The Indicia Warehouse that powers our recording service will be offline from
5 pm, Wednesday 27 May until 12 pm, Thursday 28 May
for a major update to the species dictionary.
This will cause some disruption to logging in, recording and viewing records.
Other pages should be unaffected.
Brecks Grass-Heath
Brecks Grass-Heath
Brecks Grass-Heath occupies a unique position in British natural history. Developing on the chalk-influenced sands of the Brecks – a landscape straddling the Suffolk-Norfolk border that takes its name from the ancient practice of temporarily breaking up sandy ground for cultivation – they support plant and invertebrate assemblages more reminiscent of central European steppe than English downland.
Downloads
Downloads
SBIS makes a range of datasets and documents available for direct download, including GIS data, PDF maps, and biodiversity publications. Some downloads are only visible to logged-in users with a specific role – if you cannot see a resource you need, please contact us to discuss access.
Environmental Management
Environmental Management
Understanding what biodiversity exists across Suffolk's land and built environment is the first step towards managing it effectively. SBIS data supports green infrastructure planning, habitat connectivity, climate resilience, and the day-to-day management of land and buildings, helping organisations and communities make evidence-led decisions that deliver lasting environmental benefit.
Policy and Planning
Policy and Planning
SBIS data underpins biodiversity decision-making across Suffolk. From biodiversity duty obligations and local plan evidence to Biodiversity Net Gain and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, our datasets help public bodies, planners, and decision-makers ground their work in the ecological reality of the county. This section brings together guidance, frameworks, and resources to support evidence-led environmental policy and planning.
County Wildlife Sites (CWS) for Landowners
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.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for Landowners
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for Landowners
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) creates a new opportunity for landowners to generate income by creating or restoring habitats on their land and selling biodiversity units to developers who need to meet their legal BNG obligations. If your land has the potential to support good-quality habitats, it could become an off-site BNG delivery site.
Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience
Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience
Green infrastructure (GI) is the network of natural and semi-natural spaces, habitats, and green features that runs through and around our towns, villages, and countryside. It includes parks, street trees, green roofs, hedgerows, rivers, wetlands, and woodland – assets that together deliver significant benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience, public health, and quality of life.
Data for Ecological Consultants
Data for Ecological Consultants
SBIS data is widely used by ecological consultants working on planning and development projects across Suffolk. Our records cover protected and priority species, County Wildlife Sites, County GeoSites, designated sites, hedgerows, and LiDAR-derived habitat mapping – the evidence base you need to support ecological assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain calculations, and planning applications.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)
Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are a statutory requirement under the Environment Act 2021. England is covered by 48 LNRS areas, each prepared by a responsible authority working in partnership with local organisations, landowners, and communities. Together they form a national framework identifying where and how nature can best be supported and recovered across England.
SBIS data for Landowners and Farmers
SBIS data for Landowners and Farmers
Landowners and farmers play a vital role in shaping Suffolk’s biodiversity. Whether you manage arable land, permanent pasture, woodland, or wetland, understanding what wildlife your land supports – and where opportunities exist to enhance it – is increasingly important for stewardship schemes, planning decisions, and Biodiversity Net Gain. SBIS can provide the evidence base to help you make informed decisions and demonstrate the ecological value of your land.
How SBIS data can help you