Form

Pay for discretionary SSSI assent advice

Public bodies should use this form to pay for advice on carrying out or approving work on or near sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs).

• From: Natural England
• Published: 1 November 2016
• Last updated: 20 April 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

SSSI paid assent advice request form

PDF, 363 KB, 4 pages

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Details

Natural England can provide charged advice on the more complex aspects of carrying out or approving works on or near SSSIs. This is also known as ‘discretionary advice’. It can:

• help you review your survey results
• advise on drafting your assent application
• advise on your mitigation strategies to reduce damage to the environment
• help if you need advice within 28 working days

Fill in the advice request form and email it to: ProtectedSites@naturalengland.org.uk.

Contact your SSSI adviser as soon as possible if you need advice quickly.

You’ll normally get this advice before you apply for assent.

See Sites of special scientific interest: get assent advice for more information about:

• how much Natural England charges for paid advice 
• asking for statutory advice
• asking for non-statutory advice
• paying for discretionary advice
• paying for fast-track advice 
• paying for the quick check service

Published 1 November 2016

Last updated 20 April 2026 + show all updates

1. 20 April 2026

   Updated the name of this form to make it clearer that this is paid advice.

2. 8 April 2020

   Replaced assent form to v3.

3. 17 September 2019

   Updated version of form.

4. 1 November 2016

   First published.