Local Sites System

• Local Wildlife Sites
• Local Geological Sites

The Local Sites System provides a means of identifying and safeguarding some of the county’s best sites for wildlife and geology. The intention is to complement the network of internationally and nationally designated sites, helping to ensure the survival of habitats and important geological features that lie outside of these areas.

Unlike sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) a local site designation does not confer any legal or statutory status and sites rely entirely upon sympathetic management by their owners for their conservation.

There are currently about 2000 Local Wildlife Sites in Somerset, encompassing important habitats such as flower-rich meadow and pasture, ponds, wetland, heathland, and ancient broadleaved woodland. The Local Geological Sites in turn help preserve the county’s varied geological heritage. There are just over 200 in Somerset.

Designation

Local authorities can designate certain sites as being of local conservation interest in addition to Local Nature Reserves, which they are also responsible for.  The criteria for inclusion, and the level of protection provided varies between administrative areas. Generally, setting of selection criteria and designation of sites is coordinated by a partnership made-up of relevant bodies.

In Somerset the county’s Biodiversity Partnership oversees Local Wildlife Sites. This panel includes representative from the local authorities, private organisations and conservation bodies, including Somerset Wildlife Trust and SERC. The designation of Local Geological Sites is based entirely on the RIGS system in line with national guidelines.

The latest guidelines for the designation of Local Sites in Somerset can be downloaded here.

Getting Information

Information relating to Local Wildlife Sites and Local Geological Sites is held by SERC and can be accessed via the data enquires service.