Protected Sites Strategies Pilots - Evaluation of Process and Impact

Background Summary Protected Sites Strategies are an important element of the Government's ambition to deliver a better Environment within a generation, as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan (25YEP). They are a Statutory power in the Environment Act for Natural England to bring together key stakeholders to make long-term collaborative commitments that address impacts on the species, habitats and geophysical interest of Protected Sites. To test the full potential for Protected Sites Strategies mechanisms and inform the statutory guidance for Protected Sites Strategies, Natural England are running 5 local pilots from early 2022. Each pilot will require the formation of a theory of change and development of an evaluation framework. Natural England (NE) is looking for a supplier to develop a Theory of Change for the first two pilots by April 2022. There is an option within the contract, depending on the quality of the delivery of the first phase, to develop the remaining three pilots Theory of Change and Evaluation Frameworks for each of the 5 pilots by September 2022 and a further option to carry out further Evaluation of Impact on the pilot Protected Sites Strategies mechanisms to July 2024.

NE will consider the proposals and recommendations put forward on Theory of Change for each pilot in Phase 1 and the evaluation frameworks in Phase 2 however, there will be no obligation to undertake any further evaluation beyond Phase 1 of contract.

Protected Sites Strategies are an important element of the Government's ambition to deliver a better Environment within a generation, as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan (25YEP). They are a Statutory power in the Environment Act for Natural England to bring together key stakeholders to make long-term collaborative commitments that address impacts on the species, habitats and geophysical interest of Protected Sites. To test the full potential for Protected Sites Strategies mechanisms and inform the statutory guidance for Protected Sites

Project Aim

The aim of the PSS pilots is to test how PSS mechanisms can address impacts on Protected Sites and associated wildlife habitats, species and geophysical interest through engagement of a range of local key stakeholders and formation of collaborative partnerships with effective long-term commitments from signatories. The Pilots will require key stakeholders to commit to adopting nature-based solutions and other systems changes necessary to address impacts in the long term. The pilots will be designed to maximise socio economic benefits as well as wider environmental benefits for key stakeholders.

Through this evaluation project, Natural England wishes to discover if a Protected Sites Strategy process, bringing together key stakeholders to commit to address underlying and often complex issues in the long term, is a cost-effective approach to addressing impacts on Protected Sites and helping to achieve our wider habitat and species objectives.