ct you to discuss:
- the condition of the site
- any changes in management you need to make if it’s not in favourable or recovering condition
Natural England usually publishes summaries of condition assessments within 6 weeks. You can see these on the DSS.
- Search for your SSSI.
- Click on ‘View details’.
- In the Summary box, click on ‘View units’ in the right hand column.
- Click on ‘View map’ on the right hand side to see the area on a map.
Condition improvement process
Natural England can take 3 steps to help you improve the favourable condition of the SSSI if it has declined.
1. Management agreement
Natural England will advise you on, and try to agree with you, the work that’s needed to protect and improve the condition of the site. You can achieve most management objectives on SSSIs with a Countryside Stewardship grant, which you might be eligible for.
2. Management scheme
A management scheme is a statement of measures necessary to conserve or restore features of your land. Natural England can put a management scheme in place if the features of special interest on your SSSI are deteriorating from neglect or poor management.
Where a management scheme has been put in place, Natural England may ask you to apply for a Countryside Stewardship grant.
Decline resulting from wilful or reckless damage to the site is treated differently and is subject to enforcement measures.
If you think the management scheme is unreasonable or that someone else should be responsible for the work, contact Natural England and explain why.
3. Management notice
If you do not carry out works set out in a management scheme, Natural England can issue a management notice. This will state that you must carry out some or all of the works set out in the management scheme.
You’ll be breaking the law if you get a management notice, but do not carry out the work within 2 months of Natural England’s deadline.
If you do not carry out the work, Natural England could:
- prosecute you, which may result in you getting an unlimited fine
- enter your land and carry out the work - you’ll have to pay for the work
- get a compulsory purchase order to force you to sell your land to them (as a last resort)
You can appeal to Defra against a management notice. You have 2 months to appeal.
You may be able to resolve the problem without a formal appeal by speaking to Natural England.
Natural England will take enforcement action on you or others who:
- intentionally or recklessly damage the SSSI
- destroy any of the features of special interest
- disturb wildlife for which the site was notified
- carry out listed operations without consent
Where possible, Natural England will work with you to avoid legal proceedings. Read the section on enforcement undertakings to find out more. Natural England will use enforcement measures as a last resort.
New SSSI notifications
Natural England identifies and protects SSSIs in England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
Natural England will select and notify an area as a new SSSI when it believes the land’s wildlife, geology or landform is of special interest. When land becomes an SSSI, it does not give the public the right to access your land. Natural England will ‘notify’ (or designate) the land as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
Find out how Natural England uses its statutory power to protect SSSIs.
Sites are selected using the:
Natural England will write to you and tell you if it believes your land has special conservation value. Natural England is likely to call you to discuss this before sending a notification letter.
The letter will explain the legal implications of the notification by including:
- the reasons for designation
- a statement of Natural England’s views on the management of the SSSI
- a list of operations requiring Natural England’s consent
- a map showing the SSSI
- your legal responsibilities
- how to give your opinions or object to the designation
The letter will give you details of an adviser who can help you. They’ll be able to explain:
- what the designation means for you
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