Seabed rock protection deposited by energy infrastructure in sandbank Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) poses a significant problem, contributing to the unfavourable condition of several Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). This issue has led to the need for government derogations for various offshore wind projects and has spurred a large-scale strategic habitat compensation programme. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in determining the locations of offshore wind farms. However, there remains considerable uncertainty about the ecological impacts of rock protection on sandbank habitats. This report aims to provide recommendations for Natural England that can be considered in Marine Protected Area (MPA) site condition assessments, particularly regarding the impacts of deposited rocky substrate on the extent and distribution of sandbanks. These recommendations will serve two main purposes:
1. They will directly help inform the decision-making process that underpins the condition assessments.
2. They will guide future work and projects needed to better understand the impacts of rocky substrate on the integrity of sandbanks.