Special protection areas

Screen

These are the questions we answer during the Screen stage.

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

  • What is the 'Special protection areas' consideration?

    A special protection area (SPA) is a designation under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, aiming to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and certain particularly threatened birds.

  • Is there legislation that defines 'Special protection areas'?

    Yes

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

  • Which organisations do we think should publish the data?

  • Is the Special protection areas a trigger?

    Yes

    • What needs to be done because Special protection areas has acted as the trigger?

      In locations where SPAs are present, it is likely that planning officers will require applicants to have consideration to this, and may require the submission of supporting documentation to highlight the mitigation proposed to ensure that there are limited impacts on the SPA.

  • Is the Special protection areas something to consult during plan making?

    Yes

    • Provide information about when Special protection areas is used during plan making

      In locations where SPA are present, it is likely that the LPA will have policies included within their Local Plan, setting out the policy requirements relating to SPAs. These ight include the grounds for which development might be refused or approved, as well as any mitigation which might be required to limit impacts on the area.

  • Is there any Special protection areas 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