2. National Wildlife Sites
These are statutory designations and are strongly protected by British legislation against damage from development, agriculture or other causes. Their protection is overseen by Natural England who can require the owner to manage the site appropriately for its special interest. The boundaries of these sites can be viewed on the NE and MAGIC website. These designations do not confer any public right of access.
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
SSSIs are of national importance for wildlife or geology. They are designated and protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. We have 28 SSSIs covering a total of 2,579 hectares or 6% of our land area. About half of them are geological and half are of wildlife importance. There are a further 12 SSSIs in the Teignbridge area of Dartmoor, covering about 4,000 ha.
National Nature Reserve (NNR)
NNRs are sites of national importance for wildlife or geological formations, representing the very best examples of these in the country. They are also SSSI's but have some level of public access. There is one at Dawlish Warren which we manage, and another at Yarner Wood on Dartmoor which is managed by Natural England.