Habitats Regulations Assessment (Appropriate Assessment)

The Habitats Regulations Assessment (also known as Appropriate Assessment) is a European Directive requirement - Local Authorities should consider and assess whether development proposals and policies set out in Local Development Documents (LDDs) would affect European Sites.

Appropriate Assessment aims to ensure that the plan will not have adverse effects on the integrity of sites designated under the Habitats Directive. To view the Habitats Directive, please click here.

This requirement has been brought about by the United Kingdom's failure to implement Articles 6(3) and 6(4) of the European Directive regarding Habitats (92/43/EEC) through the European Court of Justice (ECJ). It considered that UK law did not adequately transfer the Directive into British legislation.

European Sites consist of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS9): 'Biodiversity and Geological Conservation' states that RAMSAR sites should receive the same protection as SPAs and SACs.

Within Stafford Borough there are the following European Sites:

• Cannock Chase SAC
• Chartley Moss SAC (under West Midlands Mosses SAC)
• Pasturefields Salt Marsh SAC
• Cop Mere (under Midland Meres and Mosses Phase II Ramsar designation)
• Aqualate Mere (under Midland Meres and Mosses Phase II Ramsar designation)

• Mottey Meadows SAC

DCLG issued guidance in August 2006 for Local Authorities in order to address this issue. To view 'Planning for the Protection of European Sites: Appropriate Assessment' please click here.

To view a diagram of the stages involved with AA, please click here.

Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation

Stafford Borough Council are currently working jointly with Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase District Council, Lichfield District Council and South Staffordshire District Council on the Appropriate Assessment in relation to Cannock Chase SAC. Consultants have been commissioned to produce an Appropriate Assessment evidence base report to look at potential adverse effects from increased recreational pressure, air pollution and water abstraction. Consultants were also commissioned to produce a Visitor Impact Management Strategy.

• To view the Footprint Ecology Evidence Base Report please click here
• To view the Visitor Impact Management Strategy please click here

More information on further work and next steps will be published here when available.

For more information please contact forward planning at forwardplanning@staffordbc.gov.uk or phone 01785 619591