UNITED KINGDOM · WALES · DESIGNATIONS · WALES
SAC (Wales)
What this layer shows
Special Area of Conservation: European-level protection for habitats and non-bird species in Wales, with Natural Resources Wales as the statutory consultee. A plan or project likely to affect one triggers Habitats Regulations Assessment.
Where the data comes from
WFS · datamap.gov.wales
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In these presets
Essentials
What is protected here: the statutory designations, across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus ancient woodland. This is what the map opens with, and what Default puts back. It is a starting point, not a limit: every other layer is one tap away in the list below.
Desk study
The statutory designations an ecologist checks first: SSSI, SAC, SPA, Ramsar, National and Local Nature Reserves across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus ancient woodland and priority habitat. This is the opening move of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, what is protected on or near the site. Statutory sites are commonly scoped to 10 km and habitat inventories to 2 km, guidance sets no fixed distances, so set the radius to suit the project.