Marine Special Area of Conservation Features for European Site Protection

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) compiled 43 datasets showing the spatial extent of protected features within marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). This data forms part of the statutory advice packages prepared under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. The dataset provides a baseline for feature extent at the time of site designation, used for regulatory advice and measuring change under the Habitats Directive.

Use Cases

• Providing statutory advice on development impacts based on the mapped extent of protected features.
• Monitoring changes in habitat extent over time for Article 17 reporting under the Habitats Directive.
• Spatial planning for marine activities to avoid designated conservation features.
• Establishing a legal baseline for the condition of marine protected areas at designation.

Strengths

• Comprises 43 distinct datasets, providing multiple layers of information.
• Serves as an official legal baseline for feature extent under UK and EU regulations.
• Directly supports statutory advice processes under Regulation 37 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), prepared for the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Likely compiled from environmental surveys and legal designations for regulatory purposes.

Time Range

Reflects feature extent at the time of each marine SAC's designation.

Freshness

Last updated date is unknown.

Geography

Marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) within the jurisdiction of Natural Resources Wales.