Biodiversity and Geodiversity Designations

Telford and Wrekin is diverse and supports a range of habitats and species. There are a number of different types of designated sites within the borough which are intended to protect biodiversity and geodiversity assets.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are some of the country’s most valuable sites for wildlife and geology. They are designated by Natural England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, and they are essential to conserving our most valuable habitats, species and geological features for future generations.

There are 9 SSSI’s in Telford and Wrekin including grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, canal and river sections and geological exposures. Some SSSI’s are owned by the local authority and others are in private ownership.

Visit the Natural England website for information on individual SSSI's

Local nature reserves

Local nature reserves are sites in the ownership of the local authority which are designated for their biodiversity value and also for their value to local communities for education, access and recreation. There are currently 20 local nature reserves in Telford with 7 more planned to be designated.

Telford & Wrekin Council is dedicated to the designation of new local nature reserves and to working with local community and ‘friends of’ groups to achieve the appropriate management of these sites for everyone.

Visit the Natural England website for information on local sites and local nature reserves

Visit our local nature reserves website for more information

Local sites

Local sites include local wildlife sites and local geological sites. Local sites are adopted and monitored by the Shropshire local sites partnership which includes several organisations such as Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council.

There are over 70 local sites in Telford and Wrekin covering a wide range of valuable habitats including ancient woodland, lowland hay meadows, wetland flushes, grasslands and rivers and streams. More information on local sites can also be sought from Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Visit the Telford and Wrekin designated sites map

Useful links

Biodiversity duty

The Environment Act 2021 amended the biodiversity duty on all public bodies to include the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. To address the expanded duty the council have produced a strategy and action plan. These documents provide details on how the council will examine and deliver actions to ensure the appropriate conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in the borough.

Download the Biodiversity Duty Consideration and Action Setting report (.pdf Size: 3603Kb)

Download the Biodiversity Duty Action Plan (.pdf Size: 637Kb)