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DESIGNATION |
LEGAL ORIGINS
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CONSERVATION ROLE
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INFLUENCE ON RECREATION
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National Park (NP)
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Established under the National Parks and Access to the
Countryside Act 1949
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Preservation of aesthetic qualities, protection of wildlife,
historic and architectural interests
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Provides access and facilities for public outdoor recreation,
in line with the conservation requirements of the site
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Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) |
This designation only covers England and Wales.
ANOBs have also been designated in Northern Ireland under
Article 14 of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands
(Northern Ireland) order 1985.
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To preserve and enhance the natural beauty of designated
areas
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Heritage Coast (HC)
National Scenic Areas (NSA)
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Designation covers Scotland only. Initially established
under the Town and Country Planning Act 1972 and amended
in the Town and Country Planning Act Scotland 1986.
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To conserve and manage the finest stretches of coast
To preserve aesthetic and scenic quality. Predominantly
a land-scape designation.
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Acknowledgement of leisure interests and facilitation
of water-based recreation opportunities
The designation carries no specific powers which may
influence recreation but it does provide a requirement
to give consideration to the landscape value of the site
in decision making.
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Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) |
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended 1985)
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To protect flora and fauna, geological and physiological
features of national significance. (only applies to
areas above Mean Low Water Mark - Mean Low Water Springs
in Scotland)
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Certain activities which are considered potentially damaging
to the foreshore may be prohibited or
managed
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Area of Special Scientific Interest ((ASSI) Northern Ireland
only) |
Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order 1985 (as
amended)
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Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
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National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
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Preservation and enhancement of wildlife, habitats, geological
features and provision of areas for research (only applies
to areas above Mean Low Water Mark)
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Activities which may damage the scientific interest of
the
area will be managed to lessen or remove their impact
or relocated to less
sensitive sites
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National Nature Reserve (NNR)
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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended 1985)
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Marine Nature Reserve (MNR)
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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended 1985)
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Relates to the area between the high water mark (HWM)
and seaward to the territorial boundary
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Special Protection Area (SPA)
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EC Directive 79/409 on the Conservation of Wild Birds
(the Birds Directive)
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Preservation, maintenance of diversity of habitats for
rare and vulnerable birds and migratory species
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The management of recreation is, as with SSSIs, relative
to the activity and the sensitivity of the area, and may
be through various schemes of management
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Special Area of Conservation (SAC) |
EC Directive 92/43 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats
and of Wild Fauna and Flora
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Maintenance of the diversity of Europe's wildlife by
protecting vulnerable habitats and the plants and animals
that depend on them. Compliments the Birds Directive
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Ramsar
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Convention on Wetlands of international Importance especially
as Waterfowl Habitat 1971
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Protection and wise use of wetland habitats of international
importance
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