Designated areas

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 3 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) 4 Special Protection Areas (SPA) 5 National parks 6 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 7 National Nature Reserves (NNR) 8 Ramsar Sites 9 Marine protected areas 10 National Trails 11 Heritage Coasts 12 World Heritage Sites 13 Local Nature Reserves (LNR) 14 Local sites 15 Global Geoparks 16 Biosphere reserves 17 Find out more 17.1 Related articles on Designing Buldings Wiki 17.2 External references

[edit] Introduction

Designation can be used to protect areas of value and scientific interest and to ensure that such areas are properly managed. This includes areas of particular value for the conservation of species, habitats, historic and cultural assets and landscapes of great value or beauty.

Designation is driven by a goal to conserve and enhance such areas and is underpinned by UK and international legislation. Development within or near designated areas is subject to additional controls.

Approximately 28% of England is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or National Parks.

[edit] Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

SSSIs were first established in 1949 by the Nature Conservancy so that the conservation of important sites of natural habitat, wildlife and geological heritage could be taken into account during the planning process. Today, Natural England has responsibility for identifying and protecting SSSIs in England under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

SSSIs include sites such as:

• Ancient woodlands.
• Species-rich grasslands.
• Heathlands.
• Coastal marshes and mudflats.
• Unique geological formations.

[edit] Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

SACs are areas designated under the European Union’s Habitats Directive to be of value for species, plants and habitats. They comprise marine and terrestrial SACs.

[edit] Special Protection Areas (SPA)

SPAs are designated under the Birds Directive to protect internationally valuable populations of bird species. They comprise inshore marine SPAs and terrestrial SPAs.

[edit] National parks

National parks are areas of the countryside designated to conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage and the open air recreation they facilitate.

[edit] Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

ANOBs are designated to conserve natural beauty.

[edit] National Nature Reserves (NNR)

NNRs are areas managed in England by Natural England for the preservation of flora, fauna, geological and physiological features of special interest.

[edit] Ramsar Sites

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention.

[edit] Marine protected areas

Marine protected areas include Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for habitats of European importance, Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds, Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) and Marine Nature Reserves designated to conserve marine flora and fauna and features of special interest.

See Blue belt for more information.

[edit] National Trails

National trails are long-distance trails through National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

[edit] Heritage Coasts

Heritage coasts are areas of coastline managed to conserve and enhance their natural beauty, facilitate appreciation by the public, and maintain and improve their environmental health.

[edit] World Heritage Sites

World heritage sites are sites with internationally important cultural or national heritage. See World heritage site for more information.

[edit] Local Nature Reserves (LNR)

LNRs are areas of special local wildlife or geological interest.

[edit] Local sites

Local sites are designated by Local Planning Authorities. They include Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCS), Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs) and County Wildlife Sites.

Other local sites where restrictions might apply include registered common land and registered town or village greens. In addition, conservation areas, tree preservation orders and listed buildings require additional consent for development.

[edit] Global Geoparks

Global Geoparks are part of the Global Geopark Network supported by UNESCO.

[edit] Biosphere reserves

Biosphere reserves are designated under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.

[edit] Find out more

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buldings Wiki

• Ancient woodland.
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• Archaeology and construction.
• Archaeological officer.
• Blue belt.
• Civic Amenities Act.
• Common area.
• Conservation.
• Conservation areas.
• Conservation officer.
• Designated land.
• Ecological network.
• European sites.
• Forests.
• Heritage Action Zone.
• Historic England.
• Listed buildings.
• Local green space.
• Local Nature Reserve.
• National nature reserves.
• National parks.
• Natural England.
• Natural environment white paper.
• Nature improvement area.
• Ramsar sites.
• Scheduled monuments.
• Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
• Special areas of conservation.
• Special protection areas.
• Statutory authorities.
• Statutory permissions.
• The history of conservation areas.
• Tree preservation orders.
• Village greens.
• World heritage site.

[edit] External references

• Natural England Designations Strategy 2012.
• Natural England: Designated sites.
• Commons Act 2006.
• Guidance on competent authority coordination under the Habitats Regulations
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee.