RAMSAR SITES, SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION AND SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS
POLICY C7
THE COUNCIL WILL NOT PERMIT DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE INTEGRITY OF RAMSAR SITES, POTENTIAL OR DESIGNATED SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS (SPA's) OR CANDIDATE OR DESIGNATED SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION (SAC's), EXCEPT WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT IS CONNECTED WITH OR NECESSARY TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SITE, OR THERE ARE IMPERATIVE REASONS OF OVERRIDING PUBLIC INTEREST AND THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.
WHERE THE SITE CONCERNED SUPPORTS A PRIORITY NATURAL HABITAT TYPE AND/OR A PRIORITY SPECIES, DEVELOPMENT OR LAND USE CHANGE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED UNLESS THE DEVELOPER CAN SATISFY THE COUNCIL THAT IT IS NECESSARY FOR REASONS OF HUMAN HEALTH OR PUBLIC SAFETY OR FOR BENEFICIAL CONSEQUENCES OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION.
WHERE SUCH DEVELOPMENT IS PERMITTED, THE COUNCIL WILL USE PLANNING CONDITIONS OR OBLIGATIONS TO SECURE COMPENSATORY MEASURES NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE OVERALL COHERENCE OF NATURA 2000 IS PROTECTED.
RAMSAR SITES, SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION AND SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS
4.25.1 The United Kingdom being committed to "taking the requisite measures to preserve, maintain or re-establish a sufficient diversity and area of habitat for all naturally occurring birds in the wild state", is also taking special measures concerning the habitat of two groups of birds. These include threatened and vulnerable species and regularly occurring migratory species. Among the measures taken is the designation of Special Protection Areas (SPA's), Special Areas for Conservation (SAC's) and Ramsar Sites. SAC's and SPA's are collectively referred to as Natura 2000 sites.
4.25.2 The Northumberland Coast SSSI and the Cresswell and Newbiggin Shores SSSI have both been recently confirmed. The shores are important for geological and wildlife interest and require protection from inappropriate development. The coastline throughout the Borough has been designated as a wildlife corridor with particular reference to the winter movement of birds and is worthy of protection for this reason also. Additionally parts of the Northumberland Shore SSSI are included in the Northumbria Coast SPA and RAMSAR Site which was designated in February 2000. No Special Areas for Conservation have yet been designated, however, it is anticipated that a number of SAC's will be designated nationally during the life of the plan.
4.25.3 The provisions of this policy are complementary to the requirement that any planning application, as identified in Schedules 1 and 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988, which may impinge on or affect the integrity of sites of natural or international nature conservation importance is to be accompanied by an Environmental Assessment. The Council will also have regard to the provisions of PPG9 in respect of reviewing those extant planning permissions and developments benefitting from GDO which may have significant effects on Natura 2000 sites.