Local Wildlife Sites
Local Wildlife Sites contain habitats, features or species of locally significant nature conservation value. They make a vital contribution to UK wildlife and offer many other benefits.
The Rotherham Local Wildlife Site system provides a comprehensive method to identify sites of wildlife importance and protect them through the local planning system. Documents containing the Local Wildlife Site system framework and the site selection criteria are available to be downloaded from the related documents below.
The system is based on guidance provided by Defra that aims to establish a consistent national approach. Local diversity and conditions have been considered in order to produce a system that reflects the extent, variation and quality of the nature conservation resource in Rotherham.
Criteria for the selection of Local Wildlife Sites have been developed and have been applied to site data held in Rotherham's Biological Records Centre. The assessment results identify sites that meet or exceed the criteria and these can then become Local Wildlife Sites.
National planning policy guidance indicates that locally designated areas and sites should be included on adopted proposals maps (PPS12). Identified Local Wildlife Sites in Rotherham will contribute towards the environmental evidence base of the Local Development Framework. These designations will be subject to public consultation through the Local Development Framework: Sites and Policies Issues and Options DPD. Public Consultation on the Local Development Framework will take place till 16th September 2011. The boundaries of the Rotherham Local Wildlife Sites Series are available to be viewed on our mapping page.
Please note there are no additional rights of public access given to Local Wildlife Sites, most sites are located on private land. If in any doubt the landowner should be identified and a request for any access made.
Further information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions document. If this does not answer your question, please contact us or email us at localsites@rotherham.gov.uk Further Ecology/biodiversity information on the Council web site is available at Wildlife.
Please be aware that Local Wildlife Sites may contain areas of other interests such as archaeology, geology and landscape features. It is hoped that Local Wildlife Sites landowners will continue to manage their sites positively, sensitive to the inherent nature conservation interest(s). When considering the management of these sites land managers and developers should also be aware that other interests may be present. Please note links below are correct at time of writing.
Archaeology and the Historic Environment
For further information on the archaeology of Rotherham please contact South Yorkshire Archaeology Service http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/syas Further web based information on archaeology is available via Heritage Gateway http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/ and from the South Yorkshire Historic Environment Characterisation project at
http://www.sytimescapes.org.uk/
Geology, geomorphology geoconservation
Information about Rotherham Regionally Important Geological Sites is available on the Council Web Site. If you wish to obtain further information about Regionally Important Geological Sites please email RMBC Forward Planning at localsites@rotherham.gov.uk. Queries regarding Rotherham Geological Records will be passed to Sheffield Area Geology Trust.
Landscape
Further information is available on Landscape Character Assessment and landscape. Landscape is multi faceted and includes aspects of archaeology, ecology, geology and geomorphology
Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure is a network of multi-functional green spaces and other environmental assets. Green Infrastructure provision includes nature conservation, individual or distinctive features of the landscape, and heritage assets.
Related documents
The Framework for Rotherham's Local Wildlife System
Site Selection Guidance for Rotherham
Last update: 07/07/2011