1. European Site Information

1.1. Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC

1.1.1.    Site Overview

1. The Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast Special Area of Conservation (SAC) spans an extensive and diverse stretch of coastline in north-east England and south-east Scotland, extending from St Abb’s Head to Alnwick ( Figure 1.1   Open ▸ ). It is designated for Annex I habitats and one Annex II species. The site covers 115 km of coastline, extending out to four nm to encompass 645 km2 of shore and sea.
2. Key literature sources are as follows:

• Berwickshire and Northumberland Coast SAC Standard Data Form (JNCC, 2015a);
• Natural England and NatureScot Conservation Advice for Marine Protected Areas – Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC (Natural England, NatureScot, 2020);
• Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast Designated SAC (JNCC, 2015b);
• European Site Conservation Objectives for Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC (UK0017072) (Natural England, 2014a); and
• Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast Citation for SAC (Natural England, 2014a).

1.1.2.    Qualifying Features

3. The site is designated for the following interest features:

• mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide;
• intertidal mudflats and sandflats;
• large shallow inlets and bays; Shallow inlets and bays;
• reefs;
• submerged or partially submerged sea caves; and
• grey seal Halichoerus grypus.

1.1.3.    The Characteristics of the European Site

4. The site encompasses a rocky shoreline and several embayment’s, namely Budle Nay, Beadnell Bay and Embleton Bay. The SAC also overlaps with several Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Bamburgh Coast and Hills SSSI, Burnmouth Coast SSSI, Howick to Seaton Point SSSI, Lindisfarne SSSI, Northumberland Shore SSSI, St Abb’s Head to Fast Castle SSSI and the Farne Islands SSSI.
5. Stretches of the coast in England support an extensive range of intertidal mudflats and sandflats which support rich infaunal communities, including the largest eelgrass beds (Zostera angustifolia and Zostera noltei) on the east coast of England and large beds of Mytilus edulis. Open bays support populations of sand eels Ammodytes sp., small crustaceans and polychaetes, while more sheltered sediments support bivalve and burrowing heart-urchin Echinocardium cordatum communities.
6. The site is considered to be one of the best areas in the UK for mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide, large shallow inlets and bays, reefs, submerged or partially submerged sea caves and grey seal. The area ranging from Budle Bay to the north forms an extensive area of sandflats which is one of the richest sandflat biotopes in North-East England.
7. Moderately exposed reef habitats occur throughout the site, including littoral and subtidal reefs. The varied range of rock types (limestone, volcanic rock) and physical conditions (from more sheltered reefs to open/exposed conditions and strong tidal streams), has led to rich and diverse reef communities, known to be the most diverse on the North Sea coast. The Farne Islands are among the few rocky islands with extensive reefs in the North Sea.
8. Caves occur throughout the site in both the intertidal and the subtidal zones in a range of different hard rock exposures and support a range of distinct biological communities. Depending on the depth of the cave and its morphology, the site supports a range of distinct biological communities. The cliffs north of Berwick and the limestone at Howick contain partially submerged sea caves, whereas submerged sea caves, tunnels and arches are located in the Farne Islands and around St Abb’s Head. Caves occur in association with reefs.
9. The section of the site in north-east England is representative of grey seal breeding and supports around 3% of annual UK pup production. It is one of the largest breeding colonies on the North Sea coast, with the area around the Farne Islands being the preferred food source for grey seals in this area.

1.1.4.    Conservation Advice

10. Advice on operations and management measures can be found within: :

• Northumberland Coastal Site Improvement Plan (April 2015) (Natural England, 2015a);
• Advice on Operations (dated March 2021) (Natural England, NatureScot, 2022) ; and
• Conservation Objectives (Natural England, 2015b).
  11. The Conservation Objectives for the site are to ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and to ensure that the site contributes to achieving the favourable conservation status (FCS) of its Qualifying Features, by maintaining or restoring:
• the extent and distribution of qualifying natural habitats and habitats of qualifying species;
• the structure and function (including typical species) of qualifying natural habitats;
• the structure and function of the habitats of qualifying species;
• the supporting processes on which qualifying natural habitats and the habitats of qualifying species rely;
• the populations of qualifying species; and
• the distribution of qualifying species within the site.
  12. Supplementary Advice on Conservation Objectives provide site-specific attributes and targets for the qualifying features (Nature England, NatureScot, 2020). Qualifying features relevant to the assessment of adverse effect on site integrity are grey seals, large shallow inlets and bays, mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide, reefs, and submerged or partially submerged sea caves and Supplementary Advice on Conservation Objectives for these features are provided in Table 1.1   Open ▸ .

Table 1.1: Supplementary Advice on Conservation Objectives Site-specific Attributes and Targets for the Qualifying Features of the Berwickshire and Northumberland Coast SAC

1.1.5.    Current Condition Status

13. A feature condition assessment was undertaken in 2014 and concluded the following (Nature Scot, 2014a):

• grey seal was assessed as “favourable maintained”; and
• sea caves were assessed as “favourable maintained”.
  14. Reefs were not assessed[1].

Figure 1.1: Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC in Relation to Berwick Bank Wind Farm

1.2. Tweed Estuary SAC

1.2.1.    Site Overview

15. The Tweed Estuary SAC in Northumberland encompasses the Tweed Estuary, a long and narrow estuary discharging into the North Sea ( Figure 1.2   Open ▸ ). The site is designated for Annex I habitats and Annex II species.
16. Key literature sources are as follows:

• Tweed Estuary Citation for Special Area of Conservation (Natural England, 2014b).

1.2.2.    Qualifying Features

17. The site is designated for the following interest features:

• estuaries;
• mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide;
• river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis; and
• sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus.

1.2.3.    The Characteristics of the European Site

18. The Tweed Estuary SAC is a long narrow estuary that forms the border between England and Scotland and flows downstream to meet the North Sea. The estuary mouth encompasses both rocky and sandy substrates, whilst further upstream the estuary is characterised by finer sediment flats and large areas of estuarine boulders and cobbles extending into subtidal areas of the channel. Intertidal areas of the estuary are characterised by finer sediment mud and sand flats which support a diverse community of invertebrate species. Species and habitat diversity rise with increasing shelter, until increasingly low-salinity estuarine conditions lead to lower natural infaunal diversity, characterised by species tolerant of brackish water conditions.
19. Rare species such as the anadromous Allis Shad Alosa alosa and migratory Atlantic salmon Salmo salar are present within the estuary. There are occasional records of river lamprey, and sea lamprey are present upstream in spring months during spawning.
20. The estuary contains a wide variety of intertidal mudflat and sandflat communities. In exposed areas such as Sandstell Point, a wide spit of mobile sand, infauna is characterised by mobile species (mainly crustaceans and a few polychaetes) reflecting the dynamic nature of this area, subject to wave and river action. The west-facing shore of Sandstell Point and Calot Shad are more sheltered areas with reduced sand mobility and characterised by polychaetes occurring with crustacean species. Further upstream (Yarrow Slake) the sheltered muddy sand is characterised by a range of species tolerant of brackish conditions (polychaetes, amphipods, oligochaetes and enchytraeids).

1.2.4.    Conservation Advice

21. Advice on operations can be found within the following documents:

• Supplementary Advice On Conservation Objectives (March 2020) (Natural England, 2020a);
• Advice on Operations (March 2021) (Natural England, 2020a); and
• Site improvement plan was also updated in April 2015 (Natural England, 2015a).
  22. The Conservation Objectives for the site are to ensure that, subject to natural change, the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and that the site contributes to achieving the FCS of its qualifying features, by maintaining or restoring:
• the extent and distribution of qualifying natural habitats and habitats of the qualifying species;
• the structure and function (including typical species) of qualifying natural habitats;
• the structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species;
• the supporting processes on which qualifying natural habitats and the habitats of qualifying species rely;
• the populations of each of the qualifying species; and
• the distribution of qualifying species within the site.
  23. Supplementary Advice on Conservation Objectives provides site-specific attributes and targets for the qualifying features. Qualifying features relevant to the assessment of adverse effect on site integrity are sea lamprey and river lamprey, and Supplementary Advice on Conservation Objectives for these features are provided in Table 1.2   Open ▸ .

Table 1.2: Supplementary Advice on Conservation Objectives Site-specific Attributes and Targets for the Qualifying Features of the Tweed Estuary SAC

1.2.5.    Current Condition Status

24. The condition of the SAC’s features has not been assessed.

Figure 1.2: Tweed Estuary SAC in Relation to Berwick Bank Wind Farm

1.3. River Tweed SAC

1.3.1.    Site Overview

25. River Tweed SAC is located in Eastern Scotland, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear and spans 3797.41 ha ( Figure 1.3   Open ▸ ). The site is designated for one Annex I habitat and five Annex II species.
26. Key literature sources include:

• Citation for SAC – River Tweed (Natural England, 2014c);
• River Tweed Designated Special Area of Conservation (JNCC, 2015c);
• River Tweed SAC Conservation Advice Package (Nature Scot, 2018); and
• River Tweed SAC Feature Condition Assessment (Nature Scot, 2018).

1.3.2.    Qualifying Features

27. The site is designated for the following features:

• water courses of plain to montane levels with Ranunculus fluitans and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation;
• sea lamprey;
• brook lamprey, Lampetra planeri;
• river lamprey;
• Atlantic salmon Salmo salar; and
• otter, Lutra lutra.

1.3.3.    The Characteristics of the European Site

28. The river Tweed SAC encompasses 3,745 ha of the River Tweed’s catchment and 1,285 km of watercourse and extends across north-east Northumberland and the Border Uplands of Scotland. The River Till is the main English tributary, joining the River Tweed near Twizel. The River Tweed catchment has varied geology which supports a diverse range of species and habitats. The river Tweed shows a strong nutrient gradient along its length and high ecological diversity, reflecting the mixed geology of the catchment.
29. The fish fauna is one of the richest in Great Britain. the river supports a very large, high-quality salmon population with large seasonal migrations (spring and autumn). The high proportion of accessible habitat, and the variety of habitat conditions in the river has resulted in it supporting the full range of salmon life-history types, with sub-populations of spring, summer salmon and grilse all present. Brook lamprey, river lamprey and sea lamprey are also present within the catchment. Adults utilise the lower gradient, fast flowing rivers with boulders as spawning grounds and juveniles show preference for slower flowing silty areas. The extensive range of habitats of the River Tweed also provide suitable habitat for all aspects of otter’s life cycles. The extensive tributary burns provide good feeding habitat for otter.
30. The site is also designated for Annex I habitat water courses of plain to montane levels with Ranunculus fluitans and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation (rivers with floating vegetation often dominated by water-crowfoot). The SAC is the most species-rich example, by far, of a river with Ranunculus in Scotland.

1.3.4.    Conservation Advice

31. Advice on operations can be found within the following documents:

• Conservation Advice Package (March, 2020) (Nature Scot, 2018).
  32. The Conservation Objectives for the site are to ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the FCS of its Qualifying Features, by maintaining or restoring;
• the extent and distribution of qualifying natural habitats and habitats of qualifying species;
• the structure and function (including typical species) of qualifying natural habitats;
• the structure and function of the habitats of qualifying species;
• the supporting processes on which qualifying natural habitats and the habitats of qualifying species rely;
• the populations of qualifying species; and
• the distribution of qualifying species within the site.
  33. The site’s attributes and targets are summarised in Table 1.3   Open ▸ (Natural England, 2020b) .

Table 1.3: Supplementary Advice on Conservation Objectives Site-specific Attributes and Targets for the Qualifying Features of the River Tweed SAC

1.3.5.    Current Condition Status

34. The most recent feature condition assessments are outlined in Table 1.4   Open ▸ (Nature Scot, 2018).

Table 1.4: River Tweed Feature Condition Assessment

Figure 1.3 River Tweed SAC in Relation to Berwick Bank Wind Farm

1.4. River South Esk SAC

1.4.1.    Site Overview

35. The River South Esk SAC is located in Angus, Scotland and spans 471.85 ha ( Figure 1.4   Open ▸ ). The site is designated for two Annex II species.
36. Key literature sources include:

• River South Esk JNCC Special Area Conservation Site Details (JNCC, 2015d);
• River South Esk Nature Scot Conservation Advice Package (Nature Scot, 2011a); and
• River South Esk Special Area Conservation Qualifying Interest List (Nature Scot, 2011a).

1.4.2.    Qualifying Features

37. The site is designated for the following features:

• freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera; and
• Atlantic salmon Salmo salar.

1.4.3.    The Characteristics of the European Site

38. The source of the river is located in the Grampian Mountains at Loch Esk in Glen Doll and flows through Glen Clova to Strathmore at Cortachy, before meeting the North Sea at Montrose. The River South Esk is a haven for wildlife including the qualifying interests for which the site is designated Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel.
39. The South Esk is one of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) priority catchments, the main stem of the South Esk, where mussels are found, is at good status for its physical condition. The feature has been assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme as being in unfavourable condition due to the low number and density of freshwater pearl mussels present, low levels of juvenile recruitment, biological oxygen demand (fine sediments), and disturbance of mussel beds through largely historical illegal pearl fishing.

1.4.4.    Conservation Advice

40. Advice on operations may be found within the following documents:

• Conservation Advice Package (October 2020) (NatureScot, 2011a).
  41. Conservation Objectives for all qualifying features are as follows:
• to ensure that the qualifying features of the River South Esk SAC are in favourable condition and make an appropriate contribution to achieving FCS; and
• to ensure that the integrity of the River South Esk SAC is restored by meeting objectives for each qualifying feature (and for freshwater pearl mussel).
  42. Conservation Objectives for freshwater pearl mussel include the following:
• restore the population of freshwater pearl mussel as a viable component of the site;
• restore the distribution of freshwater pearl mussel throughout the site;
• restore the habitats supporting freshwater pearl mussel within the site and availability of food; and
• restore the distribution and viability of freshwater pearl mussel host species and their supporting habitats.
  43. Conservation Objectives for Atlantic salmon include the following:
• restore the population of Atlantic salmon, including range of genetic types, as a viable component of the site;
• restore the distribution of Atlantic salmon throughout the site; and
• restore the habitats supporting Atlantic salmon within the site and availability of food.

1.4.5.    Current Condition Status

44. The most recent feature condition assessments are outlined in Table 1.5   Open ▸ (NatureScot, 2011a).

Table 1.5: River Dee SAC Feature Condition Assessment

Figure 1.4: River South Esk SAC in Relation to Berwick Bank Wind Farm

1.5. River Tay SAC

1.5.1.    Site Overview

45. The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland originating in western Scotland and then flowing easterly across the Highlands, through Strath Tay and Perth before becoming tidal, to its mouth at the Firth of Tay ( Figure 1.5   Open ▸ ). It covers an area of 9,461.63 ha. The river has a high biodiversity and is both a SAC and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The SAC designation notes the rivers importance for salmon, otters, brook lampreys, river lampreys, and sea lampreys. The Tay also maintains flagship population of freshwater pearl mussel.
46. Key literature sources include:

• River Tay SAC Qualifying Interest List (Nature Scot, 2012a);
• River Tay SAC Conservation Advice Package (Nature Scot, 2012a);
• River Tay JNCC SAC Site Details (JNCC, 2015e); and
• River Tay JNCC SAC Data Form (JNCC, 2015e).

1.5.2.    Qualifying Features

47. The site is designated for the following features:

• river lamprey;
• brook lamprey;
• otter;
• clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea;
• sea lamprey; and
• Atlantic salmon.

1.5.3.    The Characteristics of the European Site

48. Atlantic salmon are found throughout the Tay SAC and there are also sea, river and brook lamprey present, with the Tay supporting one of the most important sea lamprey populations in Scotland. The SAC also hosts a thriving population of otters due to the abundance of food supply and high-water quality associated with the river and its tributaries. Freshwater pearl mussels, one of Scotland’s most endangered species are also present throughout the River Tay SAC.

1.5.4.    Conservation Advice

49. Advice on operations is located within the following documents:

• Conservation Advice Package (Nature Scot, 2012a); and
• River Tay SAC Advice to Developers (Nature Scot, 2016a).
  50. Conservation Objectives for clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels (Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea) are to ensure that the qualifying feature of the River Tay SAC is in favourable condition and makes an appropriate contribution to achieving FCS and to ensure that the integrity of the River Tay is maintained by meeting objectives:
• maintain the extent and distribution of clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels within the site;
• maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels; and
• maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels.
  51. Conservation Objectives for all species features:
• to ensure that the qualifying features of River Tay SAC are in favourable condition; and
• to ensure that the integrity of the River Tay is maintained by meeting objectives for each qualifying feature and make an appropriate contribution to achieving FCS.
  52. Conservation Objectives for sea lamprey, brook lamprey and river lamprey are as follows:
• maintain the population of the lamprey species’ as viable components of the site;
• maintain the distribution of the lamprey species’ throughout the site; and
• maintain the habitats supporting the lamprey species’ within the site, and availability of food.
  53. Conservation Objectives for Atlantic salmon are as follows:
• maintain the population of Atlantic salmon, including range of genetic types, as a viable component of the site;
• maintain the distribution of Atlantic salmon throughout the site; and
• maintain the habitats supporting Atlantic salmon within the site and availability of food.
  54. Conservation Objectives for otter are as follows:
• maintain the population of otter as a viable component of the site;
• maintain the distribution of otter throughout the site; and
• maintain the habitats supporting otter within the site and availability of food.

1.5.5.    Current Condition Status

55. The most recent feature condition assessments are outlined in Table 1.6   Open ▸ (Nature Scot, 2012a).

Table 1.6: River Tay SAC Feature Condition Assessment

Figure 1.5: River Tay SAC in Relation to Berwick Bank Wind Farm

1.6. River Dee SAC

1.6.1.    Site Overview

56. The river Dee rises in the Cairngorms and flows through southern Aberdeenshire to reach the North Sea at Aberdeen and covers an area of 2,334.48 ha ( Figure 1.6   Open ▸ ). The Dee is important for nature conservation and the area has many designated sites. The upper catchment down to Inverey is within the Mar Lodge Estate, owned by the National Trust for Scotland and has been classified as a nature reserve since 2017. Cairngorms National Park covers the whole catchment of the Dee, including tributaries. The entire length of the Dee is defined as an SAC due to its importance for salmon, otters and freshwater pearl mussel.
57. Key literature sources include:

• River Dee SAC Qualifying Interest List (Nature Scot, 2012b);
• River Dee SAC Conservation Advice Package (Nature Scot, 2012b);
• River Dee JNCC SAC Site Details (JNCC, 2015f); and
• River Dee JNCC Data Form (JNCC, 2015f).

1.6.2.    Qualifying Features

58. The site is designated for the following features:

• otter;
• freshwater pearl mussel; and
• Atlantic salmon.

1.6.3.    The Characteristics of the European Site

59. The river Dee and its tributaries are designated as an SAC because they support internationally important populations of otter, freshwater pearl mussel and Atlantic salmon. The River Dee is located in Aberdeenshire and originates in the Cairngorms, flows through southern Aberdeenshire and meets the North Sea at Aberdeen. The SAC overlaps with the following sites: Cairngorms SAC and SPA, Ballochbuie SAC and SPA, Muir of Dinnet SAC, SPA and Ramsar site, Glen Tanar SAC and SPA, Morven and Mullachdubh SAC, Cairngorms Massif SPA, and Caenlochan SPA.

1.6.4.    Conservation Advice

60. Advice on operations is located within the following documents:

• Conservation Advice Package (Nature Scot, 2012b).
  61. The overarching Conservation Objectives for all features are as follows:
• to ensure that the qualifying features of the River Dee SAC are in favourable condition and make an appropriate contribution to achieving FCS; and
• to ensure that the integrity of the River Dee SAC is restored by meeting objectives.
  62. Conservation Objectives for otter:
• maintain the population of otter, as a viable component of the site; and
• maintain the distribution of otter throughout the site.
  63. Conservation Objectives for freshwater pearl mussel;
• restore the population of freshwater pearl mussel as a viable component of the site;
• restore the distribution of freshwater pearl mussel throughout the site;
• restore the habitats supporting the freshwater pearl mussel within the site and availability of food; and
• maintain the distribution and viability of freshwater pearl mussel host species and their supporting habitat.
  64. Conservation Objectives for Atlantic salmon:
• maintain the population of Atlantic salmon, including range of genetic types, as a viable component of the site;
• maintain the distribution of Atlantic salmon throughout the site;
• maintain the habitats supporting Atlantic salmon within the site and availability of food; and
• maintain the habitats supporting otter within the site and availability of food.