Sites of Biological Importance - Selection Guidelines

Following the Government review of the national Local Wildlife Sites system (DEFRA 2006) GMEU published new Greater Manchester Sites of Biological Importance Selection Guidelines in 2008. The extensive development of the document over 2 years involved formal consultation with Local Authority planners and ecological staff, local naturalists, the wider public and ecological consultants from the northwest area.

This document was presented to the Planning Departments of Greater Manchester for formal adoption by each district for planning purposes.
Since the Selection Guidelines were first published in 2008 there have been a number of changes to the planning system. Practical implementation of the Guidelines also identified a number of omissions both from species included in the tables and in a number of the specific guideline policies. Amendments to the Guidelines were consulted on during 2015 and a revised version is now available.

The Selection Guidelines  are available to download free in pdf format. The document can be obtained directly from the Ecology Unit for a small administrative charge.
If there are any queries concerning the document please contact GMEU staff directly using the information below.