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• determine the nature conservation value of the ornithological interests present within
the study area;
• identify the potential impacts based on the nature of the proposed development;
• determine the scale and magnitude of those effects;
• determine the significance of those effects based on the magnitude and duration of
the effects on the nature conservation value of the bird populations affected;
• identify and assess mitigation measures required to address significant adverse
effects; and
• determine the significance of any residual effect once the benefits of the prescribed
mitigation measures have been assessed.
12.2.34 Evaluation of the ornithological resources identified by the baseline studies as ‘Valued
Ornithological Receptors’ (VORs) has been guided by the 2006 revision of the IEEM
Guidelines 18 . In accordance with these Guidelines, the importance of each VOR has been
assessed in relation to the conservation status of the species over the full range of
geographical scales as listed below (Table 12.4).
12.2.35 It should be noted that these criteria are intended as a guide and are not definitive. Attributing
a value to a receptor is generally straightforward in the case of designated sites, as the
designations themselves are normally indicative of a value level. For example, a moorland
designated as an SPA under the Habitats Directive is implicitly of European (i.e. International)
importance. Professional judgement is important when attributing a level of value to a
particular species or individual habitat. In these cases, reference has also been made to
national guidelines for the selection of SSSIs 19 in order to determine which level of significance
should be applied. Social and economic factors are also considered when valuing receptors.
Table 12.4 Approach to Classifying Nature Conservation Value of the Ornithological
Receptors at the Site
Value
International
National
Regional
District
Local
Negligible
Examples
An internationally designated site (e.g. SPA) as designated under the Birds Directive or Ramsar
(wetland sites designated under the Ramsar Convention), candidate sites, qualifying features
connected to a nearby SPA (e.g. pink-footed geese), or an area meeting the criteria for an international
designation.
A regularly occurring, nationally important population of any internationally important species listed
under Annex I of the Birds Directive, or regularly occurring migratory species connected to an SPA
designated for this species under the Birds Directive.
A nationally designated site, or area meeting criteria for national level designations (e.g. SSSI).
A regularly occurring, regionally important population of any nationally important species listed as a UK
BAP priority species and species listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act or Annex I
of the Birds Directive.
A regularly occurring, locally important population of any nationally important species listed as a UK
BAP priority species and species listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act or Annex I
of the Birds Directive.
Sites which exceed the local authority-level designations but fall short of SSSI selection guidelines.
Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation or equivalent sites selected on local authority criteria (e.g.
SWT Reserves).
Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).
Other species of conservation concern, including species listed under the Local BAP (LBAP) and the
UK Birds of Conservation Concern.
All other species that are widespread and common and which are not present in locally, regionally or
nationally important numbers which are considered to be of low or poor ecological value (e.g. UK Birds
of Conservation Concern Green List species).
Commonplace species of little or not conservation significance. Loss of such a species from the site
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 9
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