Guidance

Jurassic Coast fossil collecting codes and recording schemes

Updated 2 July 2025

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2025

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-privacy-notices/jurassic-coast-fossil-collecting-codes-and-recording-schemes

This privacy notice applies to the database and website for the Undercliffs National Nature Reserve and West Dorset Coast fossil collecting codes and recording schemes.

1. Who collects your personal data

The data controller is Natural England at: 

Foss House, Kings Pool, 1-2 Peasholme Green, York, Y01 7PX

Send questions about how Natural England uses your personal data and your associated rights to the Natural England Data Protection Manager at foi@naturalengland.org.uk or: 

Natural England, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP 

The Data Protection Officer for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) group is responsible for checking that Natural England complies with legislation. You can contact them at DefraGroupDataProtectionOfficer@defra.gov.uk or: 

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, SW Quarter, 2nd floor, Seacole Block, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF

The data processor for this privacy policy notice is Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre: 

Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Bridport DT6 6LR

2. What personal data is collected and how it’s used

The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre will collect personal information from people who use the fossil collecting recording schemes database and website for the West Dorset Coast and the Undercliffs National Nature Reserve. This information may include your: 

  • name 
  • phone number 
  • email address
  • postal address 

This information will be used to manage the fossil collecting code recording scheme database and website, in partnership with the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Dorset Council, and the University of Birmingham. 

Your details will be pseudonymised and stored in a secure, non-public database linked to your specimen records. Recording these specimens allows researchers and other interested parties to carry out certain research and make enquiries about the specimens and their associated metadata listed in the database.

Your data is processed based on your consent, and you can request its removal at any time by contacting info@charmouth.org (processor) or geodiversity@naturalengland.org.uk (controller).

The processing of your personal data is based on consent. When you submit a record to the fossil collecting code recording schemes, you consent to the processing and retention of your personal data as stated in this privacy notice.

5. Who Natural England shares your personal data with

Natural England may share your data with the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre (as the data processor), the University of Birmingham and its approved subcontractors, and Dorset Council. This sharing helps support the development and ongoing management of the recording scheme database and website. 

Additionally, we may occasionally contact you to request permission to share your information with interested parties or public collections who wish to conduct further research or enquire about specimens recorded in the database.

Natural England respects your personal privacy when responding to access to information. We only share information when necessary to meet the statutory requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

6. How long Natural England holds personal data

Natural England will retain your personal data indefinitely. 

The purpose of this is to support the ongoing operation of the recording scheme and database. Ensuring that interested parties or public collections can indefinitely conduct further research or make enquiries about specimens recorded in the database. 

Natural England will review records held in the database every 10 years. When records are reviewed, we will contact you to ensure that they are correct and that we still have your consent for the processing of your personal data. 

Should you wish to withdraw your consent or update your personal details, then please contact info@charmouth.org or geodiversity@naturalengland.org.uk. Should you withdraw your consent, you will not be able to use the recording schemes. 

For further details on the information that is held and the data handling procedures, visit the websites of:

7. What happens if you do not provide the data requested

You will not be able to use the fossil collecting recording schemes.

8. Use of automated decision-making or profiling

The information you provide is not used for: 

  • automated decision-making (deciding by automated means without any human involvement)
  • profiling (automated processing of personal data to evaluate certain things about an individual)

9. Transfer of data outside the UK

Natural England and its partners will not transfer your data outside the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA).

10. Complaints

You have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office at any time.

11. Natural England’s personal information charter

Natural England’s personal information charter explains more about your rights over your personal data.

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