European Sites Definition

GLOSSARY

What does European Sites mean?

A network of internationally important sites designated for their ecological status, comprising Sites of Community Importance (SCI), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs), candidate Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) and European Offshore Marine Sites (EOMS). For the purposes of this glossary this term also includes Ramsar sites and potential SPAs.

View the related practice notes about European Sites

The EU Birds Directive—summary

The EU Birds Directive—summary STOP PRESS: An updated version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published on 12 December 2024. This content is being reviewed in accordance with the latest version. The EU Birds Directive—summary EU Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010) (the EU Birds Directive) (as it continues to have effect in the EU) is one of two EU directives relating to wildlife and nature conservation, the other being EU Council Directive 92/43/EEC (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992) on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, commonly referred to as the EU Habitats Directive. Together, the two directives establish a network of breeding and resting sites known as Natura 2000, and put in place the other protections for rare and threatened species and habitats. The EU Birds Directive was adopted to enable the EU to meet its obligations for bird species under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (also known as...

Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC—snapshot

Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC—snapshot STOP PRESS: This Practice Note is in the process of being updated following the publication of Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration in the Official Journal on 29 July 2024. Title Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora of 21 May 1992 (Habitats Directive) Entry into Force 10 June 1994 Deadline for Transposition 10 June 1994 Amending Documents The Habitats Directive was amended in 1997 by a technical adaptation directive. The annexes were further amended by the Environment Chapter of the Treaty of Accession 2003 and in 2007 when Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU Subject wildlife, biodiversity Purpose of the Habitats Directive The Habitats Directive was adopted in 1992 to help to maintain biodiversity across the EU. It is one of the measures taken by the EU to implement its obligations under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife...

Discover our 22 Practice Notes on European Sites

Do you have guidance on specific considerations when granting an easement re underground cables to be situated in a Local Nature Reserve which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas?

Do you have guidance on specific considerations when granting an easement re underground cables to be situated in a Local Nature Reserve which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas? Statutory designations protect England’s terrestrial natural environment under national law and government policy. When reviewing planning applications, local authorities (LAs) are required to consider the effect a proposed development will have on designated sites and areas. For general guidance, see Practice Note: Biodiversity and nature—protected sites. The government has published guidance to assist LAs in this regard. In particular, Chapter 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework outlines what LAs need to take into account when assessing planning applications with regards to the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment. Further specialist guidance is provided on various issues, including statutory duties for protected sites and public body responsibilities for SSSIs. Local Nature Reserves Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are places with wildlife or geological features of special interest locally. LNRs are...

If a planning application has been granted on the basis of there being imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI) and as a result compensatory measures have been granted, what would happen to the planning permission if the grounds on which the IROPI case was made out no longer exist? Would the compensation measures still stand?

If a planning application has been granted on the basis of there being imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI) and as a result compensatory measures have been granted, what would happen to the planning permission if the grounds on which the IROPI case was made out no longer exist? Would the compensation measures still stand? The Council Directive 92/43/EEC 21 May 1992 (Habitats Directive) seeks to protect European sites from damage by plans or projects affecting those sites. The provisions of the Habitats Directive have been transposed into domestic legislation in the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (CHSR 2017), SI 2017/1012. CHSR 2017, SI 2017/1012, reg 63 provides that a competent authority (including a local planning authority (LPA)), before deciding to give permission for a plan or project which is likely to have a significant effect on a European site (for example a Special Area of Conservation), must make an appropriate assessment of the implications of the plan or project for that site in...

See the 2 Q&As about European Sites

Local Government weekly highlights—11 January 2024

The first edition of Local Government weekly highlights of 2024 includes expert analysis on the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Case reports include the decisions in R (on the application of Cox) v Forestry Commission on refusal of permission for judicial review of the Forestry Commission's decision to continue use of clear-felling and deforestation of New Forest National Park; Phoebe Cottam v Lowe Management Ltd on an appeal against the decision of the FTT on a rent repayment order application arising from the licensing regime for HMOs; R (BC) v Surrey County Council and R (DF) v Essex County Council on the duty of an LA to provide accommodation to a ‘child in need’; Re W (a child) (care proceedings) in which a mother was refused permission to appeal against a special guardianship order; and R (Together Against Sizewell C Ltd) v Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on dismissal of an appeal against refusal of permission for judicial review of an order giving consent for...

Environmental developments in 2023 and 2024

Environment analysis: the Environment team at ��˾��ҹ��® look back at some of the key environmental law developments in 2023 and ahead to what we might expect to see in 2024.

Read the latest 23 News articles on European Sites

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GLOSSARY