Correspondence

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

Published 15 May 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 Worcestershire

SSSI name	European Designated Site name (where applicable)	Licence condition
Aileshurst Coppice SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of rhododendron or conifer plantation.
Areley 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.
Ashmoor Common SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay until after hay cut, mid-July
Avenue Meadow		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.
Barn 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.
Baynhall 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.
Beckford Gravel Pit		No additional conditions imposed.
Berry Mound Pastures 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.
Bliss Gate Pastures SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Bredon Hill	Bredon Hill SAC	All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Within any sett footprint, decaying wood must be moved intact and no further than is necessary to enable suitable trap placement.
Broad Green SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Broadway Hill		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Brotheridge Green Disused Railway Line SSSI		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. Delay access until after hay cut, mid- July.
Brown’s Close Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Buckeridge Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Burley Dene Meadows		All vehicles must be restricted to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July.
Castlemorton Common SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Cooksholme 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.
Coombhill 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.
Crews 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.
Cropthorne New Inn Section		No additional conditions imposed.
Devil’s Spittleful 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.
Dormston Church 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.
Duke Of York 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.
Dumbleton 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.
Earl’s Croome 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.
Eckington Railway Cutting		No additional conditions imposed.
Eymore Railway Cutting SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Frog End Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Grafton Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay until after hay cut, mid-July.
Grange 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.
Great Blaythorn 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.
Grimley Brick Pits SSSI		No licensed activities from 1 March to 31 August to avoid bird breeding season. 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 scrub, Rhododendron, Cherry Laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Hanley 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.
Hartlebury Common and Hillditch Coppice 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.
Hay Wood and Tinkers’ Coppice 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.
Highclere SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or on improved/ semi-improved grassland/scrub areas.
Hillend Meadow and Orchard SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Lazy Meadow 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.
Leigh Brook Valley SSSI		Avoid woodland areas. 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. 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.
Long Meadow, Thorn 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.
Lord’s Wood 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. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Lower Saleway Farm Meadows SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Lyppard Grange Ponds SSSI	Lyppard Grange Ponds 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.
Malthouse Farm 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.
Malvern Common 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.
Merries Farm 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.
Micklefield 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.
Monk Wood SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Monkwood Green SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Mutlow’s Orchard 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.
Napleton 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.
Naunton Court 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.
Nine Holes Meadows SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Northwick Marsh SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Oakley Pool 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.
Osebury Rock 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.
Penny Hill Bank SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Poolhay 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.
Portway Farm 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.
Puxton Marshes 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.
Quarry Farm Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Rabbit 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.
Ranters Bank Pastures SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Rectory Farm Meadows		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
River Stour Flood Plain 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.
Rye Street 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.
Showground Meadow, Callow Hill SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
Shrawley Wood 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/ and areas of Rhododendron, Cherry Laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Starling Bank 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.
Stourvale 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. 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.
Teddon Farm SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or areas of scrub.
The Malvern Hills SSSI		Avoid woodland areas. No activities from 1 March to 31 July to avoid bird breeding season 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.
Tiddesley Wood SSSI		Avoid woodland areas. 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. 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. 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).
Trench Wood SSSI		Avoid woodland areas. 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 or areas of rhododendron or conifer plantation. 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.
Tudor Cottage 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.
Tunnel Hill Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or on improved/ semi-improved grassland/scrub areas.
Upton Ham SSSI		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.
Westwood Great Pool 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. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint.
Wilden Marsh and 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. All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or/ and areas of scrub, Rhododendron, Cherry Laurel scrub or conifer plantation.
Windmill Hill SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or on improved/ semi-improved grassland/scrub areas.
Windmill Tump SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Woodbury Quarry SSSI		No additional conditions imposed.
Yellow House Meadow SSSI		All vehicles must be restricted to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay until after hay cut, mid-July.

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 and 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.