Correspondence

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

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 Oxfordshire.

SSSI name	European Designated Site name (where applicable)	Licence condition
Alvescot Meadows 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.
Appleton Lower Common 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.
Ardley Cutting and Quarry SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Ardley Trackways SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Ardley Trackways SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Arncott Bridge Meadows SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Ashdown Park SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Aston Upthorpe Downs SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Barrow Farm Fen 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/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Berins Hill Bank SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Berrick Trench 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.
Bestmoor 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.
Bix Bottom 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.
Blenheim Park SSSI		No licensed activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. No licensed activities from 1 September to 31 March in, immediately adjacent to, nor across any large waterbody nor intertidal habitat. 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.
Bould Wood 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.
Brasenose Wood and Shotover Hill SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Buckland Warren SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Cassington Meadows SSSI	Oxford Meadows SAC	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.
Chimney 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 or areas of scrub. 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).
Cothill Fen SSSI	Cothill Fen SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Culham Brake SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Cumnor SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Ditchley Road Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed
Dry Sandford Pit SSSI		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.
Ducklington Mead SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Fernham Meadows SSSI		No licensed activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. No vehicle access across meadows until after hay cut, mid-July. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Do not dig up any grassland. 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).
Frilford Heath, Ponds and Fens SSSI		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.
Glyme Valley SSSI		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.
Grafton Lock Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Do not dig up any grassland.
Hackpen, Warren & Gramp’s Hill Downs SSSI	Hackpen Hill SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Harpsden 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.
Hartslock SSSI	Hartslock Wood SAC	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.
Highlands Farm Pit SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Holly Court Bank SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Holly Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Holton Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Hook Meadow and The Trap Grounds 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.
Hook Norton Cutting & Banks SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Horsehay Quarries SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Hurst Hill SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Iffley Meadows SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Kirtlington Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Knightsbridge Lane SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Lamb and Flag Quarry SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Lambridge 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.
Langley’s Lane Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Little Tew Meadows SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Littlemore Railway Cutting SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Littleworth Brick Pit SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Little Wittenham SSSI	Little Wittenham SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub more than 250 metres from a pond.
Long Hanborough Gravel Pit SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Lye Valley SSSI		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.
Lyehill Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Magdalen Grove SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Magdalen Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Middle Barton Fen SSSI		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.
Moulsford Downs SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Murcott Meadows SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Neithrop Fields Cutting SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
New Marston Meadows 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.
Otmoor 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.
Out 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.
Pishill 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.
Pixey and Yarnton Meads SSSI	Oxford Meadows SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Port Meadow with Wolvercote Common & Green SSSI	Oxford Meadows SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Priest’s Hill SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Reed Hill 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.
Rock Edge SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Rushy Meadows 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.
Salt Way, Ditchley SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Sarsgrove Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Sharp’s Hill Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Sheep’s Banks SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Shellingford Crossroads Quarry SSSI		No digging in of traps in exposed quarry faces
Shipton-on-Cherwell & Whitehill Farm Quarries SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Sidling’s Copse and College Pond SSSI		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.
Spartum Fen SSSI		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.
Stanton Great Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of rhododendron, cherry laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Stanton Harcourt SSSI		No additional conditions imposed
Stonesfield Common, Bottoms & Banks SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Stonesfield Slate Mines SSSI		No additional conditions imposed
Stratton Audley Quarries SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Sturt Copse 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.
Sugworth SSSI		No additional conditions imposed
Swyncombe Downs SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Taynton Quarries SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub or woodland. Do not dig up any grassland.
Tuckmill Meadows SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub or woodland. Do not dig up any grassland.
Warren Bank SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Waterperry Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Wendlebury Meads and Mansmoor Closes SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Weston Fen SSSI		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.
Westwell Gorse SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub or woodland. Do not dig up any grassland. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July.
Whitecross Green and Oriel Woods SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Whitehill 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.
Whitehorse Hill 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.
Wicklesham and Coxwell Pits SSSI		No digging in of traps in exposed quarry faces
Wolvercote Meadows SSSI	Oxford Meadows SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Woodeaton Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Woodeaton 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.
Worsham Lane SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Wychwood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks.
Wytham Ditches and Flushes SSSI		No vehicle use within 5m of any watercourse, except on existing tracks. Except on existing tracks, no vehicle use nor placing traps alongside any watercourses or waterbodies, nor within any wet area, fen, bog or mire.
Wytham 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.

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.