Sites designated for their international importance to nature conservation; including Ramsar sites, Special Protection Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), should be protected from development likely to have an adverse affect on their integrity whether they are inside or outside the District.

Proposals which are considered to have a likely significant effect on these sites will require an Appropriate Assessment (AA) in line with European and domestic legislation. Developers should provide information sufficient to inform this assessment. Planning permission will only be granted if, in light of the AA, it can be ascertained that the development would not adversely affect the integrity of these sites or, if there are no alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest can be demonstrated.

In accordance with the Habitats Regulations, development proposals should follow the avoid-mitigate-compensate hierarchy. Where this cannot be achieved, development proposals will not be permitted.

Residential developments must contribute to the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy 2018-2038 (RAMS) where they fall within the Zones of Influence of international designations as defined in the RAMS, in accordance with SP2.

For more information, please visit Braintree District Council’s Local Plan here.