionofbirds,andinrespectofinvasivenon-nativespecies.Italtersenforcementpowersinconnectionwithwildlifeprotectionandextendstimelimitsforprosecutingcertainwildlifeoffences.ItalsoaddressesasmallnumberofgapsanduncertaintieswhichhavebeenidentifiedinrelationtothelawonSSSIs.

TheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations2007formallytransposedtherequirementsoftheHabitatsDirective92/43/EECinrespectofoffshoremarineareas,beyondtheWelshterritorialseas.

TheEnvironmentalDamage(PreventionandRemediation)(Wales)Regulations2009transposedtherequirementsoftheEnvironmentalLiabilityDirective2004/35/ECinrelationtoWales.TheRegulationsmakeprovisionforthepreventionandremedyingofdamagetospeciesandnaturalhabitatsprotectedundertheHabitatsDirectiveandtothespeciesorhabitatsforwhichaSSSIhasbeennotified.


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InternationalObligations

MuchoftheGovernment'slegislativeframeworkisintendedtodelivertheobligationsofinternationalconventionsandDirectives;themainonesareoutlinedbelow:

TheBernConventionontheConservationofEuropeanWildlifeandNaturalHabitatscontainsobligationstoconservewildplants,birdsandotheranimals,withparticularemphasisonendangeredandvulnerablespeciesandtheirhabitats.TheprovisionsoftheConventionunderlietheECHabitatsDirectiveaswellastheUK'swildlifelegislation.

TheRamsarConventiononWetlandsofInternationalImportanceespeciallyasWaterfowlHabitatrequirestheconservationofwetlands,especiallysiteslistedundertheConvention.

ECCouncilDirectiveontheConservationofWildBirds(theBirdsDirective)appliestobirds,theireggs,nestsandhabitats.Itprovidesfortheprotection,managementandcontrolofallspeciesofnaturallyoccurringwildbirdsintheEuropeanterritoryofMemberStates(Article1);requiresMemberStatestotakemeasurestopreserveasufficientdiversityofhabitatsforallspeciesofwildbirdsnaturallyoccurringwithintheirterritories(Articles2and3)inordertomaintainpopulationsatecologicallyandscientificallysoundlevels;andrequiresMemberStatestotakespecialmeasurestoconservethehabitatofcertainparticularlyrarespeciesandofmigratoryspecies(Article4).Italsoestablishesasystemofstrictprotectionforallspeciesofnaturallyoccuringwildbirds(Article5),subjecttocertainderogations(Article9)andregulatesthecircumstancesinwhichwildbirdsmaybesold(Article6)orhunted(Article7)andthemeansbywhichtheymaybecapturedorkilled(Article8).

ECCouncilDirectiveontheConservationofNaturalHabitatsandofWildFaunaandFlora(theHabitatsDirective)contributestotheconservationofbiodiversitybyrequiringMemberStatestotakemeasurestomaintainorrestore,atfavourableconservationstatus,naturalhabitatsandspeciesofwildfaunaandfloraofCommunityinterest.Article7oftheDirectivemodifiestheBirdsDirective.

TheBonnConventionontheConservationofMigratorySpeciesofWildAnimalsrequirestheprotectionofendangeredmigratoryspecieslisted,andencouragesseparateinternationalagreementscoveringparticularspecies.AnagreementcoveringtheConservationofBatsinEuropedealswiththeneedtoprotectbatsandtheirfeedingandroostingareas.

ECCouncilDirectiveontheAssessmentoftheEffectsofcertainPublicandPrivateProjectsontheEnvironmentrequiresenvironmentalassessmenttobecarriedout,beforeadecisionistakenonwhetherdevelopmentconsentshouldbegrantedforcertaintypesofprojectwhicharelikelytohavesignificantenvironmentaleffects.


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ECCouncilDirectiveontheAssessmentoftheEffectsofcertainPlansandProgrammesontheEnvironmentrequiresenvironmentalassessmenttobecarriedoutbeforecertainplansorprogrammeswhicharelikelytohavesignificantenvironmentaleffectsareadoptedorsubmittedforlegislativeapproval.

ECWaterFrameworkDirectiveintroducesanewhighlevelwaterplanningprocessbasedonriverbasindistricts.Keyaimsinrelationtonatureconservationandtheplanningsystemarethepromotionofsustainablewateruseandtoestablishaframeworkfortheprotectionofsurfaceandgroundwaterswhichprotectsandenhancesthestatusofaquaticecosystemsand,withregardtotheirwaterneeds,terrestrialecosystemsandwetlandsdirectlydependentontheaquaticecosystems.

ECCouncilDirectiveonEnvironmentalLiabilitywithRegardtothePreventionandRemedyingofEnvironmentalDamage(theEnvironmentalLiabilityDirective)specificallydefinesenvironmentaldamagesoastoincludedamagetoprotectedspeciesandnaturalhabitatslistedintheBirdsandHabitatsDirectives,andanyotherspeciesorhabitatsthataMemberStatedesignatesforpurposesequivalenttotheBirdsandHabitatsDirectives’purposes,andincludes,amongstotherpollutionpreventionandremedialrequirements,provisionsforremedyingenvironmentaldamageonsitesclassifiedundertheBirdsDirective(SPAs)anddesignatedundertheHabitatsDirective(SACs).

UnitedNationsEnvironmentalProgrammeConventiononBiologicalDiversity,5June1992establishesthreemaingoals:theconservationofbiologicaldiversity;thesustainableuseofitscomponents;andthefairandequitablesharingofthebenefitsfromtheuseofgeneticresources.

EuropeanLandscapeConventionaimstopromotelandscapeprotection,managementandplanning,andtoorganiseEuropeanco-operationonlandscapeissues.


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ANNEX2

STATUTORYNATURECONSERVATIONDESIGNATIONS

InternationallyImportantSites

SpecialProtectionAreas(SPAs)includingSPAsthatareEuropeanOffshoreMarineSites

ClassifiedunderArticle4oftheECDirectiveontheConservationofWildBirds(79/409/EEC)(theBirdsDirective)andRegulation12oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations2007.

ClassifiedbytheWelshMinistersinthelightofrecommendationsmadebyCCWthroughtheJointNatureConservationCommittee(JNCC),beyondtheterritorialseaadjacenttoWalesSPAsareclassifiedbytheUKGovernmentontheadviceofJNCC.

SpecialAreasofConservation(SACs)includingcandidateSpecialAreasofConservation(cSACs)andc/SACsthatareEuropeanOffshoreMarineSites

DesignatedunderArticle4oftheECDirectiveontheConservationofNaturalHabitatsandofWildFauna&Flora(92/43/EEC)(theHabitatsDirective)viaRegulations7and8oftheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994andRegulations7-11oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations2007.

DesignatedbytheWelshMinistersinthelightofrecommendationsmadebyCCWthroughtheJNCC,beyondtheterritorialseaadjacenttoWales'watersSACsareclassifiedbytheUKGovernmentontheadviceofJNCC.

RamsarSites DesignatedunderArticle2oftheConventiononWetlandsofInternationalImportanceespeciallyasWaterfowlHabitat(RamsarConvention,1971).

DesignatedbytheUKGovernmentinthelightofrecommendationsmadebyCCWthroughtheJNCC.


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NationallyImportantSites

NationalNatureReserves(NNRs)

Declaredundersection19oftheNationalParksandAccesstotheCountrysideAct,1949orsection35oftheWildlife&CountrysideAct,1981.

DeclaredbyCCW.NNRsmaybedeclaredonanylandofnationalconservationimportanceandwhichisbeingmanagedasanaturereserve(asdefinedinS.15ofthe1949Act)toprovideopportunitiesforresearchintomattersrelatingto,ortopreserve,plantsandanimalsandthephysicalconditionsinwhichtheylive,orgeologicalorphysiographicalfeaturesofspecialinterest.

SitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs)

Notifiedundersection28oftheWildlife&CountrysideAct1981.

NotifiedbyCCW.SSSIsmustbenotifiedwhereCCWareoftheopinionthatanyareaoflandisofspecialinterestbyreasonofitsflora,fauna,geologicalorphysiographicalfeatures.Thepurposeofthenotificationistoprotectthespecialfeaturesofthesite.

MarineNatureReserves(MNRs)

Designatedundersection36oftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981.

DesignatedbytheWelshMinistersonanapplicationmadebyCCW.MNRsaredesignatedtoconservemarinefloraorfaunaorgeologicalorphysiographicalfeaturesofspecialinterest,ortoprovideopportunitiesforthestudyofthemarinefloraandfaunaandthephysicalconditionsinwhichtheyliveorthegeographicalorphysiographicalfeatures.

Regionally/LocallyImportantSites

LocalNatureReserves Declaredundersection29oftheNationalParks&AccesstotheCountrysideAct1949.

Declaredandmanagedbylocalauthorities.LNRscanbedesignatedonlandwhichalocalauthorityconsidersshouldbemanagedasanaturereserve(asdefinedinSection15ofthe1949Act).


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Othernatureconservationdesignations

Limestonepavementsareofphysiographical,andsometimesbiological,interest.TheyareidentifiedasapriorityhabitattypeintheHabitatsDirective.CCWisrequiredtonotifylocalplanningauthoritiesoflimestonepavementsthatitconsiderstobeofspecialinterest.Undersection34ofandSchedule11totheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,theWelshMinistersortherelevantlocalplanningauthoritymaythenmakeaLimestonePavementOrderdesignatingthelandconcernedandprohibitingtheremovalordisturbanceoflimestoneonorinit.

BiogeneticReserves-AnumberofNationalNatureReservesandsomeimportantSSSIshavebeenidentifiedasBiogeneticReservesunderaCouncilofEuropeprogrammefortheconservationofheathlandsanddrygrasslands.

AreasofSpecialProtectionforBirds(AOSPs)areestablishedundersection3oftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981byordersmadebytheWelshMinistersafterappropriateconsultationwithownersandoccupiers.Thepurposeofsuchordersisnormallytoprovidesanctuarytoparticularlyvulnerablegroupsofbirds.


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51

ANNEX3

DEVELOPMENTPROPOSALSLIKELYTOAFFECTANINTERNATIONALLYDESIGNATEDNATURECONSERVATIONSITE

Seesection5.3aboveforthecontextforthisAnnex.

Asamatterofpolicy,theAssemblyGovernmenthaschosentoapplytheproceduresdescribedbelow,unlessotherwisespecified,inrespectofRamsarsitesandpotentialSPAs(pSPAs),eventhoughthesearenotEuropeansitesasamatteroflaw.

1.Indeterminingplanningapplicationsandotherformsofconsent,localplanningauthoritiesshouldfollowtheproceduresdescribedbelowinrespectofanyinternationallydesignatedsiteand,moregenerally,shouldhaveregardtotheHabitatsDirectiveintheexerciseoftheirplanningfunctionsinordertofulfiltherequirementsoftheHabitatsDirectiveinrespectofthelanduseplanningsystem90.

2.PartIVoftheHabitatsRegulationsregulatesthegrantingofplanningpermissionfordevelopmentwhichislikelytosignificantlyaffectaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoreMarineSite91,andwhichisnotdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytothemanagementofthesite.TheproceduresexplainedindetailbelowapplytoplanningdecisionstakenonorafterthedatetheRegulationscameintoforce,regardlessofwhentheapplicationwassubmitted.

AlthoughtheparagraphsbelowrefertoEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,itisimportantthattheseproceduresarealsoapplied,asamatterofpolicy,toRamsarsitesand,asappropriateandnecessary,tohelptoprotectpSACandpSPAuntilsuchtimeasthesitebecomesastatutoryEuropeansiteoritisdeterminedthatthesiteshouldnotbecomepartoftheNatura2000network.Planningauthoritiesshouldensurethat,wherethedevelopmentcouldhaveaneffectonapSPA,permissionmayonlybegrantedifitiscertainthattheprojectwillnotcausesignificantpollutionordeteriorationofthepSPA,orsignificantdisturbanceofthebirdspeciesforwhichthepSPAhasbeenproposed(eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects)andthatinthecaseofpSACs,theecologicalcharacteristicsofthepSACaresafeguarded.

3.PPWsetsouttheAssemblyGovernment’spolicyinrespectofcallinginplanningapplicationsthatarelikelytosignificantlyaffectsitesofinternationalimportance;itwillhaveregardtotheadviceofCCWonwhichapplicationsarelikelytohavesucheffects.Localplanningauthoritiesshouldbepreparedtoexplaintheirreasonsforgrantingpermissionforsuchapplications,particularlyiftheydonotdecidethecaseinaccordancewiththerecommendationsofCCW.Thereasonsforthelocalplanningauthority’s

90 Regulation3(4)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.91Theseprovisionsdonotapply,inlaw,inrelationtositeswhichareEuropeansitesbyreasonofregulation10(1)(c)

oftheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994orwhichareEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesbyreasonofregulation15(c)oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations2007:seeregulation48(7)ofthe1994Regulations.However,theseprovisionsshouldbeapplied,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtosuchsites.


52

decision,includingtherelevantfactorsconsideredforthepurposesofregulation48,andifapplicable,regulation49,mustbetransparentandproperlydocumented.Regulation49requiresanauthorityproposingtoallowdevelopmentthatwouldadverselyaffectaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesitetonotifytheWelshMinistersinadvance.Regulation53placesadutyontheWelshMinisterstosecure,whereplanningpermissionisgrantedinaccordancewithregulation49,thatanynecessarycompensatorymeasuresaretakentoensuretheoverallcoherenceofNatura2000.TheAssemblyGovernmentwillthereforeexpecttosee,andbesatisfiedby,evidencetotheeffectthataplanorprojectsatisfiestherequirementsofregulation49(1)and,ifapplicable,(2)whenapplicationsarereferredtoitundertheprovisionsofregulation49(5)andthatanynecessarycompensatorymeasureshavebeensecured.

4.Theapproachtobetakeninconsideringadevelopmentproposalthatmightaffectaninternationallydesignatedsiteissetoutbelow,andappliesregardlessofwhetherthedecision-takeristheWelshMinisters,anInspectororthelocalplanningauthority.ThisprocessisrepresentedintheflowchartinFigure1.TheEuropeanCommissionhasalsoissuedguidancewhichplanningauthoritiesshouldconsider92.

5.Thedecision-takermustfirstestablishwhethertheproposeddevelopmentisdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytositemanagementfornatureconservation93ofaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.Therewillbefewcaseswhereadevelopmentisdirectlyconnectedwith,orthewholeofthedevelopmentisnecessaryto,sitemanagementand,therefore,notfurthersubjecttotherequirementsofregulation48.Ifanypartofthedevelopmentisnotsoconnectedwithornecessaryforsitemanagement,thewholeprojectmustbesubjecttotheproceduresofregulation48.

Likelysignificanteffect

6.Iftheproposeddevelopmentisnotdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytositemanagementthedecision-takermustdeterminewhethertheproposalislikelytohaveasignificanteffect94onaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.Anappropriateassessmentisrequiredwherethereisaprobabilityorriskthattheplanorprojectwillhavesignificanteffectsonasite.Thedecisiononwhetheranappropriateassessmentisnecessaryshouldbemadeonaprecautionarybasis.

7.Theconsiderationofthelikelihoodofsignificanteffectsisaformofscreeningprocessorriskassessmentwhichshouldberepeatedifaprojectsignificantlychangesduringconsiderationbytheplanningauthority.TheplanningauthoritymustconsiderwhethertheproposeddevelopmentwouldbelikelytohaveasignificanteffectonanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.Indoingso,itmustadoptaprecautionaryapproach:

92 Managing Natura 2000 Sites: the provisions of Article 6 of the ‘Habitats’ Directive 92/43/EEC,EuropeanCommission,April2000,Guidance document on Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats’ Directive 92/43/EEC,EuropeanCommission,January2007,andAssessment of Plans and Projects Significantly Affecting Natura 2000Sites,EuropeanCommission,November2001.

93ibidRegulation48(1)(b).94ibid.Regulation48(1)(a).


53

• Thedevelopmentprojectshouldbeconsidered‘likely’tohavesuchaneffectiftheplanningauthorityisunable,onthebasisofobjectiveinformation,toexcludethepossibilitythattheprojectcouldhavesignificanteffectsonany“Europeansite”,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects.

• Aneffectwillbe‘significant’inthiscontextifitcouldunderminethesite’sconservationobjectives.Theassessmentofthatriskmustbemadeinthelightoffactorssuchasthecharacteristicsandspecificenvironmentalconditionsofthe“Europeansite”inquestion95.

8.ThisisinlinewiththerulingoftheEuropeanCourtofJusticeinCaseC-127/02(theWaddenzeejudgment)whichstatesthat“any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site is to be subject to an appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives if it cannot be excluded, on the basis of objective information, that it will have a significant effect on that site, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects”.

9.TakingaccountofadvicefromCCW,localplanningauthoritiesshouldconsiderwhethertheeffectoftheproposalonthesite,eitherindividuallyorincombinationwithotherproposals96,islikelytobesignificantintermsoftheecologicalobjectivesforwhichthesitewasdesignated.

10.Thedecision-takermayrequiretheproposertoprovidesuchfurtherinformationasisreasonablynecessarytoassessthelikelihoodandsignificanceofpotentialeffects,andthusenablethedecision-takertodeterminewhetheranappropriateassessmentisrequired97.Theadditionalinformationwhichmightbeneededmightinclude,forexample,whetherthesite’sfeaturesincludeanyprioritynaturalhabitattypesorpriorityspecies,whetherthesite’sfeaturesareatfavourableconservationstatus,andwhetherthereareanyimpedimentstoimprovingtheirstatus,especiallythosethatcouldbeaddressedbytheplan.

11.Itisimportantthatthelikelihoodofasignificanteffectisassessedinrespectofeachinterestfeature,forwhichthesiteisinternationallydesignated,andforeachdesignationwhereasiteisdesignated,classifiedorlistedundermorethanoneinternationalobligation.LocalplanningauthoritiesshouldensurethattheassessmenttakesintoaccountthefullrangeofRamsarinterestsforwhichthesitehasbeenlistedandtheirvulnerabilitytoanyeffectsoftheproposeddevelopment.CCWwilladviseonacase-by-casebasis.

95 RefertoCaseC-127/02,paragraph49.96Regulation48(1)(a)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.97 ibid Regulation48(2).

54

CONSIDERATIONOFDEVELOPMENTPROPOSALSAFFECTINGINTERNATIONALLYDESIGNATEDNATURECONSERVATIONSITES

1. Is the proposal directly connected with or necessary to site management for nature conservation? Note on Stage 11 Where cSACs and pSPAs are concerned, the plan cannot be adopted under any circumstances unless it is ascertained that:- • In relation to cSACs, it will not seriously compromise the ecological characteristics of the cSAC; • In relation to pSPAs, it will not cause significant pollution or deterioration of the pSPA, or significant disturbance of the bird species for which the pSPA has been proposed.

Unless this can be ascertained, permission cannot be granted.

14. Permission may be granted subject to the Assembly Government securing that any necessary

compensatory measures are taken to ensure that the overall coherence of Natura 2000 is protected.

15. Permission may only be granted for other imperative reasons of overriding public interest, following consultation between the Government and the European Commission and subject

to the Assembly Government securing that any necessary compensatory measures are taken to ensure that the overall

coherence of Natura 2000 is protected.

5. Permission may be granted.

13. Permission must not be granted.

7. Permission may be granted subject to the conditions

or obligation.

2. Is the proposal likely to have a significant effect on the internationally important interest features of the site, alone or in combination with other plans and projects?

3. Assess the implications of the effects of the proposal for the site’s conservation objectives, consult CCW and, if appropriate, the public.

4. Can it be ascertained that the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the site?

No, because there would be an adverse effect or it is uncertain

6. Would compliance with conditions or other restrictions, such as a planning obligation, enable it to be ascertained that the proposal would not adversely affect the integrity of the site?


8. Are there alternative solutions that would have a lesser effect, or avoid an adverse effect, on the integrity of the site?

9. Might a priority habitat or species on the site be adversely affected by the proposal?

10. Are there imperative reasons of overriding public interest, which could be of a social or economic nature, sufficient

to override the harm to the site?

11. Are there imperative reasons of overriding public interest relating to human health, public safety or benefits of primary importance

to the environment? (Also see Note above)

12. If minded to grant permission, planning authority must notify the Assembly Government and must wait 21 days.

No No

Yes

No No

No No Yes

Yes Yes

Yes

No No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

55

CONSIDERATIONOFDEVELOPMENTPROPOSALSAFFECTINGINTERNATIONALLYDESIGNATEDNATURECONSERVATIONSITES FIGURE1

1. Is the proposal directly connected with or necessary to site management for nature conservation? Note on Stage 11 Where cSACs and pSPAs are concerned, the plan cannot be adopted under any circumstances unless it is ascertained that:- • In relation to cSACs, it will not seriously compromise the ecological characteristics of the cSAC; • In relation to pSPAs, it will not cause significant pollution or deterioration of the pSPA, or significant disturbance of the bird species for which the pSPA has been proposed.

Unless this can be ascertained, permission cannot be granted.

14. Permission may be granted subject to the Assembly Government securing that any necessary

compensatory measures are taken to ensure that the overall coherence of Natura 2000 is protected.

15. Permission may only be granted for other imperative reasons of overriding public interest, following consultation between the Government and the European Commission and subject

to the Assembly Government securing that any necessary compensatory measures are taken to ensure that the overall

coherence of Natura 2000 is protected.

5. Permission may be granted.

13. Permission must not be granted.

7. Permission may be granted subject to the conditions

or obligation.

2. Is the proposal likely to have a significant effect on the internationally important interest features of the site, alone or in combination with other plans and projects?

3. Assess the implications of the effects of the proposal for the site’s conservation objectives, consult CCW and, if appropriate, the public.

4. Can it be ascertained that the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the site?


6. Would compliance with conditions or other restrictions, such as a planning obligation, enable it to be ascertained that the proposal would not adversely affect the integrity of the site?


8. Are there alternative solutions that would have a lesser effect, or avoid an adverse effect, on the integrity of the site?

9. Might a priority habitat or species on the site be adversely affected by the proposal?

10. Are there imperative reasons of overriding public interest, which could be of a social or economic nature, sufficient

to override the harm to the site?

11. Are there imperative reasons of overriding public interest relating to human health, public safety or benefits of primary importance

to the environment? (Also see Note above)

12. If minded to grant permission, planning authority must notify the Assembly Government and must wait 21 days.

No No

Yes

No No

No No Yes

Yes Yes

Yes

No No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No


56

12.Inconsideringthecombinedeffectsofotherplansandprojectsitwillnormallybeappropriatetotakeaccountofoutstandingconsentsthatarenotstartedorfullyimplemented,ongoingactivitiesoroperationsthataresubjecttocontinuingregulation(suchasdischargeconsentsorabstractionlicences)andotherproposalsthataresubjecttoacurrentapplicationforanykindofauthorisation,permission,licenceorotherconsent.Theeffectsofprojectswhichhavealreadybeenimplementedandpoliciesandproposalsinadoptedandpublisheddraftplansshouldalsobeincludedinthein-combinationtest.Thus,theassessmentisnotconfinedtoproposalsthatrequireplanningpermission,butincludesallplansandprojects.

13.Compensatorymeasures(seebelow)shouldnotbetakenintoaccountinassessingwhethertheproposalislikelytohavesignificanteffectsonaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.

Theappropriateassessment

14.Ifthedecision-takerconcludesthataproposeddevelopmentnotdirectlyconnectedwithsitemanagementislikelytosignificantlyaffectaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,theymustmakeanappropriateassessmentoftheimplicationsoftheproposalforthesiteinviewofthesite'sconservationobjectives98.TheserelatetoeachoftheinterestfeaturesforwhichthesitewasclassifiedorlistedandwillbeprovidedinmoredetailbyCCW99.Thescopeandcontentofanappropriateassessmentwilldependonthenature,location,durationandscaleoftheproposedprojectandtheinterestfeaturesoftherelevantsite.Itisimportantthatanappropriateassessmentismadeinrespectofeachinterestfeatureforwhichthesiteisclassifiedorlisted;andforeachdesignationwhereasiteisclassifiedorlistedundermorethanoneinternationalobligation.CCWwilladviseonacase-by-casebasis.Thedecision-takercanrequiretheapplicanttoprovidesuchinformationasmayreasonablyberequiredtoundertaketheassessment100.

15.IntheWaddenzeejudgment101theEuropeanCourtofJusticeruledthatanappropriateassessmentimpliesthatalltheaspectsoftheplanorprojectwhichcan,bythemselvesorincombinationwithotherplansandprojects,affectthesite'sconservationobjectivesmustbeidentifiedinthelightofthebestscientificknowledgeinthefield102.

98Regulation48(1)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.99ForcrossbordersiteswithEngland,thesiteconservationobjectiveswouldbeprovidedjointlybyCCW

andNaturalEngland.100 Regulation48(2)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.101ECJCaseC-127/02.102SeealsoManaging Natura 2000 Sites,EuropeanCommission,April2000asamendedbyGuidance document on

Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats Directive’ 92/43/EEC Clarification of the concepts of alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence and opinion of the CommissionJanuary2007.


57

16.Aspartoftheassessmentprocess,thedecision-takermustconsultCCW103(andNaturalEnglandwherethesiteaffectedlieswhollyorpartlyinEngland,andtheJNCCwherethesiteaffectedisanEuropeanOffshoreMarineSite)andmusthaveregardtoanyrepresentationsmadebyCCWand,whererelevant,NaturalEnglandandJNCC.Thedecision-takermayalsoconsultthegeneralpublic104.Itisforthedecision-takertodecidewhetherpublicityandconsultationoverandabovethatrequiredundertheplanningorotherregulatoryproceduresshouldbeundertaken.Inmostcases,existingarrangementsforpublicityandconsultationarelikelytobeadequatebutthedecision-takermayusefullyconsultorganisationsthatmayhaverelevantinformationorexpertise,suchastheEnvironmentAgencyWales,theWildlifeTrusts,Amphibian&ReptileConservationTrust,Plantlife,RSPB,TheButterflyConservationSociety(seeAnnex11forwebsites).

Ascertainingtheeffectonsiteintegrity

17.Inthelightoftheconclusionsoftheassessmentoftheproject’seffectsonthesite’sconservationobjectives,thedecision-takermustdeterminewhetheritcanascertainthattheproposalwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite(s)105.Thistestincorporatestheprecautionaryprinciple.Itisnotforthedecision-takertoshowthattheproposalwouldharmthesite,inordertorefusetheapplicationorappeal.Itisforthedecision-takertoconsiderthelikelyandreasonablyforeseeableeffectsandtoascertainthattheproposalwillnothaveanadverseeffectontheintegrityofthesitebeforeitmaygrantpermission.Iftheproposalwouldadverselyaffectintegrity,ortheeffectsonintegrityareuncertainbutcouldbesignificant106,thedecision-takershouldnotgrantpermission,subjecttotheprovisionsofregulations49and53asdescribedbelow.

18.IntheWaddenzeejudgment,theEuropeanCourtofJusticeruledthataplanorprojectmaybeauthorisedonlyifacompetentauthorityhasmadecertainthattheplanorprojectwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite.“That is the case where no reasonable scientific doubt remains as to the absence of such effects”.Competentnationalauthoritiesmustbe“convinced”thattherewillnotbeanadverseeffectandwheredoubtremainsastotheabsenceofadverseaffects,theplanorprojectmustnotbeauthorised,subjecttotheprocedureoutlinedinArticle6(4)oftheECHabitatsDirectiveregardingimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest107.

103Regulation48(3)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.104ibid.Regulation48(4).105Regulation48(5)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.Seealsoparagraphs25-28below.106SeeADTAuctionsLtdvSecretaryofStateEnvironment,TransportandtheRegionsandHartDistrictCouncil(2000)

JPL1155atp.1171whereitwasheldthat,itwasimplicitinthewordingofregulation48(5)thattheadverseeffectontheintegrityofthesitehadtobeasignificantadverseeffect.

107Regulation49TheHabitatsRegulations1994.


58

19.Theintegrityofasiteisthecoherenceofitsecologicalstructureandfunction,acrossitswholearea,whichenablesittosustainthehabitat,complexofhabitatsand/orthelevelsofpopulationsofthespeciesforwhichitwasclassifiedorlisted.Indeterminingtheeffectonsiteintegrity,theadviceofCCWandthecitationissuedbythemsayingwhythesitewasclassifiedorlistedwillneedtobecarefullyconsidered.Whilstitisthedutyofthedecision-takertocarryouttheappropriateassessmentandmakeajudgementastotheeffectonsiteintegrity,itwouldnormallybeexpectedtoadopttheadviceofCCWontheintegritytest.Ifitdoesnot,thedecision-takershouldhaveconvincingandexceptionalreasonsfornotadoptingtheadvice,whichitshouldbepreparedtoexplain,anditshouldbeabletoshowthatthesereasonsareclearlysupportedbysoundscientificevidence.

20.Dependingonthenatureconservationvalueofthesite,itmaybenecessarytoidentifywhetherparticularaspectssuchashydrology,disturbanceorland-takeshouldbespecificallyaddressed.Inthesimplestcases,ageneralstatementfromCCWoftheimpactofthedevelopmentmaysuffice.TheassessmentrequiredundertheHabitatsRegulationsdoesnotcorrespondtoanenvironmentalimpactassessment(EIA),althoughforsomeprojectsEIAwillbenecessary.InsuchcasesitwillbeappropriatetousesomeoftheinformationassembledforthepurposesoftheEIAalsofortheassessmentrequiredbytheHabitatsRegulations.Indeed,inpracticeithasbeenusefulforenvironmentalimpactstatementstoincludeaseparatechapterprovidinginformationthat,alongwithotherinformationsuchastheresponsestoconsultations,willberequiredbythedecision-takertoundertaketheassessmentsrequiredbytheHabitatsRegulations108.

21.Compensatorymeasures(seebelow)shouldnotbetakenintoaccountinassessingwhethertheproposalwouldadverselyaffecttheintegrityofEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesites.

Consideringconditionsorotherrestrictions

22.Aspartofthejudgementonintegrity,thedecision-takermustconsiderthewayinwhichitisproposedtocarryouttheprojectandwhetherconditionsorotherrestrictions(suchasasection106planningobligation)wouldhelptoensurethatsiteintegritywillnotbeadverselyaffected109.ThisisanimportantrequirementoftheRegulationsandlocalplanningauthoritiesshouldconsiderwhetheraconsentcouldbeissuedinaccordancewithregulation48subjecttoconditions.Inpractice,thismeansthatthelocalplanningauthorityshouldidentifythepotentialriskssofarastheymaybereasonablyforeseeableinlightofsuchinformationascanreasonablybeobtained,andputinplacealegallyenforceableframeworkwithaviewtopreventingtherisksfrommaterialising110.

108SeealsoManaging Natura 2000 Sites,EuropeanCommission,April2000asamendedbyGuidance document on Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats Directive’ 92/43/EEC Clarification of the concepts of alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence and opinion of the CommissionJanuary2007.

109Regulation48(6)TheHabitatsRegulations1994.110SeeWWF-UKLtdandRSPB-v-SecretaryofStateforScotlandetal[1999]1C.M.L.R.1021[1999]Env.L.R.632

opinionofLordNimmo-Smith.


59

23.CCWmaysuggestthescopeofsuchconditionsinitsresponsetotheconsultationandwillcommentontheeffectivenessofconditionsproposedbythelocalplanningauthorityortheapplicant.Regulation54(4)oftheHabitatsRegulations1994hastheeffectofprohibitingthegrantofoutlineplanningpermissionunlessthelocalplanningauthorityissatisfied,whetherbyreasonoftheconditionsorlimitationsimposedonthepermission,orotherwise,thatthedevelopmentwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,andthesameapproachshouldbeadopted,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtoallotherinternationalsites.

24.IftheplanningauthoritycannotascertainthatthedevelopmentwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(butseebelowinrespectofcSACs),eitherbecausetherewouldbeanadverseeffectorbecausetheeffectsareuncertain,theprojectcannotbepermittedunlessregulations49and53oftheHabitatsRegulationsarecompliedwith,asdescribedbelow.Thesameapproachshouldbeadopted,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtootherinternationallydesignatedsitestoo,asdescribedinparagraph2(butseebelowinrespectofpSPAs).

25.ThesituationsinwhichpotentiallydamagingprojectsmaybepermittedaremorerestrictedwheretheprojectcouldhaveaneffectonacSACorapSPA:

• WherethedevelopmentcouldhaveaneffectonacSAC,permissionshouldonlybegrantedifitiscertainthattheprojectwillnotseriouslycompromisetheecologicalcharacteristicsofthecSAC(eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects).

• WherethedevelopmentcouldhaveaneffectonapSPA,permissionmayonlybegrantedifitiscertainthattheprojectwillnotcausesignificantpollutionordeteriorationofthepSPA,orsignificantdisturbanceofthebirdspeciesforwhichthepSPAhasbeenproposed(eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects).

Alternativesolutions

26.Ifthedecision-takercannotascertainthattheproposeddevelopmentwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite,andthiseffect,orpossibleeffect,willnotberemovedbyconditionsorotherrestrictions,theymustnotgrantplanningpermissionexceptinthefollowingcloselydefinedcircumstances.Theymustfirstbesatisfiedthattherearenoalternativesolutions.111Iftherearealternativesolutionsthatwouldhavenoeffect,oralessereffect,onthesite’sintegrity,thenconsentcannotbegrantedinaccordancewiththeRegulations;permissionmustberefusedortheappealdismissed.Iftherearenoalternativesolutionsthatwouldhavenoeffect,oralessereffectonthesite,thenthedecision-taker

111Regulation49(1)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.


60

canproceedtoconsiderwhetherthereareimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestforgrantingpermission,asdescribedbelow.Inassessingalternativesolutionsthedecision-takershouldconsiderwhetherthereareorarelikelytobeothersuitableandavailablesites(orroutesinthecaseoflinearprojects)whicharefeasiblealternativesfortheproposeddevelopment,ordifferent,practicableapproacheswhichwouldhavealesserimpact.

27.Whatconstitutesanalternativesolution,inanyparticularcase,willdependonthecircumstances,includingthenature,scale,durationandlocationoftheproject,itsobjectivesandwhomaybeproposingit112.Thefirststepisforthedecision-takertoidentifytheproblemthattheplanorprojectisseekingtosolve,ortheobjectivesinmakingtheproposal.Fromthatstartingpoint,itshouldbepossibletoidentifyarangeofalternativewaysofachievingtheseobjectives,andthesealternativescanthenbeassessedagainsttheirlikelyimpactupontheconservationobjectivesoftheEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.Atthisstage,economicconsiderationsshouldnotconstraintheconsiderationofalternativesolutions:theassessmentshouldbemadeagainstthesite’sconservationobjectives.Thedecision-takershouldbearinmindtheadviceofCCW,especiallyinrespectoftheeffectsofalternativesolutionsthatmaybeunderconsideration.Intheirowninterestsapplicantsshoulddemonstratethattheyhavefullyconsideredalternativesolutions.

Imperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest

28.Ifthereisnoalternativesolution,thedecision-takermayconsiderwhetherthereareimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinteresttojustifythegrantofpermissiondespiteapotentiallynegativeeffectonsiteintegrity.

29.WhilsttheEuropeanCourtofJusticehasruled113thattheimplementationofaprojectunderArticle6(4)(Regulation49)is,interalia,subjecttotheconditionthattheabsenceofalternativesolutionsbedemonstrated,thesequentialtestsofwhethertherearenoalternativesolutionsandwhetherthereareimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestcanbecloselylinkedinsomecases.Forexample,wherearangeofalternativesmayaffectthesiteindifferentways,thedecisionastowhethertopermitaprojectmaydependonthebalancebetweentheextentoftheharmandthebenefitsoftheproject,initsdifferingalternativeforms114.TheECguidanceclearlysetsouttherequirementtodocumentthatthealternativeputforwardforapprovalistheleastdamagingforhabitats,forspecies

112SeealsoManaging Natura 2000 Sites,EuropeanCommission,April2000asamendedbyGuidance document on Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats Directive’ 92/43/EEC Clarification of the concepts of alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence and opinion of the CommissionJanuary2007.

113Seeparagraph36oftheJudgementoftheECJSecondChamberinCaseC-239/04EC v Portuguese Republic.114SeeforexampletheOpinionofTheAdvocateGeneraldated27thApril2006atparagraphs44-46intheCase

C-239/04ECvPortuguese Republic.


61

andfortheintegrityoftheNatura2000site,regardlessofeconomicconsiderations,andthatnootherfeasiblealternativeexiststhatwouldnotaffecttheintegrityofthesite115.

30.Differenttestsapplydependingonwhetherthesitehostsapriorityhabitattypeorspecies116.Ifthesitedoesnothostaprioritynaturalhabitattypeorspecies,ortheprojectwouldnotaffectapriorityhabitatorspeciesthatmaybepresentonthesite117,planningpermissioncanonlybegrantediftheproposeddevelopmenthastobecarriedoutforimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest,includingthoseofasocialoreconomicnature118.Suchreasonswouldneedtobesufficienttooverridetheecologicalimportanceofthedesignation.

31.Ifthesitehostsapriorityhabitatorspeciesthatwouldbeaffectedbytheproposal,andthereisnoalternativesolution,theonlyconsiderationswhichcanjustifythegrantofplanningpermissionare(a)thosewhichrelatetohumanhealth,publicsafety,orbeneficialconsequencesofprimaryimportancetotheenvironmentor(b)otherimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinteresthavingregardtotheopinionoftheEuropeanCommission119.AnycompetentauthoritywishingtoobtaintheopinionoftheEuropeanCommissioninthisrespect,mustsubmitawrittenrequesttotheWelshMinisters,inaccordancewithRegulation49(3).TheUKgovernmentmaythenseektheCommission’sopinionandtransmitittotheWelshMinisters,whowilltransmitittothelocalplanningauthority.

TherewillbefewcaseswhereitcanbejudgedthatimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestwillallowadevelopmenttoproceedwhichwillhaveanadverseeffectontheintegrityofEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesites(oranyotherinternationallydesignatedsites).Furthermore,itwillneverbeacceptabletoproceedonsuchgroundswherethiscouldseriouslycompromisetheecologicalcharacteristicsofacSAC,orcouldcausesignificantpollutionordeteriorationofapSPA,orsignificantdisturbanceofthebirdspeciesforwhichapSPAhasbeenproposed.

32.Thisappliesequallytonewproposalsandtodevelopmentswithvalidexistingpermissions.Thejudgementwillinvolveanassessmentoftheimportanceofthedevelopmentandwhetheritissufficienttooverridethenatureconservationimportanceofthatsite.Developmentsmustpassthemoststringenttests.

115Seesection1.2page4,ECGuidance document on Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats Directive’ 92/43/EEC Clarification of the concepts of alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence and opinion of the CommissionJanuary2007.

116PriorityhabitatsandspeciesareindicatedbyanasteriskinAnnexesIandIIoftheHabitatsDirective.Thecitationsayingwhythesitewasdesignatedwillshowwhetherithostsapriorityhabitatorspecies.ThereareatpresentnopriorityspeciesindicatedintheBirdsDirective,inrespectofSPAs.

117Seesection1.8.1page22EuropeanCommission,Guidance document on Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats Directive’ 92/43/EEC Clarification of the concepts of alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence and opinion of the CommissionJanuary2007.

118Regulation49(1)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.119Regulation49(2)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.


62

33.Inmanycases,itmaybepossibletonegotiateasustainablesolutionthatwouldremoveorreduceanapparentconflict.However,wherethelocalplanningauthorityareunabletoconcludenoadverseeffectontheintegrityofanEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesitebutconsidertheproposeddevelopmentshouldneverthelessgoahead,regulation49(5)oftheHabitatsRegulationsrequirestheauthoritytonotifytheAssemblyGovernment.Planningpermissionshallnotthenbegrantedforaperiodof21daysunlesstheAssemblyGovernmentnotifiestheauthorityotherwise.ThisnotificationprocedurewillenabletheAssemblyGovernmenttodecidewhethertocallintheapplicationforitsowndeterminationandwillenableittoascertainwhetherornotcompensatorymeasureshavebeensecuredasrequiredbyregulation53.[Thisprocedureshouldalsobefollowedinrelationtootherinternationallydesignatedsites.]

34.Wheretherearenoalternativesolutions,eachcasewillbejudgedonitsmeritsbutthepublicinterestshouldbebothoverridingandlong-term;thefollowingguidingprincipleswillberelevanttodecidingwhetherimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestaredemonstrated:

• aneedtoaddressaseriousrisktohumanhealthorpublicsafety;

• theprovisionofaclearanddemonstrabledirectenvironmentalbenefitonanationalorinternationalscale;

or,wheretherearenopriorityhabitatsorspeciesaffected:

• theinterestsofnationalsecurityanddefence;

• avitalcontributiontostrategiceconomicdevelopmentorregeneration;

• wherefailuretoproceedwouldhaveunacceptablesocialand/oreconomicconsequences.

35.Whenconsideringcasesagainsttheseprinciples,ingeneral,projectsofnationalimportancearemostlikelytobejudgedasgivingrisetoimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest.Importantregionalprojectsmightalsobesojudged.Whilstprojectsofmorelocalsignificancearenotruledout,itislesslikelythattheirpotentialbenefitswillbeconsideredtooverridetheharmtothenatureconservationvalueofthesites120.

36.InreachingdecisionswhichmayimpactonRamsarsites,itwillbenecessarytotakeintoaccountthewordingofArticle4oftheRamsarConvention,whichallowsaContractingPartytodeleteorrestricttheboundariesofsites'initsurgentnationalinterest'.AdevelopmentproposaldoesnotnecessarilyhavetobeofnationalsignificanceinitsownrighttomeettherequirementssetoutinArticle4oftheConvention.Anybenefitsarising

120SeealsoManaging Natura 2000 Sites,EuropeanCommission,April2000asamendedbyGuidance document on Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats Directive’ 92/43/EEC Clarification of the concepts of alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence and opinion of the CommissionJanuary2007whichprovidessomeexamplesofprojectsinEuropeconsideredbytheECtohavebeenofoverridingpublicinterest.


63

fromtheproposalmust,however,demonstrablyoutweightheharmtotheacknowledgedinternationalconservationvalueofthesite.Projectsoflimitedregionalorlocalsignificancearethusunlikelytomeetthistest.

37.Itisimportanttonotethattheoptionofprogressingongroundsofimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestwillnotbeavailablewherethedevelopment,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects:-

a. couldseriouslycompromisetheecologicalcharacteristicsofacSAC;or

b. couldcausesignificantpollutionordeteriorationofapSPA,orsignificantdisturbanceofthebirdspeciesforwhichapSPAhasbeenproposed.

Inthesesituations,theplanningauthorityshouldnotpermitthedevelopmentunderanycircumstances.

Compensatorymeasures

38.WheretheimportanceofthedevelopmentisjudgedtooutweightheadverseeffectupontheintegrityoftheEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,compensatorymeasuresmustbetakentoprotecttheoverallcoherenceoftheCommunity-widenetworkofSPAsandSACsknownasNatura2000121.

39.InordertoensuretheoverallcoherenceofNatura2000,thecompensatorymeasuresproposedforaprojectshouldaddress,incomparableproportions,thehabitatsandspeciesnegativelyaffectedandprovidefunctionscomparabletothosewhichhadjustifiedtheselectioncriteriaoftheoriginalsite,particularlyregardingadequategeographicaldistribution.ItwouldnotbeenoughforthecompensatorymeasuresmerelytorelatetothesamebiogeographicalregioninGreatBritain.Irrespectiveofthedistancebetweentheoriginalsiteandthecompensatorymeasures,thelattermustfulfilthesameecologicalfunctionofthesite,itsroleinthegeographicaldistributionofNatura2000sitesandthereasonsforitsinitialselection122.

40.IncaseswherethehabitattypesorspeciesaffectedinaSACarerelativelyabundant,andtheGovernmenthasdesignatedonlypartofthenationalresource,itmaybepossibleforanareaofsimilarqualityandcharactertobeidentifiedfordesignationasaSACwhichcould,atleastinpart,replacethelosstotheSACnetwork.Thiswillbecomeincreasinglydifficultwiththerarerhabitattypesandspecies;inthecasesoftherarestespecially,allsuitablesitesarealreadylikelytobedesignated.Inthesecasesthepossibilitiesforrestorationofdamagedhabitatorcreationofreplacementhabitatwillneedtobeconsidered.Thismaybecostlyandoftentechnicallydifficultorecologicallyuntried.Incertaincasesthehabitataffectedmaybeirreplaceable.Agreementtosuch

121Regulation53TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.122Seesection1.4.2EuropeanCommission,Guidance document on Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats Directive’ 92/43/EEC

Clarification of the concepts of alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence and opinion of the CommissionJanuary2007.


64

aplanorprojectthatdidnotprovideforallnecessarycompensatorymeasurestosecurethecoherenceoftheNatura2000networkwouldbecontrarytotherequirementsoftheDirective.

41.Ifhabitatcreationorrestorationistobeusedasacompensatorymeasure,itmustbeexpectedthattheareaconcernedshouldbecome,withinacleartimescale,ofsufficientqualitytoensurethatthecoherenceoftheNatura2000networkisprotected.

42.Classificationofanalternative,existingareaofbirdhabitat,asaSPA,willnotnormallymeetthecompensatoryrequirementsinrespectofaSPA,becauseallofthemostsuitableterritoriesshouldbeclassifiedasSPAinanyevent.However,wherenewhabitatsarecreatedascompensatorymeasures,thenewlycreatedhabitatsshouldbeinplaceintimetoprovidefullytheecologicalfunctionsthattheyareintendedtocompensatefor.ThenewlycreatedhabitatsshouldnormallybeincludedintheSPAnetworkwithinareasonabletimescale.

43.Article4(2)oftheRamsarConventionrequiresContractingPartiesthatdeletesitesorrestrictsiteboundariesintheir“urgentnationalinterest”tocompensate,asfaraspossible,foranylossofwetlandresources.TheConventionrefers,inparticular,tocreatingadditionalnaturereservesforwaterfowlandfortheprotection,eitherinthesameareaorelsewhere,ofanadequateportionoftheoriginalhabitat.Compensatorymeasuresshouldprovide,asaminimum,nonetlosstotheoverallvalueofthenationalRamsarsiteserieseitherbywayofqualityorarea.


65

ANNEX4

THEREVIEWOFOUTSTANDINGPLANNINGPERMISSIONSANDDEEMEDPLANNINGPERMISSIONSLIKELYTOAFFECTANINTERNATIONALLYDESIGNATEDNATURECONSERVATIONSITE

1.PartIV(and,inparticular,regulations50,51,55and56)oftheHabitatsRegulations1994requirethelocalplanningauthoritytoreviewextantplanningpermissionsgrantedbythemortheirpredecessorauthorities123thatarelikelytohaveasignificanteffectonasite,eitherindividuallyorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,andtotakeanyappropriateactiontoaffirm,modifyorrevokesuchpermissions.Thepermissionswhichmustbereviewedincludeallpermissionsthatarevalidbutunderwhichdevelopmenthasnotyetcommencedandalsoallpermissionsunderwhichdevelopmenthasbeenstartedbuthasnotyetbeencompleted124.Permissionsforongoingdevelopmentincludinglandfillsandmineralextractionmustalsobereviewed.Whereappropriate,thesereviewsmaybeco-ordinatedwiththereviewsofoldmineralpermissions(ROMPs)whicharerequiredunderthePlanningandCompensationAct1991andtheEnvironmentAct1995.Someoftheseoldpermissionswillhavebeengrantedlongbeforetheclassificationand/ordesignationofthesite.Thisshouldnot,however,beusedasareasontoavoidtakingappropriateaction.Thisrequirementapplies,asamatteroflaw,inrelationtoallEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites125[asdefinedinparagraph5.1.2ofthisTAN]andisappliedasamatterofpolicyinrelationtoRamsarsites,pSPAsandpSACsinWales.TheremainderofthisAnnexshouldbereadaccordingly.

2.Localplanningauthoritiesmustreviewpermissionsassoonasisreasonablypracticable,followingtheproceduressetoutbelow.Theywillnormallyhaveidentifiedanyrelevantpermissionsduringtheconsultationexerciseinpreparationforasite’sclassification.Sincetheresponsetotheconsultation,however,localplanningauthoritiesmayhavegrantedfurtherplanningpermissions,someofwhichmaybelikelytohaveasignificanteffectonthesite.However,bearinginmindthatitistheAssemblyGovernment’spolicythattheproceduresoftheHabitatsRegulationsshouldbeappliedinrespectofproposedaswellasclassifiedEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,noneofthesubsequentplanningpermissionsshouldhavethepotentialtoadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite.Nevertheless,anynewpermissionsthatareinplacewhenaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesiteisformallyclassifiedordesignatedwillneedtobechecked

123Regulation55oftheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994alsorequireslocalplanningauthoritiestoconsiderwhetheranyplanningpermissionsdeemedtobegrantedundersection90(1)oftheTownandCountryPlanningAct1990should,intheiropinion,bereviewed.PermissionsdeemedtobegrantedundertheprovisionsofthePipe-linesAct1962,theElectricityAct1989andtheTransportandWorksAct1992,orinrespectofdevelopmentauthorisedunderthoseActs,mustbereviewedinconjunctionwiththereviewoftheunderlyingauthorisation,consentororder.Anyotherpermissionsdeemedtobegrantedundersection90(1)oftheTownandCountryPlanningAct1990shouldbereferredtotheGovernmentDepartmentthatmadethedirectiondeemingpermissiontobegranted.

124Butwheredevelopmentshavebeenstarted,thereviewcanonlyassesstheeffectsofthecompletionoftheremainingpartofthedevelopment,itshouldnotaddresstheeffectsofthecompletedpartofthedevelopment.

125Theseprovisionsdonotapply,inlaw,inrelationtositeswhichareEuropeansitesbyreasonofregulation10(1)(c)oftheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994orwhichareEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesbyreasonofregulation15(c)oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations2007:seeregulation48(7)ofthe1994Regulations.However,theseprovisionsshouldbeapplied,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtosuchsites.


66

foralikelysignificanteffect,aloneorincombinationwithotherplansandprojects,buttheAssemblyGovernmentwouldnotexpectanytorequiremodificationorrevocationiflocalplanningauthoritieshaveactedconsistentlywithAssemblyGovernmentpolicy.

3.Thereviewwillneedtoascertainwhetherimplementationofanypermissionthatislikelytohaveasignificanteffectonthesite,andisnotdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytoitsmanagement,mayadverselyaffectitsintegrity(seeAnnex3above).CCWwilladviseonindividualcases.Iftheintegrityofthesitewouldbeadverselyaffected,ortheeffectsontheintegrityofthesiteareuncertainbutcouldbesignificant126,andifthepermissiondoesnotfulfiltheconditionsunderwhichanewdevelopmentproposalaffectingthesitewouldbepermittedasdescribedinAnnex3above,thentheauthoritymusttakeappropriateactiontoremovethepotentialforharm,unlessthereisnolikelihoodofthedevelopmentbeingcarriedoutorcontinued127.

4.Iflocalplanningauthoritiesconsiderthatplanningobligationsrestrictingorregulatingtheuseofthelandwouldsafeguardtheintegrityofthesitetheymustinvitethoseconcernedtoenterintothem128.Insofarastheadverseeffectsarenotovercomebysuchobligations,localplanningauthoritiesmustmodifyorrevokethepermission,ormakeadiscontinuanceorder,inamannerwhichissufficienttoavoidthepotentialthreattotheintegrityofthesite129.Theyshouldalsotakesuchactionifadeveloperproceedswithdamagingdevelopmentwhilethelocalplanningauthorityisendeavouringtosecureaplanningobligation.Regulation57providesthatmodification,revocationordiscontinuanceorderstakeeffectwhentheappropriatenoticesareserved.Theymust,however,beconfirmedbytheWelshMinisters.Wherecompensationispayable,theauthoritymustreferthedeterminationoftheamounttotheLandsTribunal,unlesstheWelshMinistersindicateotherwise130.

5.UndertheRegulations,wheresuchareviewtakesplace,therelevantlocalplanningauthoritymustconsultCCW.TheAssemblyGovernmentencouragesCCWtoengageindiscussionswiththelocalplanningauthorityanddevelopersinordertoassisttheauthorityincarryingoutthereview.Thefollowingpossibilitiesmayariseasaresultofsuchconsultation:

i. Arevisedconclusionmaybereached,ontheadviceofCCW,thatthepermissionisnotlikelytohaveasignificanteffectonthesite,inwhichcasenoreviewwillbenecessary.

ii. Alegalagreementoradaptationtothemeansofworkingmightbeadoptedtoremovetheriskofanadverseeffectonsiteintegrity.

126SeeADTAuctionsLtdvSecretaryofStateEnvironment,TransportandtheRegionsandHartDistrictCouncil(2000)JPL1155atp.1171whereitwasheldthatitwasimplicitinthewordingofregulation48(5)thattheadverseeffectontheintegrityofthesitehadtobeasignificantadverseeffect([2000]EWHCAdmin305,atparagraph55).

127Regulation56(3)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.128ibid.Regulation56(1).129ibid.Regulation56(1).130Regulation59TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.


67

iii. Analternativelocationtothatoftheexistingpermissionmightbeagreedforwhichplanningpermissioncouldbegiven(subjecttothenormalplanningprocessesandconsiderations)whichwouldnotbedamagingtothatsiteoranyothernatureconservationsite.

iv. Permissionsmightlapsethroughtimeexpiryor,inthecaseofmineralspermissions,mayceasetohaveeffectifnoschemeofconditionsissubmittedundertheperiodicreviewprovisionsofSchedule13totheEnvironmentAct1995.MineralsplanningauthoritiesareencouragedtoexercisetheirpowersunderSchedule9totheTownandCountryPlanningAct1990tomakeordersprohibitingtheresumptionofmineralworkinginappropriatecases.

v. Thedevelopermightvoluntarilyrelinquishallorpartoftheplanningconsentinrecognitionofthevalueofthesitefornatureconservation.

vi. Iftherearenoalternativesolutionsandifthethreatofdamagetothesitecannotberemovedbyanyoftheabovemeans,inaccordancewiththeHabitatsRegulations,thepermissionmaystillbeaffirmedandimplemented131ifthereareimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestfordoingso.AllcompensatorymeasuresmustbetakenwhicharenecessarytoensurethattheoverallcoherenceoftheNatura2000networkofSACsandSPAsisprotected.

vii.Iftherearenoimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest(seeAnnex3above)132,thelocalplanningauthorityisobliged,undertheHabitatsRegulations,torevokeormodifythepermissiontoremovetheriskofanadverseeffectontheintegrityofthesite.Insuchcases,thelocalplanningauthoritywouldbeliabletopayanycompensationduetothedeveloper.

6.IngeneralitisnotAssemblyGovernmentpolicytoreimburselocalauthorityliabilities.However,theAssemblyGovernmentmayconsiderprovidingassistancewherecostsarehigh,providedtheAssemblyGovernmentissatisfiedthatallalternativeoptionsandpossibilitieshavebeenfullyexploredandwheretheactiontakenwasnomorethannecessarytoremovetherisktothesite133.TheAssemblywouldneedtobesatisfiedinsuchcasesthatdiscussionandnegotiationhadexploredallthepossibilitiessetoutin(i)-(v)aboveinordertominimisethecosttothepublicpurse.

7.Localplanningauthoritiesshouldnotseektoduplicatecontrolsthatarethestatutoryresponsibilityofotherbodies(includinglocalauthoritiesintheexerciseoftheirnon-planningfunctions).Regulations84A,84Band85134requirethereviewofauthorisationsgrantedbylocalauthoritiesforenvironmentalpermitsbytheEnvironmentAgencyfor

131OtherthaninrelationtocSACs.132OrifthesiteisacSACwhoseecologicalcharacteristicswouldbeseriouslycompromised.133MinisterialLetteronTAN5andrelatedpolicyissues,dated16September2009.134Regulations84Ato85TheHabitatsRegulations1994asamendedbythePollutionPreventionandControl(England

andWales)Regulations2000StatutoryInstrument2000/1973,theConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)(Amendment)RegulationsStatutoryInstrument2007/1843andtheEnvironmentalPermitting(EnglandandWales)Regulations2007StatutoryInstrument2007/3538.


68

environmentalpermits,waterdischargeconsentsandwaterabstractionlicences.Ifinreviewingaplanningpermissionlocalplanningauthoritiesconsiderthatactionfallstobetakenundertheseotherregulations(84Ato85)theyshouldneverthelessexercisetheirpowersunderregulation56unlessitappearstothemthatotheractiontobetakenbythemorbyanotherauthoritywillsecurethattheprojectwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite.Incarryingoutreviewsandinexercisingtheirownpowerslocalplanningauthoritiesshouldensurethattheactiontobetakenistheleastoneroustothoseaffected135.Wheredifferentcompetentauthoritiesareconsideringseparatepermissionsthataloneorincombinationmayadverselyaffectasite,theyshouldensurethattheyliaisebeforedeterminingapplications.

Ramsarsites

8.ForthemajorityofRamsarsites,reviewsofconsentsinrelationtotheireffectonEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesunderPartIVoftheHabitatsRegulationswillnormallybesufficienttoensuretheRamsarinterestsareadequatelyprotected.

9.WhencarryingoutreviewsinrelationtotheeffectofconsentsonEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,localplanningauthoritiesareexpectedtoextendthescopeoftheirappropriateassessmentstoconsidertheeffectsoncoincidentoroverlappingRamsarsites.WherethelocalplanningauthorityreachestheconclusionthattherewouldbenoadverseeffectontheintegrityoftheEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesitefromallowingtheconsenttoproceed,buttherewouldbeanadverseeffectonintegrityoftheRamsarsite,itshouldconsiderwhethertoissueamodificationorrevocationorderusingpowersavailableundersection97oftheTown and Country Planning Act1990.

10.LocalplanningauthoritiesareexpectedtoadoptasimilarapproachwherelistedRamsarsitesarenotwithintheNatura2000networkbycarryingoutanappropriateassessmentanalogoustothatrequiredbyPartIVoftheHabitatsRegulationsandbyissuingmodificationorrevocationordersunderSection97oftheTown and Country Planning Act1990,attheearliestopportunityfollowingthelistingofaRamsarsite.WheretheintegrityofaRamsarsitewouldbeadverselyaffectedbythefullimplementationofanextantconsentandmodificationorrevocationoftheconsentiswarranted,theAssemblyGovernmentmayagainconsiderprovidingassistancetolocalauthoritieswherethecostsarehigh,providedtheAssemblyGovernmentissatisfiedthatallalternativeoptionsandpossibilitieshavebeenfullyexploredandwheretheactiontakenwasnomorethannecessarytoremovetherisktothesite136.

135ibid.Regulation51(3).136MinisterialLetteronTAN5andrelatedpolicyissues,dated16September2009.


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ANNEX5

RESTRICTIONSOFPERMITTEDDEVELOPMENTTHATMAYAFFECTANINTERNATIONALLYDESIGNATEDNATURECONSERVATIONSITE

1.Regulation60oftheHabitatsRegulationsimposesaconditiononallpermitteddevelopmentwhichisgrantedplanningpermissionbyArticle3oftheTownandCountryPlanning(GeneralPermittedDevelopment)Order(“theGDPO”)toensurethatanypermissiongrantedundertheGPDOisnotinbreachofthetermsoftheHabitatsDirective137.ThisconditionprovidesthatanydevelopmentwhichislikelysignificantlytoaffectaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(includingcSACs),eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,andwhichisnotdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytothemanagementofthesite,mustnotbebegununlessthedeveloperhasreceivedwrittennotificationoftheapprovalofthelocalplanningauthority.Theauthoritymaygivesuchapprovalonlyifitdetermines,afterconsultingCCW,thatthedevelopmentisnotlikelytohaveasignificanteffectonanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,orthatinthelightoftheconclusionsofanappropriateassessment,thatthedevelopmentwouldnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanysuchsite138.Itshouldbeemphasisedthattheconditiondoesnotautomaticallywithdrawpermitteddevelopmentrightsforsuchdevelopments,butrequiresthemtobesubjecttoapriorapprovalprocess.ThisregulationdoesnotapplytopSPAs,pSACsandRamsarsitesasamatterofpolicy.

2.TheflowchartinFigure2explainstheprocessdevelopersshouldfollowwheretheparticulardevelopmenttheyproposewouldbenefitfromapermitteddevelopmentright.ItidentifiestheroleofthelocalplanningauthorityandCCW.

3.Itshouldbenotedthatevenifthedevelopmentisabletoproceedaspermitteddevelopmentafterpassingthroughthisprocess,theprovisionsofsection28E(obligationsofownersandoccupiersofSSSIland)andsection28H(obligationsofpublicbodiesinrelationtocarryingoutoperationslikelytodamageSSSIfeatures)oftheWildlife and Countryside Act1981stillapplyand,ifthedevelopmentinvolvesthecarryingoutofoperationswhichwerelistedintheSSSInotificationasoneswhichappeartoCCWtobelikelytodamagetheinterestfeaturesofthesite,noticemustbegiventoCCWandtheirwrittenconsentobtained,ifnecessary,beforethedevelopmentisundertaken.

4.Ifdevelopersareuncertainwhethertheirproposalislikelytohaveasignificanteffectonthesite,theyshouldseekanopinionfromCCWthroughtheappropriatelocaloffice(seeAnnex10)139.Thereisnochargeforthis.Developersshouldprovidethefollowinginformation:

137 Regulation60TheHabitatsRegulations1994andArticle3(1)TheTownandCountryPlanning(GeneralPermittedDevelopment)Order1995StatutoryInstrument1995/418.

138Regulation62TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.139ibidRegulation61.


70

a) Ashortdescriptionoftheproposeddevelopmentorworksshowing:

i. theirbroadpurpose;

ii. theirphysicalextent,includingtheareaoflandorwaterlikelytobecovered;

iii. anyresidueslikelytobeproducedandproposalsfordisposal,andanyemissionstoair,water,soil,andbynoise,vibration,heat,lightorradiation;

iv. thetimetablefortheproposeddevelopment.

b) Amap(ormaps)showingthelocationoftheproposeddevelopmentinrelationtotheboundaryoftheEuropeansite(orEuropeanoffshoremarinesite)andthepositionofallproposedbuildings,serviceaccessroutesandworks(whetherpermanentortemporary).

c) Adescriptionofpossibledirectorindirecteffects(includingdisturbance)onthewildlife,waterquality,hydrology,geologicalorlandformfeaturesofthesite.

d) Informationaboutanymeasuresthatthedeveloperproposestoincorporateintotheprojecttoprevent,reduce,ameliorateoroffsetanyland-take,residuesoremissions.

5.WhereCCWhassufficientinformationtoprovideanopinion,itwillnotifythedeveloperandthelocalplanningauthority.Iftheinformationprovidedisinadequateorincomplete,CCWwilladvisewhatadditionalinformationitneeds140.WhereCCWgivesnotification,underregulation61(3),thatitsopinionisthatthedevelopmentisnotlikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,thatopinionisconclusiveforthepurposeofrelyingontheplanningpermissiongrantedbytheGDPO141.

6.ThelocalplanningauthoritywillnormallyentertheprocessatthepointwhereeitherthedeveloperorCCWdecidesthattheproposalwouldbelikelytohaveasignificanteffectonthesite.Thedeveloperappliestothelocalplanningauthorityforwrittenapprovalunderregulation62142.ThelocalplanningauthoritysendsacopyoftheapplicationtoCCWandtakesaccountofanyrepresentationsmadebythem.

7.WhereadeveloperhasnotpreviouslysoughttheopinionofCCWastothelikelihoodofthedevelopmenthavingasignificanteffectonthesite,itwillbethefirsttimethatCCWcommentsontheproposal.Where,initsrepresentations,CCWstatesthatthedevelopmentwouldnotbelikelytohaveasignificanteffectonthesite,thelocalplanningauthorityshouldsendacopyoftherepresentationstotheapplicantandthedevelopmentmayproceedwithoutthepriorwrittenapprovalofthelocalplanningauthority143.

140 ibid.Regulation61(4).141ibid.Regulation61(3).142ibid.Regulation62(1)(2)and(3).143ibidRegulation62(6).


71

8.Inallothercases,however,thelocalplanningauthoritymustundertakeanappropriateassessmentoftheimplicationsoftheproposalforthesite,inviewofthesite'sconservationobjectives,takingaccountofanyrepresentationsmadebyCCW.Inthelightoftheconclusionsofthatassessment,thelocalplanningauthoritymustthendecidewhetherornottheproposalwouldadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite.Wherethelocalplanningauthoritycanascertainthatthedevelopment,asproposed,wouldnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesitetheymustgivewrittenapprovalandthedevelopmentmayproceedaspermitteddevelopment.Iftheauthorityconcludethatitwouldhavesuchaneffect,orthattheeffectsareuncertainbutthatthedevelopmentcouldpotentiallyhaveanadverseeffectontheintegrityofthesitethelocalplanningauthorityareprohibitedfromgrantingpriorapproval.Ifthedeveloperneverthelesswishestoproceedwiththedevelopment,aplanningapplicationwillberequired.Alternatively,ifthedeveloperisaggrievedbythedecisionofthelocalplanningauthorityhemayappealagainstthedecisionnottoapprovethedevelopment144orhemayapplyforacertificateoflawfuldevelopment.

9.Regulation63(2)providesforafeetobepaidtothelocalplanningauthorityinconnectionwithapplicationsforapprovalunderregulation62.Adviceonlikelysignificanteffect,appropriateassessmentandsiteintegrityisprovidedinAnnex3above.

DevelopersshouldbearinmindthatiftheyproceedwithadevelopmentinornearaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesiteontheassumptionthatitbenefitsfromapermitteddevelopmentright,withoutfirstcheckingwhetheritislikelytohaveasignificanteffectonthesite,theyruntheriskofundertakingtheprojectwithoutthebenefitofplanningpermissionandbeingliabletoenforcementproceedings.Developersshouldalsobearinmindthatthelocalplanningauthoritycannotimposeconditionsonthewrittenapprovalunderregulation62.CCWandthelocalplanningauthoritymustassesstheeffectsofthedevelopmentasproposed.Itisinthedeveloper’sowninterests,therefore,toensurethatanypossiblemeasuresthatmightremovetheriskthatthedevelopmentmighthaveanadverseeffectontheintegrityofthesite,areincorporatedintothedevelopmentasproposedandsubmittedtoCCWand/orthelocalplanningauthority.HowevernotethatappropriateassessmentwillstillbenecessaryunlesstheriskthatthedevelopmentcouldhaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesitecanbeexcluded,onthebasisofobjectiveinformation.

144 ibid. Regulation63(3).

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PERMITTEDDEVELOPMENTRIGHTSPOTENTIALLYAFFECTINGINTERNATIONALLYDESIGNATEDNATURECONSERVATIONSITES

1. Is the developer satisfied that the proposed permitted development is directly connected with or necessary to site management for nature conservation?

2. Developer can informally consult CCW who will advise whether

proposal is directly connected with or necessary to site management

for nature conservation.

3. In the developer’s opinion, is the proposal likely to have a significant effect on the internationally important interest features of the site, alone or in

combination with other plans and projects?

5. Developer can formally apply to CCW for a determination as to whether proposal

is likely to have a significant effect on the site. CCW can require further information to be provided before making the determination.

4. Prior approval is not needed if developer’s opinion is correct and proposal meets all other permitted

development conditions and restrictions.

11. Planning authority should give written approval and permitted

development can proceed subject to compliance with

all other permitted development conditions and restrictions.

8. Prior approval is not needed if proposal meets all other

permitted development conditions and restrictions.

15. Proposal may proceed as permitted development subject to compliance

with all other permitted development conditions and restrictions.

17. Proposal may proceed as permitted development subject to compliance with the terms of the

certificate and permitted development conditions and restrictions.

16. A full planning application is necessary and the development can only proceed

if granted planning permission. The application would be processed in accordance with

the flowchart in Annex 3.

14. If the developer is aggrieved by the refusal and believes there are grounds for asserting that the development is

nevertheless lawful, an application for a certificate of lawful proposed use or development may be made under

section 192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Is a certificate of lawful use or development granted?

13. If the developer is aggrieved by the refusal and believes there are grounds for appeal,

an appeal may be made under section 78(1)(c) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Is the appeal successful?

12. Planning authority must refuse to give written approval.

No or uncertain.

10. Can the planning authority ascertain that the development will not adversely

affect the integrity of the site?

9. Planning authority assesses the implications of the effects of the proposal for the site’s

conservation objectives, must consult CCW and, if appropriate, the public.

6. Does the CCW determination conclude that the proposal will not

be likely to have a significant effect on the site?

7. Developer must apply to the planning authority for written approval

before starting or continuing with the permitted development.

UncertainNo

Uncertain

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No Yes

No

Yes

Yes

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PERMITTEDDEVELOPMENTRIGHTSPOTENTIALLYAFFECTINGINTERNATIONALLYDESIGNATEDNATURECONSERVATIONSITES FIGURE2

1. Is the developer satisfied that the proposed permitted development is directly connected with or necessary to site management for nature conservation?

2. Developer can informally consult CCW who will advise whether

proposal is directly connected with or necessary to site management

for nature conservation.

3. In the developer’s opinion, is the proposal likely to have a significant effect on the internationally important interest features of the site, alone or in

combination with other plans and projects?

5. Developer can formally apply to CCW for a determination as to whether proposal

is likely to have a significant effect on the site. CCW can require further information to be provided before making the determination.

4. Prior approval is not needed if developer’s opinion is correct and proposal meets all other permitted

development conditions and restrictions.

11. Planning authority should give written approval and permitted

development can proceed subject to compliance with

all other permitted development conditions and restrictions.

8. Prior approval is not needed if proposal meets all other

permitted development conditions and restrictions.

15. Proposal may proceed as permitted development subject to compliance

with all other permitted development conditions and restrictions.

17. Proposal may proceed as permitted development subject to compliance with the terms of the

certificate and permitted development conditions and restrictions.

16. A full planning application is necessary and the development can only proceed

if granted planning permission. The application would be processed in accordance with

the flowchart in Annex 3.

14. If the developer is aggrieved by the refusal and believes there are grounds for asserting that the development is

nevertheless lawful, an application for a certificate of lawful proposed use or development may be made under

section 192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Is a certificate of lawful use or development granted?

13. If the developer is aggrieved by the refusal and believes there are grounds for appeal,

an appeal may be made under section 78(1)(c) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Is the appeal successful?

12. Planning authority must refuse to give written approval.

No or uncertain.

10. Can the planning authority ascertain that the development will not adversely

affect the integrity of the site?

9. Planning authority assesses the implications of the effects of the proposal for the site’s

conservation objectives, must consult CCW and, if appropriate, the public.

6. Does the CCW determination conclude that the proposal will not

be likely to have a significant effect on the site?

7. Developer must apply to the planning authority for written approval

before starting or continuing with the permitted development.

UncertainNo

Uncertain

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No Yes

No

Yes

Yes


74


75

ANNEX6

THEAPPRAISALOFDEVELOPMENTPLANSINWALESUNDERTHEPROVISIONSOFTHEHABITATSREGULATIONS

1. Introduction

The Application of Habitats Regulations to Development Plans

1.1PartIVA145oftheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c.)Regulations1994(“theHabitatsRegulations”)transposestherequirementsofArticle6(3)and(4)oftheHabitatsDirective(92/43/EEC)inrelationto“landuseplans”.Theseplansaredefinedinregulation85Aandincludethefollowing:

• localdevelopmentplansadoptedorapprovedunderthe2004Act146;and

• unitarydevelopmentplansadoptedorapprovedunderthe1990Act147,inaccordancewiththetransitionalarrangements148.

ForthepurposesofthisAnnex,thesearedefinedas“developmentplans”.

1.2HabitatsRegulationsAppraisal(HRA)isusedinthisAnnextodescribetheprocessbywhichtherequirementsofPartIVAoftheHabitatsRegulationsareappliedtodevelopmentplans.Theprocessconsistsofthefollowingelements:

• determiningwhetherthedevelopmentplan,aloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,islikelytohaveasignificanteffectonanyEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesandifso:

- scopingthe“appropriateassessment”;

• undertakingthe”appropriateassessment”(inconsultationwithCCWand/orNaturalEngland)toidentifyanysignificanteffectsthatthedevelopmentplanmayhaveonEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,inviewofthosesites’conservationobjectives;

• wherethe“appropriateassessment”identifiespotentiallysignificantimpactsonaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,identifyingwhethertherearepossiblealternativesolutionsormitigationmeasureswhich,ifadopted,willavoidorcounteractthoseadverseimpacts;

145 PartIVAisinsertedintotheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c)Regulations1994(SI1994/2716)bytheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c.)(Amendment)Regulations2007(SI2007/1843).

146PlanningandCompulsoryPurchaseAct2004,Part6.147TownandCountryPlanningAct1990,Part2.148Section122ofthePlanningandCompulsoryPurchaseAct2004,andArticle4ofthePlanningandCompulsory

PurchaseAct2004(CommencementNo3andConsequential,TransitionalandSavingsProvisions)(Wales)Order2005.


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• determining,inthelightofthe“appropriateassessment”,whetherthedevelopmentplanwillorwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects;

• wherethereisapossibilitythattheplancouldhavesuchanadverseeffect,determiningwhetherthereareanyalternativesolutionstothedevelopmentplan,ortothepotentiallydamagingelementswithinthatplan,whichwouldavoidorreducesucheffectsupontheEuropeansite(s)orEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(s);and

• wheretherearenosuchalternativesolutions,determiningwhetherthereareimperativereasonsofover-ridingpublicinterestforgivingeffecttothedevelopmentplan.

1.3AmethodologyonhowHRAshouldbeappliedtodevelopmentplansisoutlinedbelow(Figure3).Itisimportanttounderstandthetermsandconceptsoftheprocessinprincipleinordertounderstandhowtoapplyittothedevelopmentplanprocess.Thisdocumentconcentratesonhowtousetheseconceptswhenassessingdevelopmentplans.

1.4HRAofdevelopmentplansisaniterativeprocess.TheeffectsofadevelopmentplanonEuropeansiteandEuropeanoffshoremarinesiteinterestsmustbeassessedateachrelevantstageofplanpreparationandtheassessmentrefinedanddevelopedastheplanprogressesthroughitspreparation.TheguidancebelowoutlinesthebasicapproachtoHRA.

1.5SustainabilityAppraisal(SA)andStrategicEnvironmentalAssessmentofplans(SEA)arealsoiterativeprocessesandmust,similarly,becarriedoutateachstageoftheplanpreparationprocess.However,HRAshouldnotbeincorporatedintotheSAorSEAprocesses.Itshouldberuninparallelwiththeseprocesses,utilisingcommonstagessuchasenvironmentalinformationgathering.IftheHRAisintegratedwithSAorSEAEnvironmentReportsbythelocalplanningauthority,theelementsformingtheHRAmustbekeptclearlydistinguishable.

1.6AlthoughreferencestoSEAprocessesareincorporatedintotheSAprocessesintheLocalDevelopmentPlan(LDP)Manual,thisAnnexreferstoSEAprocessesseparatelyinordertoclarifythemannerinwhichHRAisapplicablealsotoUnitaryDevelopmentPlans(UDPs).

1.7OneoftheprincipalrequirementsofPartIVAoftheHabitatsRegulationsisthatbeforealocalplanningauthority149adoptsadevelopmentplan,itmustconsiderthepotentialeffectsoftheplanonEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites(asdefinedinparagraph5.1.2ofthisTAN),bothaloneandincombinationwithother

149 ThelocalplanningauthoritymaybeaNationalParkAuthority.


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plansorprojects.TheEuropeansite(s)orEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(s)potentiallyaffectedmaybewithinoroutsideWales.TheRegulationsapplytoalldevelopmentplans,irrespectiveofwhenthelocalplanningauthoritystartedthedevelopmentplan.TheoverallprocessofconsideringtheeffectsofadevelopmentplanonEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesisreferredtointhisguidanceasthe‘HabitatsRegulationsAppraisal’(HRA),inordertodistinguishtheoverallprocessfromthespecificstepwithinitcommonlyreferredtoasthe‘appropriateassessment’.

1.8TherequirementsofPartIVAoftheHabitatsRegulationsapply,asamatteroflaw,inrelationtoEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesasdefinedbyparagraph5.1.2above150.Asamatterofpolicy,however,theAssemblyGovernmentalsoexpectslocalplanningauthoritiestotreatallRamsarsitesandpSPAsasthoughtheywerestatutoryEuropeansites(or,asthecasemaybe,Europeanoffshoremarinesites)andtheyshouldbetreatedassuchinHRA.TheremainderofthisAnnexshouldbereadaccordingly.

1.9IfadevelopmentplanislikelytohaveasignificanteffectononeormoreEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,andwherethedevelopmentplanisnotdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytothemanagementofsuchsites,itmustbesubjecttoanappropriateassessmentinaccordancewiththerequirementsofArticle6(3)oftheHabitatsDirectiveandregulation85BoftheHabitatsRegulations.

1.10AspartoftheHRA,thelocalplanningauthoritymayneedtoamendthedevelopmentplantoeliminateorreducepotentiallydamagingeffectsonEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites;and/orconsideralternativesolutionsthatwouldavoidanysucheffectsor,failingthat,havealessereffectontherelevantsite(s).

1.11Iftherearenoalternativesolutionsandif,inexceptionalcircumstances,itisproposedthataplanbeadopteddespitethefactthatitmayadverselyaffecttheintegrityofaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,theHRAwillneedtoaddressandexplaintheimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest(IROPI),whichthelocalplanningauthorityconsiderstobesufficienttooutweighthepotentiallyadverseeffectsonthatsite(s).

1.12TheAssemblyGovernmentexpectsthatdevelopmentplanswillonlyproceedtoadoptiononthebasisofIROPIinthemostexceptionalcircumstances.Localplanningauthoritiesshould,ifnecessary,adapttheirplansduringthecourseoftheHRAtoensurethattheywillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanyEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesites.IfadevelopmentplanistobeadoptedonthebasisofIROPI,itwillbenecessaryforlocalplanningauthoritiestodevelopcompensatorymeasurestoensurethattheoverallcoherenceoftheNatura2000networkofSACsandSPAsisprotected.

150 Theserequirementsdonotapply,inlaw,inrelationtositeswhichareEuropeansitesbyreasonofregulation10(1)(c)oftheHabitatsRegulationsorwhichareEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesbyreasonofregulation15(c)oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c)Regulations2007:seeregulation85B(6)oftheHabitatsRegulations.However,theseprovisionsshouldbeapplied,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtosuchsites.


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1.13Furthermore,localplanningauthoritiesshouldnotetheywillnotbeabletoproceedtoadoptiononthebasisofIROPIwheretheappropriateassessmentidentifiesthattheirdevelopmentplans(eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects)mayincurtheriskofseriouslycompromisingtheecologicalcharacteristicsofacSAC151.OnceacSAChasbeensubmittedtotheEuropeanCommissionunderArticle4(1)oftheHabitatsDirective,thelocalplanningauthoritymustrefrainfromadoptinganydevelopmentplanwhich(aloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects)couldseriouslycompromisethecSAC’secologicalcharacteristics,eveniftherearepublicinterestreasonsfordoingso,untiltheCommissionhasdecidedwhethertoselectthecSACasaSiteofCommunityImportanceundertheHabitatsDirective.

1.14LocalplanningauthoritiesshouldalsoadoptasimilarpositioninrelationtopSPAs.Article6(3)and(4)oftheHabitatsDirective(includingtheIROPIjustification)donotapplytosuchsitesuntiltheyhavebeenclassifiedasfullSPAs152.Untilthattime,localplanningauthoritiesmustavoidadoptinganydevelopmentplansthat(aloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects)couldcausepollutionordeteriorationofthepSPAoranydisturbanceaffectingthebirdsforwhichthepSPAhasbeenproposed,insofarasthesematterscouldbesignificantwithregardtotheobjectivesofArticle4oftheBirdsDirective.

1.15TheseconceptsandconsiderationsareexplainedfurtherinSection2below.

Timing and Relationship to Plan Making Processes

1.16Ideally,theHRAshouldbeundertakenfromtheearlieststagesofplanpreparationonwards,sothatitinfluencestheevolutionoftheplan.However,incaseswhereplanpreparationhasalreadybegun,theassessmentshouldbecarriedoutassoonaspossible.Developmentplanscannotproceedtoadoption/approvaluntiltheHRAprocesshasbeencompleted.

1.17LocalplanningauthoritiesarerequiredbystatutetoconsultthepublicaspartofSAandSEAprocedures,butpublicconsultationisadiscretionaryrequirementinrespectoftheHRA(regulation85B(3)).

1.18TheHRAshouldbeprogrammedtofitinwithexistingplan-makingprocedures,includingtheSEA,whereverpossible.Inparticular,HRAdocumentationshouldbeformalisedatboththepre-depositconsultationanddepositstagesforLDPsandwherepossiblethedepositstageforUDPs.WherealocalplanningauthoritychoosestoconsultthepublicabouttheHRAundertheHabitatsRegulationsprovisions,theconsultationshouldbeundertakenduringadevelopmentplanstatutoryconsultationperiod.However,therecordingofHRAconsultationresponsesshouldbeclearlyidentifiedandkeptdistinctfromresponsesontheplanortheSA/SEA.

151 SeethejudgmentoftheEuropeanCourtofJusticeinCaseC-244/05Bund Naturschutz in Bayern eV and others v Freistaat Bayern.

152SeethejudgmentoftheEuropeanCourtofJusticeinCaseC-374-98Commission v French Republic(knownasthe“Basses Corbieres”case).


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1.19Withintheframeworksetouthere,itisnecessary,onaplanbyplanbasis,todecidehowbesttocarryouttheHRA,whatinformationandanalysismayberequired,whatassumptionsandpredictionswillneedtobemade,etc.ThemethodandlevelofdetailoftheHRAwillaffectthetimerequiredtoundertaketheHRAandwillvaryaccordingto:

• thescaleandgeographicareaofthedevelopmentplan;

• thestageithasreached;

• thenatureofitspoliciesandproposals;

• thesitesitmayaffectandhowitmayaffectthem;

• therangeofplansandprojectswhichmayneedtobeconsideredincombinationwiththedevelopmentplan;and

• whetherornotaffectedsitesarewithinoroutsidetheplanarea.

Detail of the HRA

1.20ItisrecognisedthataHRAofaplanislikelybyitsnaturetobelessspecificanddetailedthantheassessmentofanindividualprojectwouldbe.Inmostcases,itwillnotbepossibletosubjectadevelopmentplantothesamelevelofassessmentunderregulation85Bascanbeappliedtoaspecificprojectunderregulation48oftheHabitatsRegulations.Therewillnotnormallybethesamelevelofinformationabout:

• thechangesthatmaybepredictedasaresultofimplementingapolicyorproposalinadevelopmentplan;

• whattheeffectsofthechangesmaybeonthesite(s)affected;

• howtheeffectsmaybemitigated;or

• ifnecessary,howtheeffectsmaybecompensatedfor.

1.21ThisissuewasacknowledgedintheAdvocateGeneral’sopinioninCommission v UK153.WhatisexpectedisasrigorousanHRAascanreasonablybeundertakeninthecontextofthedevelopmentplaninquestion,soastoenablethetestssetoutinArticle6(3)and(4)oftheHabitatsDirectivetobeanswered.

Complexity of the Appraisal

1.22ThecomplexityofHRAwillvaryconsiderablyacrossWales.TheremaybedevelopmentplansthathaveonlyasingleEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesitetoconsider;otherswillhavethepotentialtoaffectmanysuchsites,bothwithinandoutsidetheplanarea.Multiplesiteassessmentswillbeneededwheretheplantobeassessedisextensiveingeographicterms,orthedensityorcoverageofEuropeansitesishighsuchthat,ineithercase,theplancouldaffectseveralsuchsites.Multiplesiteassessmentsmayinvolveverycomplexsiteinteractionsandthelocalplanningauthority,CCWand/or

153 CaseC-6/04,Commission v United Kingdom.


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NaturalEnglandmayneedtogivespecialconsiderationtoHRAprogramming.Butwhetheramultipleorsinglesiteassessmentistobeundertaken,theessentialprocesswillbethesame.

1.23IftheEuropeansitespotentiallyaffectedarecross-border,thatis,partlyinEngland,CCWwillco-ordinateresponsesfromNaturalEngland.WhereasitethatispotentiallyaffectediswhollywithinEngland,thelocalplanningauthorityshouldcontactNaturalEnglanddirectly.

Transparency of Compliance

1.24WheneveraHRAisundertaken,itisimportantthatitisclearlydocumentedinthecorrectterms.ItishelpfultousetheterminologyofPartIVAoftheHabitatsRegulationstoshowthatthecorrecttestshavebeenapplied.WheretheHRAisincludedintheEnvironmentalReport/SustainabilityAppraisaldocuments,itshouldbeclearlysignpostedsothatitisapparentwhichpartsareintendedtobecompliantwiththeHabitatsRegulations.Inparticular,itwillneedtobeclearlystatedwhetherthedevelopmentplanwould,orwouldnot,belikelytohaveasignificanteffectonanyEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,andwhereasignificanteffectislikely,whetherithasbeenascertainedthattheplanwillnothaveanadverseeffectontheintegrityofeachEuropeansiteandEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.

1.25WherethesiteswhichmightbeaffectedarecSACsorpSPAs,therewillneedtobeaclearstatementastowhetherthedevelopmentplan(aloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects):

i. couldseriouslycompromisetheecologicalcharacteristicsofanycSAC,or

ii. couldcausesignificantpollutionordeteriorationofanypSPA,orsignificantdisturbanceofthebirdspeciesforwhichanypSPAhasbeenproposed.

Other Relevant Guidance

1.26PlanningAuthoritiesarereferredtothefollowingguidancedocumentsissuedbytheEuropeanCommission:

• EuropeanCommission,2000,Managing Natura 2000 Sites: the provisions of Article 6 of the ‘Habitats’ Directive 92/43/EC;

• EuropeanCommission,2001,Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites: Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC154;and

• EuropeanCommission,2007,Guidance document on Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats Directive’ 92/43/EC.

154 AlthoughthisdocumentcontainsusefulguidanceonthecarryingoutofHRA,itpre-datestheEuropeanCourtofJustice'sjudgmentinCaseC-127/02,Landelijke Vereniging tot Behoud van deWaddenzeeandtheHighCourt'sjudgmentinTheQueenon the Application of Hart District Council v. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and others[2008]EWHC1204(Admin)andshouldbereadinthelightofthosetwojudgements.


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1.27PlanningAuthoritieswillfinditusefultoalsorefertothefollowingguidancefromtheWelshAssemblyGovernment(WAG):

• WelshAssemblyGovernment,2002,Sustainability Appraisal of Unitary Development Plans in Wales: A Good Practice Guide;

• WelshAssemblyGovernment,2004,Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Unitary Development Plans - Interim Good Practice Guide (Amendment of SEA Elements of Sustainability Appraisal of Unitary Development Plans 2002);

• WelshAssemblyGovernment,etal,2005,A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environment Assessment DirectivepublishedbyOfficeoftheDeputyPrimeMinister;

• WelshAssemblyGovernment,2005,Town and Country Planning (Local Development Plan) (Wales) Regulations 2005;

• WelshAssemblyGovernment,2005,Local Development Plans Wales;

• WelshAssemblyGovernment,2006,Local Development Plans Manual;and

• PlanningInspectorateWales,2006,A Guide to the Examination of Local Development Plans.

2. TheHabitatsRegulationsAppraisal

Introduction

2.1ThissectionprovidesguidanceontheproceduresrequiredbyPartIVAoftheHabitatsRegulationsandonamethodologyforundertakingthevariousstepsintheHRAindependentoftheplanmakingprocess.Specificplan-makingstagesaresign-postedwhenrelevanttooneormoreoftheHRAstepsorprocesses.

Assessing the Likelihood of Significant Effects (Screening) (Figure 3, Boxes 1-4)

2.2(YoumayfindithelpfultotakeacopyofFigure3andplaceitatthesideofthisguidancewhilstreadingthetext.)

Acquiring information about internationally designated sites

2.3ThefirsttwostepswhenstartinganHRAofadevelopmentplanaretoidentifytheinternationallydesignatedsiteswithinandoutsidetheplanareathatmaybeaffectedbytheplanandtoacquire,examineandunderstandthecharacteristicsofthosesitesandtheirconservationobjectives.ThisshouldbedoneforallEuropeansitesintheplanareaandthosepotentiallyaffectedoutsideoftheplanboundary.EuropeansitesinEnglandaswellasWalesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesiteswillneedtobeincludedwhererelevant(Boxes1and2,Figure3),aswillRamsarsitesandpSPAs.Oncedone,thesestepsshouldnotneedtoberepeatedduringthedevelopmentplanprocessunlessnewinformationcomestolight(e.g.throughconsultation)ornewsitescomeintobeing.


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2.4Ifthereisanydoubtastowhetheraninternationallydesignatedsitemaybeaffected,aprecautionaryapproachshouldbeadoptedandthesiteshouldbeincludedintheHRA.CCWwillassistwiththisprocess:theywillidentifyrelevantsites,bothwithinandoutsidetheplanboundary,andtheywillsupplydetailsaboutthosesites,includingthesites’conservationobjectives.WhereadevelopmentplanhasthepotentialtoaffectaninternationallydesignatedsiteinEngland,NaturalEnglandshouldbeadvised.NaturalEnglandwillprovidesimilarassistanceinrelationtoanysuchsitesinEngland.

Identifying the likelihood of significant effects (Figure 3, Boxes 3-4)

2.5Todecidewhetheradevelopmentplanatanystagerequiresanappropriateassessment,itisnecessarytoapplythetwotestssetoutinregulation85B(1)oftheRegulations(Boxes3and4,Figure3):

(1)istheplanlikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects)?

(2)isitdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytothemanagementofthesite?

2.6Theconsiderationofthelikelihoodofsignificanteffectsisaformofscreeningprocessorriskassessmentwhichshouldberepeatedifadevelopmentplanchangessignificantlyduringitsproduction.AchangetotheplanwillbesignificantifitgivesrisetoanewpossibilitythattheplancouldhaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects.Itisimportanttobearinmindthatthesensitivityandcomplexityofmanyofthesesitesissuchthatevenaminorchangetoaplan,e.g.asinglepolicycouldhavemajorrepercussionsforasite’sintegrity.

2.7TheRegulationsrequiretheplanningauthoritytoconsiderwhetherthedevelopmentplanislikelytohaveasignificanteffectonanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite155.Indoingso,itmustadoptaprecautionaryapproach:

• Thedevelopmentplanshouldbeconsidered‘likely’tohavesuchaneffectiftheplanningauthorityisunable(onthebasisofobjectiveinformation)toexcludethepossibilitythattheplancouldhavesignificanteffectsonanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects.

• Aneffectwillbe‘significant’inthiscontextifitcouldunderminethesite’sconservationobjectives.TheassessmentofthatriskmustbemadeinthelightoffactorssuchasthecharacteristicsandspecificenvironmentalconditionsoftheEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesiteinquestion156.

155 Thisrequirementdoesnotapply,however,inrelationtositeswhichareEuropeansitesbyreasonofregulation10(1)(c)oftheHabitatsRegulationsorwhichareEuropeanoffshoremarinesitesbyreasonofregulation15(c)oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c)Regulations2007:seeregulation85B(6)oftheHabitatsRegulations.

156RefertoCaseC-127/02,paragraph49.


83

2.8Theplanningauthorityshouldalsoconsider,inthesameway,whetherthedevelopmentplanislikelytohaveasignificanteffectonanyRamsarsiteorpSPA.Referenceshouldbemadetothefurtherguidanceonassessinglikelysignificanteffectsinparagraphs6-9ofAnnex3.

2.9Considerationofthelikelihoodofsignificanteffectsshouldbemulti-disciplinary.Plannerswillhelptoestimate,asfarasmayreasonablybepredictedatanyplanmakingstage,thelikelynature,magnitude,duration,locationandspatialextentofchangesresultingfromimplementationofthedevelopmentplan’spoliciesandproposals.Theareaaffectedmayextendbeyondtheboundariesoftheplanarea.Ecologistswillneedtoconsiderwhateffectsthosechangeswouldbelikelytohaveontheinterestfeaturesandconservationobjectivesoftherelevantinternationallydesignatedsites,eitherdirectlythroughsuchmechanismsaslandtakeorfragmentationofasite,orindirectlythrougheffectssuchashydrologicalchangeordisturbance.ThisprocessshouldbeundertakenincloseconsultationwithCCW(and,iftherearepotentialimpactsoninternationallydesignatedsitesinEngland,withNaturalEngland).

2.10The“candidatesite”process,recommendedintheLDPManual(paragraph6.5.1),shouldprovidesufficientinformationaboutthepotentialforparticularcandidatedevelopmentsitestoimpactoninternationallydesignatedsites.Strategicandnon-strategicdevelopmentplansiteswithinandnearsuchsites’boundariesshouldbeconsideredaspartoftheLDPHRAassoonaspossibleintheplanmakingprocess.TheresponsibilityforundertakingHRArestswithlocalplanningauthorities.UndertheLDPsystemlandowners,developersandresidentswillhaveagreateropportunitytoengageearlierinthedevelopmentplanpreparationprocessandconsequentlyalternativesitesarelikelytobeputforwardatanearlierstageinthatprocess.LocalplanningauthoritiesshouldthereforehaveadequatetimetocarryoutanHRAinrelationtoanyproposedsignificantchangestothedevelopmentplanwhichresultfromsuchrepresentations.FarfeweralternativesitesshouldbeputforwardatthedepositstageundertheLDPsystem.Wherethisoccurs,however,andwherelocalplanningauthoritiesaremindedtoincludesuchalternativesitesintheirdevelopmentplans,theywillneedtocarryoutafurtherHRAiftheinclusionofthosesiteswouldcausetheirplanstochangesignificantly.AlthoughtheresponsibilityforcarryingoutthefurtherHRAwillrestwithlocalplanningauthorities,thethirdpartieswhoarepromotingthealternativesitesatthedepositstagewillneedtoprovidesufficientinformationtoenablethelocalplanningauthoritiestocarryoutthisprocess.Otherwise,thelocalplanningauthoritieswillnotbeabletoincludethesitesintheirLDPswhentheysubmittheirplanstotheWelshMinisters.

84

APPLICATIONOFREGULATION85BOFTHEHABITATSREGULATIONSTOPLANS

1. Identify all internationally designated sites potentially. Note on Stage 11 Where cSACs and pSPAs are concerned, the plan cannot be adopted under any circumstances unless it is ascertained that:-• In relation to cSACs, it will not seriously compromise the ecological characteristics of the cSAC; • In relation to pSPAs, it will not cause signi�cant pollution or deterioration of the pSPA, or signi�cant disturbance of the bird species for which the pSPA has been proposed.

Unless this can be ascertained, the process stops: the option of going on to Figure 4 is not available.

Yes

ASSESSINGLIKELY

SIGNIFICANTEFFECTS

Section 2.2

SCOPINGSection 2.3

APPROPRIATEASSESSMENT

Section 2.4

ADDINGAVOIDANCE/MITIGATIONMEASURESSection 2.4

FORMALCONSULTATION

Section 2.5

RECORDING THEASSESSMENT

Section 2.6

2. Acquire, examine and understand conservation objectives of each interest feature of each internationally designated

site potentially a�ected.

3. Consider the policies and proposals in the development plan and the changes that they may cause that may have an e�ect on the

internationally designated sites, estimating likely magnitude, duration, location and extent of e�ects of the changes as far as they may

reasonably be predicted at this stage.

4. Acknowledging the plan is not necessary for site management, would any elements of the plan be likely to have a significant effect on any interest feature, alone or in combination with other projects

and plans, directly or indirectly?

6. Significant effects are likely, or it is uncertain whether there would be significant effects.

7. Agree scope and method of the appropriate assessment and consultation period with CCW.

8. Undertake an appropriate assessment of the implications for each a�ected site in light of its conservation objectives, using the best

information, science and technical know-how available.

9. Consider whether any possible adverse effect on integrity of any site could be avoided by changes to the plan, such as an alternative policy

or proposal whilst still achieving plan’s aims and objectives.

10. Draft a report on the appropriate assessment and consult CCW and if necessary the public.

11. Taking account of CCW and public representations, can it be ascertained that the plan will not adversely affect the integrity of any

internationally designated site? (See Note opposite)

12. No, e�ects on integrity are adverse or uncertain.

Go to Figure 4.

13. Plan may proceed to adoption without further reference to Habitats Regulations.

Obtain relevant information

from CCW

Take advicefrom CCW

as necessary

5. No signi�cant e�ects are likely to occur as a result of

implementing the plan

Consult CCW

Consult CCW

PROCEDURAL STAGE METHODOLOGICAL STEPS

85

APPLICATIONOFREGULATION85BOFTHEHABITATSREGULATIONSTOPLANS FIGURE3

1. Identify all internationally designated sites potentially. Note on Stage 11 Where cSACs and pSPAs are concerned, the plan cannot be adopted under any circumstances unless it is ascertained that:-• In relation to cSACs, it will not seriously compromise the ecological characteristics of the cSAC; • In relation to pSPAs, it will not cause signi�cant pollution or deterioration of the pSPA, or signi�cant disturbance of the bird species for which the pSPA has been proposed.

Unless this can be ascertained, the process stops: the option of going on to Figure 4 is not available.

Yes

ASSESSINGLIKELY

SIGNIFICANTEFFECTS

Section 2.2

SCOPINGSection 2.3

APPROPRIATEASSESSMENT

Section 2.4

ADDINGAVOIDANCE/MITIGATIONMEASURESSection 2.4

FORMALCONSULTATION

Section 2.5

RECORDING THEASSESSMENT

Section 2.6

2. Acquire, examine and understand conservation objectives of each interest feature of each internationally designated

site potentially a�ected.

3. Consider the policies and proposals in the development plan and the changes that they may cause that may have an e�ect on the

internationally designated sites, estimating likely magnitude, duration, location and extent of e�ects of the changes as far as they may

reasonably be predicted at this stage.

4. Acknowledging the plan is not necessary for site management, would any elements of the plan be likely to have a significant effect on any interest feature, alone or in combination with other projects

and plans, directly or indirectly?

6. Significant effects are likely, or it is uncertain whether there would be significant effects.

7. Agree scope and method of the appropriate assessment and consultation period with CCW.

8. Undertake an appropriate assessment of the implications for each a�ected site in light of its conservation objectives, using the best

information, science and technical know-how available.

9. Consider whether any possible adverse effect on integrity of any site could be avoided by changes to the plan, such as an alternative policy

or proposal whilst still achieving plan’s aims and objectives.

10. Draft a report on the appropriate assessment and consult CCW and if necessary the public.

11. Taking account of CCW and public representations, can it be ascertained that the plan will not adversely affect the integrity of any

internationally designated site? (See Note opposite)

12. No, e�ects on integrity are adverse or uncertain.

Go to Figure 4.

13. Plan may proceed to adoption without further reference to Habitats Regulations.

Obtain relevant information

from CCW

Take advicefrom CCW

as necessary

5. No signi�cant e�ects are likely to occur as a result of

implementing the plan

Consult CCW

Consult CCW

PROCEDURAL STAGE METHODOLOGICAL STEPS


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‘In combination’ effects

2.11Ifthedevelopmentplanisnotlikelytohaveasignificanteffectonitsown,theplanningauthoritymustgoontoconsiderwhetheritislikelytohavesignificanteffectsincombinationwithotherplansandprojects.Furtherguidanceonassessing'incombination'effectsiscanbefoundinparagraph12ofAnnex3above.

2.12Althoughthedevelopmentplanmaynotcontainanysitespecificdetailattheearlystagesofthedevelopmentplanprocess,thelocalplanningauthority’sconsiderationof‘incombination’effectswillneedtotakeintoaccount:

• projectswhichhavealreadybeenimplementedorcompleted;

• projectswhichhavebeengivenconsentbutwhichhavenotyetbeenimplementedorcompleted;

• projectsforwhichapplicationsforconsenthavebeenmade;and

• ongoingprojectsthataresubjecttoperiodicregulatoryreviews,suchasdischargeconsentsorwastemanagementlicences.

2.13Itmaybenecessaryforthelocalplanningauthoritytotakeintoaccountprojectsoutsideitsarea,aswellasthosewithinitsarea,whendeterminingwhethertheremaybe‘incombination’effectsoninternationallydesignatedsites.

2.14Inaddition,theconsiderationof‘incombinationeffects’willneedtotakeintoaccountanyotherplansthatcouldhaveasignificanteffectonanyrelevantinternationallydesignatedsitesifcombinedwiththedevelopmentplan.Thiswillrequireconsiderationoftheexistingconditionofthesitesandtheirspecies,thelikelyeffectsofpoliciesandproposalscontainedinexistingplansbutwhichhavenotyetbeenfullyimplemented,andthelikelyeffectsofpoliciesandproposalscontainedindraftplansthatarecurrentlybeingbroughtforwardbythelocalplanningauthorityorbyotherpublicbodies.Table1providesexamplesofthetypesofplansthatalocalplanningauthoritymayneedtotakeintoaccountwhenconsidering‘incombination’effects.FurtheradvicemaybeobtainedfromCCW(and,whererelevant,fromNaturalEngland).


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Annex6Table1:Examplesofplanswhichmayneedtobeconsidered‘incombination’withthedevelopmentplan

ThePlans Plan-makingbodies

TheWalesSpatialPlan WelshAssemblyGovernment

NearbylocaldevelopmentplansorUDPsinWales

AdjacentLPAs

Sectoralplansthathaveastronginfluenceonprojectdecisions,suchasregeneration,transportorwasteplans

WelshAssemblyGovernment,localauthoritiesetc

StrategiesthathaveastronginfluenceonprojectdecisionssuchasShorelineManagementPlans

Forexample,theEnvironmentAgencyandlocalauthorities

RegionalSpatialStrategiesinnearbyEnglishRegions

EnglishRegionalPlanningBodies

StructureandLocalPlansoremergingDevelopmentPlanDocumentsinnearbyEnglishlocalauthorities

Englishlocalplanningauthorities

Incorporating avoidance

2.15Actionstoavoidthelikelihoodofsignificanteffectsofadevelopmentplanonaninternationallydesignatedsiteshouldbeconsideredatanearlystageinplanmaking.Avoidanceorcancellationmeasuresmaybeabletoeliminatethelikelihoodofanysignificanteffectsontheinternationallydesignatedsite(s)andthusavoidtheneedforappropriateassessment.

2.16TheHRAprocessdoesnotformallyrequirethegenerationandchoiceofdevelopmentplanalternativesinthesamewayasrequiredintheSEAEnvironmentalReport.UnderHabitatsRegulations,thegenerationofplanalternativesisrequiredonlyifthelocalplanningauthorityconcludes,inthelightoftheappropriateassessment,thatthedevelopmentplanmayadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesiteandthelocalplanningauthorityneverthelessproposestoproceedwiththedevelopmentplan(ortherelevantpolicyorproposal)underregulation85C.(Seebelow).


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2.17However,ifproposeddevelopmentplanalternativesshowadifferenceinthepresenceorleveloflikelysignificanteffectonanyinternationallydesignatedsiteorsitestowhichthisprocedureappliesasamatteroflaworpolicy,thelocalplanningauthorityshouldconsiderselectingplanalternativeswithnoorlesseffectonthesite(s)atanearlystageinplanpreparation.Ifalloftheplanalternativesindicatelikelysignificanteffectsonsuchinternationallydesignatedsites,thelocalplanningauthorityshoulddiscusstheplanwithCCWbeforescopingfortheappropriateassessmentisbegun.

2.18Themostprecautionarycourseofactionforanlocalplanningauthorityistoremovepotentiallyharmfulpoliciesandproposalsattheearlieststagesofplanpreparationortoadjustthosepoliciesandproposalssoastoensurethatdevelopmentflowingfromorcontrolledbythedevelopmentplanisnotlikelytohaveasignificanteffectonanyinternationallydesignatedsitestowhichthisprocedureapplies,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects.Ifalocalplanningauthorityconsidersthatsuchactionisprematureorinappropriate,consideringallfactors,itshouldproceedwithcaution.

Whether the plan is necessary for “European site” management

2.19Thesecondtestunderregulation85B(1)iswhetherthedevelopmentplanisdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytothemanagementofanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.EveniftheplanhasapolicytoprotectEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,orhassomebenefitsforthemanagementofsuchasitefornatureconservation,suchmatterswillnotbesufficienttosatisfythistest.ItisnotexpectedthatanydevelopmentplansinWaleswillmeetthistest.However,thelocalplanningauthorityshouldrecorditsconclusionsonthistestintheHRAfortransparencypurposes.

Screening decision on “likelihood of significant effect”

2.20Ifalocalplanningauthorityconsiders,aftercompletingthesestepsoftheHRA,thatthedevelopmentplanwillnotbelikelytohaveasignificanteffectonanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,or(asamatterofpolicy)onanyRamsarsiteorpSPA,(eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects),itshouldreportitsfindingstotherelevantMembersoftheplanmakingauthorityandsubmittheHRAresults/reporttotheWelshAssemblyGovernmentaspartofthestatutorydevelopmentplanconsultationprocesses.

2.21ThelocalplanningauthorityshouldconsultandreachagreementwithCCW(andNaturalEngland,whererelevant)onitsconclusion,nomatterwhatstageofdevelopmentplanpreparationhasbeenreached.IfthereisadisagreementabouttheresultsbetweenCCWorNaturalEnglandandthelocalplanningauthority,theWelshAssemblyGovernmentwillexpectthatallstepshavebeentakenbythelocalplanningauthoritytoresolvethematter.IfthelocalplanningauthoritydecidestomaintainitspositioninspiteofoppositionfromCCW(and/orNaturalEngland),thelocalplanningauthoritywillproceedtoadoptionatitsownrisk.


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2.22Ifadeterminationismadebythelocalplanningauthoritythatthedevelopmentplanisnotlikelytohavesignificanteffectsonanyinternationallydesignatedsitetowhichthisprocedureapplies,eitherasamatteroflaworofpolicy(s),itmayproceedwithoutfurtherreferencetotheHRAprocess(seeSteps4-5-13,Figure3).

Scoping for Appropriate Assessment (Figure 3, Boxes 6-7)

2.23WhereitisdeterminedthatadevelopmentplanislikelytohaveasignificanteffectononeormoreEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,andthattheplanisnotdirectlyconnectedwithornecessarytothemanagementofthosesites,itmustbesubjecttoan‘appropriateassessment’undertheRegulations.Anappropriateassessmentshouldalsobecarriedout,asamatterofpolicy,whereitisdeterminedthatadevelopmentplanislikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaRamsarsiteorpSPA.

2.24Selectionofthebestmethodforappropriateassessmentisajudgementthatshouldtakeaccountofgoodpractice,althoughtheoptionsmaybelimitedbytheinformationavailableandthetechnicalorscientificknow-how.ThemethodofassessmentoftheimpactshouldbediscussedandagreedwithCCWtoensureitis“appropriate”asearlyaspossible.Adraftwrittenproposalbythelocalplanningauthoritywouldhelpinformthisdiscussion.CCWwilladviseonthescopeoftheappropriateassessmentonaplanbyplan,andsitebysite,basis.

2.25WheretheHRAisbeingundertakeninparallelwiththestagesofadevelopmentplanSEA,theproposedscopingoftheappropriateassessmentcouldbedoneatSEAscopingstage.Howeverthelikelysignificanteffectsofthedevelopmentplan,andthustheneedforappropriateassessment,maynotbeapparentattheLDPSEAscopingstageduetothestrategicnatureoftheplanproposals,whichiswhytheiterativeapplicationoftheHRAprocessshouldbefollowed.

2.26Scopinganappropriateassessmentislikelytoinvolvethefollowing:

• AdoptingthemethodinthisAnnexordevisingandagreeingwithCCWanalternativeassessmentmethodology;

• Identifyinganyadditionalinformationabouttheinternationallydesignatedsitesnecessarytoundertakeappropriateassessment;

• Identifyinganyplansorprojectswhoseeffectsmayneedtobeassessedincombinationwiththedevelopmentplan’seffects;


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• Identifyinganyfurtherinformationaboutchangeslikelytooccur,bothasaresultofimplementingthedevelopmentplan’spoliciesorproposalsaloneandasaresultofitsimplementationincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,andtheeffectsthatthesechangesmayhaveontheinternationallydesignatedsites;and

• IfappropriateassessmentisbeingconductedseparatelyfromtheSEAprocess,decidingonwhethertoconsultpubliclyandifso,onanappropriateconsultationperiod,astheHabitatsRegulationsdonotspecifyatimeperiodforpublicconsultation.

2.27Additionalinformationabouttheinternationallydesignatedsitesmightinclude,forexample,informationastowhetherthesite’sfeaturesincludeanyprioritynaturalhabitattypesorpriorityspecies,whetherthesite’sfeaturesareatfavourableconservationstatus,andwhetherthereareanyimpedimentstoimprovingtheirstatus,especiallythosethatcouldbeaddressedbytheplan.

2.28Additionalinformationaboutthechangeslikelytooccurasaresultoftheimplementationoftheplan’sproposalsmightincludesuchmattersasfurtherdetailsastothepreciseboundariesofaproposedsite,theproposeddistributionornumbersofhouses,and/orthefloorspaceofproposedemploymentorretaildevelopments,etc.Itmightalsoincludeinformationaboutdrainage,waterabstraction,noise,etc.issueslikelytoresultfromtheimplementationoftheplan’sproposals.

2.29ThelocalplanningauthorityshouldalsoagreewithCCWtheperiodwhichthatbodywillbegiventorespondtotheconsultationontheappropriateassessmentcarriedoutunderregulation85B(2)whenscopingisdiscussed.NospecificperiodisprescribedbytheRegulations.

The Appropriate Assessment (Figure 3, Boxes 8-9)

2.30ThepurposeoftheAppropriateAssessmentistoensurethat,priortothedevelopmentplan’sadoption,alltheaspectsoftheplanwhichcould,bythemselvesorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,affectanyEuropeansite(s)orEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(s)areidentifiedinthelightofthebestscientificknowledgeinthefield157,sothatajudgementcanbemadeastowhetherornotthedevelopmentplancouldhaveanadverseeffectontheintegrityofanysuchsites.TheAppropriateAssessmentalsoservesthatsamerole,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtopotentialeffectsonRamsarsitesandpSPAs.

157 CaseC-127/02,Landelijke Vereniging tot Behoud van de Waddenzee.


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2.31Theworkalreadyundertakenbythelocalplanningauthoritytodeterminethelikelihoodofsignificanteffectsofthedevelopmentplan(seeabove)andthescopingoftheappropriateassessment(seeabove)shouldenablethesignificanteffectsofthedevelopmentplan(seeabove)andthescopingoftheappropriateassessmenttofocusonthoseaspectsofthedevelopmentplanthatarelikelytohaveasignificanteffectontheconservationobjectivesofanyoneormoreoftheinternationallydesignatedsite(s)describedabove.Anecologicalassessmentofthosepotentialeffectswillberequiredinordertodeterminewhethertheymightadverselyaffecttheintegrityofthesite(s)concerned.

2.32Attheappropriateassessmentstage,whenascertainingwhetherthedevelopmentplan’spoliciesandproposalswillhave,orcouldhave,adverseeffectsontheintegrityoftheseinternationallydesignatedsite(s),eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,regardshouldbehadtoavoidance,cancellationandreduction(mitigation)measuresandwhethertherewillbeopportunitiestofurtheramendthedevelopmentplanafterconsideringtheeffectsinmoredetail.However,compensatorymeasuresshouldnotbetakenintoaccountatappropriateassessmentstageinassessingtheimpactoftheplanoninternationallydesignatedsites158.

2.33Itisessentialtoappreciatethattheappropriateassessmentembodiestheprecautionaryprinciple.Itisforalocalplanningauthoritytoascertainthatimplementationofthedevelopmentplanwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanyinternationallydesignatedsite159inorderfortheplantoproceed(subjecttosteps14-20inFigure4).Furtherguidanceontheappropriateassessmentstepsisprovidedinparagraphs14-16ofAnnex3above.

Formal Consultation on Appropriate Assessment (Figure 3, Box 10)

2.34ThelocalplanningauthoritymustconsultCCW160,andhaveregardtoitsadvice,undertheprovisionsofregulation85B(2)beforeascertainingwhethertheplancouldadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanyEuropeansitesorEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,aloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects.Itshouldalsofollowthesameprocessbeforeassessingtheplan’spotentialeffectsonanypSPAsorRamsarsites.ThelocalplanningauthorityshoulddiscussadraftoftheoutputfromtheappropriateassessmentwithCCWpriortotheformalconsultationrequiredbyregulation85B(2).AIterativeconsultationwithCCW,asthedevelopmentplanprogressesisthebestwaytoensurethattherequirementsofregulation85B(2)havebeenmet.

158 See,inrelationtoEuropeansitesandEuropeanoffshoremarinesites,thefollowingdocument:EuropeanCommission,2007,Guidance document on Article 6(4) of the ‘Habitats Directive’ 92/43/EEC,section1.4.

159Or,inthecaseofcSACsandpSPAsrespectively,toascertainthatthedevelopmentplan(i)willnotseriouslycompromisetheecologicalcharacteristicsofthecSAC,or(ii)willnotcausesignificantpollutionordeteriorationofthepSPA,orsignificantdisturbanceofthebirdspeciesforwhichthepSPAhasbeenproposed.

160LocalplanningauthoritieswillalsoneedtoconsultNaturalEngland,whichshouldbedonethroughCCW,beforeascertainingwhethertheirplanscouldadverselyaffecttheintegrityof“Europeansites”inEngland.


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2.35UndertheSEARegulations161,thelocalplanningauthoritymustformallyconsultCCWontheSEAdevelopmentplanscopingreportandontheEnvironmentalReport162.TheSEAscopingstagemaybeanappropriatetimetoalsoconsultCCWonthelocalplanningauthority’sHRAdeterminationastowhethertheplanislikelytohavesignificanteffectsand,whererelevant,thedraftscopeoftheappropriateassessment.However,developmentplanalternativesmaynothavebeengeneratedatSEAscopingstage.Iftheyhavenot,CCWwillbeunlikelytoconfirmthatthetestsofthelikelihoodofsignificanteffectshavebeenfinaliseduntilallalternativeshavebeenputbeforethem.Therefore,thelocalplanningauthorityshouldensurethatformalconsultationunderregulation85B(2)oftheHabitatsRegulationsisdoneatthemostappropriatestageintheirdevelopmentplanprocess.

2.36Thelocalplanningauthoritywillalsoneedtodecidewhethertoconsultthepublicforthepurposesoftheappropriateassessmentandifso,howtheconsultationshouldbecarriedout163.ItisgoodpracticetomakeinformationonHRAavailabletothepublicateachformaldevelopmentplanconsultationstage,ifpossible.Wherewidepublicconsultationisdeemedtobeunnecessary,itmaystillbeimportanttoconsultinterestedpartieswithexpertiseinnatureconservationissuesrelevanttotheappropriateassessment,suchastheRoyalSocietyfortheProtectionofBirds,theEnvironmentAgencyortheForestryCommission.

2.37HavingformallyconsultedCCWandotherstakeholdersthatmayhaveinformationorexpertisetoassisttheappropriateassessmentthelocalplanningauthoritymustascertainwhetherthedevelopmentplanwillavoidanyadverseeffectontheintegrityofanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(regulation85B(4)),bothaloneandincombinationwithotherplansorprojects.AsimilardeterminationshouldalsobemadeinrelationtoRamsarsitesandpSPAS164.Thelocalplanningauthorityshouldconcludethataplanwouldnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofaninternationallydesignatedsiteonlyifithasmadecertainthatthisisthecase.Inordertobecertain,thelocalplanningauthorityshouldbesatisfiedthatnoreasonablescientificdoubtremainsastotheabsenceofsucheffects165.

2.38Ifthelocalplanningauthorityascertainsfollowingtheappropriateassessmentthatthedevelopmentplanwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanyinternationallydesignatedsite,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects,itshouldreporttheseconclusionstotherelevantMembersoftheplanmakingauthority.ThelocalplanningauthorityshouldthensubmittheHRAtotheAssemblyGovernmentattherelevantformalplanconsultationstage,normallydepositstagefortheLDPandUDP.Seeabovefortherelevantprocessandbelowinrespectofdevelopmentplanchanges.

161 TheEnvironmentalAssessmentofPlansandProgrammes(Wales)Regulations2004(S.I.2004/1656).162ibid,regulations12and13.163Regulation85B(3)oftheRegulations.164Butseeparagraph2.42ofthisAnnexasregardspSPAs.165CaseC-127/02,Landelijke Vereniging tot Behoud van de Waddenzee.


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2.39IfthelocalplanningauthoritycannotascertainthatthedevelopmentplanwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(butseebelowinrespectofcSACs),eitherbecausetherewouldbeanadverseeffectorbecausetheeffectsareuncertain,theplancannotbeprogressedtoadoptionunlessregulations85Cand85EoftheHabitatsRegulationsarecompliedwith,asdescribedbelowandinFigure4166.ThisconclusionshouldalsobereportedtoMembersoftheplanmakingauthorityandadvisedtoCCWandtheAssemblyGovernmentassoonaspossible.ThesameapproachshouldalsobefollowedinrelationtoRamsarsites(butseebelowinrespectofpSPAs).

2.40ThesituationsinwhichlocalplanningauthoritiesmayprogressthedevelopmentplantoadoptionaremorerestrictedwheretheplancouldhaveaneffectoncSACsorpSPAs:

• WherethedevelopmentplancouldhaveaneffectonacSAC,thelocalplanningauthoritymayprogresstheplantoadoptiononlyifitiscertainthattheadoptionoftheplanwillnotseriouslycompromisetheecologicalcharacteristicsofthecSAC(eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects).

• WherethedevelopmentplancouldhaveaneffectonapSPA,thelocalplanningauthoritymayprogresstheplantoadoptiononlyifitiscertainthattheadoptionoftheplanwillnotcausesignificantpollutionordeteriorationofthepSPA,orsignificantdisturbanceofthebirdspeciesforwhichthepSPAhasbeenproposed(eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects).

Recording the Habitats Regulations Appraisal (Figure 3, Boxes 11-13)

2.41AsustainabilityappraisalreportorSEAEnvironmentalReportcouldincludeachapterorappendixthatsetsoutastraightforwardexplanationoftheHRA,including:

• asummaryoftheassessmentofthelikelihoodofsignificanteffects(bothaloneandincombinationwithotherplansandprojects);

• therepresentationsmadebyCCWandothers;

• ifapplicable,thefindingsoftheappropriateassessment;

• whetherithasbeenascertainedthattheplanwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityoftheinternationallydesignatedsites(andwillnotimpactonanycSACsorpSPAsinthemannerdescribedinparagraph2.42ofthisAnnex),eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansandprojects;

• anyavoidanceormitigationmeasuresreliedupontomakethatjudgement;and

• ifrelevant,asummaryofanyconsiderationsunderregulations85Cand85E(seebelow).

166 Seeparagraph1.11ofthisAnnexforauthorisationofplanadoptionthatimpactuponacSAC.


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Wherethisisdone,however,theHRAshouldbeclearlyidentifiedandshouldbekeptdistinctfromtheSA/SEA.

Development Plan Changes and HRA

2.42Theiterativeprocessesofdevelopmentplanpreparation,withitsaccompanyingSEA,shouldensurethatenvironmentaleffectsoftheplanarefullytakenintoaccountandthatanypotentiallyadverseeffectsontheintegrityofinternationallydesignatedsitesareavoidedorminimisedbythetimeadevelopmentplanismadethesubjectofaUDPInquiryorLDPExamination.However,itisimportanttobearinmindthattheHRAisadistinctprocesswithitsownrequirements.

2.43IfachangetoanLDPisdeemednecessaryattheLDPExaminationinordertomaketheLDPsoundthenitmaybenecessaryforafurtherHRAtobeconductedbythelocalplanningauthority.AfurtherHRAwillbenecessarywherethechangecouldgiverisetoapossibilitythattheplancouldhaveasignificanteffectonaninternationallydesignatedsite,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects.

2.44AfurtherHRAmayalsobenecessaryifanInspectorrecommendsthataUDPbeadoptedsubjecttomodifications,andthosemodificationscouldgiverisetoapossibilitythattheplancouldhaveasignificanteffectonaninternationallydesignatedsite,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects.

2.45WhereafurtherHRAisnecessaryasaresultofsuchrecommendedchangesormodifications,theplanningauthoritymustformallyconsultCCW(inaccordancewithregulation85B)beforeascertainingwhetherthedevelopmentplanwouldadverselyaffecttheintegrityofaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesiteifitweretoincorporatesuchchangesormodifications,andshouldalsodo,asamatterofpolicy,beforeascertainingtheeffectsonpSPAsandRamsarsites.(Thelocalplanningauthoritymayalsoconsultthepublicifitwishes,butdoesnothavetodoso.)ThefurtherHRAshouldberecordedandreportedaspreviouslyindicatedaboveandifthefurtherHRAiscarriedoutasaresultofproposedmodificationstoaUDP,itshouldbemadeavailabletothepublicduringconsultationonthemodifications.


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Alternative Solutions and Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest (Figure 4, Boxes 14-18)

Alternative Solutions

2.46IfalocalplanningauthorityisunabletoascertainthataproposeddevelopmentplanpolicyorproposalwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,itmayprogresstoadoptionofthedevelopmentplanonlyinthecloselydefinedcircumstancessetoutinregulations85Cand85EoftheHabitatsRegulations.Asindicatedin1.1above,theAssemblyGovernmentexpectsthatadevelopmentplanwillonlyneedtoproceedbywayoftheselatertestsinregulations85Cand85Einthemostexceptionalcircumstances.Inmostcases,alocalplanningauthorityshouldchangethedevelopmentplanduringthecourseoftheHRAtoensurethatitwillnotadverselyaffecttheintegrityofanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite.Thesameapproachshouldalsobefollowed,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtoRamsarsites.

2.47Theoptionofprogressingadevelopmentplantoadoptionunderregulations85Cand85Ewillnotbeavailablewherethedevelopmentplan,eitheraloneorincombinationwithotherplansorprojects:-

i. couldseriouslycompromisetheecologicalcharacteristicsofacSAC;or

ii. couldcausesignificantpollutionordeteriorationofapSPA,orsignificantdisturbanceofthebirdspeciesforwhichapSPAhasbeenproposed.

Inthesesituations,thelocalplanningauthoritymaynotproceedtoadoptthedevelopmentplanunderanycircumstances.

2.48Inanyexceptionalcase,whereregulation85Cisappliedtoaproposeddevelopmentplan,thelocalplanningauthoritymustfirstbesatisfiedthattherearenoalternativesolutions.Ifthereareanyfeasiblealternativesolutionsthatwouldhavenoeffect,oralessereffect,onaEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite’sintegrity,theproposeddevelopmentplanmustbechangedtoapplytheleastdamagingalternativeandtherebyremoveorminimisetheeffectonthesite’sintegrity.Thesameapproachshouldalsobeadopted,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtoRamsarsites.

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ASSESSMENTUNDERREGULATIONS85Cand85E

(Additionalprocedureswhereitcannotbeascertainedthattherewouldbenoadverseeffectontheintegrityofaninternationalsite[seeNotebelow])

14. Further review of alternative solutions: Can the damaging element(s) of the plan be deleted or modified to avoid or reduce an adverse effect on the integrity

of the European site or European offshore marine site [or Ramsar site]? Are there alternative solutions to the adoption of the plan with

potentially less damaging effects on integrity?

No

Yes

Note - The procedures set out in this Figure do not apply in relation to pSPAs and cSACs.

17. The damaging element(s) of the plan must be deleted

or modified, or the alternative solutions must be adopted

(subject to HRA), or the plan must be withdrawn

or otherwise terminated.

15. Is it a priority habitat or species that may be adversely affected by the plan?

16. Are there imperative economic, social or environmental reasons of overriding public interest why the plan should be adopted,

and are those reasons sufficient to justify the harm that may be caused to the site(s)?

18. Are there imperative reasons of overriding public interest why the plan should be adopted, relating to

human health, public safety or beneficial consequences of primary importance to the environment, or other

reasons that the plan making body consider acceptable having had due regard to the opinion of the EC, and are

those reasons sufficient to justify the harm that may be caused to the site(s)?

19. Notify the Welsh Assembly Government and wait 21 days before proceeding to adopt or approve or otherwise implement the plan.

20. Welsh Assembly Government considers whether to allow the plan to proceed and, if so, secures that any necessary compensatory measures will be delivered as part of the plan

to ensure the overall coherence of Natura 2000 is protected (or, in the case of Ramsar sites, to ensure that any loss of wetland resources is compensated for).

No

No Yes

No

Yes

Yes

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ASSESSMENTUNDERREGULATIONS85Cand85E FIGURE4

(Additionalprocedureswhereitcannotbeascertainedthattherewouldbenoadverseeffectontheintegrityofaninternationalsite[seeNotebelow])

14. Further review of alternative solutions: Can the damaging element(s) of the plan be deleted or modified to avoid or reduce an adverse effect on the integrity

of the European site or European offshore marine site [or Ramsar site]? Are there alternative solutions to the adoption of the plan with

potentially less damaging effects on integrity?

No

Yes

Note - The procedures set out in this Figure do not apply in relation to pSPAs and cSACs.

17. The damaging element(s) of the plan must be deleted

or modified, or the alternative solutions must be adopted

(subject to HRA), or the plan must be withdrawn

or otherwise terminated.

15. Is it a priority habitat or species that may be adversely affected by the plan?

16. Are there imperative economic, social or environmental reasons of overriding public interest why the plan should be adopted,

and are those reasons sufficient to justify the harm that may be caused to the site(s)?

18. Are there imperative reasons of overriding public interest why the plan should be adopted, relating to

human health, public safety or beneficial consequences of primary importance to the environment, or other

reasons that the plan making body consider acceptable having had due regard to the opinion of the EC, and are

those reasons sufficient to justify the harm that may be caused to the site(s)?

19. Notify the Welsh Assembly Government and wait 21 days before proceeding to adopt or approve or otherwise implement the plan.

20. Welsh Assembly Government considers whether to allow the plan to proceed and, if so, secures that any necessary compensatory measures will be delivered as part of the plan

to ensure the overall coherence of Natura 2000 is protected (or, in the case of Ramsar sites, to ensure that any loss of wetland resources is compensated for).

No

No Yes

No

Yes

Yes


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2.49Whatconstitutesanalternativesolutioninanyparticularcasewilldependonthenatureoftheproposedpoliciesorthescaleorlocationofanyproposal(s)thatmaycausetheadverseeffectsonthesite.Alternativesolutionsarelikelytoincludedeletionormodificationoftheoffendingpolicies,orremovalofproposalsfromtheplan,ortherelocationorreductioninscaleofproposals.Evenifthedevelopmentplan’soverallstrategyneedstobeadjustedtoaccommodatethesechanges,thisadjustmentwouldstillbeconsideredtobeanalternativesolutiontotheadoptionoftheplaninitscurrentform(Figure4,Boxes14-18).

2.50Furtherguidanceontheconsiderationofalternativesolutions,isfoundinAnnex3,paragraphs27-28ofthisTAN.

2.51Iftherearenosuchalternativesolutions,thelocalplanningauthoritymayconsiderwhetherthereareimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinteresttojustifytheadoptionoftheplandespiteitspotentiallynegativeeffectonEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesiteintegrity.DifferenttestsapplydependingonwhethertheEuropeansite(s)orEuropeanoffshoremarinesite(s)thatmaybeaffectedhostapriorityhabitattypeorspeciesthatwouldbeaffectedbytheplan167.TheEuropeanCommissionhasissuedguidancewhichstatesthatitisnotthemerepresenceofapriorityhabitatorspeciesthatisrelevanttothistestbutwhetheritcouldorwouldbeadverselyaffectedbytheplan.

2.52IftheEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesitedoesnothostaprioritynaturalhabitattypeorspeciesthatcouldbeaffectedbytheplan,theplanmaybeadoptedonlyifitmustbegiveneffectforimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest,includingthoseofasocialoreconomicnature168.SuchreasonswouldneedtobesufficienttooutweightheadverseeffectsontheEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite’sinterestfeatures.Thesameapproachshouldbeadopted,asamatterofpolicy,inrelationtotheadoptionofRamsarsites.

2.53Ifasitedoeshostapriorityhabitatorspeciesthatcouldbeaffectedbythedevelopmentplan,theoverridingpublicinterestconsiderationswhichmayjustifytheadoptionoftheplanareevennarrower.Inthesecircumstances,theimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestmustrelatetohumanhealth,publicsafety,orbeneficialconsequencesofprimaryimportancetotheenvironment,orotherimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest,providedtheplanningauthorityhashaddueregardtotheopinionoftheEuropeanCommissioninsatisfyingitselfthattherearesuchreasons169.

167 PriorityhabitatsandspeciesareindicatedbyanasteriskinAnnexesIandIIoftheHabitatsDirective.Thecitationsayingwhythesitewasdesignatedwillshowwhetherithostsapriorityhabitatorspecies.

168 Regulation85C(1)oftheRegulations.169Regulation85C(3)oftheRegulations.


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2.54IftheplanningauthoritydesirestoobtaintheopinionoftheEuropeanCommissionastowhetherreasonsaretobeconsideredimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterest,itmustsubmitawrittenrequesttotheWelshMinistersasrequiredbyregulation85C(4).TheUKgovernmentmaythenseektheCommission’sopinionandtransmitittotheWelshMinisters,whowilltransmitittothelocalplanningauthority.

2.55Therewillbefewcaseswhereitshouldbejudgedthatthereareimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestwhichallowaplantoproceed,despitethefactthattheplanwillhaveanadverseeffectontheintegrityofEuropeansites,EuropeanoffshoremarinesitesorRamsarsites.Thejudgementwillinvolveanassessmentoftheimportanceoftheplan’sproposalsandwhethertheyaresufficienttooverridetheharmtothenatureconservationimportanceofthatsiteataninternationallevel.

2.56FurtherguidanceinrespectofimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestisfoundinAnnex3,paragraphs28-37ofthisTANandintheEuropeanCommission’sguidancedocumentonArticle6(4)oftheHabitatsDirective92/43/EC170.

Further procedures under Regulations 85C and 85E (Figure 4 Boxes 19-20)

2.57Ifalocalplanningauthoritycontinuestopursueitsdevelopmentplanwithoutchangetoadoption,despiteanegativeoruncertainoutcomeoftheHRAonanyEuropeansiteorEuropeanoffshoremarinesite,regulation85C(8)and(9)requirestheauthoritytonotifytheWelshMinistersand,havingdoneso,nottogiveeffecttotheplanfor21daysunlesstheWelshMinistersnotifyitthatitmaydoso.

2.58Regulation85C(7)providesthatinanysuchcasetheWelshMinistersmaygivedirectionstotheplanningauthorityprohibitingthemfromadoptingthedevelopmentplan,eitherindefinitelyorfortheperiodspecifiedinthedirection.

170EuropeanCommission,2001,Guidance document on the Assessment of Plans and Projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 siteshttp://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/guidance_en.htm#art6.AlthoughthisdocumentcontainsusefulguidanceonthecarryingoutofHRA,itpre-datestheEuropeanCourtofJustice'sjudgmentinCaseC-127/02,Landelijke Vereniging tot Behoud van deWaddenzeeandtheHighCourt'sjudgmentinTheQueenon the Application of Hart District Council v. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and others[2008]EWHC1204(Admin)andshouldbereadinthelightofthosetwojudgements.


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101

ANNEX7

KEYLEGISLATIVEPROVISIONSFORTHEPROTECTIONOFSPECIES

Introduction

1.Thebreachofprotectedspecieslegislationcanoftengiverisetoacriminaloffence.Agrantofplanningpermissiondoesnotrelieveadeveloperfromcompliancewiththeprotectedspecieslegislationandoffencesmaybecommittedduringthedevelopmentofland,evenwherethedevelopmentisinaccordancewithavalidplanningpermission.

ProtectionaffordedtospeciesundertheHabitatsRegulations

European protected species of animals

2.ThespeciesofanimalslistedinAnnexIV(a)totheHabitatsDirectivewhosenaturalrangeincludesanyareainGreatBritainarereferredtoasEuropeanprotectedspecieswithintheHabitatsRegulations171.Europeanprotectedspeciesofanimalsareidentifiedwitha'Yes'inthethirdcolumnofTable2inAnnex8below.

3.WhendealingwithcaseswhereaEuropeanprotectedspeciesofanimalmaybeaffected,alocalplanningauthorityisacompetentauthoritywithinthemeaningofRegulation6oftheHabitatsRegulations,andthereforehasastatutoryduty,underRegulation3(4)tohaveregardtotherequirementsoftheHabitatsDirectiveintheexerciseofitsfunctions.

4.Underregulation39oftheHabitatsRegulations,subjecttocertainexceptionsandintheabsenceofalicence,itisunlawfulto:

a. deliberatelycapture,injureorkill;or

b. deliberatelydisturb;or

c. deliberatelytakeordestroytheeggsof;

awildanimalofaEuropeanprotectedspecies,

orto:

d. damageordestroyabreedingsiteorrestingplaceofawildanimalofaEuropeanprotectedspecies.

Thisoffenceappliestoallstagesofthelifeoftheanimal.172

171 Regulation38oftheHabitatsRegulations1994.172Regulation39(4)TheHabitatsRegulations1994.


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5.Itisalsoanoffence,subjecttocertainexceptionsandintheabsenceofalicence,topossessorcontrol,transport,sellorexchangeorofferforsaleorexchange173anyliveordeadanimal,orpartofananimal,whichhasbeentakenfromthewildandisofanyspeciesorsubspecieslistedinAnnexIV(a)totheHabitatsDirective,oranypartof,oranythingderivedfrom,suchananimal.174

European protected species of plants

7.ThespeciesofplantslistedinAnnexIV(b)totheHabitatsDirectivewhosenaturalrangeincludesanyareainGreatBritainarereferredtoas‘Europeanprotectedspecies’withintheHabitatsRegulations175.EuropeanprotectedspeciesofplantsarethoselistedinthefirstpartofTable3inAnnex8below.

8.WhendealingwithcaseswhereaEuropeanprotectedspeciesofplantmaybeaffected,alocalplanningauthorityisacompetentauthoritywithinthemeaningofRegulation6oftheHabitatsRegulations,andthereforehasastatutoryduty,underRegulation3(4)tohaveregardtotherequirementsoftheHabitatsDirectiveintheexerciseofitsfunctions.

9.Underregulation43oftheHabitatsRegulations,subjecttocertainexceptionsandintheabsenceofalicence,itisunlawfuldeliberatelytopick,collect,uprootordestroyawildplantofaEuropeanprotectedspecies176.Itisalsoanoffence,subjecttocertainexceptionsorintheabsenceofalicence,topossess,control,transport,sell,exchange,orofferforsaleorexchange177anyliveordeadplantwhichhasbeentakenfromthewildandwhichisofaspeciesorsubspecieslistedinAnnexII(b)orAnnexIV(b)totheHabitatsDirective,oranypartof,oranythingderivedfromsuchaplant.178

10.Alloftheaboveoffencesapplytoallstagesofthebiologicalcycleoftheplantstowhichtheyapply179.

ProtectionaffordedtospeciesbytheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981

Protection of Birds

11.PartIoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981(asamended)makesitanoffence(withcertainlimitedexceptionsandintheabsenceofalicence)intentionallytokill,injureortakeanywildbird,ortodamage,takeordestroythenestofanywildbirdwhilstthatnestisbeingbuiltorinuse,ortotakeordestroyitseggs.180Consequently,evencommonbirdssuchasblackbirdsorrobins,andtheirnestsandeggsareprotected

173Regulation39(2)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.174Regulation39(3)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c)Regulations1994.175Regulation42TheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c)Regulations1994.176Regulation43(1)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c)Regulations1994.177Regulation43(2)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.178S.13(2)WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981.179Regulation43(4)TheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994.180S.1(1)WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamended.


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inthisway.Further,theActaffordsadditionalprotectiontospecificspeciesofbirdslistedinSchedule1oftheAct.Inrespectofthesespeciesitisunlawfulintentionallyorrecklesslytodisturbsuchabirdwhilstitisnest-buildingorisin,onornearanestcontainingeggsoryoung;ortodisturbtheirdependentyoung.181Foreaglesandospreys(listedinScheduleZA1ofthe1981Act)itisalsoanoffencetotake,damageordestroythenestatanytime.(Table1ofAnnex8belowcontainsthelistofbirdspeciesinPart1ofSchedule1whichareprotectedatalltimes.)LicencestoenablesurveystobecarriedoutcanbegrantedbyCCWundersection16oftheActbutlicencescannotbeissuedtofacilitatedevelopment.

Protection of animals

12.PartIoftheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981(asamended)affordsprotectiontowildanimalsofthespecieslistedinSchedule5,mostofwhicharenotEuropeanprotectedspecies(seeTable2,Annex8below).AlllocalauthoritiesareinformedaboutchangestotheSchedule.WithcertainexceptionsdetailedinTable2,Annex8below,andintheabsenceofalicenceorarelevantdefence,itisanoffenceinrespectofanywildanimalofaspecieslistedinSchedule5to:

i. intentionallykill,injureortakeanywildanimalofsuchalistedspecies182;

ii. intentionallyorrecklesslydamageordestroyorobstructaccesstoanystructureorplacewhichanywildanimalofalistedspeciesusesforshelterorprotection(atanytimeevenwhentheanimalisnotthere)183;

iii. intentionallyorrecklesslydisturbawildanimalofalistedspecieswhilstitisoccupyingsuchastructureorplacewhichitusesforthatpurpose184;

iv. trade185inawildanimalofalistedspecieswhetheraliveordead,oranypartofitoranythingderivedfromit,orpublishanadvertisement,orcauseanadvertisementtobepublished,whichislikelytobeunderstoodasmeaningthatapersontrades,orintendstotrade,inthisway186;

v. intentionallyorrecklesslydisturbadolphin,whaleorbaskingsharkwhereveritmaybe187;

vi. possessorcontrolaliveordeadwildanimalofalistedspecies,oranypartofitoranythingderivedfromit188.

181Section1(5)WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamended.182Section9(1)WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamended.183Section9(4)(a)WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981asamendedbyCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000

Schedule12paragraph5.184ibid.S.9(4)(b).185Specificallytosell,offerorexposeforsale,possessortransportforthepurposeofsale,orpublishorcausetobe

publishedanyadvertisementlikelytobeunderstoodasconveyingthatthepersonbuysorsellsorintendstobuyorsell,S.9(5)WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981.

186Section9(5)WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981.187ibid.section9(4)(A).188ibid.section9(2).


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13.Somespeciesarecoveredbyoneormore,butnotall,oftheseprovisions,aslistedinAnnex8,Table2below.

Protection of plants

14.PartIoftheWildlife and Countryside Act1981(asamended)alsoaffordsprotectiontowildplants,mostofwhicharenotEuropeanprotectedspecies.Section13oftheWildlife and Countryside Act1981(asamended)giveslegalprotectiontocertainwildplantslistedinSchedule8,andlesserprotectiontootherwildplantsnotsolisted.AlllocalauthoritiesareinformedaboutchangestotheSchedule.Intheabsenceofalicenceorarelevantdefence,itisanoffenceto:

i. intentionallypick,uprootordestroyawildplantlistedinSchedule8;

ii. notbeinganauthorisedperson,intentionallyuprootanywildplantnotincludedinSchedule8;

iii. sell,offerorexposeforsale,orhavepossessionofortotransportforthepurposeofsale,anyliveordeadwildplant,oranypartoforanythingderivedfromawildplantlistedinSchedule8;or

iv.publish,orcausetobepublishedanyadvertisementlikelytobeunderstoodasconveyingthatapersonbuysorsells,orintendstobuyorsell,anyofthosethings.

15.WiththeexceptionoftheBluebell,allplantslistedinSchedule8arefullyprotected.TheBluebellisprotectedagainstsaleonly189.

Protection of Badgers Act 1992

16.Withcertainexceptions,orintheabsenceofalicence,itisunlawfultokill,injure,take,possessorcruellyill-treatabadger,orattempttodoso.Itisalsoanoffenceintentionallyorrecklesslytodamageabadgersettoranypartofit,ortodestroyasett,ortoobstructaccessto,oranyentranceof,abadgersett,ortocauseadogtoenterabadgersettortodisturbabadgerwhenitisoccupyingasett.CCWisresponsibleforissuinglicencesundersection10(1)(d)oftheProtection of Badgers Act1992whereitisnecessarytointerferewithabadgersettinthecourseofdevelopment,whichcanincludedemolition,building,construction,miningandengineeringoperationsandmaterialchangesofuse.

189 Section13(2)WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981,asamended.


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ANNEX8

LISTSOFSPECIESPROTECTEDBYLAW

Thislistisup-to-dateatthetimeofpublication.Aslegislationisupdatedtheselistsmaybeamended.DetailsofanyamendmentstolegislationwillbeplacedontheWelshAssemblyGovernmentWebsiteandyouareadvisedtocheckthemregularly.Anup-to-datelistbyspeciescanbefoundat:http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3408andanup-to-datelistbySchedulewillbeavailableinduecourse.

Table1BirdsProtectedatalltimes:Schedule1WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981asamended

Avocet Godwit,Black-tailed Redstart,Black Warbler,Cetti's

Bee-eater Goshawk Redwing Warbler,Dartford

Bittern Grebe,Black-necked Rosefinch,Scarlet Warbler,Marsh

Bittern,Little Grebe,Slavonian Ruff Warbler,Savi's

Bluethroat Greenshank Sandpiper,Green Whimbrel

Brambling Gull,Little Sandpiper,Purple Woodlark

Bunting,Cirl Gull,Mediterranean Sandpiper,Wood Wryneck

Bunting,Lapland Harriers(allspecies) Scaup

Bunting,Snow Heron,Purple Scoter,Common

Buzzard,Honey Hobby Scoter,Velvet

Chough Hoopoe Serin

Corncrake Kingfisher Shorelark

Crake,Spotted Kite,Red Shrike,Red-backed

Crossbills(allspecies) Merlin Spoonbill

Curlew,Stone Oriole,Golden Stilt,Black-winged

Divers(allspecies) Osprey Stint,Temminck's

Dotterel Owl,Barn Swan,Bewick's

Duck,Long-tailed Owl,Snowy Swan,Whooper

Eagle,Golden Peregrine Tern,Black

Eagle,White-tailed Petrel,Leach's Tern,Little

Falcon,Gyr Phalarope,Red-necked

Tern,Roseate

Fieldfare Plover,Kentish Tit,Bearded

Firecrest Plover,LittleRinged Tit,Crested

Garganey Quail,Common Treecreeper,Short-toed


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Table2ProtectedAnimals:Schedule5WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981(asamended)andSchedule2HabitatsRegulations1994(Europeanprotectedanimalspecies)

KeytoTable2EPS =EuropeanProtectedSpecieswhere‘yes’isenteredinthecolumn

thespeciesissubjecttothemorerigorousprotectionoftheHabitatsRegulations1994asamendedinadditiontoS.9(4)(b)and(c)and9(4A)and9(5)asthecasemaybe.

9(1) =S.9(1)intentionallykill,injureortakeanywildanimalofsuchalistedspecies.

9(4)(a) =S.9(4)(a)intentionallyorrecklesslydamageordestroyanystructureorplacewhichanyanimalofalistedspeciesusesforshelterorprotection(atanytimeevenwhentheanimalisnotthere).

9(4)(b)and(c) =S.9(4)(b)and(c)intentionallyorrecklesslydisturbananimalofalistedspecieswhilstitisoccupyingastructureorplacewhichitusesforshelterorprotection,orobstructaccesstoanysuchstructureorplace.

9(5) =S.9(5)sell,transportortradeinananimalofalistedspecieswhetheraliveordead,oranypartofitoranythingderivedfromit.

9(4)(A) =S.9(4)(A)intentionallyorrecklesslydisturbadolphin,whaleorbaskingsharkwhereveritmaybe.

9(2) =S.9(2)possessorcontrolaliveordeadanimalofalistedspecies,oranypartofitoranythingderivedfromit.

•* =DenotesthatonlypartialprotectionisaffordedunderSection9(1)forthisspecies.TheAdder,ViviparousLizard,Slow-wormandGrassSnake,areonlyprotectedundersection9(1)frombeingkilledorinjuredandtheAtlanticStreamCrayfishisonlyprotectedundersection9(1)frombeingtaken.

CommonName ScientificName EPS 9(1) 9(4)(a)

9(4)(b)and(c)

9(5) 9(4A) 9(2)

Adder Viperaberus •* •

AllisShad Alosaalosa • •

Anemone,Ivell’sSea

Edwardsiaivelli• • • • •

Anemone,StarletSea

Nematosellavectensis

• • • • •

Apus Triopscancriformis • • • • •

AtlanticStreamCrayfish

Austropotamobiuspallipes

•* •


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9(4)(b)and(c)

9(5) 9(4A) 9(2)

Bats,Horseshoe Rhinolophidaeallspecies

Yes • •

Bats,Typical Vespertilionidaeallspecies

Yes • •

Beetle Graphoderuszonatus

• • • • •

Beetle Hypebaeusflavipes • • • • •

Beetle Paracymusaeneus • • • • •

Beetle,LesserSilverWater

Hydrocharacaraboides

• • • • •

Beetle,MirePill Curimopsisnigrita •

Beetle,RainbowLeaf

Chrysolinacerealis• • • • •

Beetle,Stag Lucanuscervus •

Beetle,VioletClick Limoniscusviolaceus

• • • • •

Burbot Lotalota • • • • •

Butterflies

HeathFritillary Mellictaathalia(Melitaeaathalia)

• • • • •

LargeBlue Maculineaarion Yes • •

Swallowtail Papiliomachaon • • • • •

NorthernBrownArgus

Ariciaartaxerxes•

AdonisBlue Lysandrabellargus •

ChalkhillBlue Lysandracoridon •

Silver-studdedBlue Plebejusargus •

SmallBlue Cupidominimus •

LargeCopper Lycaenadispar • • • • •

PurpleEmperor Apaturairis •

DukeofBurgundyFritillary

Hamearislucina•

GlanvilleFritillary Melitaeacinxia •


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9(4)(b)and(c)

9(5) 9(4A) 9(2)

HighBrownFritillary

Argynnisadippe•

MarshFritillary Eurodryasaurinia • • • • •

Pearl-borderedFritillary

Boloriaeuphrosyne•

BlackHairstreak Strymonidiapruni •

BrownHairstreak Theclabetulae •

WhiteLetterHairstreak

Stymonidaw-album

•

LargeHeath Coenonymphatullia

•

MountainRinglet Erebiaepiphron •

ChequeredSkipper Carterocephaluspalaemon

•

LulworthSkipper Thymelicusacteon •

SilverSpottedSkipper

Hesperiacomma•

LargeTortoiseshell Nymphalispolychloros

•

WoodWhite Leptideasinapis •

Cat,Wild Felissilvestris Yes • •

Cicada,NewForest Cicadettamontana • • • • •

Cricket,Field Grylluscampestris • • • • •

Cricket,Mole Gryllotalpagryllotalpa

• • • • •

Damselfly,Southern

Coenagrionmercuriale

• • • • •

Dolphins Cetacea(allspecies) Yes • •

Dormouse Muscardinusavellanarius

Yes • •

Dragonfly,NorfolkAeshna

Aeshnaisosceles• • • • •

Frog,Common Ranatemporaria •

Frog,Pool Ranalessonae Yes


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9(4)(b)and(c)

9(5) 9(4A) 9(2)

Goby,Couch's Gobiuscouchii • • • • •

Goby,Giant Gobiuscobitis • • • • •

Grasshopper,Wart-biter

Decticusverrucivorus

• • • • •

HatchetShell,Northern

Thyasiragouldi• • • • •

Hydroid,Marine Clavopsellanavis • • • • •

LagoonSnail Paludinellalittorina • • • • •

LagoonSnail,DeFolin's

Caecumarmoricum• • • • •

LagoonWorm,Tentacled

Alkmariaromijni• • • • •

Leech,Medicinal Hirudomedicinalis • • • • •

Lizard,Sand Lacertaagilis Yes • •

Lizard,Viviparous Lacertavivipara •* •

Marten,Pine Martesmartes • • • • •

Mat,TremblingSea Victorellapavida • • • • •

Moth,BarberryCarpet

Pareulypeberberata

• • • • •

Moth,Black-veined Sionalineata(Idaealineata)

• • • • •

Moth,EssexEmerald

Thetidiasmaragdaria

• • • • •

Moth,FieryClearwing

Bembeciachrysidiformis

• • • • •

Moth,Fisher'sEstuarine

GortynaboreliiYes • •

Moth,NewForestBurnet

Zygaenaviciae• • • • •

Moth,ReddishBuff Acosmetiacaliginosa

• • • • •

Moth,SussexEmerald

Thalerafimbrialis• • • • •

Mussel,Fan Atrinafragilis • • •


110


9(4)(b)and(c)

9(5) 9(4A) 9(2)

Mussel,FreshwaterPearl

Margaritiferamargaritifera

• • • • •

Newt,GreatCrested(Wartynewt)

TrituruscristatusYes • •

Newt,Palmate Triturushelveticus •

Newt,Smooth Triturusvulgaris •

Otter,Common Lutralutra Yes • •

Porpoises Cetacea(allspecies) Yes •

Sandworm,Lagoon Armandiacirrhosa • • • • •

SeaFan,Pink Eunicellaverrucosa • • •

SeaSlug,Lagoon Tenelliaadspersa • • • • •

Seahorse,Shortsnouted

Hippocampushippocampus

Seahorse,Spiny Hippocampusguttulatus

Shad,Twaite AlosaFallax •

Shark,Angel Squatinasquatina

Shark,Basking Cetorhinusmaximus

• • • • •

Shrimp,Fairy Chirocephalusdiaphanus

• • • • •

Shrimp,LagoonSand

Gammarusinsensibilis

• • • • •

Slow-worm Anguisfragilis •* •

Snail,Glutinous Myxasglutinosa • • • • •

Snail,LesserWhirlpoolRam’s-horn

AnisusvorticulusYes

Snail,Roman Helixpomatia

Snail,Sandbowl Catinellaarenaria • • • • •

Snake,Grass Natrixhelvetica •* •

Snake,Smooth Coronellaaustriaca Yes • •


111


9(4)(b)and(c)

9(5) 9(4A) 9(2)

Spider,FenRaft Dolomedesplantarius

• • • • •

Spider,Ladybird Eresusniger • • • • •

Squirrel,Red Sciurusvulgaris • • • • •

Sturgeon Acipensersturio Yes • •

Toad,Common Bufobufo •

Toad,Natterjack Bufocalamita Yes • •

TurtleFlatback Natatordepressus • • • • •

Turtle,OliveRidley Lepidochelysolivacea

Turtles,Marine CarettacarettaCheloniamydasLepidochelyskempiiEretmochelysimbricataDermochelyscoriacea

Yes • •

Vendace Coregonusalbula • • • • •

Vole,Water Arvicolaterrestris • •

Walrus Odobenusrosmarus

• • • • •

Whale Cetacea(allspecies) Yes • •

Whitefish Coregonuslavaretus

• • • • •


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Table3PlantsProtectedbySection13(2)andSchedule8WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981asamendedandRegulation42HabitatsRegulations1994(Europeanprotectedplantspecies)asamended

Dock,Shore Rumexrupestris

Fern,Killarney Trichomanesspeciosum

Gentian,Early Gentianellaanglica

Lady's-slipper Cyprepediumcalceolus

Marshwort,Creeping Apiumrepens

Naiad,Slender Najasflexilis

Orchid,Fen Liparisloeselii

Plantain,Floating-leavedWater Luroniumnatans

Saxifrage,YellowMarsh Saxifragahirculus

PlantsProtectedbyS.13andSchedule8WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981asamended

Adder's-tongue,Least Ophioglossumlusitanicum

Alison,Small Alyssumalyssoides

Anomodon,Long-leaved Anomodonlongifolius

Beech-lichen,NewForest Enterographaelaborata

Blackwort Southbyanigrella

BluebellHyacinthoidesnon-scripta(inrespectofS.13(2)only)

Bolete,Royal Boletusregius

Broomrape,Bedstraw Orobanchecaryophyllacea

Broomrape,Oxtongue Orobancheloricata

Broomrape,Thistle Orobanchereticulata

Cabbage,Lundy Rhynchosinapiswrightii

Calamint,Wood Calaminthasylvatica

Caloplaca,Snow Caloplacanivalis

Catapyrenium,Tree Catapyreniumpsoromoides

Catchfly,Alpine Lychnisalpina

Catillaria,Laurer's Catellarialaureri

Centaury,Slender Centauriumtenuiflorum

Cinquefoil,Rock Potentillarupestris

Cladonia,Convoluted Cladoniaconvoluta


113

Cladonia,UprightMountain Cladoniastricta

Clary,Meadow Salviapratensis

Club-rush,Triangular Scirpustriquetrus

Colt's-foot,Purple Homogynealpina

Cotoneaster,Wild Cotoneasterintegerrimus

Cottongrass,Slender Eriophorumgracile

Cow-wheat,Field Melampyrumarvense

Crocus,Sand Romuleacolumnae

Crystalwort,Lizard Ricciabifurca

Cudweed,Broad-leaved Filagopyramidata

Cudweed,Jersey Gnaphaliumluteoalbum

Cudweed,Red-tipped Filagolutescens

Cut-grass Leersiaoryzoides

DeptfordPink Dianthusarmeria

Diapensia Diapensialapponica

Earwort,Marsh Jamesoniellaundulifolia

Eryngo,Field Eryngiumcampestre

Feather-moss,Polar Hygrohypnumpolare

Fern,Dickie'sBladder Cystopterisdickieana

Flapwort,Norfolk Leiocolearutheana

Fleabane,Alpine Erigeronborealis

Fleabane,Small Pulicariavulgaris

Frostwort,Pointed Gymnomitrionapiculatum

Fungus,Hedgehog Hericiumerinaceum

Galingale,Brown Cyperusfuscus

Gentian,Alpine Gentiananivalis

Gentian,Dune Gentianellauliginosa

Gentian,Fringed Gentianellaciliata

Gentian,Spring Gentianaverna

Germander,Cut-leaved Teucriumbotrys

Germander,Water Teucriumscordium

Gladiolus,Wild Gladiolusillyricus

GoblinLights Catolechiawahlenbergii

Goosefoot,Stinking Chenopodiumvulvaria

Grass-poly Lythrumhyssopifolia


114

Grimmia,Blunt-leaved Grimmiaunicolor

Gyalecta,Elm Gyalectaulmi

Hare's-ear,Sickle-leaved Bupleurumfalcatum

Hare's-ear,Small Bupleurumbaldense

Hawk's-beard,Stinking Crepisfoetida

Hawkweed,Northroe Hieraciumnorthroense

Hawkweed,Shetland Hieraciumzetlandicum

Hawkweed,Weak-leaved Hieraciumattenuatifolium

Heath,Blue Phyllodocecaerulea

Helleborine,Red Cephalantherarubra

Helleborine,Young's Epipactisyoungiana

Horsetail,Branched Equisetumramosissimum

Hound's-tongue,Green Cynoglossumgermanicum

Knawel,Perennial Scleranthusperennis

Knotgrass,Sea Polygonummaritimum

Lecanactis,Churchyard Lecanactishemisphaerica

Lecanora,Tarn Lecanoraarchariana

Lecidea,Copper Lecideainops

Leek,Round-headed Alliumsphaerocephalon

Lettuce,Least Lactucasaligna

Lichen,ArcticKidney Nephromaarcticum

Lichen,CiliateStrap Heterodermialeucomelos

Lichen,CoralloidRosette Heterodermiapropagulifera

Lichen,Ear-lobedDog Peltigeralepidophora

Lichen,ForkedHair Bryoriafurcellata

Lichen,GoldenHair Teloschistesflavicans

Lichen,OrangeFruitedElm Caloplacaluteoalba

Lichen,RiverJelly Collemadichotomum

Lichen,ScalyBreck Squamarinalentigera

Lichen,StaryBreck Buelliaasterella

Lily,Snowdon Lloydiaserotina

Liverwort Petallophyllumralfsi

Liverwort,Lindenberg'sLeafy Adelanthuslindenbergianus

Marsh-mallow,Rough Althaeahirsuta


115

Milk-parsley,Cambridge Selinumcarvifolia

Moss Drepanocladiusvernicosus

Moss,AlpineCopper Mielichoferiamielichoferi

Moss,BalticBog Sphagnumbalticum

Moss,BlueDew Saelaniaglaucescens

Moss,Blunt-leavedBristle Orthotrichumobtusifolium

Moss,BrightGreenCave Cyclodictyonlaetevirens

Moss,CordateBeard Barbulacordata

Moss,CornishPath Ditrichumcornubicum

Moss,DerbyshireFeather Thamnobryumangustifolium

Moss,DuneThread Bryummamillatum

Moss,Flamingo Desmatodoncernuus

Moss,GlaucousBeard Barbulaglauca

Moss,GreenShield Buxbaumiaviridis

Moss,HairSilk Plagiotheciumpiliferum

Moss,Knothole Zygodonforsteri

Moss,LargeYellowFeather Scorpidiumturgescens

Moss,Millimetre Micromitriumtenerum

Moss,MultifruitedRiver Cryphaealamyana

Moss,Nowell'sLimestone Zygodongracilis

Moss,RigidApple Bartramiastricta

Moss,Round-leavedFeather Rhyncostegiumrotundifolium

Moss,Schleicher'sThread Bryumschleicheri

Moss,TriangularPygmy Acaulontriquetrum

Moss,Vaucher'sFeather Hypnumvaucheri

Mudwort,Welsh Limosellaaustralis

Naiad,Holly-leaved Najasmarina

Orache,Stalked Halimionepedunculata

Orchid,EarlySpider Ophryssphegodes

Orchid,Ghost Epipogiumaphyllum

Orchid,LaplandMarsh Dactylorhizalapponica

Orchid,LateSpider Ophrysfuciflora

Orchid,Lizard Himantoglossumhircinum

Orchid,Military Orchismilitaris


116

Orchid,Monkey Orchissimia

Pannaria,Caledonia Pannariaignobilis

Parmelia,NewForest Parmeliaminarum

Parmentaria,OilStain Parmentariachilensis

Pear,Plymouth Pyruscordata

Penny-cress,Perfoliate Thlaspiperfoliatum

Pennyroyal Menthapulegium

Pertusaria,AlpineMoss Pertusariabryontha

Physcia,SouthernGrey Physciatribacioides

Pigmyweed Crassulaaquatica

Pine,Ground Ajugachamaepitys

Pink,Cheddar Dianthusgratianopolitanus

Pink,Childling Petroraghiananteuilii

Polypore,Oak Buglossoporuspulvinus

Pseudocyphellaria,Ragged Pseudocyphellarialacerata

Psora,RustyAlpine Psorarubiformis

Puffball,SandyStilt Battarraeaphalloides

Ragwort,Fen Seneciopaludosus

Ramping-fumitory,Martin's Fumariamartinii

Rampion,Spiked Phyteumaspicatum

Restharrow,Small Ononisreclinata

Rock-cress,Alpine Arabisalpina

Rock-cress,Bristol Arabisstricta

Rustworth,Western Marsupellaprofunda

Sandwort,Norwegian Arenarianorvegica

Sandwort,Teesdale Minuartiastricta

Saxifrage,Drooping Saxifragacernua

Saxifrage,Tufted Saxifragacespitosa

Solomon's-seal,Whorled Polygonatumverticillatum

Solenopsora,Serpentine Solenopsoraliparina

Sow-thistle,Alpine Cicerbitaalpina

Spearwort,Adder's-tongue Ranunculusophioglossifolius

Speedwell,Fingered Veronicatriphyllos

Speedwell,Spiked Veronicaspicata


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Spike-rush,Dwarf Eleocharisparvula

StackFleawort,South Tephroserisintegrifolia(ssp.maritima)

Star-of-Bethlehem,Early Gageabohemica

Starfruit Damasoniumalisma

Stonewort,Bearded Characanescens

Stonewort,Foxtail Lamprothamniumpapulosum

Strapwort Corrigiolalitoralis

Sulphur-tresses,Alpine Alectoriaochroleuca

Threadmoss,Long-leaved Bryumneodamense

Turpswort Geocalyxgraveolens

Violet,Fen Violapersicifolia

Viper's-grass Scorzonerahumilis

Water-plantain,RibbonLeaved Alismagramineum

Wood-sedge,Starved Carexdepauperata

Woodsia,Alpine Woodsiaalpina

Woodsia,Oblong Woodsiailvensis

Wormwood,Field Artemisiacampestris

Woundwort,Downy Stachysgermanica

Woundwort,Limestone Stachysalpina

Yellow-rattle,Greater Rhinanthusserotinus


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ANNEX9

LISTOFSPECIESANDHABITATSOFPRINCIPALIMPORTANCEFORTHECONSERVATIONOFBIOLOGICALDIVERSITYINWALES

Sections40and42oftheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006placeadutyontheAssemblyGovernmenttohaveregardtothepurposeofconservingbiodiversity,topublishalistoflivingorganismsandtypesofhabitatsofprincipalimportanceforthepurposeofconservingbiodiversityinWales,andtotake,andpromoteotherstotake,reasonablypracticablestepstofurthertheirconservation.ThelistofspeciesandhabitatsofprincipalimportancefortheconservationofbiologicaldiversityidentifiedbytheNationalAssemblyforWalescanbefoundatthefollowinglink:http://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/biodiversity_in_wales-2.aspx


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ANNEX10

COUNTRYSIDECOUNCILFORWALES

TheCountrysideCouncilforWales(CCW)championstheenvironmentandlandscapesofWalesanditscoastalwatersassourcesofnaturalandculturalriches,asafoundationforsocialandeconomicactivityandasaplaceforleisureandlearningopportunities.Intermsofnatureconservation,theprincipalfunctionsofCCWare:

• Thenotificationofareasoflandwhich,intheopinionofCCW,areofspecialinterestbyreasonoftheirflora,faunaorgeologicalorphysiographicalfeatures,knownasSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSI),theregulationofoperationslikelytodamagethoseinterestfeatures,andtheencouragementoftheirmanagementforconservation;

• Theimplementation,onbehalfofGovernment,ofinternationalconventionsandEuropeanDirectivesonoraffectingnatureconservationinWales,withresponsibilitiesfortheHabitatsandBirdsDirectivesandtheRamsarConvention;

• Theestablishment,declarationandmanagementofNationalNatureReserves(NNR);

• TheprovisionofadvicetoGovernmentonthedevelopmentandimplementationofpoliciesfororaffectingnatureconservation,andtheprovisionofadviceandinformationonnatureconservationtootherorganisationsandindividuals;

• Thewidespreadprovisionofadviceandsupportforeducationonconservation;

• ThecommissioningandsupportofresearchrelevanttoCCW’sroleandresponsibilities;

• Issuinglicenceswhichpermitpeopletoworkwithcertainprotectedanimalsandplants;

• ThroughtheJointNatureConservationCommittee(JNCC)toworkwithequivalentorganisationsinEngland,ScotlandandNorthernIrelandtoadviseGovernmentonUKandinternationalnatureconservationissues.

Inthetownandcountryplanningsystem,CCWisastatutoryconsulteeinrespectof:

• Localdevelopmentplans,includingtheirHabitatsRegulationsappraisalandstrategicenvironmentalassessment;

• Planningapplicationsandotherapplicationsforconsents,orproposalsbyasection28Gauthoritytocarryoutoperations,whicharelikelytoaffecttheinterestfeaturesofaSSSI;

• PlansandprojectslikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansite(andasamatterofpolicyaRamsarSite,cSACorpSPA);


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• TheassessmentofpermitteddevelopmentlikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaEuropeansite;

• AllplansandprojectssubjecttotherequirementsofthevariousEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentRegulationsinWales;

• Proposalsinvolvingmajoraccidenthazardswhereanareaofparticularnaturalsensitivityorinterestmightbeaffected.

ProtocolsbetweenlocalplanningauthoritiesandCCWcanhelptomakethepartnershipmoreeffective.Topicscouldinclude:

• mattersonwhichtheauthoritywillconsultCCW;

• timescalesforrespondingtoconsultations;

• thecontentofCCWresponses;

• thetypeandformatofinformationprovidedbyCCW;

• regularmeetings,inputtodevelopmentplanpreparationanddiscussionsonmajorissuesandcases;

• informingCCWofplanningdecisions;and

• namedcontactsandresponsibilities

CCWcontactpoints

Headquarters:MaesyFynnonFforddPenrhosBangorGwyneddLL572DWTel.01248385500e-mail:[email protected]

NorthWales(officesinBangor,DolgellauandMold):Tel.08451306229e-mail:[email protected]

WestWales(officesinAberystwyth,LlandeiloandSwansea):Tel.08451306229e-mail:[email protected]

SouthandEastWales(officesinAbergavenny,Cardiff,CardiffBay,LlandrindodWellsandNewtown):Tel.08451306229e-mail:[email protected]

DetailsforeachoftheregionalofficesareavailableonCCW’swebsite:www.ccw.gov.uk


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ANNEX11

OTHERUSEFULCONTACTS

TheAmphibianandReptileConservationTrust-www.arc-trust.org

TheAssociationofLocalGovernmentEcologists-www.alge.org.uk

TheBatConservationTrust-www.bats.org.uk

LocalRecordCentresWales-www.lrcwales.org.uk

BritishTrustforOrnithology-www.bto.org

Buglife-TheInvertebrateConservationTrust-www.buglife.org.uk

BritishBryologicalSociety-www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk

BritishLichenSociety-www.thebls.org.uk

ButterflyConservation-www.butterfly-conservation.org

CountrysideCouncilforWales-www.ccw.gov.uk

TheEnvironmentAgencyWales-www.environment-agency.gov.uk

EnvironmentLink(Wales)-www.waleslink.org

FloraLocale-www.floralocale.org

TheForestryCommissionWales-www.forestry.gov.uk/wales

TheGeologicalSociety-www.geolsoc.org.uk/index.html

InstituteofEcologyandEnvironmentalManagement-www.ieem.net

TheMammalSociety-http://88.208.205.92/

TheMammalsTrust-www.ptes.org/

TheMarineConservationSociety-www.mcsuk.org

TheNationalBiodiversityNetwork-www.searchnbn.net

NationalFederationofBadgerGroups-www.badger.org.uk

NationalFederationofBiologicalRecording-www.nfbr.org.uk

TheNationalTrust-www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main

PlantlifeInternational-www.plantlife.org.uk

PondConservationTrust-www.pondconservation.org.uk

RoyalSocietyfortheProtectionofBirds-www.rspb.org.uk

WalesBiodiversityPartnership-www.biodiversitywales.org.uk

WildfowlandWetlandsTrust-www.wwt.org.uk

TheWildlifeTrusts-www.wildlifetrusts.org

TheWoodlandTrust-www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

TheWorldwideFundforNature-www.wwf.org.uk


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ANNEX12

THEBIRDSDIRECTIVE

TheCouncilofEuropeanCommunitiesDirectiveof2April1979ontheconservationofwildbirds(79/409/EEC).

THEHABITATSDIRECTIVE

TheCouncilofEuropeanCommunitiesDirectiveof21May1992ontheconservationofnaturalhabitatsandwildfaunaandflora(92/43/EEC).

THERAMSARCONVENTION

Conventiononwetlandsofinternationalimportanceespeciallyaswaterfowlhabitat(Ramsar2.2.1971:asamendedbytheProtocolof3.12.1982).

AlltheabovecanbeaccessedviatheJointNatureConservationCommittee(JNCC)website:www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1372.


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ANNEX13

GLOSSARY

Appropriateassessment-theassessmentthatisrequiredtobeundertakenbyacompetentauthorityinrespectofplansorprojectswhicharelikelytohaveasignificanteffectona“Europeansite”(seeparagraph5.1.2ofthisTAN),orasamatterofpolicyaproposed“Europeansite”orRamsarsite,undertheprovisionsofArticle6(3)oftheECDirective92/43/ECC(theHabitatsDirective)andregulations48and85BoftheConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations1994andregulation25oftheOffshoreMarineConservation(NaturalHabitats&c)Regulations2007.

Avoidancemeasures-measurestakenorproposedtobetakenthataredesignedtoavoid(eliminate)adverseeffectsofchange,suchaslocatingadevelopmentawayfromareasofecologicalinterest.

Biodiversity(orBiologicalDiversity)-isthetermappliedtothevarietyoflifeonearthandisshortforbiologicaldiversity.Itincludesallplants,animalsandmicro-organisms(speciesdiversity),theplaceswheretheylive(habitatdiversity)andthegeneticdifferencesbetweenindividualsthatdrivesadaptabilityandevolution(geneticdiversity).Itincludeshabitatsinfluencedbyhumankind.Inanutshellyoucanconsiderbiodiversitytobe“alllifeontheplanet.”

Cancellationmeasures-measurestakenorproposedtobetakenthataredesignedtocanceloutadverseeffectsofchange,shouldtheyoccur,inrespectofareasofecologicalinterest.

Compensatorymeasures/compensation-measurestakenorproposedtobetakentooffset,ormakeupfor,residualadverseeffectsresultingfromdevelopmentorotherchangeafterallavoidance,cancellationandreductionmeasureshavebeenapplied.

DesignatedSites-collectivetermforspecificsites,capableofbeingidentifiedonamap,andrecognisedfortheirnatureconservationvaluewhichisusuallydescribedinawrittencitation.ThefollowingabbreviationsareusedintheTAN:

• pSAC-PossibleSpecialAreaofConservation,i.e.fromthepointatwhichCCWhasidentifiedthesiteasapossibleSAC,throughtheconsultationstageanduntilimmediatelybeforeitissubmittedtoEurope.

• cSAC-CandidateSpecialAreaofConservation,i.e.betweenbeingsubmittedtoEuropeandthepointatwhichitisadoptedbytheEuropeanCommission.

• SCI-SiteofCommunityImportance,i.e.onceadoptedbytheEuropeanCommission(treatedasaSAC).

• SAC-SpecialAreaofConservation-oncedesignatedbytheMinister.


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• pSPA-PotentialSpecialProtectionArea,i.e.fromthepointatwhichCCWhasidentifiedthesiteasapossibleSPAuntilitisclassifiedbytheMinister.

• SPA-SpecialProtectionArea,i.e.onceclassifiedbytheMinister.

• pRamsar-Possiblewetlandofinternationalimportance,RamsarConvention,i.e.fromthepointatwhichCCWhasidentifiedthesiteasapossibleRamsaruntilitisclassifiedbytheMinister.

• Ramsar-Wetlandofinternationalimportance,RamsarConvention-onceclassifiedbytheMinister.

Ecosystem-adynamiccomplexofplant,animalandmicro-organismcommunitiesandtheirnon-livingenvironmentinteractingasafunctionalunitinecologicalterms.

Enhancement-measurestoincreasethequality,quantity,netvalueorimportanceofbiodiversityorgeologicalinterest.

Geodiversity-thevarietyofgeologicalenvironments,phenomenaandactiveprocessesthatmakelandscapes,rocks,minerals,fossils,soilsandothersuperficialdepositsalongwiththenaturalprocessesthatshapethelandscapeandtheframeworkforlifeonearth.

Geology-thephysicalfeaturesoftheEarthwhichenableustounderstanditsorigin,history,structureandcomposition,andthroughthefossilrecord,theevolutionoflife.

Greenspace-generallyusedtorefertopublicopenspacewhichisnormallyvegetatedratherthanhardsurfaced.Greenspaceoccursinanumberofforms,includingurbanparksandgardensandcountryparks,andhasvalueandpotentialforbiodiversityandgeologicalconservation.

Habitat-theplaceinwhichaparticularplantoranimallives.Oftenusedinthewidersensereferringtomajorassemblagesofplantsandanimalstogether;theplaceortypeofsitewhereanorganismorpopulationnaturallyoccurs.

HabitatsRegulations-thistermisusedintheTAN(includingitsAnnexes)torefertoTheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&c)Regulations1994.

Integrity(ofaninternationallydesignatedsite)-thecoherenceofitsecologicalstructureandfunction,acrossitswholearea,whichenablesittosustainthehabitat,complexofhabitatsand/orthelevelsofpopulationsofthespeciesforwhichitwasdesignated(SAC),classified(SPA)orlisted(Ramsarsite).

Internationallydesignatedsites-wherethistermisusedintheTAN(anditsAnnexes)itincludesEuropeanSites,EuropeanOffshoreMarineSitesand(asamatterofAssemblyGovernmentpolicy)pSPAs,pSACsandRamsarsites.


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Mitigation-measurestakentoavoid,cancelorreducenegativeimpacts(see‘avoidance’,‘cancellation’and‘reduction’measuresaboveandbelow).

Natureconservation-thepreservation,protection,wiseuse,sustainablemanagement,restorationandenhancementofflora,faunaandgeologicalandphysiographicalfeatures.

Precautionaryprinciple-theapplicationoftheprecautionaryprinciplerequiresthetakingofcost-effectivemeasurestopreventathreatofseriousorirreversibleenvironmentaldamage,eventhoughthereislackoffullscientificcertaintyaboutthedegreeofharmorprobabilityofrisk.InthecontextoftheHabitatsDirective,itmeansensuringthattheeffectsofaplanorprojectarefullyassessed,ifthereisdoubtabouttheirsignificance,andnotundertakingorpermittingaplanorprojectunlessitcanbeascertainedthattherewouldbenoadverseeffectsontheintegrityofthesite,unlesstherearenoalternativesolutionsandthereareimperativereasonsofoverridingpublicinterestforproceedingwiththeplanorproject.

Reductionmeasures-Measurestakenorproposedtobetakenthataredesignedtominimiseorotherwisereduceadverseeffectsofchangethatcannotbeeliminatedbyavoidancemeasuresinrespectofareasofecologicalinterest,suchaslimitingthetiming,scaleordurationofaprojectoritsemissionsorconsumptionrates

Restoration-there-establishmentofadamagedordegradedsystemorhabitattoacloseapproximationofitspre-degradedcondition.

Scoping-theprocessofidentifyingwhatshouldbeincludedinastrategicenvironmentalassessment,anenvironmentalimpactassessment,anappropriateassessmentoraHabitatsRegulationsAppraisal.

Screening-theprocessofidentifyingwhetheraproject,planorprogrammeshouldbesubjecttostrategicenvironmentalassessment,environmentalimpactassessment,appropriateassessmentoraHabitatsRegulationsAppraisal.