Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Access
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2026 to question 106695, what discussions she has had Natural England on restricting access to Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including at Hoads Wood in 2023.
Answered by Mary Creagh
The Environment Agency is continuing to temporarily restrict vehicular access to Hoads Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and, alongside Kent Police, is leading the criminal investigation into the illegal dumping of waste.
The primary legal framework for protecting SSSIs is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which places a duty on public bodies to conserve and enhance SSSI features and controls operations likely to cause damage. Landowners and occupiers must obtain consent from Natural England (NE) before carrying out listed activities, including vehicle use. NE has enforcement powers to prevent or stop harm, including issuing stop notices, making byelaws and taking action against those who intentionally or recklessly damage SSSI features.
Additional powers are available under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which allows authorities to make Traffic Regulation Orders to protect SSSIs, with offences for non-compliance. The Police can also prosecute off-road vehicle use (including over SSSI land) under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and may seize vehicles under the Police Reform Act 2002 where use causes, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance.
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