Nature Conservation Policy and Designated Sites

The Department's planning policy in relation to nature conservation is contained within Planning Policy Statement 2 "Planning and Nature Conservation". Within Northern Ireland part of the countryside and shoreline is of significant and in some cases, outstanding nature conservation importance. Such areas have been designated according to their importance and this has resulted in the establishment of a hierarchy of sites of international, national or local importance. In determining applications for waste management facilities the Department will not grant approval where a proposal will cause unacceptable harm to a designated site. In determining the acceptability of the impact of a proposal on a designated site the Department takes advice from relevant expert consultees.