NAT3 Sites of Nature Conservation Importance – National

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Local Development Plan Draft Plan Strategy 2030
Closeddate_range16 Oct, 2019, 9:30am - 11 Dec, 2019, 5:00pm

Policy NAT3 Sites of Nature Conservation Importance – National

Planning permission will only be granted for a development proposal that is not likely to have an adverse effect on the integrity, including the value of the site to the habitat network, or special interest of:

  • an Area of Special Scientific Interest;
  • a Nature Reserve;
  • a National Nature Reserve; or
  • a Marine Conservation Zone.

A development proposal which could adversely affect a site of national importance may only be permitted where the associated public benefits of the proposed development clearly outweigh the value of the site.

In such cases, appropriate mitigation and/or compensatory measures will be required.

Justification and Amplification

Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) are declared under Part IV of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (as amended). Nature Reserves including National Nature Reserves are declared under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Marine Conservation Zones – sea areas which may include parts of the intertidal zone, are designated by DAERA under Part 3 of the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013. They are established for the conservation of marine flora and fauna, habitats and features of geographical or geomorphological interest. A list of existing national sites and their locations can be found at www.daera-ni.gov.uk. Technical Supplement 10 Countryside Assessment also lists those sites currently designated within or overlapping the Mid and East Antrim council boundary.

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