How close to a Restricted Area can a pilot be cleared to fly? In my local area there is an instrument approach that skirts the edge of a restricted area by a mile or two. The TRACON for this approach is not the controlling agency for the restricted area. When the restricted area is active, the TRACON will not give clearance for the instrument approach unless the weather is VMC. Is there a requirement that ATC cannot have pilots flying too close to Prohibited/Restricted areas in IMC? Even if they're flying a published procedure?
Is this different for VFR flights?
ATC will separate IFR traffic from active special-use airspace according to the separation minima prescribed in the 7110.65 9–3–2:

Vertical separation: 500 feet above or below a prohibited/restricted/warning/MOA/ATCAA/ALTRV area (1000 feet above or below, if above FL290).
Radar separation: 3 miles from the periphery of special-use airspace; or for specific areas that have been designated by management as not needing 3 miles, simply &quot;clear of&quot; the periphery.
Non-radar separation: On airways whose protected airspace does not overlap the special-use airspace. (Remember that Federal airways extend four or more miles from each side of the centerline.)

Note that VFR traffic are explicitly mentioned as not prohibited from flying through a transitional hazard area (a term I think is used in conjunction with spacecraft launch and reentry). It is also &quot;common knowledge&quot; that VFR aircraft may fly through an active MOA but not active R- or P-airspace; however I can't seem to find anything that says this explicitly. R- and P- airspace is discussed at 14 CFR 91.133, which does not mention MOAs.

Without knowing the specific situation you're talking about, my guess is that when the restricted area is hot the TRACON is withholding an approach clearance using that approach for all IFR aircraft whether IMC or VMC, and only permitting VFR practice approaches to use it.