Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to preserve the Special Protection Area and the Special Area of Conservation that currently extend beyond the immediate boundaries of Ashdown Forest.

The Ashdown Forest Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area are designated through the EU Habitats and Wild Birds Directives respectively. Both Directives are transposed into domestic law by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. These regulations offer a high level of protection to these sites which a competent authority must have regard to in undertaking their functions. The National Planning Policy Framework also provides strong policy protection for these areas, and the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply where development requiring appropriate assessment under the Regulations is being considered, planned or determined. It is not, therefore, considered necessary to provide further protection in national planning policy for Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.