Protected Species in Warwickshire
European Protected Species (EPS) are protected under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994. EPS found in Warwickshire include:
- All species of bat
- Great crested newt
- Otter
- Dormouse
- White-clawed crayfish
Other species that are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and that are often encountered through the planning process include:
- Water vole
- Barn owl
- Grass snake
- Slow worm
- Common lizard
- Badger
There are also some species that are given a certain level of protection within the planning process as they are the subject of a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) at either the UK level or the Local level and often both.
Full list of UK BAP species
List of Local BAP species
Protected Sites and Habitats in Warwickshire
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) - European importance
We have one European protected SAC in Warwickshire - Ensors Pool in Nuneaton. This has been designated as a SAC due to its significant population of the European protected species, white-clawed crayfish.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) - National importance
Sites protected at a national level, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are called SSSIs. Natural England are the statutory body responsible for their safeguarding, monitoring and improvement. We have a number of SSSIs in Warwickshire.
List of Warwickshire's SSSIs
Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) - County importance
There are a number of SINCs in Warwickshire. SINCs are designated by a panel of local ecological professionals. This is a non-statutory designation, although SINCs are still afforded a high level of protection within the planning system. Development that negatively impacts on a SINC will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances and where mitigation can be proven from the beginning.
Some sites that have been highlighted as potentially being of SINC value but have not yet been fully surveyed are known as potential SINCs (pSINCs). In planning terms they are considered as SINCs until proved otherwise.
Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) - Local importance
LNRs are designated by the local authority (either at county, district or even parish or town council level). This is a statutory designation made under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
An LNR can be given protection against development that will have a negative impact on it. This protection is usually given via the Local Plan, (produced by the planning authority), and often supplemented by local by-laws. Visit the Natural England LNR page for more information.
Ecosites - varying levels of importance
The Warwickshire Biological Records Centre designates an ecosite whenever it has biological information on a site. The conservation importance of ecosites therfore varies a lot. Ecosites are sites of regional and local biodiversity interest and are considered to play a fundamental role in meeting overall national biodiversity targets. The status of such sites is currently under review.
Information on SINCs can be found by contacting the Warwickshire Biological Records Centre (Tel: 01926 418060).
| 
