Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS)

What are they?

Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS) are “a discrete area of land which is considered to be of significance for its wildlife features in at least a District/Borough/Unitary Authority context”.  Wildlife Sites were identified and declared by the Essex Wildlife Trust following a Phase One habitat survey of the District in 1991 (revised 1996,1998 and new full review 2009).  They were formerly know as  Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) or County Wildlife Sites.  The Epping Forest District currently (July 2009) has has 181 Local Wildlife Sites. That breaks down into 118 Woodlands, 39 grasslands, 19 mosaic sites and 5 fresh water aquatic.

Work in action

• Epping Forest Green Lane LoWS Project

What does their designation mean? 

Local Wildlife Site designation is non-statutory, but it recognises the high value of a site for wildlife. Many sites are of county, and often regional or national, importance. They are often designated because they support characteristic or threatened species or habitats included in Local or National Biodiversity Action Plans.

LoWS are recognised by national planning policy (Planning Policy Statement 9) as having a fundamental role to play in meeting national biodiversity targets.  LoWS are not protected by legislation, but their importance is recognised by local authorities when considering any relevant planning applications and there is a presumption against granting permission for development that would have an adverse impact on a site.

Such measures have been strengthened by the provisions of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006 which requires all public bodies to 'have regard for' the conservation of biodiversity. 

The district’s current suite of Local Wildlife Sites was identified by the Essex Wildlife Trust following a habitat survey of the whole district in the early 1990s. This survey will be reviewed in 2009.

The Epping Forest District Local Wildlife Sites Report includes their location, boundaries and key features.  Sites may be privately or publicly owned and vary in size and shape from small meadows, green lanes, dykes and hedges to much larger areas of ancient woodlands, heathland, greens, commons and marsh.

• Local Sites networks provide a comprehensive rather than representative suite of sites.
• Local Sites provide wildlife refuges for most of the UK’s fauna and flora and through their connecting and buffering qualities they complement other site networks.
• Local Sites have a significant role to play in meeting overall national biodiversity targets
• Local Sites represent local character and distinctiveness.
• Local Sites contribute to the quality of life and the well-being of the community, with many sites providing opportunities for research and education.

Although the system of statutory designations contains well over a million hectares, it is widely recognised as leaving out many sites that are, nevertheless, of significant value for the conservation of wildlife and geological features.

This is because the purpose of such statutory designations is to provide a representative rather than a comprehensive suite of sites, the individual sites exemplifying the nation’s most important wildlife and geological features, rather than including every site with such interest.

In most areas, local authorities, working with other local partners, have set up systems of locally valued non-statutory sites. Supporting in the region of 35,000 Local Sites, these systems contribute significantly to delivering both UK and Local Biodiversity and Geodiversity Action Plan targets

Following consultation on the protection and management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a subsequent report published in August 1999, a Local Sites Review Group was set up by the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR).  It reported in April 2000 and defined the overall objective of a Local Sites system as follows:

“The series of non-statutory Local Sites seeks to ensure, in the public interest, the conservation, maintenance and enhancement of species, habitats….features of substantive nature conservation value.  Local Site systems should select all areas of....value including both the most important and the most distinctive species, habitats….features within a national, regional and local context. Sites within the series may also have an important role in contributing to the public enjoyment of nature conservation.”

For more information see links below or call/email the Wildlife Sites Officer, Adam Rochester (01621) 862 988  or Paul Hewitt at Countrycare on (01992) 788 203
• Esssex Local Wildlife Sites Project Website

Further Information

• Essex Local Wildlife Sites - LoWS Information (Opens a new page) 
• Essex Biodiversity Project - LoWS Information ( Opens a new page)
• Essex Local Wildlife Sites Project Leafet (download pdf 172kb)
• Essex LoWS Newsletter Spring 2009 (download pdf 580 kb)