A number of statutory designations protect England’s terrestrial natural environment under national law; and by way of government policy.  The links below provide more about our nationally designated sites:

• Local sites
• Nature Reserves
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs)

Information on planning and how it relates to biodiversity and geological conservation is set out in the government’s Planning Policy Statement 9, available at the Planning Portal website.

• Read more about our National parks