What are protected sites?
These are sites that are protected under UK law. The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is one such designation but smaller areas within the National Park can have one or more further designations, designed to protect special geology or wildlife. More information on Wales’ special landscapes is available from Natural Resources Wales.
Protected (or designated) sites include:
- Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
- National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
- Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs)
There is also a list of habitats that have been identified as being of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in Wales – known as the Section 42 List.
Where are they?
You can search for information on designated sites here and view an interactive map of protected sites here website.
Please note this map does not give high enough resolution for detailed planning application and the precise location of boundaries needs to be checked with the local NRW office.