GovWire

You must consider whether a proposed development might affect a protected site or area when reviewing a planning application.

Types of protected sites and areas

Youll need to check if the proposed development is on, or might affect any of the following.

An internationally or European protected site:

• special area of conservation (SAC)
• special protection area (SPA)
• Ramsar wetland
• potential SPA, possible SAC or proposed Ramsar wetland

A nationally protected site:

• site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
• marine conservation zone (MCZ)

A locally protected site:

• local nature reserve
• local wildlife site
• local geological site

A protected area:

• national park or the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads
• area of outstanding natural beauty
• heritage coast

You need to assess the impact on protected sites and areas and make sure theyre protected in line with their status. Where more than one type of protected site is affected, internationally protected sites have the highest status, then national, then local.

Check if a protected site is affected

Use Magic Map to check if the planning proposal relates to land on or near a protected site. Search for the location then select the Designations option.

For SSSIs, SPAs, SACs or Ramsar wetlands, expand the Land-Based Designations and Statutory options and select:

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (England)
• Special Protection Areas (England)
• Special Areas of Conservation (England)
• Ramsar Sites (England)
• SSSI Impact Risk Zones

You may need to zoom in to see the boundaries of the SSSI Impact Risk Zones.

For marine SPAs, SACs or MCZs, expand the Marine Designations and Statutory options and select:

• Marine Conservation Zones (England)
• Special Protection Area (Marine) (GB)
• Special Area of Conservation (Inshore) (GB)
• Special Area of Conservation (Offshore) (GB)

Find out more information by selecting the i icon in the Feature tools and then select the location on the map.

If the proposal is within an SSSI Impact Risk Zone, check the information in the Site Check Results to help you decide if it might affect a land-based SSSI, SAC, SPA or Ramsar wetland. For SSSIs, you should also check the Designated Sites database to find out about the activities that are likely to damage a specific site.

You can also download the SSSI Impact Risk Zone and marine conservation zone data to use with your geographic information system software.

Local sites information (including location and protected features) is held by each local authority.

When a protected site is affected

Consult Natural England if you believe the proposed development is:

• in or likely to affect a SSSI
• likely to have significant effects on a SAC, SPA or Ramsar wetland (or a potential SPA, a possible SAC or a proposed Ramsar wetland)
• likely to significantly affect the objectives of a MCZ

Youll also need to do a habitats regulations assessment to check the effects of the development against the sites conservation objectives for:

• SACs
• SPAs
• Ramsar wetlands
• potential SPAs, possible SACs or proposed Ramsar wetlands

Check if a protected area is affected

Use Magic Map to check if the proposal could affect a protected area. Search for the location then select the Designations option.

For national parks, the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads or an area of outstanding natural beauty:

• expand the Land-Based Designations and Statutory options
• select the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty options

For heritage coasts:

• expand the Land-Based Designations and Non-Statutory options
• select the Heritage Coast option

Find out more information by selecting the i icon in the Feature tools and then select the location on the map.

When a protected area is affected

You can consult Natural England if you need advice to help you make a decision on a planning application that might have a significant impact on a protected area.

Assess planning proposals

If you identify that a planning application relates to land that is on or could affect a protected site or area, youll need to investigate the potential impact.

Use the National Planning Policy Framework to find out how to assess planning proposals that affect protected sites or areas. You can also get advice from the environmental agencies.

For specialist information on particular types of site, you should read:

• the marine policy statement to support your decision-making for marine protected areas
• guidance on your statutory duties for protected sites and public body responsibilities for SSSIs
• guidance on how to check if protected species are on or near a site and how this should influence the decisions you make
• guidance on your responsibilities for national parks and the Broads so that you take into account (or have regard for) the purposes of national parks if planning proposals affect them
• guidance on the purpose of heritage coasts

Make a decision

Make sure you consider the following issues before you make a decision on planning proposals.

Check risks are minimised

Check that the appl

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