Somerset Levels

(asked on 15th July 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the landscape value, and (2) the level of landscape protection, of the Somerset Levels.


This question was answered on 29th July 2020

Natural England published a detailed Natural Character Area profile of the Somerset Levels in June 2013. This study provides a description of the natural and cultural features that shape the landscape, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key drivers of landscape change and a broad analysis of the area’s characteristics and ecosystem services.

The Somerset Levels have no formal landscape protection. Large areas of the Somerset Levels are, however, afforded protection because of their nature conservation value through designation as: a National Nature Reserve; a Special Protection Area (under the Wild Birds Directive); and a Ramsar site (under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands of international importance). These designations are underpinned by several Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Further information is available online via Natural England’s Designated Sites Viewer and the MAGIC website:

designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteList.aspx?siteName=somerset&countyCode=&responsiblePerson=&DesignationType=All

magic.defra.gov.uk

Reticulating Splines