HC Deb 21 November 1985 vol 87 cc259-60W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he received from the Nature Conservancy Council the relevant details required to list a special protection area under directive 79/409, of the Wash (Norfolk-Lines); and when this site will be listed with the European Commission.

Mrs. Rumbold

Proposals for designation of a number of areas, including the Wash (north Norfolk and Lincolnshire coast), as special protection areas under the EC Directive 79/409 were submitted to this Department by the Nature Conservancy Council in March 1984. The majority of these sites have since been designated following consultation with other Government Departments and interested bodies. Consultations on the Wash are not yet complete.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which sites recognised by the Nature Conservancy Council as being of sufficient importance to merit listing as a special protection area under directive 79/409 are currently threatened by development proposals or approved developments; and if this information has been registered with the European Commission.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Nature Conservancy Council has identified 149 sites in Great Britain which merit designation as special protect ion areas under EC Directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds. The council is aware of development proposals or approved developments on 8 of these sites:

  • Caenlochan, Grampian and Tayside
  • Drumochter Hills, Highland
  • Firth of Forth, Central Lothian and Fife
  • Islay, Strathclyde
  • Loch Kenn and Dee Marshes, Dumfries and Galloway
  • Teesmouth Flats and Marshes, Durham
  • Humber Flats and Marshes, Humberside
  • Stour/Orwell estuary, estuary

The Government are not required to register this information with the EC Commission.