Natural England has published details of the areas, sites and trails that are currently under consideration for its designations programme to March 2017.
The designations programme considers whether places are suitable to become:
- National Parks
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest
- Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas)
- Ramsar sites
- Marine Conservation Zones
- National Nature Reserves
- National Trails
Designated areas, sites and trails are mostly privately owned. Natural England said it works closely with landowners and other stakeholders when assessing whether a place is nationally important and following designation to support continued high quality management.
The following sites are among a number currently under consideration – however, inclusion in the programme is not a commitment to designate.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest:
Crouch and Roach Estuaries (extension), Essex
Flamborough Head (extension), East Yorkshire
Filey Brigg (extension), North Yorkshire
Mid Cornwall Moors (extension), Cornwall
Teesmouth, Cleveland
Pen Park Hole, Bristol
Poole Harbour (extension), Dorset
West Pennine Moors, Lancashire
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty:
Suffolk Coast and Heaths (variation of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)
Marine Special Protection Areas:
Solway Firth
Solent and Dorset Coast
Poole Harbour
Northumberland Marine Area (and associated terrestrial sites)
Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary
Hamford Water
Outer Thames
Liverpool Bay
Greater Wash
Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast
Dungeness to Pett Level
Marine Conservation Zones:
Defra is considering the third phase (tranche) of Marine Conservation Zones with advice from Natural England.
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