WIREDGOV

The report highlights the improvement in the fortunes of SSSIs in recent years. At the end of March 2009, 88% of the land area of SSSIs was in favourable or recovering condition. This is a very significant achievement given the situation that existed only six years ago when the figure was at 57%.

Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said, “Natural England has been instrumental in reversing the half century of steady decline that so many SSSIs had experienced since 1949. After much hard work and investment, most SSSIs are now in a far better state under our management than they have been in for years. There is, however, no room for complacency – a great deal more work will be needed to ensure the full recovery of SSSIs and to maintain them at that level over the long term, especially in the face of the numerous external threats like climate change, development and changing land use. We are under no illusions about the challenges involved and remain committed to doing what it takes to deliver on this vital target and beyond”.

While reporting on the encouraging progress made to date, the PAC report has made various recommendations on how Natural England should be recording and planning its work for improving SSSIs. Natural England will consider carefully all of the Public Accounts Committee’s findings, but believes that it is already well on the way to addressing many of the recommendations made.

For example, Natural England:

• Has established a comprehensive monitoring programme that will ensure that, by December 2010, all SSSIs will have an up to date assessment of their condition;

• Has produced a SSSI notification strategy that sets out a systematic approach to keep SSSIs under review and have begun a programme of SSSI notification & re-notification to ensure that the suite of sites remains up to date.

• Now monitors the time taken to secure the necessary management of SSSIs through voluntary agreements and has plans and procedures in place to use its regulatory powers where negotiations do not reach a conclusion in a reasonable timescale. We have also established a specialist team of Regional Regulatory & Enforcement leads to lead on such cases.

Natural England is also working with Defra to consider how best to tackle the challenge of ensuring we achieve the goal of full recovery once the target is met in 2010.

For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953; for out of hours call 07970 098005

Notes to editors:

1. The 4,115 SSSIs in England cover over 1 million hectares, designated as special for their habitats, wildlife or geology. Since 1949, they have formed a vital network for wildlife and geological conservation and it is clear that delivery of the 2010 target is fundamental to maintaining the diversity of wildlife and geology in England. SSSIs also have an important role to play in maintaining water quality, flood alleviation, carbon storage and air quality.

2. The first national assessment of SSSI condition was in March 2003. At that point, 57% of SSSI were in target condition (ie in favourable or recovering condition). By 31st March 2009, the proportion of SSSIs area in target condition had increased to 88%. The target is to have 95% of SSSIs in target condition by end of 2010.

Some of the sites that have been brought into recovery recently and the habitats and species that have benefited are:

• In the East Midlands - over 15,000ha of the Wash SSSI have been improved through the agreement of a sustainable fishing policy with Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee. Here, the inter-tidal mudflat and saltmarsh support internationally important migrant populations of wildfowl and waders.

• In the South West - around 100ha of Minchinhampton Common in the Cotswolds have been improved through partnership work with the National Trust using Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). This site is important for the lowland chalk grassland BAP. It is a BAP priority habitat and important for its geological interest and educational value, particularly for the study of fossils. It is also home to a variety of important BAP species such as the Marsh Fritillary and Small blue butterflies and the Greater Horseshoe Bat

• In the South-East - 4,000ha of the New Forest have been improved through agreeing the long-term management of the site with the National Park, Forestry Commission and land managers. The site supports all 6 native British reptiles (some of which are BAP species), 9 nationally rare plants and is considered one of the best sites in England for dragonflies

• In the North East - Around 3,600ha of Bowes Moor in County Durham have been improved through an HLS agreement with shooting and grazing interests on the moor. This site has extensive tracts of blanket bog and upland heathland, both BAP priority habitats, supporting populations of breeding birds such as golden plover, curlew, snipe, lapwing, merlin and short-eared owl. Improved management of peat bogs like this also helps prevent soil erosion and maintain carbon balance, a factor affecting climate change.

• In East Midlands - 8,000ha of upland moorland are back in recovery through our work with water companies, the National Trust, Peak District National Park and the Environment Agency. Our work on SSSIs here is also delivering a restored National Park landscape, a more enjoyable and interesting experience for millions of people, better water quality, improved carbon storage and potentially better regulation of future flood events.

3. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

For further information about SSSIs visit the Natural England website www.naturalengland.org.uk