Research and analysis

Review of selection process for marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

Report detailing findings and recommendations on the review of Natural England’s tendering and consultation processes for SACs.

Documents

Review of process, evidence and advice relating to the selection of specific candidate marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

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Details

In March 2011, Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser commissioned an independent review of the process that Natural England and Defra had used to select marine areas for designation as Special Areas for Conservation (SACs) under the EU Habitats Directive.

As part of this review, the In House Policy Resource (IHPR) was asked to carry out a detailed examination of:

  • the tendering process used by Natural England to select external contractors to carry out three distinct pieces of work leading to the identification of the candidate SACs; and
  • the consultation process used by Natural England leading to final recommendations to Defra on candidate SACs.

This publication sets out the findings and recommendations on this part of the review.

Further information

Published 21 July 2011