Sites of special scientific interest: condition and assessments
How Natural England assesses the condition of SSSIs, and the condition improvement process.
Applies to England
Natural England categorises the condition of sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) as one of the following:
- favourable
- unfavourable recovering
- unfavourable no change
- unfavourable declining
- part destroyed
- destroyed
Favourable
The designated feature is being adequately conserved. The results from monitoring demonstrate that the feature is meeting all the mandatory site-specific monitoring targets set out in the monitoring specification (MS). The MS sets the minimum standard for favourable condition for the designated feature and there may be scope for the further (voluntary) enhancement of the feature.
Unfavourable recovering
Often known simply as ‘recovering’. The feature is not yet fully conserved but the necessary actions to achieve favourable condition have:
- been identified and recorded
- at least one action underway
- no actions behind schedule
Provided that the recovery work is sustained, the feature will reach favourable condition in time. At least one of the designated feature’s mandatory attributes is not meeting their targets (as set out in the site-specific MS).
Unfavourable no change
The feature is not being conserved. It will not reach favourable condition unless there are changes to the management or external pressures. This is reflected in the results of monitoring over time, with:
- at least one of the mandatory attributes not meeting its target (as set out in the site-specific MS)
- the results not moving towards the desired state
The longer the feature remains in this poor condition, the more difficult it will be, in general, to achieve recovery.
If the feature is unfavourable, it should be recorded as unfavourable – no change, if the necessary actions to achieve favourable condition have:
- not been identified and recorded
- none of the actions underway
- at least one action behind schedule
In rare cases, an interest feature might not be able to regain its original condition following a damaging activity, but a new stable state might be achieved.
Unfavourable declining
The feature is not being conserved and will not reach favourable condition unless there are changes to management or external pressures. The feature condition is becoming progressively worse. This is reflected in the results of monitoring over time, with:
- at least one of the designated feature’s mandatory attributes not meeting its target (as set out in the site-specific MS)
- the results moving further away from the desired state
The longer the feature remains in this poor condition, the more difficult it will be, in general, to achieve recovery.
Part destroyed
Lasting damage has occurred to part of a designated feature, such that it has been irretrievably lost and will never recover. No amount of management will allow the feature to ever reach favourable condition.
Destroyed
Lasting damage has occurred to an entire designated feature such that the feature has been irretrievably lost. No amount of management will bring this feature back. This feature will never recover. For example, a finite mineralogical feature has been totally removed from its surroundings without consent and is lost forever.
Site visits and condition assessments
Natural England may visit your SSSI to check on its general condition. Natural England or expert contractors will carry out condition assessments if:
- Natural England thinks it’s necessary
- the condition of the site may change
For most sites they’ll do this at least once every 6 years. They may visit more often if a special feature:
- can only be assessed at a specific time of year
- is likely to change quickly, such as grassland
For sites where changes are expected to be slow, such as woodland, they may do a condition assessment once every 10 years.
Natural England will request your permission before visiting. It may use its power of entry if it believes the site is being damaged.
At other times, Natural England can enter the site without your permission but will only do this if:
- you’ve been notified of the visit
- you’ve not allowed access
For assessment, Natural England assesses each feature for which the site was designated. Each feature is assessed as a whole.
Find out more about:
Related targets
You can see the SSSI targets on the ‘favourable condition table’ by searching for your site on the designated site search (DSS). You’ll find the favourable condition table underneath the site summary box.
Example
If one of the special features of your site is a rare plant species, the assessment will include a measure of the population size and extent. Similarly, if a particular habitat is a feature, Natural England will measure its extent, structure and species composition.
After the assessment, Natural England will contact you to discuss:
- the condition of the site
- any changes in management you need to make if it’s not in favourable or recovering condition
Natural England usually publishes summaries of condition assessments within 6 weeks. You can see these on the DSS.
- Search for your SSSI.
- Click on ‘View details’.
- In the Summary box, click on ‘View units’ in the right hand column.
- Click on ‘View map’ on the right hand side to see the area on a map.
Condition improvement process
Natural England can take 3 steps to help you improve the favourable condition of the SSSI if it has declined.
1. Management agreement
Natural England will advise you on, and try to agree with you, the work that’s needed to protect and improve the condition of the site. You can achieve most management objectives on SSSIs with a Countryside Stewardship grant, which you might be eligible for.
2. Management scheme
A management scheme is a statement of measures necessary to conserve or restore features of your land. Natural England can put a management scheme in place if the features of special interest on your SSSI are deteriorating from neglect or poor management.
Where a management scheme has been put in place, Natural England may ask you to apply for a Countryside Stewardship grant.
Decline resulting from wilful or reckless damage to the site is treated differently and is subject to enforcement measures.
If you think the management scheme is unreasonable or that someone else should be responsible for the work, contact Natural England and explain why.
3. Management notice
If you do not carry out works set out in a management scheme, Natural England can issue a management notice. This will state that you must carry out some or all of the works set out in the management scheme.
You’ll be breaking the law if you get a management notice, but do not carry out the work within 2 months of Natural England’s deadline.
If you do not carry out the work, Natural England could:
- prosecute you, which may result in you getting an unlimited fine
- enter your land and carry out the work - you’ll have to pay for the work
- get a compulsory purchase order to force you to sell your land to them (as a last resort)
You can appeal to Defra against a management notice. You have 2 months to appeal.
You may be able to resolve the problem without a formal appeal by speaking to Natural England.
Contact
SSSI enquiries
Farm and Conservation Service
Natural England, Foss House, Kings Pool, 1-2 Peasholme Green
York
YO1 7PX
Email ProtectedSites@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone 0300 060 3900