7.11.1 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are nationally important nature conservation sites which support England’s very best wildlife and geology. Almost a quarter (986) of England’s 4,119 SSSI’s are in the South West covering over 200,000 hectares (or 16% of all SSSI land in England).
7.11.2 In March 2003, 56.9% of SSSIs were in favourable or recovering condition, the first point at which a comprehensive assessment was available. Natural England was charged with bringing 95% of all SSSIs into favourable condition by 2010 through advice and grant funding to land managers.
7.11.3 At the end of December 2010, 95% of SSSIs in the region were currently meeting the Government's Public Service Agreement (PSA) target condition of SSSIs in favourable or recovering condition. This was slightly below the English average of 96.5% and the seventh lowest recorded by a region (out of 9). The highest percentage in target condition was in the North East with almost 99% and the lowest in London with 87%.
7.11.4 A full report detailing the SSSI condition improvements is available from Natural England.
Figure 7.11.1 South West SSI conditions as of January 2011
7.11.5 Within the South West, Wiltshire had the highest proportion in target condition with almost 98%, followed by Devon with over 97%, whilst Dorset recorded the lowest proportion with 85% (Natural England).
Table 7.11.1 SSSI condition in the South West as of January 2011
|
% Area meeting PSA target |
% Area favourable |
% Area unfavourable recovering |
% Area unfavourable no change |
% Area unfavourable declining |
% Area destroyed / part destroyed |
| Cornwall |
95.31% |
50.73% |
44.58% |
2.02% |
2.59% |
0.08% |
| Devon |
97.03%
|
37.25%
|
59.78% |
1.63% |
1.34% |
0.01% |
| Somerset |
96.01% |
34.75% |
61.26% |
3.03% |
0.96% |
0.00% |
| Dorset |
85.56% |
40.44% |
45.12% |
9.64% |
4.71% |
0.09% |
| Wiltshire |
97.93% |
22.65% |
75.28% |
1.51% |
0.57% |
0.00% |
| Gloucestershire |
94.82% |
79.18% |
15.64% |
2.14% |
3.04% |
0.00% |
| Former Avon |
93.71%
|
84.82% |
8.89% |
3.33% |
2.96%
|
0.00%
|
|
Source: Natural England
|
7.11.6 Full details of SSSIs and their condition is available from Natural England. A South West summary is also available on the South West Environment website.
