Action in Southampton

The city of Southampton is fortunate in being relatively rich in biodiversity and has a number of nationally important wildlife sites such as Southampton Common (a Site of Special Scientific Interest) and the River Itchen Special Protection Area.

The Nature Conservation Strategy for Southampton, published by the City Council in 1992, surveyed the city's open spaces and identified sites of local importance for wildlife. Policies outlined in the strategy were designed to `protect, promote, improve and create areas of nature conservation value within Southampton`. The biodiversity action planning process gives the city new opportunities to safeguard and improve the quality of its wildlife resource.

Areas which have special biodiversity features are protected under various laws and regulations. Locations of protected areas across the UK can be viewed using the 'nature map' link below.

Southampton City Council will be coordinating local biodiversity action plans for selected habitats and species identified in the Hampshire Biodiversity Action Plan and considered important in the city, for example: heathland, ponds, otter, water vole, white-clawed crayfish, pipistrelle bat, dormouse and great crested newt.