Wildlife law, policy and guidance

The following table provides a summary:

European legislation
  • EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), transposed into UK law by the Conservation of Habitats & Species Regulations 2010 (as amended)

National legislation

  • Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)
  • Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 (as amended)
  • Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
  • The Protection of Badgers Act 1992
  • The Hedgerow Regulations 1997

National and local policy and guidance 
  • Planning Policy Wales (2014) Chapter 5
  • Technical Advice Note 5 (2009)
  • UK Biodiversity Action Plan
  • BBNP Local Biodiversity Action Plan
  • Local Development Plan for the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
  • AAPG: Best Practice in Biodiversity and Geological Conservation in Planning and Development

Useful information and web links:

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the public body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation  

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is  the principal adviser to the Welsh Government on the environment, and has guidance on:

The Welsh Government has issued the following policy and guidance on wildlife and planning issues:

The Wales Biodiversity Partnership oversees key actions to promote biodiversity in Wales including the priority habitats and species identified under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006; these are known as the NERC Act 2006 Section 42 Lists.

Use the navigation bar on the left or the links below for more specific information on key topics.