Natural England: Guidance Air pollution and development: advice for local authorities
Natural England issued new ‘standing advice’ on the impacts of air pollution on protected sites in October 2025 (subsequently update in December 2025). It is general advice that Natural England, as a statutory consultee, gives to local planning authorities. It avoids the need for Councils to consult Natural England on every application and relates to the protection of protected sites under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (the Habitats Regulations) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The Guidance describes that Protected sites are ‘sites of special scientific interest’ (SSSIs) and ‘habitats sites’ (also called ‘European sites’). In this advice, habitats sites are:
- special protection areas (SPAs) and potential SPAs
- special areas of conservation (SACs) and possible SACs
- Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites)
- sites providing compensatory measures for adverse effects on habitats sites
The Guidance does not apply to Ancient Woodlands or site of Local interest (such as Local Wildlife Sites).
The Guidance relates to agricultural and industrial development with the potential to impact on Protected sites and provides new screening distances and significance thresholds to enable Councils to confirm whether a proposal is likely to have an adverse effect on the integrity of a habitats site or SSSI, alone or in combination with other plans or projects.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/air-pollution-and-development-advice-for-local-authorities
If you require an assessment of agricultural or industrial air pollution impacts on Protected sites, please contact Isopleth Ltd.