County Geology Site Criteria for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

D Geological site assessment will be carried outusing the 4 locally defined themes, listed in section 3.2,assessing each site in the context of the appropriatelocally defined Earth science subject area and therelevant, locally defined, geological 'block', withineach Area of Search (AOS). (The themes, subject areasand blocks are detailed in Chapter 4, Section 1). Thenational criteria need to be applied against a frameworkof information which reflects the considerable rangeof variation in the geology and geomorphology ofCornwall and Scilly. The use of the appropriate locallydefined subject areas combined with the geologicalblocks defined in the geodiversity audit presented inthe Cornwall and Isles of Scilly GAP, as a frameworkfor assessment, allows this variation to be taken intoaccount, while there have been many specialist studieswhich give the required background that allows specificsubject areas to be assessed. Decisions will be basedon a good local knowledge of the geology of the area,in relation to the extent and quality of the Earth scienceresource within that particular geological subject'block', the current situation and perceived trends in thescience, and the availability of exposure.The Area of Search (AOS) is the area over which thecriteria are applied. For this purpose Cornwall is dividedinto areas which reflect local variations in wildlife andnatural features. Following the principles specifiedin paragraph 40 of the DEFRA (2006) guidance theAOS is based on the ‘Natural Areas’ defined by theformer English Nature, combined with the formerCountryside Commission’s Character Areas. TheseJoint Character Areas divide Cornwall and Scilly intoThe Culm; Bodmin Moor; Cornish Killas; Hensbarrow;Carnmenellis; The Lizard; West Penwith and the Isles ofScilly. Due to the large size of the ‘Cornish Killas’, andthe different character of the north and south coasts, thisarea is further sub-divided into ‘North’ and ‘South’.E There are 4 qualifying criteria, but a featurewill be considered eligible for selection if it satisfiesonly one of them. The term ‘eligible for selection’ isused because it is always necessary for each case tobe judged by an expert. This is particularly importantwhere a site may be borderline, in which case, otheraspects of the site including the quality of the exposurehave to be considered.F The guiding principle of SSSI selection, that forsites which do not clearly qualify on a single featureof interest, the combined value must be taken intoaccount, will be followed. This principle refers tocombinations of features within a single site and will bemost applicable to educational sites.G In certain cases it is permissible to designateCGSs/RIGS within Sites of Special Scientific Interest(SSSIs), providing the features of interest designated ineach case are not the same. SSSIs may include featuresof 'substantive' conservation interest, important inthe local context, quite apart from the internationally/nationally significant features for which they havebeen designated, for example, a SSSI designatedfor its Variscan structures may also contain locallysignificant mineralization. Liaison with Natural Englandis important to ensure a co-ordinated approach tothe conservation and management of such sites.Natural England should be encouraged to incorporatemanagement for the locally significant feature withinthe management advice they give the landowner forthe whole SSSI. This will only be possible if there is noconflict with management for the feature(s) for whichthe statutory site has been designated.H Active quarries are eligible for selection as a CGS/RIGS. Although active quarrying and Earth scienceconservation may not appear to be compatible, suchactivity has revealed more rock exposures, mineralsand fossils than would have been known from naturalexposures alone. Features such as these and roadcuttings can be designated as local sites but co-operationbetween the extraction/construction industries andconservation interests will be needed, with systems forliaison and long term management and maintenance offeatures, to strike a mutually beneficial balance.Mylor Slates folded in a zig-zag near Godrevy.I Active processes are eligible for selection asCGSs/RIGS. An active geomorphological process,such as landslipping, can be selected as a CGS/RIGSto recognise and afford protection to the process.However, the aim must be to maintain the activeprocess by non-interference.(1) An expert is defined as “someone having the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the task required through training, qualification, experienceor a combination of these”County Geology Site Criteria for Cornwall & The Isles of ScillyPage 6