The natural environment contains habitats and species that are ecologically valuable and landscapes that are appreciated for their beauty and historical interest. It must be protected from pollution and damage as it has evolved over hundreds of years and is not easily replaced. It is important to preserve the natural environment for us and future generations to enjoy and learn from.
Under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is considered a public authority and as such has a duty to conserve and enhance the natural environment. Strictly controlled under environmental law, measures to conserve and enhance the natural environment should be promoted and implemented. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ therefore requires its staff and suppliers to take all reasonable steps to look after the natural environment.
These Natural Environment and Wildlife Guidelines establish minimum operating standards that must be applied at all sites and the legal issues you must be aware of. If you have any queries relating to this standard then you should contact the Safety Advice Line.
What Can Go Wrong?
- Impact on protected species and their habitats, for example, badgers, dormice, reptiles, bats, nesting birds etc.
- Impact on protected areas, for example, ancient woodland, country parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, sites of special scientific interests, historical coasts etc.
- Impact on trees and hedgerows such as works to and/or the removal of trees and hedgerows.
- The spreading of invasive plants or noxious weeds. (Invasive plant: A non-native plant species that out-competes native plants, for example, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed. Noxious weed: A weed that is harmful to agriculture, for example, ragwort, thistle, dock)
- Impact on public rights of way and/or access land. Public rights of way on pathways and access land may be affected if paths or areas of land are to be closed off. (Access Land: Areas of land on which people can walk freely without having to keep to paths)
Legal/Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Requirements
- There are no specific legal requirements to draw to your attention, you must still apply the control measures that are relevant to your activity.
Control Measures
General Controls
- Identify all protected species and habitats that may be affected by your activities and consult a specialist if necessary.
- If feasible, locate activities away from areas where protected species are present.
- Implement mitigation measures identified during the planning stage.
- Identify all protected areas that may be affected by your activities and consult a specialist if necessary.
- If protected areas will be affected by the activity, obtain further information and guidance from the statutory authority or other organisation on how activities should be managed and the mitigation measures needed.
- If feasible, locate activities away from sensitive areas. Implement mitigation measures identified during the planning stage.
- Check trees and hedgerows for nesting birds and bats prior to any works to them or the removal of them. Seek specific ecological advice, where needed, on how works to hedgerows should be undertaken.
- Leave in place and fence off invasive plants and/or noxious weeds if practicable. If this is not possible, seek advice on the treatment of invasive plants or noxious weeds from the relevant authority or from an ecologist.
- Check invasive plants or noxious weeds for nesting birds prior to any works to them or the removal of them.
- If protected areas will be affected by the activity, obtain further information and guidance from the statutory authority or other organisation on how activities should be managed and the mitigation measures needed.
Division Specific Issues
- No division specific issues.
FAQs/Did You Know?
- No FAQs/Did you know items.
Recommended links
- [Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Network only]
Environment topics
- Air PollutionAir pollution can have damaging effects on human health and the environment and it is crucial to minimise emissions to the atmosphere.
- Built EnvironmentIn the UK these impacts are controlled by legislation, particularly planning law.
- Energy ManagementThis guidance provides information on energy management associated with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ activities in order to ensure good environmental practice and compliance with relevant legislation.
- Environment on Production and EventsThis guidance provides information on how to reduce the risk of environmental incidents, nuisance or legal non-compliance whilst making programmes and running events.
- Environmental NuisanceNuisance is something that causes an unwanted disturbance to someone's quality of life or something that can have a negative effect on their health.
- HeritageHeritage consists of buildings and features that are man-made and valuable for their architectural or historical interest.
- Land ContaminationBoth former and current land uses can pollute land and water resources by releasing pollutants to the environment.
- Natural Environment and WildlifeThe natural environment contains habitats and species that are ecologically valuable and landscapes that are appreciated for their beauty and historical interest.
- Oil and Chemical ManagementOil and chemical management can occur from fixed and temporary generators, set building, special effects, cleaning and associated activities.
- Waste ManagementThis guidance provides information on how to manage wastes arising from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ activities in order to ensure good environmental practice and compliance with relevant legislation.
- Water and Waste Water ManagementThis guidance provides information on how to manage water and waste water arising from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ activities in order to ensure good environmental practice and compliance with relevant legislation.
More from SSR
- Your platform to record accidents, risk assessments, assurance monitoring and inspections
- Safety Equipment StoresJust one number to call: 0844 800 8875
- Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Safety GuidelinesAn A-Z of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Health and Safety Guidelines
- Safety Advice Line: 0370 411 0464 Email: safety@bbc.co.uk
- A-Z of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Safety Guidelines
- Accident Reporting and Investigation
- Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Health & Safety Policy
- Contractors (incl. vetted lists)
- Contributors
- Fire Safety
- Freelancers
- Independent Production Companies
- Risk Assessment
- Safety Alerts
- Safety Responsibilities
- Safety Training
- Sets & Premises Safety Guide
Events guidance - key links:
- Exhibitions
- General Guidance
- Indoor Location Recce Checklist
- Outdoor Location Recce Checklist
- Major Incidents & Emergency Planning
- Marketing and Promotional
- Noise Exposure
- Planning and Management
- Responsibilities
- Responsibilities Form
- Laser Lighting Effects
- Strobe Lighting
- Temporary Stages and Rostra
Health topics - key links:
- (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ network only)
- Contributors Fitness to Participate
- Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
- (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ network only)
- First Aid and Welfare on Location
- International Travel - Risks & Health
- Manual Handling
- Mental Health: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔpage
- (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ network only)
- Personal Health and Wellbeing
- Pregnancy
- Psychological Trauma Support & Trauma Risk Management (TRiM)
- Tiredness and Fatigue
- Travel Health Contacts
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ High Risk - key links:
- CBRN and Industrial Spills
- Covert Filming
- Crisis Management and Security Support
- Demonstrations, Protests and Crowds
- Disaster Coverage
- Door Stepping
- (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ network only)
- (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ network only)
- Public Order
- Safety Equipment Stores
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Journalism - key links:
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Productions - key links:
- Aerial Filming and Airfields
- Animals: Displaying and handling for performance
- Boats: Working on
- Children and Young People
- Driving
- Electrical Equipment and Systems
- First Aid and Welfare on Location
- Food Safety (Cooking and Catering)
- Remote Location Working
- Roads and Streets: Working by
- Security of Productions on Location
- Stunts
- Tiredness and Fatigue
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS aka Drones)
- Vehicles: Recording in, from and around
- Working at Height: Mobile Elevating Work Platforms
- Working at Height: Tower Scaffolds
- (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Network only)
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Security - key links:
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport - key links:
About this site
This site describes what the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ does in relation to managing its health, safety and security risks and is intended for those who work directly for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
It is not intended to provide instruction or guidance on how third parties should manage their risks. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ cannot be held liable for how this information is interpreted or used by third parties, nor provide any assurance that adopting it would provide any measure of legal compliance. More information
Some links on this site are only accessible when connected to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ network