Habitats and Birds Regulations Guidance Published

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Natural Resources Wales have published new guidance on the Habitats and Birds Regulations relating to:

Habitats regulations assessments: protecting a European site

Habitats regulations assessment: derogation notice

Duty to protect, conserve and restore European sites

This guidance is aimed at competent authorities in England and Wales.

Guidance has also been published on Special Nature Conservation Orders and stop notices. Special Nature Conservation Orders (SNCOs) are used to protect European sites from damage or deterioration. You need consent from Natural England or Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to carry out a restricted activity at a site that has an SNCO. This guidance covers how SNCOs are made, objecting to an SNCO and stop notices.