SECTION 3.0 - Durham County Council

national indicator (NI197), was
introduced in order to monitor the status
of LWS and encourage favourable
Regionally important geological Sites (RIGS)
management. Local authorities have to
report annually on the percentage of
sites, in their jurisdiction,
in favourable
management.
Regionally Important Geological and
Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) are
currently the most important places for
geology and geomorphology outside
statutorily protected land such as Sites
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
These sites do not have formal statutory
protection in the same way as SSSIs.
However, RIGS groups notify local
planning authorities of the RIGS that
have been declared in their area and
encourage the protection of the site
through the planning process.
County Durham’s designated sites:
Designation Site
SAC North Pennines Hay Meadows
North Pennines Moors
Moor house & Upper Teasdale
Thrislington
Castle Eden Dene
Durham Coast
SPA Teesmouth & Cleveland Coast
North Pennine Moors
Ramsar site Stretches of the Durham Coast are
designated as part of two Ramsar Sites,
the Northumbria Coast and the
Teesmouth & Cleveland Coast Ramsar
sites.
International Biosphere Reserve Moor House & Upper Teasdale
SSSI 92 sites (please see appendices for list)
NNR 6 sites (please see appendices for list)
AONB North Pennines
LNR 33 sites (please see appendices for list)
Local Wildlife Sites 379 sites (please see appendices for list)
County Geological Sites 69 sites (please see appendices for list)
RIGs Moking Huth Cave
Page 37 4/15/2009