Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
SSSIs are sites of national importance designated by English Nature under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to protect flora, fauna, geological or physiological features of special interest. Policy R/OS11 of the Gosport Local Plan Review is relevant.
Sites in Gosport
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth Harbour is also a Special Protection Area and Ramsar site and so is of international importance. The area contains a number of important habitats including inter-tidal mudflats and marshes which support internationally important wetland bird species.
Gilkicker Lagoon
Gilkicker Lagoon is a saline lagoon which is a rare habitat in Britain. It supports specialised flora and fauna including several national rarities. This site is also a Ramsar site as well as a Special Area of Conservation.
Browndown Range
Browndown Range is an extensive shingle beach with areas of rare grass heath habitat supporting specialised plants and invertebrates.
The Wildgrounds
The Wildgrounds is largely an acid oakwood, a type of habitat which was formerly widespread on coastal commons in Hampshire. The area is a Local Nature Reserve.
Lee-on-the-Solent to Itchen Estuary
Lee-on-the-Solent to Itchen Estuary includes the coastline at Lee-on-the-Solent which is important for geological reasons, particularly for bird fossils.
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