Local Sites

Local Sites are a comprehensive network of sites of nature conservation importance. They are designated as either Local Wildlife Sites or Local Geological Sites according to their key features of interest. They provide refuges for wildlife and represent local character and distinctiveness; complementing other designation site networks.

Local Wildlife Sites are areas that hold important, distinctive and/or threatened species or habitats across the county.

Local Geological Sites are important geological and geomorphological sites which have been identified as being of great importance locally.

Local Sites are important areas of our countryside that have only survived as a result of the way they have been managed. Designating an area as a Local Site is a way to recognise their important value. Local Sites are non-statutory designated areas, and as such the owner of the land remains in control of how the land is managed. All existing Rights of Way remain unchanged by the designation and no additional Rights of Way or access are created.

Designations may have been made as long as over 30 years ago and as land ownership changes hands people may be unaware that they are custodian of a Local Site. Northumberland Wildlife Trust is currently in the process of contacting landowners/land managers and gaining permission to revisit sites and survey them. You can view the Local Site network by downloading the locations to view on Google Earth (you must have Goodle Earth Software installed on your computer to view this file).

For more information contact the Local Sites Coordinator who is based at Northumberland Wildlife Trust - mail@northwt.org.uk or 0191 2846884

Local Sites Partnership

The administrative areas of Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside have chosen to work together as one Local Sites Partnership. This partnership is repsonsible for determining which sites are selected for designation.

Criteria have been developed by this partnership for the selection of both Local Wildlife Sites and Local Geological Sites. See the downloads section opposite. Please note that these are currently in draft form and are yet to be finalised.

There are currently 224 Local Sites designated in Northumberland, 26 in Newcastle and 22 in North Tyneside.