Local Sites
The Surrey Local Sites Partnership (SLSP) provides the framework for identifying and managing Local Sites across Surrey. These sites are locally designated for their significant nature conservation value – supporting important habitats, species, or geological features. Local sites are not statutory designated sites (they have no legal protection) however many are comparable in quality to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Beyond their conservation value, Local Sites often offer additional benefits, including:
- Providing opportunities for education, research, and nature-based recreation
- Supporting community and social engagement
- Contributing to Green Infrastructure and Open Space strategies
Local Wildlife Sites
Local Wildlife Sites have an important role in the County’s ecological network. There are many names used for Local Sites around the country. The generic Local Sites term includes both Local Wildlife Sites and Local Geological Sites (also known as Regionally Important Geological Sites, or RIGS). In Surrey, Local Wildlife Sites have always been referred to as Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI).
Sites of Nature Conservation Importance – SNCI
SNCI’s originated in 1975 via the Surrey Structure Plan and since then a system of identification, selection and recommendation for protection in the planning system has been in place for SNCI’s, initially under the remit of the Surrey Nature Conservation Liaison Group. In 2010, this body was renamed as the Surrey Local Sites Partnership (SLSP), and is now governed as a working group of the Surrey Nature Partnership. There are currently 804 Local Sites in Surrey, including 775 SNCI and 28 RIGS. These represent slightly more than 9% of Surrey by area.
In addition, a further 227 Potential Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (pSNCIs) have also been identified. These are currently restricted to three local authority areas (Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge). pSNCIs are sites which are thought likely to contain flora or fauna of County or regional importance. While SNCIs have been surveyed and found to satisfy the necessary criteria, pSNCIs have not yet been surveyed either because it was not possible to identify the owner or because permission to access the site was not granted.
Surrey Local Sites Partnership
The partnership is made up of naturalists, conservationists and ecologists from organisations and groups active in the county. These include suitably qualified representatives from Surrey County Council, Surrey Wildlife Trust, the Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre, statutory regulatory agencies, local planning authorities and representatives from Surrey’s specialist wildlife recording groups.
The primary responsibitlites of the SLSP are:
- Site selection and review against a published set of selection criteria
- Maintaining a master register of selected sites by borough/district
- Overseeing the consultation procedure with landowners of proposed SNCIs
- Collecting data for the annual report to DEFRA on the proportion of Local Sites in positive management for Single Data List Indicator 160-00
Key Information for SNCI designation
Guidance for Selection of SNCI
Updated July 2025
SNCI’s are currently selected based on criteria outlined in the following publication:
Appendices
- Appendix 1 – Surrey axiophytes
- Appendix 2 – Plantlife Important Arable Plant Areas – outstanding assemblages (Criterion B)
- Appendix 3 – Surrey Rare Plant Register (Appendix E)
- Appendix 4 – Notable fungi in Surrey and important fungal habitat indicators (derived and adapted from (Bosanquet.S, Ainsworth.A, Cooch.S, Genney.D, & Wilkins.T, 2018))
- Appendix 5 – Surrey Important fungal habitat indicators
- Appendix 6 – British Dragonfly Society Priority Site Assessment Instructions (British Dragonfly Society, 2022)
- Appendix 7 – Notable larger moth species in Surrey (VC17)
- Appendix 8 – Microlepidoptera that are scarce or rare both nationally and in Surrey (VC17)
Local Sites in Surrey (SNCIs & RIGS) Register
The current schedule of all formally selected SNCI & RIGS in Surrey is in this document:
Local Sites in Surrey (SNCI & RIGS) Register (updated July 2025)
Partner Organisations
Over the past two years, the Guidance for the Selection of Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs) in Surrey has undergone a comprehensive review and update. This work was carried out by SWT Ecology Services, with funding and support from Surrey County Council, Surrey Wildlife Trust, and the Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre.
The revision process benefited greatly from the valuable input of numerous individuals and organisations, including:
• British Dragonfly Society
• Butterfly Conservation (Surrey & SW London Branch)
• Environment Agency
• South East Rivers Trust
• Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group
• Surrey Bat Group
• Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre
• Surrey Bird Club
• Surrey Botanical Society
• Surrey County Council
• Surrey Dormouse Group
• Surrey Fungus Study Group
• Surrey Moth Group
• Surrey Wildlife Trust
• The British Lichen Society
• Invertebrate ecologists: Jonty Denton, Scotty Dodd
Adoption and Ongoing Updates to the SNCIs Guidance
The updated Guidance for the Selection of SNCIs in Surrey was formally adopted by the Surrey Nature Partnership (SNP) Board on 18 October 2024. While most of the work is complete, a few specific criteria are still under review and will be finalised over the next 12 months. These updates will be incorporated into the official Guidance and published on this page.
The most notable outstanding item is the threshold for axiophyte species (plants that indicate high conservation value) in grassland, wetland, and arable habitats. Final thresholds will be informed by the Surrey Old Grasslands Inventory project, expected to conclude by March 2026. The Surrey Old Grasslands Draft Inventory is now available.
In the meantime, the SLSP will continue using the 2008 thresholds for Species Typical of Grassland of Conservation Interest in Surrey, alongside UK Biodiversity Action Plan and UK Habitat Classification definitions.
Additionally, the updated Guidance includes appendices listing notable and indicator species used in various criteria. These lists will be updated as needed, even outside formal review cycles, to reflect changes in species status at national, regional, and local levels.
The Guidance will be reviewed regularly to reflect evolving scientific knowledge and changes in habitat and species status across Surrey and the UK.
Governance
The nominated secretariat to the Surrey Local Sites Partnership is the Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre.
Terms of Reference
More information on the Local Sites system in Surrey and the governance of the Surrey Local Sites Partnership is available in the document below:
Do you have a potential Site of Nature Conservation Importance?
Key Steps to take:
- Contact Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre
- Read through the Guidance for Selection of SNCI
Contact Information
Enquiries can be sent to surreybic@surreywt.org.uk
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