Legislation and policies – Northern Ireland

National legislation

Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (as amended)

The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) (as amended) brings into Northern Irish law the Habitat Regulations into Northern Irish law.

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Northern Ireland) Act 2011

Under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Northern Ireland) Act a person shall be guilty of an offence if they intentionally:

• kill, injure or take any wild bird,
• take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built,
• take or destroy an egg of any wild bird; and
• disturb any wild bird while it is building a nest or is in, on, or near a nest containing eggs or young; or disturbs dependent young of such a bird.

This legislation affords special protection to the nests of golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, osprey, barn owl (Tyto alba), peregrine (Falco peregrinus) and red kite (Milvus milvus) at any time, regardless of breeding status.

Planning policies

The Strategic Planning Policy Statement

The Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) consolidates a number of policy documents into a single publication detailing how important planning matters should be address across Northern Ireland.

It is the purpose of the SPPS to secure the orderly and consistent development of land whilst furthering sustainable devleopment and improving well-being. As such the pursuit of social and economic priorities should occur alongside the careful management of built and natural environments.

The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2017

The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations governs the process of EIAs where granting planning permission. This legislation implements into Northern Irish law the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.