The rules here are for England and Wales.
Check whether your land is in an SSSI
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is land notified for its wildlife, geology or landform. Every SSSI in England is registered as a land charge, so a conveyancing search shows it, and the MAGIC map shows its boundary.
Each SSSI has a list of operations that need consent, set out in its notification. Download the list for your site, its boundary map and Natural England's views about management from the designated sites system. Listed operations often include everyday management, such as changing how you graze the land or manage woodland.
Operations that need consent
You do not need consent for an operation a public body has permitted after consulting Natural England. Consent from Natural England does not replace other permissions, such as a Forestry Commission felling licence.
Apply for consent
Talk to Natural England about your plans first: early advice can avoid conditions or a refusal. Then fill in the consent notice form with the site name, what you intend to do, where, how and when, and any machinery you will use.
Natural England acknowledges a notice within 10 working days. It can grant consent, grant it with conditions or for a limited period, or refuse it.
Appeal a decision
You can appeal to the Secretary of State if Natural England refuses consent, attaches conditions or a time limit you object to, withdraws or modifies a consent, or does not decide within 4 months.
Management agreements
Natural England may offer a management agreement, under which you manage the land in an agreed way, sometimes with payments. Work carried out in line with an agreement does not need separate consent. Natural England does not have to offer one, and an offer does not replace your right to appeal.
Tell Natural England about a change of owner or occupier
You must tell Natural England within 28 days if you sell or lease SSSI land or someone gets an easement over it.
Penalties
Intentionally or recklessly damaging the features the site was notified for, or disturbing its wildlife, if you knew the land was an SSSI, is also an offence with an unlimited fine. A court must take into account any money you made from the offence, and you may have to pay to restore the damage.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations