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Designing planning and housing data

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Ramsar

Screen

Stages

Go back to Ramsar summary

These are the questions we answer during the Screen stage.

Answering them wil help us learn more about the Ramsar consideration, determine if a data standard is required and whether we know enough to move on to the next stage.

  • What is the 'Ramsar' consideration?

    Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. These sites are selected based on their importance for conserving biological diversity and possessing representative, rare, or unique wetland types.

  • Is there legislation that defines 'Ramsar'?

    Yes

    • What is the legislation that defines 'Ramsar'?

      The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty, not specific national legislation, that focuses on the conservation and wise use of wetlands. The UK ratified the convention and designates Ramsar sites, but there isn't specific legislation directly focused on protecting these sites. Instead, Ramsar sites in the UK are protected under existing national and regional schemes, such as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

    • What is the specific part of the legislation that describes how a 'Ramsar' gets designated?

    • What is the specific part of the legislation that requires the publication of 'Ramsar'?

  • Who, in law, is responsible for the planning consideration or makes decisions about 'Ramsar'?

  • Which organisations do we think should publish the data?

    • Natural England

  • Is the Ramsar a trigger?

    Yes

    • What needs to be done because Ramsar has acted as the trigger?

      Development near or within Ramsar sites requires careful assessment to ensure it doesn't negatively impact the site's ecological integrity. This involves evaluating potential direct and indirect effects, and if adverse effects are likely, projects may only proceed with "imperative reasons of overriding public interest" and appropriate compensatory measures

  • Is the Ramsar something to consult during plan making?

    Yes

    • Provide information about when Ramsar is used during plan making

      Local Plan policies will take into account the presence of ramsars sites, and allocate development accordingly. It may also be necessary to develop site ramsar plans, environmental impact assessments and habitat regulations assessments in order to protect and mitigate any impacts on ramsar sites.

  • Is there any Ramsar data already available?

    Yes

  • Do we think the data should come from a single source?

    Yes, this data is available nationally via a single endpoint provided by Natural England.

  • Will a data standard be required?

    No