The Office for Environmental Protection is investigating the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Secretary of State (SoS) and Natural England over possible failures to comply with environmental law in relation to Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for wild birds, it has announced. The investigation will seek to determine whether Defra SoS and Natural […]
New sites to offer protection for iconic species. Minke whale, basking sharks and Risso’s dolphins will be among a wide range of biodiversity and geological features to be safeguarded following the designation of four new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). A further 12 sites have been given Special Protection Area status, providing additional protection to Scotland’s […]
Natural England: the following marine SPAs which are now fully classified: Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl SPA Following the consultation on the proposed marine extension to the Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl Special Protection Area (SPA) (please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/liverpool-bay-bae-lerpwl-special-protection-area-extension-comment-on-proposals), Natural England submitted the Consultation Report to Government during the summer 2017. We wanted to write […]
A section of Northumberland coastline supporting 200,000 seabirds gets greater protection. The newly designated Northumberland Marine Special Protection Area (SPA) stretches 12 miles from the coastline into the North Sea, and covers an area of more than 120,000 football pitches. It’s the most important site in the UK for Arctic, common and roseate terns, the second […]
Natural England commenced a public consultation regarding three potential Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) around England. These sites are: Solent & Dorset Coast pSPA which is a new site for foraging common, little and Sandwich terns on the south coast. Greater Wash which is a new site on the east coast for wintering red-throated diver, common […]
2016 Marine bird pSPAs consultation SNH ‘Welcome to the public consultation on the proposal to designate a suite of proposed Special Protection Areas (pSPAs). The aim is to protect some of Britain’s most important coastal and offshore waters for marine birds. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is carrying out this consultation on behalf of Scottish Ministers […]
MPA Update: Three articles: 1. Consultation on several potential Special Protection Areas This is a short reminder that the consultation on several potential Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) started on 21st January. The consultation deadline for the pSPA consultation is 5pm on 21st April 2016. All the consultation materials can be viewed at: Northumberland Marine pSPA […]
On 21st January 2016, Natural England is commencing a public consultation regarding nine potential Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) around England. These sites are: Northumberland Marine pSPA and 3 adjoining terrestrial sites; Coquet Island SPA, Farne Islands SPA and Northumbria Coast SPA. (Mailbox here) Northumberland Marine is a new potential marine SPA to protect foraging for […]