Local Sites, along with Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), are the most important places for wildlife and geology in Greater Lincolnshire.
A number of terms are used with relation to Local Sites, but these sites are currently known as Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) and Local Geological Sites (LGSs) in Greater Lincolnshire. These sites are a recognition of wildlife or geological value and are a testament to the land management that is already being undertaken on them.
The majority of Local Sites are on private land. Site selection does not infer any rights of public access. A variety of introductory leaflets on how to manage you land for wildlife can be found in the Knowledge hub.
The GLNP works directly with local authorities to coordinate the Local Sites system in Greater Lincolnshire. Sites are selected by the Nature Partnership, based on recommendations made by its expert working groups known as the LWS Panel and LGS Panel. The Register of Local Sites is then submitted for inclusion within local authority planning policy.
Identifying these sites helps local authorities meet their obligations under legislation and government guidance, including reporting on the number of sites in positive management for Single Data List Indicator 160-00. The Local Sites partnership approach adopted by the Nature Partnership has been recommended by Defra and is in operation in different forms all over England.
