Legislation - Designated Sites
There are many types of
designated sites
in the UK that fit into two protection types,
statutory
and
non-statutory
.
Statutory sites
are those that are legally protected and development within or near them is strictly controlled.
Non-statutory sites
include County Wildlife Sites and other locally designated sites that receive some protection from development. The different site types are listed below along with a brief description of the site type. All of these site types are classed as statutory with the exception of the County Wildlife Sites.
Ramsar Sites
Wetlands of international importance supporting wildfowl and other important species.
Special Protection Areas (SPA)
Sites that support rare, vulnerable or large numbers of regularly occurring migratory bird species.
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
High quality conservation sites which make a significant contribution to conserving habitats and species threatened in Europe as a whole.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Representative samples of British habitats forming a national series aimed at maintaining the present diversity of wild plants and animals in the UK.
National Nature Reserves (NNR)
Areas managed for study or research into flora, fauna, geological or physiogeographical interest or for preserving features of special interest.
Local Nature Reserves (LNR)
Concentrated in or around urban areas where a policy of using LNRs to promote conservation education has been pioneered. LNRs have local as opposed to national importance.
County Wildlife Sites (CWS)
Sites designated by Local Authorities. They may be of significant value for nature conservation, especially in urban areas, although they do not have the legal protection afforded by the statutory designations described above.
