Regulatory Decision: SSSI management from Glastir to the Habitat Wales Schemes 2024 and 2025
This Regulatory Decision applies to any owner or occupier of land within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which was subject to a Glastir Advanced or Glastir Commons contract in 2023 and which was subject to a Habitat Wales Scheme contract in 2024 and will be entered into the Habitat Wales Scheme for 2025, from the 1 January 2025.
This Regulatory Decision is valid until 1 January 2026 by which time it will be reviewed. You should check back at that time to ensure the Regulatory Decision is still valid.
This Regulatory Decision applies if all of the following apply:
- You are an owner or occupier of land within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- The land was subject to a Glastir Advanced or Glastir Commons contract in 2023
- That Glastir Advanced or Glastir Commons contract has ended because it has reached the prescribed termination date
- The land was entered into the Habitat Wales Scheme 2024
- The land has been entered into the Habitat Wales Scheme for 2025
NRW can withdraw or amend this Regulatory Decision before the review date if we consider it necessary. This includes where the activities that this Regulatory Decision relates to have not changed.
Regulatory Decision
SSSI consent to carry out management activities relating to your Glastir Advanced or Glastir Commons contract lapsed when the contract ended on 31 December 2023.
We issued a Regulatory Decision for 2024 which meant that, without having to obtain written consent from us, you were able to continue with the same management activities on a SSSI as part of the Habitat Wales Scheme for 2024.
This Regulatory Decision means that, without having to obtain written consent from us, you will be able to continue with the same management activities as specified in your Glastir Advanced or Glastir Commons contract on a SSSI from 1 January 2025.
Conditions you must comply with
- Management of the SSSI land will continue strictly in accordance with your most recent SSSI notice of intent and consent relating to a Glastir Advanced or Glastir Commons contract
- Before introducing any change to the management of the SSSI land, you must notify us and obtain a consent under Section 28E of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Enforcement
This Regulatory Decision does not change your legal requirement to have a valid SSSI consent to undertake operations listed as an Operation Likely to Damage the Special Interest within the relevant SSSI (s) and which formed part of your Glastir Advanced or Glastir Commons contract in 2023.
However, NRW will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with the need for SSSI consent if you meet the requirements in this Regulatory Decision.
In addition, your activity must not cause (or be likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health, and must not:
- cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
- cause a nuisance through noise or odours
- adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest
Contact
Water Quality and Biodiversity Regulatory Approaches Team WQBRA@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk