Natural England
This document shows the areas, sites and trails that Natural England is considering in its designations programme. Inclusion in the programme is not a commitment to designate.
The designations programme considers whether places are suitable to become:
- National Parks
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas
- Ramsar sites
- Marine Conservation Zones
- National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
- National Trails
When the formal process begins on a case its taken off the designations programme list at the next planned update, for example when:
- notifying an SSSI
- declaring an NNR
- launching a formal consultation, such as a potential Special Protection Area (pSPA)
Information about cases in the formal process are available from:
- the Defra consultation hub
- the designations programme (attached to this page)
Find out more about the designations programme in Natural Englands designation strategy.
Designated areas, sites and trails are mostly privately owned. Natural England works closely with landowners and other stakeholders:
- when assessing whether a place is nationally important
- following designation to support continued high quality management
Designated places represent Englands finest landscapes and very best wildlife and geological sites on land and in the sea. They:
- provide opportunities for people to experience and enjoy some of our most spectacular and beautiful land and seascapes
- safeguard vital elements of our natural and cultural heritage
- provide people with essential services like clean water, climate regulation, beautiful places for recreation, and opportunities to learn about nature
- are parts of living and functional landscapes, continuing to adapt and change within this wider context
- form a national asset
These functions of designated places help to put Natural Englands and the governments plans into action. These include: