Sites of special scientific interest: get assent advice
How public bodies can get advice from Natural England about notice and getting assent for activities on protected sites.
Applies to England
Public bodies must seek assent from Natural England before carrying out activities that are likely to damage the special scientific interest of a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). You can ask Natural England for non-statutory or paid advice.
You must also ask for Natural England’s statutory advice before giving permission to a third party for planned activities that are likely to damage the special scientific interest of a SSSI.
Ask for statutory advice
If you want to give permission for planned activities that are likely to damage the special interest of a SSSI you must ask for Section 28i advice from Natural England first. This includes planned activities on land outside the boundaries of an SSSI that are likely to damage the special interest.
Complete the advice form for a statutory consultation.
Statutory advice and conditions
Natural England will usually reply to you within 28 days of receiving your written notice to advise you whether to give permission or not. If you do not hear back within 28 days, you can assume Natural England has no comments to make.
Natural England may give you statutory advice on the likely impact of the proposal and recommend that you give your permission only with conditions. You or another party may also need to apply for a licence if the work will affect a protected species.
Ask for non-statutory advice
You can request advice from Natural England before submitting your proposal to carry out or approve activities on or near SSSIs.
If you ask Natural England for additional advice, they may:
- signpost you to online guidance
- offer initial informal advice, for straightforward proposals
- recommend you seek paid advice for more complex proposals
Fill in the form to ask for advice.
Pay for discretionary advice
Natural England may be able to offer paid advice if what you want to do is more complicated. Natural England can:
- help you review your survey results
- advise on your mitigation strategies to reduce damage to the environment
- help if you need discretionary advice quickly (in fewer than 28 days)
- help if you need complex advice to meet a deadline
Contact Natural England as soon as possible if you need their advice quickly.
How much you pay will depend on:
- the amount of advice you require from Natural England and how complicated your proposal is
- whether or not a Natural England adviser needs to visit your site
- how quickly you need their advice
If you want discretionary advice to avoid damage to protected sites or species, it will cost £110 per hour for written advice or to speak to an adviser by telephone.
A meeting will cost:
- £500 per adviser for a 90 minute meeting at your office or site, a Natural England office or a conference call
- £110 per hour per adviser for each additional hour
If you want an adviser to travel to your site, you’ll pay the adviser’s:
- travel costs at 45p per mile
- public transport, tolls and expenses over and above the mileage at cost
- travel time as part of the hourly rate
Fill in the SSSI paid assent advice request form and send it to protectedsites@naturalengland.org.uk.
Pay for fast-track advice
You’ll pay:
- £500 for discretionary advice on a straightforward case in less than 28 days
- £110 per hour, per adviser on a complex case to your deadline
Natural England will tell you which level of advice applies to your proposal.
Use the fast-track assent advice request form and send it to protectedsites@naturalengland.org.uk.
Use the quick check service
You can pay Natural England £200 to check that your proposal contains the information required for them to make a decision. You’ll get a response within 28 days. This service is not suitable for complex cases.
Complete both forms for the quick check service on a SSSI assent notice and send them to protectedsites@naturalengland.org.uk.
Terms and conditions for paid advice
Read Natural England’s .
Contact Natural England
If you need help, contact Natural England:
SSSI enquiries
Farm and Conservation Service
Natural England, Foss House, Kings Pool, 1-2 Peasholme Green
York
YO1 7PX
Email ProtectedSites@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone 0300 060 3900