SECTION 3.0 - Durham County Council

DESIGNATED SITES:
PPS9 states that LDF’s should indicate the location of designated sites of
importance for biodiversity and geodivers ity, making clear distinctions between the
hierarchy of international, national, regional
and locally designated sites.
There are a number of designations, which relate
specifically to ecological and geological
conservation. These designations are categorised
as those of international, national or
local importance. Some sites are covered by more than one type of designation, such as
the North Pennines AONB. Designations app lied to ecological and geological features may
be of international, national, or regional and local importance. Those relevant to the county
are
listed below, with the hierarchical structure of international through to local
representing the relative
weight or importance placed on each resource.
The northeast has a relatively high proportion o f designated sites, 30% of the total area, as
opposed to 8% nationally. The region also has the highest proportion of SSSI’s with geo-
features in favourable condition at 91%. The Moorhouse/Upper
Teasdale is the largest of
the 3 English Biosphere reserves at 7149ha.
The North Pennines Geopark shares a boundary
with the AONB across County Durham,
Cumbria and Northumberland, and contains so me 33 geo-features. Half of the Geopark is
also designated a SSSI.
International designation Description
RAMSAR Site A site designated as a wetland of
international
importance under the Ramsar
Convention
7
Special Protection Area (SPA) A site of European importance for bird
conservation,
designated under the EC
Birds Directive tion
SPA’s are also SSSI’s.
8 . Under national legisla
Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Site of European conservation importance
containing listed habitats or species,
designated
under the terms of the EC
Habitats
Directive
le
9 . Under national
gislation SAC’s are also SSSI’s.
7
The Ramsar Convention (1971) - The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as
Waterfowl Habitat was ratified by the UK in 1976. The Convention seeks to promote the conservation and wise use of
wetlands, particularly those, which support internationally significant
numbers of water birds. This is achieved through
the designation of Ramsar Sites.
8
The Birds Directive (1979) - The European Community Council
Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds
(79/409/EEC) sets out general rules for the conservation of all naturally occurring wild birds, their nests, eggs and
habitats. It requires member states to designate Special Protection
Areas (SPAs) for protection of certain species.
9
The Habitats Directive (1992) - The European Community Council Directive on the Conservation of Natural
Habitats of Wild Fauna and Flora (92/43/EEC) aims to protect the European Union's biodiversity. It requires member
states to designate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) - sit es of European importance for listed habitats and species.
SACs must be maintained at, or restored to, favourable conservation
status, and should be protected from damaging
plans or projects
Page 35 4/15/2009