Sites of Special Scientific Interest

HC Deb 08 May 1990 vol 172 cc96-7W

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a list of all sites of special scientific interest and areas of outstanding natural beauty, their exact reason for designation and their geographical location.

Mr. Trippier

A list of all areas of outstanding natural beauty, plus a map showing their geographical locations, can be found in the publication "Countryside Commission Annual Report 1988–89" which is already placed in the Library of the House.

This publication does not however, contain the criteria for designation, which is set out under section 87 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 —also to be found in the Library of the House.

A list of SSSIs in England and Wales by county, was placed in the Library in August 1989. There are currently over 5,000 and it would be impracticable to place the reasons for their individual designation in the Library. The criteria for the designation of biological sites can be found in "Guidelines for Selection of Biological SSSI" which has been placed in the Library of the House.