Site of Nature Conservation Interest
Encyclopedia
Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) is a designation used in many parts of the United Kingdom
to protect areas of importance for wildlife and geology at a county scale. In other parts of the country the same designation is known by various other names, including Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), County Wildlife Site and Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. Overall, the designation is referred to as a "non-statutory wildlife site", or a "Local Wildlife Site" as part of Local Site systems, which include Local Geological Sites including Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS). The designated sites are protected by local authorities from most development.
Selection of the sites is usually done by the County Wildlife Trust
, RIGS Groups or Geology Trusts, or their equivalents. For example, in Kent
, local wildlife sites are identified by the Kent Wildlife Trust
). Selection is objective and is normally based upon a recent survey specifically designed for SNCI, but selection on the basis of existing, published information may also occur. The approach is similar to that used for the selection of biological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), but the thresholds are lower.
Selection is primarily for habitats of inherent wildlife interest, but some sites may be selected for supporting rare or scarce species of plants or animals outside such habitats. The areas concerned may be areas of 'natural' habitats, or they may be man-made – for example, the 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) West Norwood Cemetery
is designated a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation by the London Borough of Lambeth
Once identified, designation and protection of the areas are done by local authorities through planning policies in their development plan
s. National government guidance (PPS 9
) requires all development plans to include such policies. The variation in names for the designation reflects its separate existence in the different development plans for different areas. In PPS 9, the designation is referred to as a "Local Site", which may be divided into Local Geological Sites and Local Wildlife Sites.
In some areas, the designation is subdivided, or additional, more local designations are also used. For example, in the London metropolitan area, the following three designations are used:
This designation is restricted to sites of importance for wildlife. Geological sites of county importance have their own designation: Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to protect areas of importance for wildlife and geology at a county scale. In other parts of the country the same designation is known by various other names, including Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), County Wildlife Site and Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. Overall, the designation is referred to as a "non-statutory wildlife site", or a "Local Wildlife Site" as part of Local Site systems, which include Local Geological Sites including Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS). The designated sites are protected by local authorities from most development.
Selection of the sites is usually done by the County Wildlife Trust
The Wildlife Trusts partnership
The Wildlife Trusts is an organisation made up of 47 local Wildlife Trusts in the United Kingdom plus the Isle of Man and Alderney.The Wildlife Trusts, between them, look after around 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares...
, RIGS Groups or Geology Trusts, or their equivalents. For example, in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, local wildlife sites are identified by the Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust covers the county of Kent, England, and is one of the largest of the 47 Wildlife Trust organisations in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and Alderney...
). Selection is objective and is normally based upon a recent survey specifically designed for SNCI, but selection on the basis of existing, published information may also occur. The approach is similar to that used for the selection of biological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), but the thresholds are lower.
Selection is primarily for habitats of inherent wildlife interest, but some sites may be selected for supporting rare or scarce species of plants or animals outside such habitats. The areas concerned may be areas of 'natural' habitats, or they may be man-made – for example, the 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) West Norwood Cemetery
West Norwood Cemetery
West Norwood Cemetery is a cemetery in West Norwood in London, England. It was also known as the South Metropolitan Cemetery.One of the first private landscaped cemeteries in London, it is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries of London, and is a site of major historical, architectural and...
is designated a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation by the London Borough of Lambeth
London Borough of Lambeth
The London Borough of Lambeth is a London borough in south London, England and forms part of Inner London. The local authority is Lambeth London Borough Council.-Origins:...
Once identified, designation and protection of the areas are done by local authorities through planning policies in their development plan
Development Plan
A development plan is an aspect of town and country planning in the United Kingdom comprising a set of documents that set out the local authority's policies and proposals for the development and use of land in their area...
s. National government guidance (PPS 9
PPS 9
Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation commonly abbreviated as PPS 9, is a document produced by the British Government to advise Local planning authorities on planning policies for the protection of biodiversity and geological conservation through the planning system...
) requires all development plans to include such policies. The variation in names for the designation reflects its separate existence in the different development plans for different areas. In PPS 9, the designation is referred to as a "Local Site", which may be divided into Local Geological Sites and Local Wildlife Sites.
In some areas, the designation is subdivided, or additional, more local designations are also used. For example, in the London metropolitan area, the following three designations are used:
- Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation (equivalent to SNCIs elsewhere)
- Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation
- Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation
This designation is restricted to sites of importance for wildlife. Geological sites of county importance have their own designation: Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS).