On 31 July 2018, Natural England launched a formal consultation with owners, occupiers and interested parties on the:
• notification of the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI);
• proposed ‘de-notification’ of parts of the Seal Sands SSSI;
• proposed extensions to the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site.
The Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SSSI notification was the subject of 6 unresolved objections and 7 further objections that have been resolved subject to the Board of Natural England’s approval of recommended boundary modifications. There were also 12 further representations, 4 of which expressed support for the SSSI notification.
No objections were received to the proposal to de-notify parts of the Seal Sands SSSI.
The proposed extensions to the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA and Ramsar site received 7 responses supporting the proposal. 18 objections were received, 11 of which were resolved and 7 which were maintained by the respondent.
Following consideration of representations and objections at its meeting on 20 March 2019, the Board of Natural England approved the confirmation of the notification of the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SSSI with modifications to the boundary and, accordingly, to the area figure presented on the citation.
Natural England confirmed the notification of Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SSSI on 18 April 2019 and, on the same date, confirmed the de-notification of parts of the Seal Sands SSSI.
The Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA and Ramsar site extensions were classified on the 16th January 2020.
The Minister approved the proposals to extend the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA and Ramsar site, but with the boundary amendments as described within Annex 3 of the Consultation Report (available from this website). Updated maps and citations can be downloaded from this website and the GI data is available by request.
Natural England has reviewed the suite of nature conservation designations in the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast area, including seven Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site.
We have now notified an enlarged SSSI that includes the majority of the area of the seven previous SSSIs, linking and combining them with substantial extensions. Part of one SSSI (Seal Sands) is not considered to be of special interest and is therefore proposed for de-notification.
Natural England has also recommended to Government that the existing SPA and Ramsar Site be revised to include extensions and additional qualifying interests. Ministers have asked us to consult formally on these proposals.
Accordingly, Natural England is seeking views on:
This consultation runs in accordance with Government Consultation Principles.
Natural England will contact owner-occupiers and interested parties confirming the extension of the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA and Ramsar site. GI information and shapefiles are available by request.
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook