Nationally Designated Sites of Nature Conservation Importance

Nationally designated sites of nature conservation importance (ASSIs, Nature Reserves or National Nature Reserves) are also very important assets and include sites which represent the best examples of our Borough's wildlife, habitats and geology. A development proposal which would adversely affect a nationally designated site is only likely to be permitted where the benefits arising are shown to be of national importance and of a long-term interest, sufficient to outweigh the value of the site. Short-term economic interests would not be considered sufficient to outweigh the long-term conservation value of such sites.