Essex Wildlife Sites Project

What are Local Wildlife Sites?

Local Wildlife Sites (LWS), previously known as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) or County Wildlife Sites (CWS) are areas of land with significant wildlife value. In reality they are typically an area of ancient woodland, a flower-rich hay meadow or a village pond.

Sites can be found throughout Essex and together with nationally and internationally statutory protected areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Areas (SPA), they represent the best areas for wildlife in the County.

Why are Local Wildlife Sites important?

Local Wildlife Sites can support both locally and nationally threatened wildlife species and habitats, and many sites will contain habitats and species that are priorities under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), which sets out strategies for the conservation of much of our most vulnerable wildlife. Together with statutory protected areas, LWS represent the minimum habitat we need to protect in order to maintain the current levels of wildlife in Essex.

Local Wildlife Sites complement SSSIs and nature reserves by helping to maintain links between these sites. In recent years there has been a growing recognition of the importance of conserving such places, so that wildlife can survive in the wider countryside, outside of nature reserves.

How are sites protected?

Local Wildlife Sites are protected within the local planning system. They are a 'material consideration' in the determination of planning applications, and this should ensure that there is a general presumption against development upon them.

It should be stressed that notification does not confer any rights of access either for the general public or nature conservation organizations; it is simply recognition of a site’s nature conservation value.

How does the system operate?

The Local Wildlife Site system in Essex is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust, in partnership with English Nature, Essex County Council, Environment Agency, Essex Biodiversity Action Plan Project, with additional support from a number Local Authorities.

The management of the Local Wildlife Site system is funded by Essex Wildlife Trust, and involves a variety of Trust staff carrying out the following activities:

1. Maintaining an up-to-date register of all sites in Essex
Information is held by Essex Wildlife Trust and is supplied upon request* by Essex Ecology Services (EECOS) the consultancy arm of the Trust;

2. Notifying new sites
The Trust's Wildlife Sites Officer, in collaboration with Local Wildlife Forums and LBAP Partnerships, notifies new sites (and modifies information held on existing ones when changes occur) in accordance with strict selection criteria endorsed by the partners and local wildlife experts;

3. Providing planning guidance to Local Authorities
Essex Wildlife Trust's Conservation Officer provides responses to planning applications that effect sites across the 14 District and Unitary Authorities. This vital work ensures the integrity of the network is maintained.

4. Liaising with landowners
Private landowners, local authorities, partners and utilities can receive LWS data free of charge. In addition, the Wildlife Site Officer will endeavour to provide guidance and advice where it helps to secure sustainable management of sites. For example, to assist landowners applying for environmental stewardship or similar grant applications that will ensure sites are managed for nature conservation objectives.

*There is a charge for providing information to consultants.

Contacts:

· Data requests
Neil Harvey EECOS Manager neilh@essexwt.org.uk.
· Planning guidance
Phil Sturges Conservation Officer phils@essexwt.org.uk.
· Landowner liaison and general enquiries
Luke Bristow Wildlife Sites Officer lukeb@essexwt.org.uk.