Definition of SSSI Condition Assessment Terms

Favourable

SSSI is being adequately conserved and is meeting its ‘conservation objectives’, however there is scope for enhancement of these sites.

Unfavourable recovering

SSSI unites are not yet fully conserved but all the necessary management measures are in place. Provided that the recovery work is sustained, the SSSI will reach favourable condition in time.

Unfavourable no change

SSSI unit is not being conserved and will not reach favourable condition unless there are changes to the site management or external pressures. The longer the SSSI unit remains in this poor condition, the more difficult it will be, in general, to achieve recovery.

Unfavourable declining

SSSI unit is not being conserved and will not reach favourable condition unless there are changes to the site management or external pressures. The site condition is becoming progressively worse.

Part destroyed

Part destroyed means that lasting damage has occurred to part of the special conservation interest of a SSSI unit such that it has been irretrievably lost and will never recover. Conservation work may needed on the residual interest of the land

Destroyed

Lasting damage has occurred to all the special conservation interest of the SSSI unit such that it has been irretrievably lost. This land will never recover.