Protecting sites in England

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Protecting sites in England

The RSPB makes the case for birds in England by commenting on about 220 development and land use proposals each year that could affect important places for birds.

We negotiate changes where we can, as co-operation is better than conflict. With developers and decision-makers we put back lost habitats, creating places for wildlife and for people to enjoy. But if we have no choice, we will stand firm and oppose damaging schemes.

Take action for wildlife in England

Perhaps you have seen damage to wildlife and don't know what to do? Or maybe you have a favourite place for wildlife and you want to make sure it is protected? Our new leaflets can help. More...

New Guidance for Planners

The RSPB has prepared guidance to assist regional and local authorities with the assessment of their spatial plans to ensure our most important wildlife sites are protected by the planning system. More...

Important cases

At present, the RSPB is involved in a number of major cases that affect important wildlife sites in England and raise important issues about how these precious places are protected. Examples of cases we're working on are below.

Abingdon Reservoir, Oxfordshire

Thames Water plans to build the UK’s largest fully bunded reservoir on farmland near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, as part of their 25-year water resources plan. More...

Alkborough Flats managed realignment project, North Lincolnshire

Alkborough Flats in North Lincolnshire is the first coastal realignment site to be developed as part of the Humber Shoreline Management Plan and will create 440 ha of new intertidal habitat. More...

Atlantic Array, Bristol Channel

Developers have sought the RSPB’s input in assessing the impact of a proposal for the UK’s largest windfarm on birds and wildlife More...

Dibden Bay, Southampton

Invaluable wildlife havens at Dibden Bay, Southampton, were saved by the government's decision to throw out plans for a deep-sea container port on the south coast of England in April 2004. More...

Black-tailed godwits at the site of the proposed airport at Cliffe

Expansion of Lydd Airport, Kent

Airport expansion plans are likely to have damaging impacts on the wildlife of Dungeness and the wider environment. More...

View across ponds on edge of Burrowes Pit, Dungeness RSPB reserve

Flood risk in the Thames Estuary

The Environment Agency is developing a flood-risk management strategy for the Thames Estuary which will seek to tackle the risk of flooding in the Thames over the next 100 years. More...

Dunlin flock flying over Taff Estuary, Cardiff Bay

Heathland Common Fencing Inquiry, Holt Heath, Dorset

The RSPB welcomes the Government's decision to grant consent to fence Holt Heath Common, near Wimborne. This will enable the re-introduction of grazing on this large area of heathland to manage it optimally for its internationally important birds and other wildlife. More...

Sheep grazing on heather moor near Betheseda

Little Cheyne Court windfarm, Kent

The RSPB is disappointed that this potentially damaging wind farm proposal is given the go ahead. More...

London Array offshore windfarm, Kent

Close working relationship with RSPB helps developer strike the right balance. More...

Mitigating urban effects on heathland in south east Dorset

Key bird species are suffering as a result of increasing pressure from new housing developments on south east Dorset's internationally important heathland. More...

9001998_00104_009 - Housing estate on the edge of Canford Heath, Dorset

Novartis wind energy proposal, Pyewipe, Grimsby, Lincolnshire

A proposed wind energy development at the Novartis site on the outskirts of Grimsby is causing the RSPB much concern due to its location next to the Humber Estuary. More...

Offshore wind farms in Eastern England

The RSPB Eastern England Region has recently lodged objections to three large offshore wind farms in the Greater Wash and off the Suffolk coast. More...

Renewables strategy for North West England

The RSPB is producing documents to help planners avoid siting windfarms and large-scale biomass production in bird-sensitive areas. More...

RSPB action on the Suffolk Coast

Suffolk's low-lying coast is vulnerable to rising sea levels and the likely increase in storms due to climate change. More...

Sefton sandwinning, Lancashire

Sand has been commercially extracted from Southport since at least the 1970s. The RSPB are working to ensure that the site is restored to once again benefit birds. More...

Shellfishing on the Wash

The UK Government recently announced that shellfishermen could not ride roughshod over the protection afforded The Wash and its birds, following requests to scare eiders to protect artificial mussel lays. More...

Shell Flat offshore windfarm, Lancashire

Developers agree to move windfarm in order to reduce impacts on birds. More...

South Devon link road

The proposed South Devon link road will destroy several cirl bunting breeding sites. More...

Male cirl bunting perched on branch in winter

Thames Basin Heaths

Since the 1800s, 75% of our lowland heaths have disappeared. The remaining heaths are under further pressure from plans to build at least 40,000 new homes around the Thames Basin Heaths alone. More...

Tween Bridge wind farm development, Yorkshire

A planning proposal for a 22-turbine windfarm in Yorkshire is causing concern because of its location. It is immediately adjacent to Thorne Moors, a Special Protection Area (SPA) for breeding nightjars. More...

Weymouth Relief Road, Dorset

Despite objections from the RSPB, consent was given by Dorset County Council last April to construct the ‘Weymouth Relief Road’, a major highways project which may impact on our Lodmoor reserve. More...

2000_1142_009 - Adult bittern wading in reedbed at Lee Valley Country Park

Wing water treatment works, Rutland

Proposals to increase drinking water abstraction rates could threaten the reservoir’s internationally important flocks of wintering water birds, unless new habitat could be provided to compensate for the damage. More...