Guidance on Establishing and Managing Local Nature Conservation Site Systems in Scotland

• Purpose and Scope
• Legislative and Policy Context
• The Purpose of LNCS
• Operating a LNCS System
• Approaches to Policy and Management
• Annex

This document was prepared by the Local Nature Conservation Site Working Group, comprising the following organisations:

The working group was formed with the purpose of preparing this Guidance, and has now disbanded. Enquiries and comments about the content of this Guidance should be directed to the Chair of the Working Group:

Rachel Hellings,
SNH National Strategy,
Battleby,
Redgorton,
Perth,
PH1 3EW;
01738 444177

1. The Purpose and Scope of this Guidance

1.1 This Guidance introduces a single purpose for Local Nature Conservation Site systems, and a standard approach to selecting new sites and reviewing existing sites. In doing so, it aims to address the diversity of purpose and function which currently characterise systems of Local Nature Conservation Sites.

1.2 In using the term Local Nature Conservation Site (LNCS), we refer to non-statutory sites, selected at local level for biodiversity and/or geodiversity features. We do not include Local Nature Reserves, which are statutory designations, although the Guidance makes reference to them. Commonly used terms for LNCS include Wildlife Site (WS), Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), and Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Site (RIGS). When referring to LNCS designated for biodiversity features, we use the term local biodiversity site, encompassing the many different names currently in use. When referring to LNCS designated for geodiversity features, we use the term local geodiversity site, otherwise known as RIGS. We have not included the marine environment within the scope of this Guidance, because of the significant differences in both administrative and ecological context.

1.3 The Guidance presents the LNCS system as a tool to show where action can best be taken for the conservation of biodiversity and geodiversity. It is not intended as a strengthening of a site-based approach to nature conservation, but as a way to identify where habitats, species and geodiversity of importance to nature conservation may be found. In this way, the LNCS system can support effective action for habitats and species included on the Scottish Biodiversity List and in Local Biodiversity Action Plans, and support action for local geodiversity. The Guidance also explains how a LNCS system can help public bodies to address the Scottish Biodiversity Duty and follow national planning policies and guidance, as well as assist land managers in carrying out actions for biodiversity.

1.4 The procedures recommended in this Guidance are not designed to be prescriptive, but to provide a framework to enable those responsible to establish and maintain a LNCS system to a common standard. The Guidance looks to encourage a spirit of co-operation and consensus, involving land managers, planners, and other stakeholders in selection and action for sites.

1.5 A similar review of local sites in England and Wales has recently been carried out by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and Guidance is due to be published in 2006. Whilst there are parallels with the Scottish Guidance, this is a devolved issue and the legislative and policy context is different north and south of the Border. The review in Scotland has been carried out independently of the Defra review.