Habitats Regulations Mitigation (RAMS)

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Habitats Regulations Mitigation (RAMS)

The Suffolk Coast and Heaths is a special place, with its internationally important wildlife sites a huge draw for residents and visitors. New residential development in the area, including tourist accommodation, is therefore expected to increase the number of people visiting these wildlife sites, which include Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Ramsar sites. These three designations are collectively known as Habitats sites (also known as European sites). They are protected by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 as amended (known as the Habitats Regulations). Habitats sites are designated for their incredible birds, plants, habitats and other rare and unusual species. It’s this diversity of nature that makes visiting the Suffolk Coast and Heaths such a unique experience.

However, this exceptional wildlife has not evolved to deal with the large numbers of visitors. Recreational activities can disturb or kill animals, and their habitats can be damaged or destroyed by large numbers of visitors undertaking a wide range of activities. Birds are less likely to survive and reproduce if regularly disturbed by people and their dogs. This is because humans and our dogs appear as predators to birds, which will avoid the habitats they need to feed, rest and raise their chicks. If frequently disturbed, chicks may not receive the regular food they need to survive or they may be abandoned. For exhausted birds which have just travelled thousands of miles from Africa and elsewhere to spend the winter on the Suffolk Coast, they need to rest and feed to recover. Disturbance to these birds can again be the difference between survival or not. Habitats themselves can also be damaged by people, thorough fires, trampling, dog fouling, vandalism and litter.

Suffolk Coast Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (‘RAMS’)

The Suffolk Coast Recreation Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (‘RAMS’) is a partnership between East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils. Its aim is to mitigate and avoid the impact of increased levels of recreational use of Habitats sites, resulting from new residential development in the area. Each Council’s Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment, found that the effects of new residential development from increased visitor numbers when considered in-combination could not be effectively mitigated or avoided without a Strategy, hence the creation of the Suffolk Coast RAMS. The Strategy provides a cost effective, simple, coordinated way for developers to deliver mitigation for their developments across the project area, especially when compared to project-by-project mitigation packages otherwise required. The RAMS partnership approach also has support from Natural England.

Further information can be found below:

The public facing brand of the Suffolk Coast RAMS is Wildlife Wise.

Where RAMS applies

The Zone of Influence is the area where increased residential development will result in likely significant effects. As set out in the strategy, evidence shows that there is a 13 km Zone of Influence around the relevant Habitats sites. The zone of influence spans East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council, and both Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council authority boundaries. It also extends to a small area of East Suffolk where the Broads Authority is the Local Planning Authority. The zone of influence extends beyond 13km to encompass the whole northern part of the former Waveney District, to provide mitigation for Little Terns nesting outside of Habitats sites, which are still protected by the Habitats Regulations.

Any new residential development within the Zone of Influence will be required to mitigate the effects of the development and show how this will be achieved prior to approval of planning permission. For smaller development this is most efficiently achieved through payment of the RAMS tariff only. For sites of more than 50 dwellings and in more sensitive locations, a bespoke approach including payment of RAMS and demonstration of on-site/off-site mitigation measures will be required. This includes, but is not limited to high-quality public open space, dog walking routes, dog waste bins and a commitment to the long-term maintenance and management of these provisions. The requirements listed here are not comprehensive and you should read Annex I of the Suffolk Coast RAMS Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA) Record for the full guidance agreed with Natural England. The Healthy Environments Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (pg. 59 onwards) also provides more detailed advice on Green Infrastructure and Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) guidance and criteria.

Habitats sites affected

Map of the Habitats sites included in the strategy.

This is the list of Habitats sites:

Alde-Ore Estuary Special Protection Area
Alde-Ore Estuary Ramsar site
Benacre to Easton Bavents Special Protection Area
Deben Estuary Special Protection Area
Deben Estuary Ramsar site
Minsmere to Walberswick Heaths and Marshes Special Area of Conservation
Minsmere - Walberswick Special Protection Area
Minsmere - Walberswick Ramsar site
Orfordness - Shingle Street Special Area of Conservation
Sandlings Special Protection Area
Stour and Orwell Estuaries Special Protection Area
Stour and Orwell Estuaries Ramsar site

The RAMS Tariff

The Strategy Document states in page 103, paragraph 9.48 that “Per house tariffs may be subject to change throughout the lifetime of the Strategy, as housing figures are reviewed again over time, and in response to more detailed understanding of costs, and as measures are implemented and monitored for effectiveness.” Additionally, the Suffolk Coast RAMS Supplementary Planning Document states that “The tariff will be indexed linked, with a base date of 2019 and will be reviewed periodically.

Any revisions to the tariff will be published via the Council’s website. As such the RAMS tariff per dwelling is index linked to the BCIS (Building Cost Information Service) index with a base date of May 2019 (the date of adoption of the Strategy). This is to ensure the financial sustainability of the project by linking the tariff rate to the most appropriate measure of inflation.

As of the 19^th April 2024, the RAMS tariff is set at £142.27 per dwelling within Zone A and £374.29 per dwelling within Zone B. Each year thereafter the tariff rate will be adjusted on the 6^th April, to align with the start of the financial year, and the new rate will be published on this web page. The tariff rate to be paid becomes fixed on the date the payment is made.

All developments within the authority boundaries of Ipswich Borough Council and Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are within Zone A. Developments within East Suffolk Council may be within either zone. You can check which zone your development falls within and pay the tariff upfront quickly and easily by using our online Recreational Avoidance Mitigation Contribution (RAMS) upfront payment form (the form will require you to have or create, a My East Suffolk account). To quickly check the zone you can view the map.

Payment Options

Where payment of the RAMS tariff is required, it can be paid upfront or via a legal agreement that will secure payment before, or upon commencement of the development. Upfront payments are refundable in the event planning permission is refused, an appeal is dismissed, or the development is not implemented.

Make an upfront RAMS payment.

Template legal agreements can be supplied on request by contacting our Infrastructure Team.

Section 106 Planning Obligation (S106)

Where a Section 106 Agreement is required for a planning permission, the Suffolk Coast RAMS payment can be included with the other obligations.

Reporting on RAMS

Reporting on RAMS is included in the Infrastructure Funding Statement.

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