Protected sites and areas

In Norfolk we have many protected sites and areas of Earth heritage interest.

National importance

The statutory conservation of geodiversity features is part of the remit of National Parks, National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These site and area designations are a precious geoconservation resource. The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads has the status of a National Park. There are 20 NNRS in Norfolk, and 39 SSSIs designated primarily for their Earth heritage interest (about 23% of the total). The 123 remaining SSSIs are primarily designated for their biodiversity, although geodiversity remains a significant factor underpinning habitat.

Geological SSSIs in Norfolk were selected as part of the Geological Conservation Review (GCR), a national review undertaken between 1977 and 1990. SSSIs are administered by Natural England, and there is an ongoing programme of condition monitoring and management. See Appendix 4 for a list of geodiversity SSSIs in the county.

Seen from a regional perspective, Norfolk has a disproportionately large share of significant geodiversity sites, and is particularly important for its Quaternary and Lower Cretaceous heritage.

See lists of geological SSSIs and National Parks and NNRs in Norfolk.

Local importance

The non-statutory conservation of geodiversity sites is carried out under the Local Sites designation process. Local Sites are non-statutory sites of local nature conservation value in the UK, including both biodiversity and geodiversity. You can download the Norfolk Local Sites Handbook at http://www.nbis.org.uk/local-sites.

Regionally Important Geological / geomorphological Sites (RIGS) are the most widely designated of Local Sites of geodiversity value in the UK. Despite its name, RIGS is a local rather than a regional designation. There are currently five RIGS in Norfolk, and they have the same status in planning as County Wildlife Sites. The term RIGS is being phased out, and Norfolk’s RIGS are now being renamed County Geodiversity Sites.

The designation of County Geodiversity Sites is being managed by the County Geodiversity Sites Group. The results of the Audit and ground-truthing programme are being used to draw up a list of priority sites to advocate for possible Local Sites designation.

Local Sites designation is a voluntary agreement between the designating organisation and the site owner / manager to promote positive conservation management of features of interest, and does not imply any legal obligations nor confer any right of access.

See the list of County Geodiversity Sites in Norfolk.

Protecting landscape

Non-statutory geoconservation is a key factor in landscape designations such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and Heritage Coasts; parts of the Norfolk coast are designated as the Norfolk Coast AONB. Local planning authorities may designate Conservation Areas to include landscape features (North Norfolk District Council, for example, has designated the area of the Glaven Valley).

Important landowning organisations such as the National Trust, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds are examples of conservation organisations which routinely protect geodiversity features on their land. Many countryside and green infrastructure partnerships and local conservation trusts also do the same. Landowners may conserve geodiversity as part of enhancement of landscape, habitat and historic features. Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme contains measures which may support the conservation of local geodiversity features, for example maintaining and enhancing landscape quality and character, and protecting the historic environment and natural resources.