SSSI
Site of Special Scientific Interest

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (amended 1985)Pages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet theThrift government has a duty to notify as an SSSI any land which in its opinion is of special interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features. In Northern Ireland some areas are designated as Areas Of Special Scientific Interest under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, but as this is essentially the same thing (although there are some important differences), this page is mostly relevant to both designations.

SSSIs are designated by Natural EnglandPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet, Scottish Natural HeritagePages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet, Countryside Council for WalesPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet, or DoENIPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet. This body is known as the designating body. An SSSI is not necessarily owned by a conservation organisation or by the Government - in fact, they can be owned by anybody. The designation is primarily to identify those areas worthy of preservation. An SSSI is given certain protection against damaging operations, and any such operations must in theory be authorised by the designating body. So there is not a list of just what can and cannot be done on an SSSI -it varys site to site, and sometimes over time. The status also affords a certain amount of planning protection, depending on the reasons for designation.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has made some significant changes to SSSI legislation in England and Wales. To see our analysis click herePages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 strengthened the law giving greater power to the designating body to enter into management agreements, to refuse consent for damaging operations, and to take action where damage is being caused through neglect or inappropriate management. Local Authorities and other public institutions now also have a statutory duty to further the conservation and enhancement of SSSIs both in carrying out their operations, and in exercising their decision-making functions, which includes planning decisions.

SSSIs form the basic unit of UK protected area legislation - most higher designations are superimposed (sometimes a little loosely) onto existing SSSIs.

If you want to know more about an SSSI the definitive document is called the 'Citation'. This is the legal document describing the site, showing its boundaries and why it is special. In England, under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Natural England had to notify the owners and occupiers of all SSSIs of its views about the management of the SSSIs. So in England you can usually also see Natural England's 'Views about Management' about every SSSI. The VAM is an account of the basic management that is needed to conserve and enhance the wildlife or geological features of the SSSI. The views place no additional obligation on the owner or occupier of a SSSI nor do they replace any more detailed management advice which Natural England may have already given, such as advice in a Site Management Statement or a Management Agreement.

English SSSI maps and documents can be found via Natural England's 'Nature on the Map'. For other countries see the appropriate national agency.

More detailed information on SSSI legislation and historyPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet.

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