'Open meeting' dates announced for Studland to Portland possible Special Area of Conservation

Natural England, the Government's statutory nature conservation adviser, is undertaking a formal public consultation on the Studland to Portland possible Special Area of Conservation (pSAC). The consultation started on Thursday 1st September and will run until Thursday 24th November 2011.

Two open meetings have been arranged so that members of the public can study maps in detail, and meet staff from Natural England who will be on hand to discuss the boundary, the necessity of the site and the evidence behind it. Tea and coffee will be available at both open meetings.

• First open meeting: Thursday 13th October 2011

Weymouth Pavilion, The Sundeck Room, The Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8ED
Doors are open between midday and 8pm

• Second open meeting: Tuesday 1st November 2011

Swanage Rectory Classroom, Church Hill, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HU
Doors are open between midday and 8pm
Limited car parking at the church

The purpose of this consultation is to seek the views of all interested parties on the scientific case for designation of this possible SAC; and to assess likely economic, environmental and social impacts. Information, such as the consultation guidance document and maps are on Natural England's web site: http://tinyurl.com/y8af2a4

The consultation ends on Thursday 24th November 2011. Afterwards, during 2012, Natural England will report to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the responses received during the consultation, and submit the final site recommendation and impact assessment. Once the Government has taken all responses into account, it will decide whether to submit this possible SAC to the European Commission for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network.