Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Sites of Special Scientific Interest are notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as areas of special interest by reason of their flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features: they are the best examples of our natural heritage. Part III of the Act improves the protection and management of SSSIs by introducing new and enhanced powers for the conservation agencies (English Nature and the Countryside Council for Wales). It also places public bodies under a statutory duty to further the conservation and enhancement of SSSIs, and increases penalties for deliberate damage to SSSIs.
Part III also provides a statutory basis for biodiversity conservation, by placing a new duty on Government Departments and the National Assembly for Wales to have regard to biodiversity conservation and to maintain lists of species and habitats for which conservation steps should be taken or promoted.
Part III also includes measures to give greater protection to wildlife, by strengthening the legal protection for threatened species and bringing up-to-date the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
There are no regulations to be made under Part III which would call for prior consultation.
Follow this link for more about Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Fact sheet
For general information about Part III of the Act, see the fact sheet.
Archive
Countryside and Rights of Way Bill: Statutory Basis for the Biodiversity Action Plan - Regulatory Impact Assessment
Sites of Special Scientific Interest, better protection and management: Outcome of the consultation exercise - August 1999
Contact details
Habitat protection & SSSIs:
European Wildlife Division 2
Defra
Zone 1/08
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Bristol
BS1 6EB
Tel enquiries: 0117 372 6170
Fax: 0117 372 8119
E-mail: sssis@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Biodiversity Action Plans:
European Wildlife Division 4
Defra
Zone 1/02
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Bristol
BS1 6EB
Tel enquiries: 0117 372 6276
Fax: 0117 372 8508
E-mail: biodiversity@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Page last modified: 1 November 2002