Correspondence

Annex B: Provisions relating to licensed actions on or around protected sites in Herefordshire

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 Herefordshire.

SSSI name	European Designated Site name (where applicable)	Licence condition
Aston Ingham Meadows		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July.
Berrington Pool, Herefordshire SSSI		No licensed activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season.
Birches 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 areas of scrub.
Birch Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Birchend SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint within woodland or conifer areas. Traps should only be dug in, on boundary edges in these areas, such as hedgerows.
Bishon Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Black Mountains 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. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. 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).
Bradnor Hill Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Brampton Bryan Park SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Burrington Farm Stream Section SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Burrington Meadow 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.
Burrington Sections SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Bushy Hazels & Cwmma Moors 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.
Byton & Combe Moors 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. 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).
Caeiron Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Cage Brook Valley SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Capler Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or boundary edges such as hedgerows or in the quarry areas.
Chanstone Wood 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.
Cherry Hill Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Church Hill Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Common Hill SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July.
Coughton Wood and Marsh SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Crumpton Hill Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of rhododendron or conifer plantation.
Dinmore Hill Woods 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.
Downton Gorge SSSI	Downton Gorge SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Dymock Woods SSSI		No access until after mid-July. All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. No cage traps to be dug in, on the site. Do not move any decaying or dead wood.
Eastnor Park SSSI		No activities from 1 March to 31 July to avoid bird breeding season. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Elton Lane Cutting SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Fishpool Valley 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.
Flintsham & Titley Pools SSSI		No licensed activities from 1 September to 31 March.
Great Doward SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or on improved/ semi-improved grassland/scrub area.
Halesend Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of rhododendron or conifer plantation.
Hall Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Haugh Wood SSSI		No access from 1 March to 31 July to avoid bird breeding season. Avoid Unit 2, Unit 3, southern slope of the Pentaloe Brook (southwest of Unit 3) and the woodland rides. All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. 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.
Hill Hole Dingle 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.
Lea & Pagets Woods SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Ledbury Cutting SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Linton Quarry		No additional conditions imposed
Little Byefields Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July.
Little Hill SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Littlemarsh Common 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.
Lugg and Hampton Meadows 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. 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).
Mains Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Mayhill Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of rhododendron or conifer plantation.
Moccas Park SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Mocktree Quarries SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Monnington Scar SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Moseley Common, Pembridge 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.
Mortimer Forest SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
New Inn Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July.
Olchon Farm Meadows SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Orchid Bank, Winslow Mill SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Park Wood 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.
Perton Roadside Section and Quarry SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Pikes Farm Meadows SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Quebb Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Queestmoor Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Ridgeway Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of rhododendron or conifer plantation.
River Lugg SSSI	River Wye SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. 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. 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.
River Lugg Meanders SSSI		No vehicle use within 5m of any large watercourse, except on existing tracks.
River Teme SSSI	River Clun SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks and vehicles must not be driven in the river at shallow points. 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. 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.
River Wye SSSI	River Wye SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. 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. 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.
Rockhall Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Scutterdine Quarry SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Sharpnage Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
The Bury Farm SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
The Flits 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. 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).
The Sturts 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.
The Malvern Hills SSSI		Avoid woodland areas. No activities from 1 March to 31 July and from 1 October to 15 April. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. 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.
Upper Hall Farm Quarry and Grassland SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Upper Welson Marsh 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.
Upper Wye Gorge SSSI	Wye Valley Woodlands SAC	Avoid woodland areas. No activities from 1 March to 31 July to avoid bird breeding season. No access within 20 metres of any entrance to a mine, shaft or cave at any time of the year. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or along hedgerows on the edge of conifer plantations. 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. Exclude the littoral sediment and supralittoral sediment and shingle zones. 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).
Wayne Herbert Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Wellington Wood 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.
Wilton Bluff, Ross-on-Wye SSSI		No additional conditions imposed
Woodshuts Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Wormbridge Common SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.

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.