Natural England

Applications from outside target areas will be subject to additional scrutiny. For applications from outside target areas to be considered they must be of high value i.e. ones that make a significant and relevant contribution to ES objectives (NB: single interest agreements are possible). Consideration must also be given to the degree of risk to the feature concerned and the appropriateness of HLS to deliver the required outcomes.

The following list forms part of the guidance supporting the target area maps and as such it is important to remember that the target area maps, and all supporting information and guidance that accompanies them, are not designed to replace the existing methods of assessing HLS applications, but are intended to be used as decision support during the assessment process. It should be noted that we are not changing what we want to achieve but focusing where it will best deliver the greatest environmental outcomes.

High value applications for consideration include:

• Scheduled monuments and registered historic parkland;

• BAP habitats that are significant within the region that are not covered significantly by target areas. Regions should give consideration to small, often fragmented habitats, for example BAP lowland meadows and BAP traditional orchards where appropriate. (Regions to define list of habitats);

• Specific management for the arable assemblage of priority farmland birds taking into account all parts of the species’ life cycle - the 'big three'. This being habitats/options for winter food, habitat/options for summer chick food and habitats/options for nest sites;

• Strategic projects/initiatives - ones with significant NE and stakeholder input and engagement, where partners are helping to deliver and where HLS is the key delivery mechanism; applications must significantly address the objectives of the project. A list of projects and their contribution to Natural England’s objectives must be agreed and signed off by regional management team.

NB - The uptake of agreements outside target areas should not compromise the delivery of the PSA target for SSSI condition throughout the coming year.