These pages provide download links to
conservation objectives for all SAC, SPA and Ramsar sites in
Wales.
For terrestrial sites the objectives are provided as part of a
Core Management Plan which also includes the results of monitoring
and advice on any action required. For marine sites, conservation
objectives are provided within a revised package of advice issued
under Regulation 35 (formerly Regulation 33) of the Habitats
Regulations. In some cases where designations overlap we have
provided one document covering two or more designations.
All these sites have now been divided into management units.
This makes it easier for everyone to understand what management is
needed in different parts of the site, some of which are very
large. It should also make it easier to describe any actions that
are needed to bring the features into favourable or recovering
condition. These documents dovetail with an Actions Database for
sites. The Actions Database is a planning tool for partner
organisations involved with delivering the Wales Environment
Strategy target to bring designated sites into favourable
condition.
These documents have been compiled with the information about
the sites that is available to CCW staff, and this is often much
less than we would wish. The documents will be revised as new
information is collected or as circumstances on the sites change.
We would be grateful for feedback on these documents from anyone at
any time.
CCW Management Planning guidance and management plan
template
The 2003 Management Planning guidance outlines the CCW approach
to management planning for Sites of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSIs) and terrestrial Special Areas of Conservation (SACs,
Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites. The contents of
the guidance follow accepted CCW procedures for preparing
management plans for both biological and geological sites. This
document identifies the minimum level of information required to
construct a working management plan. Additional information may be
required on certain sites, for example, access, interpretation and
education information required in National Nature Reserve (NNR)
management plans.
All CCW management plans, be they for NNRs, SSSIs or
international designations (SAC, SPA, Ramsar sites) include
site-level conservation objectives for all designated species and
habitat features, based on the EC Habitats Directive concept of
‘favourable conservation status’ (FCS). CCW considers that a site
level version of the FCS concept provides an appropriate basis for
defining the desired state of habitats and species at a site level.
Note that this approach is a matter of practical implementation. It
does not imply that FCS as defined the Habitats Directive
constitutes a statutory obligation at the individual site
level.
The management plans also set out the conservation measures
required to achieve the conservation objectives, that is to restore
or maintain features at FCS on the sites.
The CCW management plan template is a more recent document
(2008) developed specifically to ensure that all Natura 2000 plans
developed for such sites in Wales adopt a consistent format and
layout. The basic approach is consistent with the 2003 planning
guidance.
There are several kinds of statutory and non-statutory
Environmental Assessment processes which are required by
organisations delivering plans, programmes and/or projects.