ENV4

Environment Policy 4

Environment Policy 4: Development will not be permitted which would adversely affect:

1. species and habitats of international importance:
   1. protected species of international importance or their habitats; or
   2. proposed or designated Ramsar and Emerald Sites or other internationally important sites.
2. species and habitats of national importance:
   1. protected species of national importance or their habitats;
   2. proposed or designated National Nature Reserves, or Areas of Special Scientific Interest; or
   3. Marine Nature Reserves; or
   4. National Trust Land.
3. species and habitats of local importance such as Wildlife Sites, local nature reserves, priority habitats or species identified in any Manx Biodiversity Action Plan which do not already benefit from statutory protection, Areas of Special Protection and Bird Sanctuaries and landscape features of importance to wild flora and fauna by reason of their continuous nature or function as a corridor between habitats.

Some areas to which this policy applies are identified as Areas of Ecological Importance or Interest on extant Local or Area Plans, but others, whose importance was not evident at the time of the adoption of the relevant Local or Area Plan, are not, particularly where that plan has been in place for many years. In these circumstances, the Department will seek site specific advice from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry if development proposals are brought forward.

(1) Wildlife Sites are defined in Appendix 1