RDE657 Nitrogen Decision Framework: Whole Feature Assessment

Descriptions

It is very difficult to attribute visible damage or change on a habitat to impacts from air pollutants. This presents a challenge when monitoring the condition of sites designated for nature conservation such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Currently, Natural England's (NE's) site survey assessment methodology does not explicitly account for air quality as it was not designed to do so. As a result, we do not have a detailed understanding of what impact air pollution might be having upon the condition of our designated sites. Nationally, we need to know how nitrogen may be affecting and potentially slowing our ability to achieve favourable condition on sites in England. This could also influence the advice we issue to applicants submitting proposals for new plans and projects (such as developments and planning applications) from which emissions of air pollutants could lead to harmful impacts on a designated site. This project would provide more certainty regarding the potential for such a proposal to undermine the conservation objective. The conservation objective is specific to each site and aims to either restore or maintain its current condition.