Natural England has launched formal consultation on a dozen proposed new marine conservation sites.
The 12 sites in question consist of 10 possible Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and two potential Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The sites include sandbanks of the Outer Wash and southern North Sea and areas of the Irish Sea important for birds and cold water coral reefs off north-west Scotland.
In separate developments the Scottish Government has asked Scottish Natural Heritage to assess over 350,000 hectares of northern and western Scotland as Special Protection Areas for the golden eagle.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has announced local consultation on the Sound of Mull spatial plan.
Link to Planning Portal News Article
Link to Natural England News Article
