Check if your works on a SSSI are covered by a Regulatory Decision
If you are an owner or occupier of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), you normally require SSSI consent from us before undertaking activities which are likely to damage the site’s special interest.
The Regulatory Decisions do not change your legal requirement to have a valid SSSI consent, however, NRW will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with the need for SSSI consent if you meet the requirements noted in the appropriate Regulatory Decision for your circumstance.
We have issued these Regulatory Decisions due to the conclusion of the Glastir scheme and the introduction of the Habitats Wales Scheme, to reduce the regulatory burden on landowners and to ensure land continues to be managed appropriately.
Regulatory Decisions for 2025
For 2025, we have published four Regulatory Decisions which may apply to your situation if you were previously in a Glastir Advanced contract or Glastir Commons contract and/or have joined Welsh Government’s Habitat Wales Scheme 2025. All four Regulatory Decisions are valid until 1 January 2026.
NRW can withdraw or amend any of these Regulatory Decisions before the review date if we consider it necessary. This includes where the activities that these Regulatory Decisions relate to have not changed.
Read the content of each Regulatory Decision carefully to determine whether your works would fall within the scope of one of these Regulatory Decisions, and to make sure that you can comply with the terms and conditions. If not you will need to apply for SSSI consent as normal.
If you have not joined the Habitat Wales Scheme
If you were in a Glastir Advanced contract or Glastir Commons contract and have not joined the Habitat Wales Scheme, check whether your works are covered by Regulatory Decision: SSSI management where land has not moved from Glastir to the Habitat Wales Scheme.
If you joined the Habitat Wales Scheme in 2024 and 2025
If you were in a Glastir Advanced contract or Glastir Commons contract and joined the Habitats Wales Scheme 2024 - and have entered the Habitat Wales Scheme 2025 - check whether your works are covered by Regulatory Decision: SSSI management from Glastir to the Habitat Wales Scheme 2024 and 2025.
If you joined the Habitat Wales Scheme in 2025, but not in 2024
You have a choice between:
1. Managing your SSSI land in accordance with any of the following (which was valid within the last five years since January 2020):
- NRW issued SSSI consent
- land management agreement
- previously issued Welsh Government management scheme (such as a Glastir contract)
If the above options are open to you, check whether your works are covered by Regulatory Decision: SSSI management where the land did not enter the Habitat Wales Scheme 2024, but has entered the 2025 Scheme and will be managed under a previous agreement.
or
2. Managing your SSSI land in accordance with the rules of the Habitat Wales Scheme 2025. Check whether your works are covered by Regulatory Decision: SSSI management where the land did not enter the Habitat Wales Scheme 2024 but has entered the 2025 Scheme.