What are Local Sites?
Local Sites are non‑statutory designated sites that are identified and selected locally for their nature conservation and geological value. Although they are not protected by national legislation, they are recognised through the planning system and play a crucial role in nature recovery at a local level.
Local Sites provide refuges for North Merseyside’s distinctive wildlife and habitats, helping to ensure they are protected and managed for future generations. Many also contribute significantly to landscape character, flood management, climate resilience and opportunities for people to experience nature close to where they live.
Local Wildlife Sites in North Merseyside
The North Merseyside Local Sites Partnership oversees 268 Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) across the area
Local Wildlife Sites cover nearly 25% of North Merseyside’s land area. While the level of designation varies between districts — for example, the highly designated Sefton Coast — almost a quarter of the area is protected through local planning policy. This makes Local Wildlife Sites one of the most extensive and important networks of wildlife habitat in North Merseyside.
Why Local Wildlife Sites Matter
Local Wildlife Sites are essential for conserving biodiversity where people live and work. They support a wide range of priority habitats and species, often forming ecological corridors that connect nationally designated sites and allow wildlife to move and adapt.
Our monitoring shows that these sites are also heavily used and valued by local communities. The importance of access to green space for health and wellbeing has been particularly evident since the Covid‑19 pandemic, with Local Wildlife Sites providing places for recreation, learning and quiet enjoyment of nature.
Protection through Local Plans, alongside appropriate site management, helps to ensure these spaces continue to deliver environmental, social and economic benefits — from wildlife conservation and climate adaptation to improved quality of life for residents.
What the Local Sites Partnership Does
The North Merseyside Local Sites Partnership brings together local authorities, ecology specialists and conservation organisations to:
- Identify and designate Local Wildlife Sites using agreed scientific criteria
- Maintain and review the Local Wildlife Site network to ensure it reflects current ecological value
- Provide ecological advice to support planning and land management decisions
- Monitor site condition and track changes over time
- Promote positive management to enhance habitats and species
- Raise awareness of the importance of Local Wildlife Sites among landowners, planners and the public
Through collaboration and evidence‑based decision‑making, the Partnership works to ensure Local Wildlife Sites continue to play a vital role in North Merseyside’s nature recovery network.
