Guidance & Information Specific to Bird Interests

Significance of impacts on birds within or affecting designated areas

This section is relevant where a windfarm might have an affect on birds where the bird population forms one of the protected features of either a Natura site or a Site of Special Scientific Interest.  We do not offer any specific guidance in relation to windfarms but we point to the relevant legislative and policy tests which are applicable in general for development affecting such sites.

For Natura sites, refer to the Natura pages of our Website for an overview.  The tests and guidance relevant to development consents are as set out in a Scottish Executive Circular (June 2000) on Implementation in Scotland of the EC Habitats and Birds Directives . 

For SSSIs, refer to the SSSI pages of our Website for an overview.  The relevant tests to be applied in considering proposed development  are those contained in national planning policy NPPG 14.

Development on or affecting an SSSI should only be permitted where

• the objectives of designation and the overall integrity of the area will not be compromised
• any significant adverse effects on the qualities for which the area has been designated are clearly outweighed by social or economic benefits of national importance