INFORMATION BULLETIN
Date: 29 August 2008
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New Sites Submitted As Candidate Special Areas Of Conservation
Defra today submitted two new land-based sites and five new marine sites to the European Commission as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSAC).
Special Areas of Conservation protect the most vulnerable and threatened species and habitats, and they form part of the European Ecological Network of protected sites known as Natura 2000. Identification of a site as a cSAC provides a significant degree of protection to the site from development and other damaging activities.
The sites are:
- Bolton Fell Moss in Cumbria is recognised as a degraded raised bog still capable of natural regeneration. Raised bogs are a significant store of carbon and are home to some of the UK and Europe’s rarest species. Plant species found include heather, cottongrass, and sphagnum mosses.
- The River Faughan and its tributaries in Northern Ireland are an important spawning site for Atlantic Salmon.
- Five new offshore marine sites: Braemar Pockmarks, Darwin Mounds, Haig Fras, Scanner Pockmarks, and Stanton Banks.
In addition the UK has submitted an extension to an existing site and data amendments in respect of four existing sites:
- Extension to the Meirionnydd Oak Woods and Bat site in Wales.
- Amendments to information held by the European Commission on four existing terrestrial sites in Scotland: Shelforkie, Crieff Woods, East Mires & Lumbister, and Ben Lawers.
Notes to Editors
- A press release on the five new offshore marine sites around then UK coast was issued on 20 December 2007 http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/071220a.htm
- Development on a Special Area of Conservation is prevented unless any damage can be avoided or mitigated, there are no feasible alternatives and the development can be justified on the grounds that it is for imperative reasons of overriding public interest. If the development proceeds, compensatory measures to protect the coherence of the network must be undertaken.
- Agreement by the European Commission to designate these sites is expected in 2009. Landowners are consulted about the designation of Special Areas of Conservation.
- The UK’s list of land based SAC’s is extensive, and the existing 611 SACs cover over two and a half million hectares.
- Legal requirements for the designation and management of SAC’s are set out in the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994 as amended. More details on Special Areas of Conservation can be found at www.english-nature.org.uk/Special/sac
End
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Page published: 29 August 2008