Wildlife sites

 
Suffolk County Wildlife Sites

County Wildlife Sites (CWS) play a key role in the conservation of Suffolk’s biodiversity.

Suffolk has nearly 900 County Wildlife Sites, amounting to 19,200 hectares and representing 5% of the county. County Wildlife Site designation is non-statutory, but it recognises the high value of a site for wildlife. Many sites are of county, and often regional or national, importance. They are often designated because they support characteristic or threatened species or habitats included in Local or National Biodiversity Action Plans.

Sites may be privately or publicly owned and vary in size and shape from small meadows, green lanes, dykes and hedges to much larger areas of ancient woodlands, heathland, greens, commons and marsh.

County Wildlife Site designation

County Wildlife Sites are designated according to CWS selection criteria (PDF, 84Kb) that follow Natural England guidelines.  The Suffolk CWS panel follows a specific procedure Suffolk CWS panel procedure (PDF, 32Kb), made up of expertise from Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Biological Records Centre (SBRC), Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Natural England. The group meets annually to assess and designate potential CWSs.  The Suffolk register of County Wildlife Sites includes their location, boundaries and key features. A map of County Wildlife Sites is maintained and updated by SBRC.

County Wildlife Sites and Planning

County Wildlife Sites are recognised by national planning policy (Planning Policy Statement 9) as having a fundamental role to play in meeting national biodiversity targets.  CWSs are not protected by legislation, but their importance is recognised by local authorities when considering any relevant planning applications and there is a presumption against granting permission for development that would have an adverse impact on a site. 

Such measures have been strengthened by the provisions of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006 which requires all public bodies to 'have regard for' the conservation of biodiversity.  Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) monitors all planning applications for any potential impact on County Wildlife Sites

National Indicator 197  - Improved Local Biodiversity

This measures the proportion of local wildlife and geodiversity sites that are in positive conservation management. Details of this indicator for Suffolk can be found here: Baseline Methodology for NI197



SWT encourages appropriate management and protection of these sites for wildlife, providing advice to landowners, businesses and local authorities on suitable management for the long-term benefit of its wildlife. They can also gives guidance on sources of grant-aid. This is particularly important as wildlife habitats can deteriorate if neglected or managed in an unfavourable way.  SWT makes about 60 visits each year to County Wildlife Sites, while contact is maintained with the owners of many others.

SWT's Ecological Networks Project aims to identify and advise on opportunities to buffer and link semi-natural habitats, including CWSs, and to manage the wider countryside to benefit wildlife.

If you would like to arrange an advisory visit to your land or would like further information on CWSs, please contact Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Conservation team on 01473 890089.