Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl Special Protection Area (SPA) was originally classified in 2010 for common scoter (Melanitta nigra), red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) and waterbird assemblage. In 2017, the SPA was reclassified by the UK and Welsh Governments. At this time, three more bird features were added. These are non-breeding little gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus), breeding little tern (Sternula albifrons) and breeding common tern (Sterna hirundo). As part of the reclassification in 2017, the boundary of the SPA was extended to the north and west to support the addition of little gull.
The Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl SPA lies in both English and Welsh territorial waters and in offshore UK waters and forms part of the National Sites Network.
This advice for the Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl SPA was jointly prepared by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and given in fulfilment of their duty under Regulation 37 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) given in fulfilment of their duty under Regulation 21 of the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
An initial assessment of whether a proposed plan, project, or ongoing activity may have an impact on a designated feature of the site can be seen by viewing Natural England’s Advice on Operations for Liverpool Bay/ Bae Lerpwl SPA. The information contained within the Advice on Operations online database is the advice of Natural England only. The supporting habitats have not been agreed by all SNCBs and this Advice on Operations does not necessarily reflect the advice of all authors.