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Special areas of conservation

Proposed Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are recommended to the Welsh Assembly Government by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

These recommendations follow consultation at national and local level through:

  • the Nature Conservation Agencies (Countryside Council for Wales, English Nature and Scottish Natural Heritage); and 
  • in Northern Ireland by the Environment and Heritage Service.

Visit: List of Special Areas of Conservation on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website (external link)

Dee and Severn estuaries

The Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing designated the Dee and Severn as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Wales on 10th December 2009. The Minister responsible for the English parts of these cross-border sites also designated the sites on the same date. These sites are now protected under the Habitats Regulations 1994.