Statutory Sites
Statutory sites receive legal protection through primary legislation, for example the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and trigger mandatory, rigorous assessments for planning and development proposals.
Local Nature Reserves (LNR) in England, Scotland and Wales
Under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) may be declared by local authorities after consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation agency. LNRs are declared and managed for nature conservation, and provide opportunities for research and education, or simply enjoying and having contact with nature.
National Nature Reserves (NNR)
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) contain examples of some of the most important natural and semi-natural terrestrial and coastal ecosystems in Great Britain. They are managed to conserve their habitats or to provide special opportunities for scientific study of the habitats communities and species represented within them.
NNRs are declared by the statutory country conservation agencies under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In Northern Ireland, Nature Reserves are designated under the Amenity Lands Act (Northern Ireland) 1965.
Ramsar sites
Ramsar sites are designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, agreed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Originally intended to protect sites of importance especially as waterfowl habitat, the Convention has broadened its scope over the years to cover all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use, recognizing wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the well-being of human communities.
The Convention adopts a broad definition of wetland, namely "areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres". Wetlands "may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands".
There is only one Ramsar site in the TVERC area; South West London Waterbodies in Berkshire.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in England, Scotland and Wales
The Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) series has developed since 1949 as the national suite of sites providing statutory protection for the best examples of the UK's flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. These sites are also used to underpin other national and international nature conservation designations. Most SSSIs are privately-owned or managed; others are owned or managed by public bodies or non-government
organisations.
Originally notified under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, SSSIs have been re notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Improved provisions for the protection and management of SSSIs were introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (in England and Wales) and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Sites of Community Importance (SCI)
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are designated under the EC Habitats Directive. SACs are areas which have been identified as best representing the range and variety within the European Union of habitats and (non-bird) species listed on Annexes I and II to the Directive. SACs in terrestrial areas and territorial marine waters out to 12 nautical miles are designated under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended).
New and/or amended sites which have been submitted to the European Commission by Government, but not yet formally adopted by the Commission, are referred to as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs).
Sites which have been adopted by the EC, but not yet formally designated by governments of member states are known as sites of community importance (SCIs). In the UK, designation of SACs is devolved to the relevant administration within each country.
SACs, together with SPAs, form the Natura 2000 network.
Special Protection Areas(SPA)
Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are classified by the UK Government under the EC Birds Directive. SPAs are areas of the most important habitat for rare (listed on Annex I to the Directive) and migratory birds within the European Union. SPAs in terrestrial areas and territorial marine waters out to 12 nautical miles are classified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
SPAs, together with SACs, form the Natura 2000 network.
Non-statutory sites
Non-statutory sites do not carry direct legal protection, but they are protected under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and local council development plans. Non-statutory sites are critical in driving Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and achieving the UK's commitment to protect 30% of land and seas by 2030.
Local Wildlife Sites (LWS)
Local authorities for any given area may designate certain areas as being of local conservation interest. The criteria for inclusion, and the level of protection provided, if any, may vary between areas. Most individual counties have a similar scheme, although they do vary.
Most local wildlife sites systems involve a panel of ecologists and others in the development of local criteria and the selection of the sites. Panels usually include a local government ecologist, a Natural England representative, the Local Wildlife Trust, the Local Environmental Record Centre and sometimes include a representative of local landowners and local naturalists.
These sites, which may be given various titles such as 'Local Wildlife Sites' (LWS), ‘County Wildlife Sites’ (CWS), 'Local Nature Conservation Sites' (LNCS), 'Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation' (SINCs), or 'Sites of Nature Conservation Importance' (SNCIs), together with statutory designations, are defined in local plans under the town and country planning system and the National Planning Policy
Framework and are a material consideration when planning applications are being determined.
As part of a national standardisation process these sites have been renamed as Local Wildlife Sites in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Previously they were known as County Wildlife Sites in Oxfordshire and Wildlife Heritage Sites in Berkshire.
Proposed Local Wildlife Sites and Extensions
These Proposed Local Wildlife Sites and Extensions are also included on designated sites maps. They are areas thought to include important areas of UKBAP habitat or priority or protected species populations.
Extensions are likely to have similar habitats to the adjacent local wildlife sites. Local authorities are made aware of these sites. They will not have been fully surveyed and taken to the selection panel as yet.
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) properties and nature reserves
A variety of non-governmental organisations such as the John Muir Trust, Plantlife, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Wildlife Trusts and Woodland Trust own or manage nature reserves or other areas of land that are important for biodiversity.
These sites may be intended primarily for nature conservation, or for other purposes such as protection of landscape features or the provision public access to the countryside. These areas of themselves have no statutory basis, but a large number are also designated SSSIs / NNRs / SPAs / SACs / Ramsar sites, etc.
In Berkshire and Oxfordshire, BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust), Woodland Trust and RSPB sites fall into this category.
Local Geological Sites (LGS)
Local Geological Sites formerly known as regionally important geological and geomorphological sites (RIGS) are the most important places for geology and geomorphology outside statutorily protected land such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
As part of a national standardisation process these sites have been renamed as Local Geological Sites (LGS) in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Sites are selected under locally-developed criteria, according to their value for education, scientific study, historical significance or aesthetic qualities. Whilst not benefiting from statutory protection, LGS are equivalent to Local Wildlife Sites, and ''...consideration of their importance becomes integral to the planning process".
Other sites
Occasionally other sites might be shown on maps. These are likely to be sites with some wildlife interest, usually managed by local groups, local authorities or town councils but which do not have a specific statutory or non-statutory designation.
Some local authorities within Oxfordshire and Berkshire have identified other sites which are protected through policies in their local plans, including Sites of Local Importance to Nature Conservation (SLINCs) in Oxford City and District Wildlife Sites in Cherwell. For SLINCs we only show sites on maps that are not
Local Wildlife Sites or proposed Local Wildlife Sites.
District Wildlife Sites
District Wildlife Sites (DWS) are locally identified sites that may not meet the full criteria for designation as Local Wildlife Sites but still support features of value for nature conservation, recreation, community use or ecological connectivity. They are intended to recognise sites of local biodiversity importance and can help inform planning, land management and nature recovery priorities. Within the TVERC area, District Wildlife Sites are currently found only in Cherwell District, Oxfordshire.
City Wildlife Sites
City Wildlife Sites are locally identified sites that have significant value for wildlife at the city level. They may not meet the full criteria for designation as Local Wildlife Sites, but they support habitats, species or ecological networks that are important within the local urban context and are therefore worthy of recognition. With appropriate management, some City Wildlife Sites may have the potential to reach Local Wildlife Site quality in the future. Within the TVERC area, City Wildlife Sites are currently found only in Oxford City, Oxfordshire.
Road Verge Nature Reserves
Road Verge Nature Reserves (RVNRs) are designated in Oxfordshire to recognise biodiversity-rich verges that support a range of scarce and threatened plants and habitats. They help connect wildlife areas, contributing to a wider green network that enables species to move through and persist within the landscape. These verges provide important links across otherwise inhospitable areas, delivering benefits for both wildlife and people.
Conservation Target Areas (CTA) and Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOA)
These landscape scale areas have been identified as supporting high concentrations of UKBAP habitats and species populations and the potential to restore habitats at a landscape scale. These areas act as a focus for targeting resources into habitat management and restoration.
Conservation Target Areas (CTAs) are areas in Oxfordshire where conservation action is encouraged to support the recovery and expansion of important habitats and species. They highlight parts of the landscape where existing biodiversity interest, habitat links and restoration potential make them particularly suitable for focused environmental enhancement. Although CTAs do not have statutory status, they are widely used to inform local conservation priorities, guide land management decisions, support planning discussions and help direct agri-environment and nature recovery activity. Within the TVERC area, CTAs apply to Oxfordshire and provide a county-wide framework for identifying where habitat improvements and ecological connections can be strengthened.
Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOAs) are landscape-scale areas identified as having high potential for habitat creation, restoration and enhancement. They help target conservation effort and resources to places where action is likely to deliver the greatest benefits for biodiversity, ecological connectivity and wider nature recovery. BOAs are not statutory designations or constraints, but they provide a useful strategic framework for guiding conservation strategies, land management, planning and partnership working. Within the TVERC area, BOAs are relevant to Berkshire, where they identify key opportunities to restore and strengthen ecological networks across the county.