Nature conservation

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A number of sites have been identified in Renfrewshire as having special nature conservation importance and are protected under national or European law:

• special protection areas (SPA)
• sites of special scientific interest (SSSI)
• sites of importance for nature conservation (SINC).

Special protection areas (SPA)
Special protection areas are designated as part of the United Kingdom's nature conservation responsibilities under European law. They are part of the network of Natura 2000 protected sites and support nationally or internationally important numbers of birds. In Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage make the designations of special protection areas for the Scottish Government on the basis of scientific surveys. More information on SPAs is available from the Scottish Natural Heritage website. In Renfrewshire, there are three designated SPAs. Location maps for these are shown below:

• Black Cart - located north of Glasgow Airport, this is a roost site and foraging area for wintering Icelandic whooper swans.
• Inner Clyde Estuary - this is located downstream from Newshot Island, Erskine. It is an area of intertidal mudflats and saltmarsh used as feeding grounds by wintering waterfowl.
• Renfrewshire Heights - this SPA lies north of Lochwinnoch in the Renfrewshire Hills, and is a breeding area for hen harriers.

Sites of special scientific interest - (SSSI or 'triple SI')
These are the main nature conservation designations in the UK. SSSIs are sites which are special for their:

• plants
• animals
• habitats
• rocks
• landforms
• or a combination of these features.

SSSIs are designated by Scottish Natural Heritage after detailed scientific survey. In March 2006, there were 1,453 SSSIs in Scotland, eight of which are in Renfrewshire. More information on SSSIs is available from Scottish Natural Heritage. You can also view the online SSSI Register maintained by Registers of Scotland which provides up to date details of every SSSi in Scotland.

The main purpose of the SSSI system is to make sure that decision-makers including landowners,managers, local authorities and the government, are aware of natural heritage interests when considering developing or changing the use of land.

Legal issues - designation and control of SSSIs
Scottish Natural Heritage designate sites through a legal process which requires that they notify owners and occupiers specifying why land is of special scientific interest and listing any operations that could damage the special interest. Owners and occupiers of SSSIs must give written notice to SNH of any proposal to carry out or permit any of the operations listed as part of the notification. Failure to do so may result in a fine. Designation as an SSSI does not affect the need for planning consent for development, but the Council is required to consult Scottish Natural Heritage on planning applications which may affect an SSSI.

Where are Renfrewshire’s SSSIs?
The following SSSIs lie within Renfrewshire Council area, use the links for location maps of the areas:

• Barmufflock Dam west of Bridge of Weir: a basin mire with a range of habitats, including open mire, swamp and wet woodland.
• Black Cart (also a special protection area - see above) north of Glasgow Airport: roost site and foraging area for wintering Icelandic whooper swans.
• Castle Semple and Barr Lochs Lochwinnoch: lowland wetland and fringing woodland which provide nesting and wintering habitat for a wide range of bird species.
• Clochodrick Stone north-east of Lochwinnoch: an unusually large glacial erratic boulder.
• Dargavel Burn north of Kilmacolm: active area of valley mire.
• Formakin west of Bishopton: a dry herb-rich grassland.
• Glen Moss east of Kilmacolm: a mixed basin and valley mire with important peatland habitat.
• Inner Clyde (also a Special Protection Area - see above) downstream from Newshot Island, Erskine: intertidal mudflats and saltmarsh used as feeding grounds by waterfowl.
• Shovelboard east of Kilmacolm: a small basin mire with a drier central area.
• Renfrewshire Heights (also a special protection area - see above) is situated north of Lochwinnoch in the Renfrewshire Hills and is a breeding area for hen harriers.

The Council’s register of SSSIs contains plans and further information about each one. This is available for inspection at the Planning office. If you want to visit an SSSI, take great care to avoid disturbance and damage.

Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC)
The council have identified a number of sites of importance for nature conservation (SINCs) from a habitat survey of Renfrewshire. You can view an interactive map showing the boundaries of the SINCs.

For further information, please contact the Planning office.

• email: pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0141 842 5811/ 5822
• fax : 0141 842 5040

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