Correspondence

Annex B: Provisions relating to licensed actions on or around protected sites in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside

Published 7 September 2020

Applies to England

Licence annex B: provisions relating to licensed actions on or around Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and/or Ramsar sites within the county of Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

SSSI name	European Designated Site name (where applicable)	Licence condition
Abbots Moss	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 2 Ramsar	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use or placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, or within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Abram Flashes SSSI		No licensed activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Alderley Edge		Exclude SSSI
Ashclough SSSI		No additional conditions proposed
Astley & Bedford Mosses SSSI	Manchester Mosses SAC	Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Bagmere	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 1 Ramsar	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. vLimit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use or placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, or within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. Avoid Unit 2.
Bar Mere		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks.
Beechmill Wood and Pasture SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of rhododendron or conifer plantation or areas of scrub. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July.
Bickerton Hill		Exclude SSSI
Black Lake, Delamere SSSI		Exclude SSSI
Brookheys Covert SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Brookhouse Moss		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Bryn Marsh & Ince Moss SSSI		No licensed activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Chapel Mere	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 2 Ramsar	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use or placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, or within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Comber Mere		No activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. No shooting from 1 September to 30 April in areas of intertidal, fen, reed bed and grazing marsh habitats. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks.
Compstall Nature Reserve SSSI		Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Cotteril Clough SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Dane-in-Shaw Pasture		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July
Danes Moss		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Dee Cliffs SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Dee Cliffs, Farndon		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Dee Estuary SSSI	Dee Estuary/ Aber Dyfrdwy SAC, The Dee Estuary Ramsar, The Dee Estuary SPA	No licensed activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. No access to nor activities within any intertidal or saltmarsh habitat. No licensed activities from 1 September to 31 March in any fen, reed bed and grazing marsh habitats or in, immediately adjacent to, or across any large waterbody or intertidal habitat. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Dibbinsdale SSSI		No licensed activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Dunham Park SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Dunsdale Hollow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Flaxmere Moss SSSI	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 1 Ramsar	Exclude SSSI
Flood Brook Clough SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint, rhododendron or conifer plantation
Frodsham Railway and Road Cuttings SSSI		No additional conditions proposed
Gannister Quarry		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Gleads Moss		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Hallwood Farm Marl Pit SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Hatch Mere SSSI	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 1 Ramsar	Exclude SSSI
Hatherton Flush		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Hatton’s Hey Wood, Whittle’s Corner and Bank Rough SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Heswall Dales SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Highfield Moss SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Holcroft Moss SSSI	Manchester Mosses SAC	Exclude SSSI
Hollinwood Branch Canal SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Holly Banks		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Huddersfield Narrow Canal SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Inner Marsh Farm SSSI	The Dee Estuary Ramsar The Dee Estuary SPA	No licensed activities from 1 September to 31 March in any intertidal, fen, reed bed and grazing marsh habitats. No licensed activities from 1 September to 31 March in, immediately adjacent to, or across any large waterbody or intertidal habitat. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks for the period stated.
Lindow Common		Exclude SSSI
Linmer Moss SSSI	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 2 Ramsar	Exclude SSSI
Little Budworth Common		Exclude SSSI
Lowside Brickworks SSSI		No additional conditions proposed
Ludworth Intake SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks.
Madams Wood		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July
Mersey Estuary SSSI	Mersey Estuary Ramsar Mersey Estuary SPA	No licensed activities from 1 September to 31 March in any intertidal, fen, reed bed and grazing marsh habitats. No licensed activities from 1 September to 31 March in, immediately adjacent to, or across any large waterbody or intertidal habitat. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks for the period stated. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. No access to nor activities within any intertidal or saltmarsh habitat.
New Ferry SSSI	Mersey Estuary Ramsar Mersey Estuary SPA	No licensed activities from 1 September to 31 March in any intertidal, fen, reed bed and grazing marsh habitats. No licensed activities from 1 September to 31 March in, immediately adjacent to, or across any large waterbody or intertidal habitat. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks.
Nob End SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Norbury Meres		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Oak Mere	Oak Mere SAC Midland Meres & Moses Phase 2 Ramsar	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Exclude vehicles from the supralittoral rock zone. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Any decaying wood located within the sett footprint is to be left in situ if possible. If decaying wood must be moved then it should be moved no further than is necessary.
Oakhanger Moss	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 2 Ramsar	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Avoid wet woodland areas containing Grey willow. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use or placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, or within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Peckforton Woods		No activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Pettypool Brook Valley		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Exclude vehicles from the supralittoral rock zone. Any decaying wood located within the sett footprint is to be left in situ if possible. If decaying wood must be moved then it should be moved no further than is necessary.
Plumley Lime Beds		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Quoisley Meres	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 1 Ramsar	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use or placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, or within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. Any decaying wood located within the sett footprint is to be left in situ if possible. If decaying wood must be moved then it should be moved no further than is necessary.
Raw Head		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Red Brow Cutting SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Risley Moss SSSI	Manchester Mosses SAC	Exclude SSSI
River Dane		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
River Dee (England)	River Dee and Bala Lake SAC	No licensed activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. No use of any cage trap within 100m of any watercourse and avoid placing any cage trap in any marshy, reed-bed, riparian or other type of wet habitat. Do not dig in any cage traps for one hour either side (i.e. 2 hours) of sunset and sunrise [Note. the setting open of traps to catch during these periods is permitted]. Do not use any fish-based bait. The licensee must assist Natural England with the gathering of information on fox control taking place on, and in the vicinity of, this SSSI (see Notes A and B).
Rixton Clay Pits SSSI	Rixton Clay Pitts SAC	Exclude SSSI
Rochdale Canal SSSI	Rochdale Canal SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Roe Park Woods		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Rostherne Mere	Rostherne Ramsar	No shooting activities from 1 September to 30 April in areas of intertidal, fen, reed bed and grazing marsh habitats. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use or placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, or within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Sandbach Flashes		Exclude SSSI. The licensee must assist Natural England with the gathering of information on fox control taking place on, and in the vicinity of, this SSSI (see Notes A and B).
Sound Heath		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Any decaying wood located within the sett footprint is to be left in situ if possible. If decaying wood must be moved then it should be moved no further than is necessary.
Stanley Bank Meadow SSSI		Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of scrub, rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Tabley Mere		No shooting activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks.
Tatton Meres	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 1 Ramsar	Exclude SSSI
Taylor’s Rough & Wellmeadow Wood		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
The Dungeon SSSI		No additional conditions proposed
The Mere, Mere	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 1 Ramsar	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use or placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, or within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Thurstaston Common SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Toddbrook Reservoir SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Tonge River Section SSSI		No additional conditions proposed
Warburton’s Wood and Well Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint, rhododendron or conifer plantation. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July.
Well Rough and Long Plantation		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Wettenhall and Darnhall Woods		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay access until after hay cut, August.
Wimboldsley Wood		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July
Witton Lime Beds		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Woolston Eyes SSSI		Exclude SSSI
Wybunbury Moss	Midland Meres & Mosses - Phase 1 Ramsar	No vehicle use or trapping is permitted on the SSSI. Access on foot is only permitted following prior agreement with Natural England NNR staff. Avoid any access within Unit 1.

Notes to Annex B

General note on interpretation

Protected sites that are listed above are not necessarily part of any active operations. Active operations can and will only occur on protected sites where landowner/occupier permission has been granted.

Within the licence conditions, use of the word ‘avoid’ denotes a prohibition, i.e. it indicates that an area must be excluded from relevant activities or that activities must not be undertaken during the time period stated or in the manner described. Similarly, the word ‘restrict’ means that activities must be confined to the areas or time periods stated.

For further details on each protected site and its notified features of special interest and/or European Site qualifying features please enter the site name into the following link: https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteSearch.aspx.

Individual notes

Note A

Natural England will inform the licensee from time to time of the information it requires. This is likely to focus on whether fox control is routinely undertaken on the relevant site and/or on areas of participating land within a few kilometres of the site. The licensee is expected to use reasonable endeavours to assist Natural England with the gathering of this information.

Note B

Natural England may form the judgment that measures should be introduced to secure the protection of species associated with this site, such as fox control, anti-predator fencing, habitat management, or buffer zones in which badger control is not undertaken. Such measures may be secured through cooperation between licensees, landowners, occupiers, and/or public bodies. If it considers it necessary to do so, Natural England may: exercise its powers under sections 28J-K of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 or regulation 20 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017; and/or revoke and re-issue this licence with revised terms (provided that such terms will be reasonable and proportionate in all of the circumstances).

Note W

European protected species are listed in Schedule 2 (animals) and Schedule 5 (plants) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Nationally protected species are listed in Schedule 5 (animals) and Schedule 8 (plants) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Under these laws (regulations 43 and 47 of the 2017 Regulations and sections 9 and 13 of the 1981 Act), it can be an offence to:

• deliberately capture, injure or kill any wild animal of a European protected species
• intentionally kill, injure or take a nationally protected wild animal
• deliberately disturb wild animals of any European protected species
• intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy any structure or place which a nationally protected animal uses for shelter or protection, disturb such an animal while it is occupying such a structure or place, or obstruct access to any such structure or place
• damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of any wild animal of a European protected species
• deliberately take or destroy the eggs of any wild animal of a European protected species
• deliberately pick, collect, cut, uproot or destroy a wild plant of a European protected species
• intentionally pick, uproot or destroy any nationally protected wild plant

Great crested newt, otter, dormouse, and sand lizard are European and nationally protected species.

Note Y

All birds, their eggs and nests (while in use or under construction) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This licence does not allow you to take or destroy such nests. Birds species listed under Schedule 1 of that Act have additional legal protection so care must be taken to avoid their disturbance during the breeding season.

Note Z

All bats and their roosts (even when not occupied by bats) are protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and by The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. This licence does not allow you to enter or obstruct any bat roost, nor to disturb any bat whilst it is occupying a roost. Care must be taken to avoid sustained human presence near, or artificial illumination of cracks and cavities in trees and man-made structures, and of any mounted boxes.