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County Wildlife Sites (CWS) for Landowners

Many of Suffolk’s County Wildlife Sites (CWS) are on privately owned land. If your land is designated as a CWS – or if you think it might qualify – this page explains what that means for you as a landowner and what support is available.

What is a County Wildlife Site?

County Wildlife Sites are non-statutory designations that recognise land of high wildlife value. Designation recognises that your land supports characteristic or threatened species or habitats of county, regional, or national importance. Outside of statutory protected areas such as SSSIs and nature reserves, CWSs are the most important areas for wildlife in Suffolk, and play a vital role in maintaining habitat links and ecological networks across the county.

CWS designation does not restrict what you can do with your land, does not confer any rights of public access, and does not give conservation organisations any rights of entry. It is, however, a material consideration in planning decisions and is recognised by local authorities, Natural England, and conservation organisations.

Does your land have CWS status?

SBIS maintains the Suffolk CWS register, including boundary data and full citations for every designated site. If you would like to know whether your land is designated as a CWS or would like a copy of the citation for your site, please contact us.

Managing a CWS

The high wildlife value of CWSs typically results from traditional land management practices that have allowed wildlife to thrive – rotational coppicing of woodland, hay cutting or grazing of grassland, and the retention of hedgerows, dykes, and margins. Ensuring that appropriate management continues is vital to maintaining the site’s wildlife value.

Free advice for CWS owners and managers is available from SBIS and Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and includes:

  • Information on the wildlife and nature conservation interest of your site
  • Advice and site visits to help establish the best management to maintain and enhance wildlife value – Suffolk Wildlife Trust is always happy to offer site visits
  • Advice on suitable contractors, contacts for graziers, and help applying for grant funding

CWS status can also strengthen applications for agri-environment funding, including Countryside Stewardship higher-tier options, which can provide financial support for conservation management.

To arrange an advisory visit or find out more, get in touch with SBIS or contact Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Agricultural Changes and Environmental Impact Assessments

Natural England requires an Environmental Impact Assessment when areas of uncultivated land are to undergo significant agricultural change, such as increases in stock density, cultivation, soil spreading, or new drainage works. If you are planning changes of this kind to land that includes a CWS, you should contact Natural England before proceeding.

Proposing a new County Wildlife Site

If you believe your land may meet the criteria for CWS designation – for example, if it supports species-rich grassland, ancient woodland, species-rich hedgerows, or important wetland habitats – you can submit a site survey for consideration by the Suffolk CWS Panel. Visit our CWS information page for details of the designation criteria, designation procedure, and proposal form.

CWS and Biodiversity Net Gain

CWS designation can be a significant asset in the context of Biodiversity Net Gain. Designated land typically carries a higher biodiversity value in the statutory metric, which means it may generate more biodiversity units if used as an off-site BNG delivery site. Maintaining and enhancing the ecological condition of your CWS is therefore both a conservation and a potential financial asset.

Further information