Sites of Special Scientific Interest
What is a SSSI?
Sites of Special Scientific Interest are declared under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and subsequent amending legislation, as land which, in the opinion of the government, is of special interest by reason of its flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features. They form the basic unit of protected area legislation, with higher designations being imposed where necessary. Unlike the reserves where nature conservation is generally the primary land use, the conservation interest defined by the SSSIs has to co-exist with other land uses; the assumption here was that agriculture and forestry were compatible with nature conservation objectives.
What protection are they offered, and who is responsible for identifying these sites? The designation gives certain protection against damaging operations They are identified and notified by English Nature. Each notification is made to relevant landowners and the local authority. Each notification consists of:
- A plan of the site
- A description of the scientific interest
- A list of the damaging operations that cannot be carried out without the permission of English Nature.
How will they affect me in my planning application?
English Nature must be consulted on any planning application proposing development that is likely to affect a SSSI. The Council also consults the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country on applications affecting SSSI's.
How many of these sites are there?
The Council at present has seven SSSI designations. Click on one of the links for further information: