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
This Regulatory Decision applies to any owner or occupier of land within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which was not managed under the Habitat Wales Scheme 2024 but has been managed under a SSSI consent, management scheme or agreement (for example a Glastir Advanced contract or an NRW Land Management Agreement) during the past five years, dating back until 1 January 2020 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 not entered into the Habitat Wales Scheme 2024
- The land has been managed under a SSSI consent, Glastir Advanced contract, or NRW land management agreement within the last five years, dating back to 1 January 2020
- You have access to a copy of the relevant SSSI consent, management scheme or management agreement which can be made available on inspection
- The land has been entered into the Habitat Wales Scheme 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 contract lapsed when the contract ended on or before 31 December 2023, or when your land management agreement ended.
You have chosen to adhere to the terms of your prior SSSI consent, Glastir Advanced contract or NRW issued land management agreement as opposed to the standard Habitat Wales Scheme 2025 rules. This regulatory decision means that, without having to obtain written consent from us, you will be able to continue with the same management activities on a SSSI as specified in your previous SSSI consent, Glastir Advanced contract, or NRW land management agreement, up to 1 January 2026.
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 stand-alone SSSI consent or Glastir Advanced contract or NRW land management agreement valid at any period from 1 January 2020 to date.
- 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) as set out within the lapsed Glastir Advanced contract or lapsed NRW issued Land Management Agreement or 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 in this RD.
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