New sites of special scientific interest

Natural England identifies and protects sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) in England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

Natural England will select and notify an area as a new site of special scientific interest (SSSI) when it believes the land’s wildlife, geology or landform is of special interest. When land becomes a SSSI, it does not give the public the right to access your land. Natural England will ‘notify’ (or designate) the land as a SSSI.

Find out how Natural England uses its statutory power to protect SSSIs.

Sites are selected using the:

• guidelines for selection of biological SSSIs
• Geological Conservation Review

Natural England will write to you and tell you if it believes your land has special conservation value. Natural England is likely to callcontact 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
• what help is available to help you manage your land, such as applying for a grant scheme

You can also read our guidance about:

• managing your SSSI land and getting consent for activities
• public body responsibilities and getting assent for works on SSSIs

Natural England must also tell:

• the local planning authority
• the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• public bodies, such as the Environment Agency, water and sewerage companies and internal drainage boards

Further information on notifying SSSIs can be found on Natural England’s designations programme for areas, sites and trails.

Give your opinion or object to a new notification

You have 43 months to write to Natural England to tell them what you think or to object to the designation of your land as a SSSI.

The Natural England board decides may decide whether whether to confirm or withdraw a notification. ItIt has has 9 months to look at theany objections and issues raised.

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs appoints members of the board. They are independent of Natural England staff and the executive board.

Changes and de-notification

If the special interest of the SSSI is not adequately protected by the existing notification, Natural England can:

• extend an existing SSSI if nearby land is also of special interest
• addupdate the features of special interest to a SSSI record if they’re found on the landSSSI
• update the list of operations for which you’ll need Natural England’s consent
• withdrawupdate the site management advice set out in Natural England’s views about management of the SSSI
• remove all or part of the designation of a SSSI, known as ‘de-notification’

NaturalYou Englandmay willgive consultyour withviews youor inobject a(as similarwith way as a new notification if) if itNatural England makes a change to an existing notification.SSSI.

Natural England will only de-notify a SSSI in exceptional cases. For example, if the site’s special interest is lost and cannot be restored as a result of:

• natural causes
• grantinga planningbuilt permissiondevelopment forwith developmentplanning permission

It’s an offence to deliberately or recklessly damage the special features of a SSSI. Sites that have been illegally damaged, or suffered from neglect, will not be de-notified.

You have the opportunity to repair the damage using the enforcement undertaking process.

Change of ownership

You must tell Natural England about changes to the ownership or occupation of SSSI land.

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