This report takes an in-depth and comprehensive look at how the regulations covering Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs); Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are being put into practice.
The relevant laws are found in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for SSSIs, and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (‘the Habitats Regulations’) for SACs and SPAs.
Concluding that the main barriers to effectiveness involve implementation rather than the legislation itself, the report makes 15 recommendations to Defra, Natural England and other public authorities, whilst also recognising that the achievement of positive environmental outcomes relies upon the actions of many private landowners and occupiers. The recommendations are across six themes: governance; resources; designation; monitoring, evaluation and reporting; land management incentives and advice; and regulatory tools and enforcement.
