A new online tool was recently launched by Natural England to aid Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), developers and ecologists alike to assess whether a proposed development is likely to impact on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
The dataset has been downloaded by the GIS team at The Ecology Consultancy and will be incorporated into our own maps where appropriate.
The Impact Risk Zones (IRZs) dataset is a tool which maps zones around each SSSI, indicating the sensitivities of the features for which it is identified and specifying the types of development which may have potential to cause adverse impacts. We will be using it to guide our clients on whether they will need to consult Natural England to seek advice on potential SSSI impacts and how these might be mitigated or avoided.
To find out more go to Natural England.
