Selection Guidelines
Source: environment.data.gov.uk (2025-07-04)

Sites of Biological Importance (SBI), also known as LWS, in Greater Manchester. *UPDATED JULY 2025* Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU) operates the SBI register for, and on behalf of, the ten Local Authorities that comprise Greater Manchester. This dataset contains all current SBI boundaries (based upon the 2022 review season), including the name of each site and its defining features. SBIs are Greater Manchester's equivalent to Local Wildlife Sites (LWS).

SBIs are non-statutory areas of substantive nature conservation importance within the county of Greater Manchester. The SBI system is designed to establish and highlight to planners, landowners and site managers where areas of high biodiversity interest occur so that appropriate decisions on planning applications, land use and land management can be made.

Full SBI citations, including site descriptions, statistics and grading information can be purchased from GMLRC if required.

GREATER MANCHESTER
SITES OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE
SELECTION GUIDELINES

2024
Version 2.1

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CONTENTS

PART 1 – INTRODUCTION & PRINCIPLES

4

1
Introduction

5

2
Geographical Context of Greater Manchester

6

3
Rationale & Principles for SBI Selection

8
 Intrinsic Appeal – appreciation of nature & value for learning
 Geological Conservation
 Principles of Selection System

4
Process of Selection, Survey and Evaluation

11
 Access Arrangements for Site Survey
 Site Survey & Collation of Data
 Site Grading

5
SBI Citation

16

Site Boundary

Site Description

Site Statistics

6
Adoption & Annual Review

18

Stages of Annual SBI Process

7
Release of Information

20

PART 2 GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION – HABITATS
21

Wd
WOODLANDS

22
Semi-natural broad-leaved
Plantation
Scrub
Wood Pasture & Parkland

Hd
HEDGEROWS
27

Gr
GRASSLAND

29

Neutral
Acid
Marshy Grassland
Calcareous

HB
HEATHLAND & BOG

35

Fw
FRESHWATER HABITATS

36
Reedbed, Swamp & Fen
Ponds & Small Lodges
Large Areas of Standing Water
Running Water Habitats

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HM
HABITAT MOSAICS

46

Ur
URBAN HABITATS

47

PART 3 GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION – SPECIES & ASSEMBLAGES
48

INTRODUCTION

49

GSG
GENERAL SPECIES GUIDELINES

51

AI
AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES

52

Dr
DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA)

53

Bu
BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA)

53

Rp
REPTILES

55

Am
AMPHIBIANS

55

Br
BIRDS

57

Mm
MAMMALS

61

Bats
Other Mammals: Red Squirrel, Otter, Water Vole, Brown Hare,
Mountain Hare, Hedgehog

Badgers

APPENDIX 1 - KEY PARTNERS & CONSULTEES

64

APPENDIX 2 – SITE VISIT LETTER TO LANDOWNERS

67

APPENDIX 3 – UK BIODIVERSITY PRIORITY SPECIES & HABITATS IN GREATER MANCHESTER
70

APPENDIX 4 – SBI CITATION

76

APPENDIX 5 – SBI MONITORING FORM

80

APPENDIX 6 – TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE KEY PARTNERSHIP

83

APPENDIX 7 - CONDITIONS OF USE FORM

86

GLOSSARY

88

REFERENCES

93

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PART 1

INTRODUCTION & PRINCIPLES

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1 Introduction

The principle of identifying and selecting non-statutory sites of importance for nature conservation
has been established for over 30 years in Britain. It is well recognised that these second tier sites
contribute greatly to the maintenance of the biodiversity of an area, along with internationally
designated sites (SPAs & SACs – see Glossary) and national sites (SSSIs).

The Sites of Biological Importance (SBI) system in Greater Manchester was established in the early
1980’s and was based primarily on the Ratcliffe criteria (1977). The Greater Manchester Ecology Unit
(GMEU) operates the SBI Register for and on behalf of the Local Authorities that comprise Greater
Manchester. This system has operated effectively across the 10 Districts of Greater Manchester since
its inception, with GMEU providing an overview of the system in the County context, coordinating
data sets and maintaining a strategic input. There are currently 531 (2014). sites on the SBI Register.

A major review of the Greater Manchester system took place in 2008 to bring it up-to-date with
current guidance and policy. These include:

 Changes in the planning policy background (PPS 9 and the Best Practice Guidance)

 The introduction of the CRoW Act (2000), including the identification of species and habitats
of principle importance in England.

 The introduction and formulation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) followed by
regional, County and some District Action Plans.

 The publication of a government review; “Local Sites – Guidance on their Identification,
Selection and Management” – (Defra - LSS 2006)

 The introduction of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 requiring Local
Authorities to have regard to biodiversity (Section 40 & 41).

 Adoption of Local Sites as one of the National Performance Indicators for Local Authorities
(May 2008).

This Review was initiated and co-ordinated by GMEU with significant contributions and consultation
with Key Partners including nature conservation staff in the Districts, the network of local naturalist’s
(principally through Wildlife Advisory Groups and key validated specialists) and statutory agencies
(Natural England and Environment Agency). The full list of Key Partners and consultees involved in
this revision are found at Appendix 1. Particular reference has been made to the Site Selection
Guidelines of the Districts and Counties adjacent to Greater Manchester. These include Lancashire
(Biological Heritage Sites), Cheshire (Sites of Biological Importance), Derbyshire (Wildlife Sites) and
Merseyside & the Wirral and Knowsley Council (Sites of Biological Interest). This resulted in the
production of the Greater Manchester, Sites of Biological Importance Selection Guidelines – 2008.
This is a revision of that document.

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2 Geographical Context of Greater Manchester

Natural England uses National Character Area (NCA) profiles for defining unique combinations of
landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity, history, culture and economic activity in the UK.

Central areas of Greater Manchester are covered by Natural England’s NCA 55 – Manchester
Conurbation, characterised by dense urban and industrial development, interspersed with a network
of green infrastructure centred on river valleys, which form important corridors of semi-natural
habitats and greenspace linking urban centres with open countryside.

Ongoing environmental improvements, across the County to water and air quality over the last 20 –
30 years have resulted in improvements in the biodiversity, for example evidence of breeding salmon
was recorded in 2006 in the River Mersey catchment and recolonisation by otter is also occurring.

The western area of Greater Manchester centred around Wigan is covered by NCA 56 – Lancashire
Coal Measures. The landscape is based around its industrial past associated primarily with mining
resulting in a complex mosaic of settlement, reclamation and farmland. Mining subsidence has led
to the formation of flashes, now nationally important wetland habitats. Other semi-natural habitats
include lowland raised bogs and river valleys.

The northern and eastern edge is characterised by the Pennine fringe and includes the steep foothills
of the Pennines and the habitats leading up to and including the moorland. This part of the County
also falls partly into the South Pennines (NCA 36), Manchester Pennine Fringe (NCA 56) and the Dark
Peak (NCA 51). These areas are characterised by steep sided valleys, many of which are wooded
cloughs, rivers and their headwaters and areas of traditionally grazed in-bye pastures. The tops of
the hills are characterised by moorland, which supports blanket bog habitats and important breeding
bird assemblages.

The southern boundary of the County is encompassed by the Mersey Valley (NCA 60) and the edges
of the Cheshire Plain (NCA 61), which supports a lowland agricultural landscape with many ponds and
important populations of great crested newts and other amphibians. To the west of this area are the
mosslands, which have largely been exploited in part by peat extraction and intensive arable
agriculture. However, some significant unmodified soil structures still occur, although extensive
drainage has resulted in these areas being classified as modified lowland bog.

For the purposes of this document plant names follow the nomenclature provided within Stace (2010)
for both the generic Latin and common English names.

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Greater Manchester – Natural Character Areas

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3 Rationale & Principles for SBI Selection

The principles for selection of sites of high nature conservation value are well recognised and
established within the Nature Conservation Review (NCR Ratcliffe 1977). The criteria have been used
both within the SSSI Selection Guidelines (NCC 1989) and in many second tier site selection systems
including that of Greater Manchester.

These criteria are still the principles on which Defra (Defra LSS paragraph 50 & Annex C) recommends
second tier site systems are based:

 Size/extent
 Diversity
 Naturalness
 Rarity/exceptional features
 Fragility
 Typicalness/representative value
 Recorded history
 Connectivity within the landscape
 Value for the appreciation of nature
 Value for learning

The definition and understanding of the Nature Conservation Review criteria are well understood,
but the Defra Guidance introduces a number of new criteria and issues, which warrant further
explanation.

Intrinsic Appeal – appreciation of nature and value for learning

The Defra Guidance suggests that the ‘value of sites for the appreciation of nature’ and ‘value for
learning’ be considered as criteria for selecting sites. These two criteria can be considered to provide
an assessment of the ‘intrinsic appeal’ of a site’s wildlife, the importance of which is well documented
within the Defra LSS Guidance (Defra LSS paragraph 51 & 58). The Districts in Greater Manchester
have programmes for the designation of Local Nature Reserves, which embody the characteristics of
intrinsic appeal. Some of these sites are also selected as SBIs for their ecological value. However, given
this change of emphasis in the Defra LSS Guidance, it was agreed that social criteria should be
incorporated into the Greater Manchester SBI Guidelines. Some work in this area has already been
undertaken in other counties including Leicestershire and Rutland and it is this work that has formed
the basis of the approach in this Guidance.

Intrinsic appeal does not form a primary reason for site selection, as SBIs must support wildlife of
substantive nature conservation value. However, the following attributes can be used as
supplementary characteristics to support the selection of a site which is on the cusp of selection, by
almost qualifying under Guidelines within Part 2 or Part 3 of this document. Intrinsic Appeal must
include a significant number of the following elements:


Accessibility and usage – Assessed by the number of formal or informal access point,
formal public rights of way and informal desire lines, provision for less able users (e.g. push
chairs, wheel chairs etc) and evidence of ‘nature play’ (e.g. children’s dens, rope swings

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etc). The term ‘informal’ can be clarified as the use of the area which gives an indication
that de facto public access actively occurs.


Education – This can be assessed from usage by school groups for study, provision of on-
site or roving Ranger staff who undertake events on the site, facilities to help
understanding/appreciation of the site (e.g. interpretative panels, leaflets, guided walk
maps etc) and links with the community to undertake management work (e.g. TCV, local
authority clean-ups or tree planting sessions).


Sense of ownership - This can be assessed by the presence of ‘Friends of Groups’,
community action events or voluntary wardening of site.

At the current time it is not possible to set quantitative values to the features above. GMEU will work
with its Key Partners and/or other representatives of the Local Authorities to further refine these
attributes. The elements outlined above will provide the framework for the future development of
this Guideline.

Where a site is selected with Intrinsic Appeal as supplementary criteria the SBI Designation will clearly
identify this both within the site description and the statistics sheets (see below Section 5 SBI
Citation).

Geological Conservation

The Introduction to the Defra Guidance indicates that Local Site Systems should also incorporate
geological conservation. This principle is also encompassed within NPPF Biodiversity and Geological
Conservation. In Greater Manchester there is now a formal system for identifying Regionally
Important Geographical Sites (RIGS) and a register of sites is published. A small group of volunteers
are collating and updating the existing historical data on sites of geological value. GMEU will continue
to liaise with the group and will incorporate appropriate reference to these criteria within future
revisions of this document when they are developed. It is not envisaged that geological interest will
contribute to the selection of Sites of Biological Importance, but a note will be made within a site
description if an SBI also supports geological interest.

Principles of the Selection System

The guidelines and thresholds detailed within Parts 2 & 3 of this document have been developed to
select the areas of ‘substantive nature conservation importance’ within the County of Greater
Manchester, its 10 Districts and their parishes/wards. The application of these Guidelines should not
be viewed as mechanical or strictly rule-based. They are intended to give a basis on which to make a
sound rational decision which incorporates the professional judgement, knowledge and
understanding of the individual applying them (Defra LSS paragraph 55).

These Guidelines help to establish a clear, transparent and consistent approach to the selection of
SBIs, both over time and between the individuals assessing sites (Defra LSS paragraph 56). The SBI
system is designed to establish and highlight to planners, landowners and site managers where areas
of high biodiversity interest occur so that appropriate decisions on planning applications, land use
and land management can be made. It is not designed to provide a detailed study of the ecological
systems or populations of any particular site.

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To maintain a level of consistency across the north west region particular emphasis has been placed
on studying the existing criteria of adjacent counties: Lancashire, Derbyshire, Cheshire and the
metropolitan area of Merseyside (covered by Environmental Advisory Services).

SBIs will continue to be selected on areas which may also have other statutory designations. This is
because these sites may support other biodiversity features which are not necessarily included within
the reasons for the statutory designation. For example, Red Moss SSSI (Bolton) is designated for its
UK Biodiversity Priority raised bog habitat. However, this site also supports significant bird
assemblages and Biodiversity Action Plan UK Priority Species (water vole & brown hare) which add to
its biodiversity value. The boundary of an SBI which also incorporates a SSSI may therefore be larger
than that of the SSSI designation (Defra LSS paragraph 63 & 64).

GMEU will select SBIs on the basis of their ecological value alone, regardless of any other land use
designations (e.g. allocated areas within UDPs/LDFs/Local Plans, actively managed agricultural land,
country parks etc) they may have. The responsibility for adoption for planning purposes lies with the
Local Authority.

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4 Processes of Selection, Survey and Evaluation

The Selection process involves:

The identification of provisional sites for assessment,

Site survey by field survey,

Collation of other known data sources.

Consideration against the Site Selection Guidelines and other reference sources.

Sites may be brought forward for consideration against the Selection Guidelines by a number of
mechanisms, including:


identification as a result of other survey work (e.g. Phase 1 surveys, pond surveys, surveys
associated with development and/or Environmental Assessment)

recommendation by other skilled individuals (e.g. local authority nature conservation
staff/rangers, ecologists working for other agencies or local field naturalists)

suggestions from local residents and other non-skilled individuals.

All sites will be logged and brought forward for survey as soon as possible within the constraints of
the field season and GMEU’s work programme.

Access Arrangements for Site Survey

GMEU does not presently hold complete landowner information. The Defra LSS Guidance recognises
(Defra LSS paragraph 33) that it is not always possible to verify ownership of any individual parcel of
land and this is a particularly complex and time-consuming process in the urban environment.

GMEU will endeavour to contact known owners prior to survey visits using a standard contact letter
(see Appendix 2). If not known surveys will be conducted using Public Rights of Way and/or open
access land. Where an owner denies access for survey, GMEU will consider the use of the Powers of
Entry provision provided under the Town & Country Planning Act (Section 280).

Site Survey & Collation of Data

All sites are visited by GMEU staff and are surveyed using a ‘walk-over survey’ (JNCC Phase 1 Habitat
Manual). Habitats will be identified using a combination of Phase 1 classification and Biodiversity
Action Plan habitats. A full list of the UK Biodiversity Habitats and Species can be found on the national
biodiversity website (jncc.defra.gov.uk/ukbap) and Appendix 3 of this document contains a list of
those which currently occur in Greater Manchester. The National Vegetation Classification (NVC)
methodology for identifying habitat community types will not be used to select SBIs sites except
where this is specifically needed to identify the UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat. Reference to the NVC
or other classification systems, may be made within an SBI Site Description where the data is available,
as an aid to description.

Field notes on the species composition of the primary habitats are made with records of the
abundance of key vegetative species using the DAFOR scale, where appropriate. Notes and records
of the presence of key faunal species are made during the survey which may include, as appropriate:
egg-search for amphibians, pond netting, observation of presence of birds with breeding status if
possible and field signs for other animals (e.g. water vole, badger etc). Detailed and extensive survey

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techniques (such as CBC – Common Bird Census or EN amphibian survey methodology) are not
generally used, as they demand high levels of resources and cannot be funded within the normal
running costs of the GMEU.

‘Planning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation: A Guide to Good Practice’ (OPDM, Defra &
English Nature 2006) indicates that Local Authorities should base their assessments for planning
purposes on the ‘best available information’. Therefore, site evaluations are supplemented by
consideration of more detailed recent records or surveys conducted by qualified individuals (e.g. local
authority staff, ecologists working for consultancies and/or other agencies and the network of local
naturalists).

On some occasions unverified records are submitted by non-specialists or members of the public, and
they may be referred to in the SBI text as “reported”. Reported presence of a species will not
contribute to the SBI site selection and/or grading decisions unless the record is subsequently verified
by GMEU or another recognised local specialist/recorder.

Where a site’s selection has been made partially on the basis of a comprehensive data set/survey (e.g.
detailed population assessment for amphibians), it may not be possible to repeat the detailed surveys
at each Review of the SBI, due to the need for additional resources and/or specialist survey
skills/equipment. During the review survey an assessment will be made of the condition of the
habitats present and their suitability to support the species/assemblage recorded. The local
experts/recorders will be contacted for additional data to try and verify the continued presence of
the species/assemblage. Where a specific threat or challenge is made to an individual SBI, additional
specific surveys may be commissioned to assess the populations and/or presence of the recorded
species/assemblage.

In addition to the Guidelines laid out in Parts 2 and 3 of this Report, site evaluation will make use of
local sources of information on the distribution of groups, in addition to national distribution atlases.
The data sources available at the time of writing are included within the Bibliography of this report.
Information and understanding of the ecological requirements of species and their distribution will
change over time. Reports and current ecological knowledge will be incorporated into the evaluation
process, as it is developed and/or published.

Site Grading

In Greater Manchester a grading system will be used in the selection of SBIs in order to reflect the
range of the geological and landscape characters of the area (see Section 2), the diversity of the
habitats that these support and the degree of urbanisation across the 10 Districts that make up the
County. The grades, which have been previously used will be retained but will be defined as follows:

Grade A - of Regional or County Importance,
Grade B - of District Importance
Grade C – of importance within the identified geographical locality.

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The Defra LSS Guidance does not provide a clear guide on the use of a graded Local Site System, as it
neither specifically dismisses nor advocates a graduated site system. However, a number of key points
are discussed:


“Biological and geological features are not evenly distributed across the country, and what
may be an important feature in one area might not be seen as very significant in
another……This implies that thresholds for features of nature conservation interest will be set
differently within one District [and parish or ward] or county compared with another” (Defra
LSS paragraph 47)


“…what counts as ‘substantive’ in one area with substantially less natural space or lacking
natural interest, may be much smaller than a site qualifying as substantive in another. The
criteria and evaluation of sites within an administrative area will need to reflect such local
contrasts …..” (Defra LSS paragraph 48).


The Guidance clearly identifies that the difference in the natural resources between rural
areas and urban areas is a significant feature in determining thresholds (Defra LSS paragraph
42).

Given the diversity of Greater Manchester the grading of SBIs within each criteria is a matter of
professional judgement (Defra LSS paragraph 45), particularly for grades B & C, reflecting the
geographical position of the site under consideration and the local context. Typical judgements
regarding local context may include:


Sites considered for selection as a Grade B SBI (of District importance), would be evaluated
against the distribution or paucity of that habitat/species within the particular District, not the
County. The use of the Greater Manchester Biodiversity Action Plan and local District
Biodiversity Action Plans will assist in this assessment.


The consideration for selection of a Grade C SBI would include the importance of the
habitats/species in the geographical locality (even if not identified as a Greater Manchester
Biodiversity Action Plan feature), through reference to Phase 1 maps, aerial photographs
and/or the knowledge of GMEU staff or Key Partners of that locality.
Example: The woodland resource varies greatly between Stockport and Salford. Stockport
supports a wide range of Ancient woodlands of a number of community types, which are
generally large clough woodlands with good species diversity. In Salford, woodlands are less
common and are generally restricted to birch woodlands on the mosslands or mature
plantation, few of which are identified as Ancient and they generally support less species
rich communities. The selection and grading of sites in these two Districts will be distinctly
different. A woodland considered of substantive importance in Salford and graded a B may
qualify only as a C in Stockport. This can be exemplified by the selection of Middle Wood
(Grade B SBI) in Salford.

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
The site’s connectivity to the landscape (Defra LSS Review Annex C & paragraph 57). This is
included in the main Selection Guidelines, but it is also important where sites may not in
themselves be of sufficient value to merit selection as a Grade A SBI but contribute to the
connectivity of features within a landscape.


Grading can reflect the condition of a site. In the urban context habitats may not reflect the
exemplary habitat type because other processes may also have an impact. These could be
inappropriate human activities such as off-road biking, tipping and garden rubbish. However,
the site’s condition may also be an indication of inappropriate management such as over-
grazing or neglect. Therefore, sites which would be highly ranked in the selection process may
be graded lower due to their current condition.

Example: The selection of Crompton Fold Wood (Grade C) SBI in Oldham was
undertaken within the context of the distribution of secondary semi-natural woodland
on the urban fringe of the small town of Shaw, where the topography of the land is
beginning to rise to the upland habitats of the Pennines. Whilst undertaking the
evaluation consideration was given to the Phase 1 survey, inspection of the OS map and
aerial photographs. It was found that the woodland in this area was sparsely distributed
and that the majority of them were planted with conifers.
Example: Poorer quality woodlands within the ancient woodland landscape of clough
river valleys. Where this type of site occurs it will be graded according to the quality of
species/habitats present at either a C or B. The importance of the role of landscape
connectivity in the site’s selection will be identified within the SBI Description. This can
be demonstrated by the selection of woodland sites along the River Roch and its
tributaries in Rochdale and Bury. An important complex of Ancient Woodlands occurs
in the Grade A SBIs – Ashworth Valley, Naden Brook and Tack Lee and Gristlehurst
Woods. These are supplemented within the landscape by additional adjacent riverine
woodlands, which have been selected as SBIs including Smethurst & Elbut Woods
(Grade B in Rochdale and a C in Bury) and Lomax Woods (Grade C in Rochdale).
Example: Sites that appear on the Ancient Woodland Inventory are considered of
national importance and therefore would warrant an A grade, but in some urban
situations with high levels of disturbance some of these sites may be selected as a grade
B SBI or exceptionally a C. Coroners Wood (Grade B) SBI in Trafford is identified within
the Ancient Woodland Inventory. However, the quality of the habitat has been impacted
by the heavy public usage of the site and some antisocial activities, which have resulted
in compaction and inhibited to some extent the development of typical Ancient
Woodland ground flora.

Conversely, the introduction of more appropriate management, which is reflected in an
increase in the abundance and/or diversity of the representative forbs and the quality of
the sward, may result in an upgrade of a grassland site.

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It is therefore not possible to specify accurate thresholds for the grading of sites as this will be
influenced in each particular District by the nature, extent and type of communities which occur in
that habitat or for that group of animals and/or plants. The Guidelines outlined in Parts 2 & 3
represent the minimum threshold required for a site to be considered for selection as a Grade C site,
unless otherwise stated. Where a site is graded a C a supporting note will be produced to describe
the geographical locality considered whilst undertaking the SBI selection or review of existing grade
C sites. This will not form part of the SBI citation but may be presented to the Key Partners (see
section 6) and will be held on file, which is publicly accessible.

Where the SBI system is used within the planning system (UDPs/ LDFs/Local Plans), policies reflect
the hierarchy of sites from international designations down to the non-statutory sites. The grading of
the SBIs is compatible with this approach.

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5 SBI Citations

Details of a selected SBI are produced in a standard format (see Appendix 4 for example sheets) which
includes:

 Site Boundary The site boundary is drawn onto the 1:10 000 Ordnance Survey map base,
usually at 1:10 000 scale. Where necessary for large sites (e.g. moorlands or canals) or smaller
areas, maps will be provided at an appropriate scale with the use of supplementary maps.
Boundaries are defined based on site survey and aerial photographs overlaid on the OS base
using GIS. Where possible the boundaries will be taken to an identifiable feature, e.g. field
boundary or woodland edge. Where this is not possible, the SBI description, may include a
descriptor for the habitat edge for example; ‘the habitat extends to the break of slope’.
Boundaries will be drawn to include features necessary to support the various life cycle stages
of a species and/or features to support the habitat (e.g. a springline or other identifiable
hydrological feature). In some cases, fragmented habitats across an area may be incorporated
into a larger SBI boundary even where intervening features may not or could not qualify as an
SBI alone. For example, on a waterway short built-over, culverted or box-channel sections may
be included within a longer stretch of qualifying water course (Defra LSS Review para 57).

 Site Description The initial paragraph of the SBI description will summarise the site’s status in
terms of inclusion in a habitat inventory (e.g. Ancient Woodland Inventory), Biodiversity
Action Plan habitats/species, protected species present and the features for which it is
selected as an SBI. The description will also give a fuller description of the features that the
site supports. Reference to other classification (e.g. NVC) or surveys (e.g. CBC) where available,
will be made as an aid to describing the features. The description is not intended to provide
full species information and/or population data, but provides an indication of the extent of
the features of importance in the SBI’s selection and highlights some of the key species or
habitats. Descriptions of connecting habitats and supplementary species information are also
provided, even if these are not the qualifying features for the SBI selection (paragraph 57 Defra
LSS Review). It may also give brief notes on current site uses (public footpaths, off-road
motorbikes, informal public access etc) and condition, with a broad indication of current
management practices where applicable to the habitats present (e.g. whether a site is
currently grazed or mown or control measures for undesirable species). This information is
not intended to provide a site condition assessment or make any judgement on a landowner’s
current management practices.

 Site Statistics SBI statistics sheets provide more detailed information regarding site survey
dates, areas of habitat types and an indication of the changes in total area or habitat areas
that have occurred since selection. The statistics sheet indicates under which particular
criteria an SBI has been selected. It may also provide details of supplementary/supporting
Guidelines; where a site is near to meeting the threshold for other Guidelines but its selection
is not currently based on these supporting attributes.

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Monitoring Form

The majority of SBIs now have comprehensive citations with full site descriptions and effective
boundaries. Therefore since 2012 a new monitoring form has been used to improve the
administration of the system; the level of survey effort used has not altered. This form (Appendix 7)
is used where following an SBI visit there is no need to adjust boundaries or make substantive changes
to site descriptions or statistics. The 3 SBI citation sheets remain the formal definitive SBI documents.

This monitoring form is filled in by hand on site or very shortly after the site visit. Where necessary,
additional data will be requested from third party recorders, for example the bird group or amphibian
specialists. Records of additional data received will be kept in the normal way on file and specific
species changes recorded onto the form. If significant new data is received from external data sources
then a full review of the SBI citation will be undertaken.

The form will be scanned electronically and stored within the SBI system with the current SBI
designation sheets. The original form will be filed in the SBI folders as a paper copy. GMEU will not
issue the SBI monitoring form, as the SBI designation sheets will still be the formal definitive
document. Where external bodies request SBI data through the Local Records Centre they will be
provided with the definitive SBI designation and an indication that the site has been visited on
subsequent occasions (dates provided) and found to still qualify. If necessary the form can be released
to third parties and in that instance they would be typed up verbatim from the original form. Any
request to release this internal data would be treated in the same way as the release of on-site field
notes, which is generally not necessary, although freedom of information and data protection issues
still apply.

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6 Adoption & Annual Review

GMEU operates a continuing process of review of SBI site selection and reports on this review process
to each of the 10 Districts of Greater Manchester on an annual basis. The Ecology Unit has an
Agreement with all the 10 Local Authorities of Greater Manchester to review SBIs on a rolling
programme with a target of 15% SBIs reviewed in each field season. As part of the current Guideline
Review GMEU has formed a Key Partnership of the 10 Districts and other qualified naturalists. The
‘Terms of Reference’ and procedures for operation of the Key Partnership and its Key Partners,
including qualifications for membership, are found in Appendix 5. The SBI Key Partners will be
integrally involved in the 5 Stages of the SBI Review. As the SBI process is a rolling programme there
is an overlap between the end of one year’s work and the start of the next season’s survey work.
Therefore, the Stages span more than one calendar year.

The five Stages of the SBI process are detailed below.

Stage 1 (January-February) - Selection of sites for survey
The SBI Key Partnership (see Appendix 1) will be consulted on a draft list of proposed sites for re-
survey in the coming survey season. This Stage may also be in advance of or as part of Stage 3 for the
previous year. The draft list will be drawn up by GMEU based on an identified need for resurvey
(usually based on the time of last survey or a known significant change in the condition or
management of a site). In general terms, sites that may be more vulnerable to natural change e.g.
grasslands are targeted for review every 5 - 7 years. Habitats less susceptible to rapid natural change
(e.g. woodlands) are reviewed on a 7 - 10 year cycle. The draft list is likely to be longer than the
number of sites which will actually be visited in the year, so that site visits can be coordinated with
other field survey requirements (e.g. planning application visits) to make effective use of survey
effort. Where known landowners/tenants may be contacted via a letter to inform them of the
intention to survey the site (see Appendix 2)

During this Stage the Partnership’s views will be sought, to:


Suggest additional sites for survey during that year

Identify sites on the list which they consider do not need survey that year

Where possible, provide information concerning land ownership/ management of sites
proposed for survey

Be in a position to collect other information relating to the sites in their District, or in
their area of expertise, which could be useful in Stage 3 of the selection and grading
process

Circumstances may occur where potential SBI sites are brought forward for urgent consideration as
their nature conservation interest is under imminent threat. Where this occurs GMEU will
accommodate the site survey as soon as practicably possible. Every effort will be made to contact the
relevant members of the Partnership for additional information prior to the visit.

Stage 2 (April - September) - Site survey
Ecologists from the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit carry out field surveys of sites selected in Stage
1 and draw up draft proposals for selection and grading of sites. Some sites may require visits outside
of this time. For example, reservoirs which support wintering bird assemblages which will be surveyed
during the winter months. To evaluate a site in its optimum condition visits will, wherever possible be

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arranged to coincide with the site’s principle interest. For example, woodlands & breeding bird sites
will be programmed to be visited in early spring and grasslands between June and August.

Stage 3 (October - February) - Site selection and grading
The Partnership will be consulted on the results of the year’s surveys and draft proposals for site
selection and grading. This may take the form of e-mail correspondence or a meeting with
representatives from each District. For each District a list of SBIs which have been surveyed,
supported by a very brief summary of any major changes in area, quality of habitats and potential
change in grade will be tabled by GMEU. Where a major change in the site boundary is proposed a
map will be included showing any additional areas. Additional information regarding sites may be
brought by others, including landowners to the process at this stage, to help with site selection and
grading. This will facilitate discussion about changes between the Key Partners and final decisions
regarding site selection and grading. The final decisions on grade and boundaries will be made by
GMEU taking into account any discussion. Final boundaries will be determined by using GIS analysis
and mapping techniques.

To ensure information on any proposed new sites, identified through the above process, is made
more widely available, sites will be added to a GIS layer of Candidate SBIs. This layer will be included
in commercial data searches and included on GMLRC MapApp facility once the Districts have been
consulted.

Dependant on workloads and timing within GMEU Stages 3 and 4 may be amalgamated.

Stage 4 (November - April) - Sites formally adopted for planning purposes
The results of site survey and selection will be written up. Details of each SBI site review are then
sent to the Districts for adoption through the land-use planning system, by the relevant Planning
Committee or Panel. Where known, land owners, will be circulated with the SBI details, for their
information. In addition, if requested and where possible, GMEU and other members of Local
Authority staff will refer site owners to sources of additional funding to support appropriate
management or organisations, which can provide additional advice.

Stage 5 April- May - Production of the Annual SBI Review
The publication of the Greater Manchester Annual SBI Review including the Countywide Review and
individual District Reviews will be published in late May. This will allow time for District officers to
prepare monitoring reports to be submitted to their various committees or panels. This information
will also be circulated by GMEU to other local authority departments outside Greater Manchester and
partner organisations. Internal circulation of the SBI Register is the responsibility of each individual
District. Additional summary information will be supplied to ecologists in adjacent counties where
changes to SBIs have occurred along their boundaries.

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7 Release of Information

Details of individual SBIs, the Guidelines for Selection and the annual SBI Review are all public
documents. SBI Files are publicly available on request. However, on occasion their distribution may
be restricted in accordance with current legislation, where they contain data of a sensitive or
confidential nature. Site owners, students and some private individuals/groups undertaking study of
SBIs can receive copies of the relevant information at little or no cost. Where the information is
required by a commercial interest (i.e. for development proposals), an administrative charge is levied
for the retrieval of the information. If SBI information is released by a District Planning Authority
GMEU requests that they are contacted to provide any additional updates to the requester. Where
information is released GMEU requests that a ‘Conditions of Use’ form (see Appendix 6) is signed
indicating that the information will not be passed to unauthorised third persons and used only for the
project/purpose for which it was obtained.

GMEU maintains compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Environmental Information
Regulations 2004.

GMEU operates a number of cooperative/reciprocal arrangements with other organisations, where it
assists with the operation of the two organisations.

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PART 2

GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION – HABITATS

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Wd WOODLANDS

Semi-Natural Broad-Leaved Woodland

Ancient Woodland, as identified by the Nature Conservancy Council (now Natural England) in the
Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI), is a nature conservation resource of national importance. Its
importance has been well recognised in the National Planning Policy Framework. In addition, Greater
Manchester supports a number of woodlands that are not included in the AWI because they fall below
the 2ha threshold used in the AWI. These are nevertheless important for the biodiversity resource of
the County.

The Biodiversity resources of other woodlands may include woods which are secondary or recent in
origin and are also recognised under other UK Biodiversity Priority Habitats including: upland oak
woodland, wet woods, lowland mixed deciduous woodland and wood-pasture & parkland
(considered under a separate Guideline Wd4).

Two other woodland community types of nature conservation importance in Greater Manchester do
not readily fit the Biodiversity definitions. The drier mossland birch-purple moor grass woodlands
often occur on unmodified mossland soil structures, but due to surrounding agricultural drainage are
predominantly dry rather than wet woodland in character. Some of the more base rich oak-ash
woodlands found in the river valley bottoms or the Cheshire Plain, may not be included within Ancient
Woodland Inventory, but support a floristically diverse ground flora community.

Wd1 SEMI-NATURAL BROADLEAVED WOODLAND Sites considered for selection will meet
one of the following conditions:

Any site on the Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) – all such sites will be selected as a Grade A SBI,
unless badly degraded. Planted Ancient Woodlands (PAWs) are considered under Wd2

Any site not on the AWI but with one or more of the following features will also be considered:

Supports a ground flora community indicative of Ancient Woodland and supports in the
region of 12 woodland species from Table 1 including a significant proportion of those AW
indicators, or where map evidence is indicative of an ancient origin.

Supports a significant component of a Biodiversity Priority Habitat as defined in the UK BAP.
This includes wet woodland, upland oak woodland and lowland mixed deciduous woodland.

A woodland which meets the UK BAP Broad Habitat type – Broadleaved, mixed and yew
woodland of greater than 20% broadleaved trees, where it exhibits a variety of woodland
community types in the ground flora and supports one of the following:
 10 dry woodland species
 7 wet woodland (WW) species from Table 1
 Mossland birch woodland with 7 woodland species from Table 1.

A woodland with a significant number of veteran locally native tree species within the
canopy

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TABLE 1 WOODLAND INDICTOR SPECIES.

Species listed in BOLD are either Biodiversity Action Plan Species and/or of very limited distribution in GM and count
as 2. AWI – ancient woodland indicators & associates, WW – wet woodland. All other species found in many
woodland types

Scientific name
Common name
Woodland type

Adoxa moschatellina
Moschatel
AWI,
Ajuga reptans
Bugle
WW
Allium ursinum
ransoms
AWI, WW
Anemone nemorosa
Wood anemone
AWI, WW
Angelica sylvestris
Wild angelica
WW
Apium nodiflorum
Fools water cress
WW
Aquilegia vulgaris
Columbine

Arctium agg.
Burdock agg

Arum maculatum
Lords and Ladies

Athyrium flix-femina
Lady fern
WW
Blechnum spicant
Hard fern

Brachypodium sylvaticum
False brome

Bromopsis remosa
Hairy brome

Calamogrostis epigejos
Wood small reed
AWI
Calluna vulgaris
Heather

Caltha palustris
Marsh marigold
WW
Cardamine amara
Large bittercress
AWI, WW
Carex acutiformis
Lesser pond sedge
WW
Carex laevigata
Smooth stalked sedge
AWI
Carex pallescens
Pale sedge
AWI,
Carex pendula
Pendulous sedge (where not
planted)
AWI, WW
Carex pseudocyperus
Cyperus sedge
WW
Carex remota
Remote sedge
AWI ,WW
Carex riparia
Lesser pond sedge
WW
Carex strigosa
Thin spiked wood sedge
AWI,
Carex sylvatica
Wood sedge
AWI
Ceratocapnos claviculata
Climbing corydalis

Chrysosplenuim oppositifolium
Opposite leaved golden
saxifrage
AWI, WW
Circaea lutetiana
Enchanter’s nightshade (where
not a garden escape)

Conopodium majus
Pignut
AWI
Deschampsia cespitosa
Tufted hair-grass
WW
Deschampsia flexuosa
Wavy hair-grass

Digitalis purpurea
Foxglove

Dryopteris affinis
Scaly male fern

Dryopteris carthusiana
Narrow buckler fern
AWI, WW
Dryopteris dilatata
Broad buckler fern

Dryopteris filix-mas
Male fern

Epipactis helleborine
Broad-leaved helleborine
AWI
Equisetum fluviatile
Water horsetail
WW
Equisetum palustre
Marsh horsetail
WW
Equisetum sylvaticum
Wood horsetail
AWI, WW
Equisetum telemateia
Giant horsetail
WW
Eupatorium cannabinum
Hemp agrimony
WW

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Scientific name
Common name
Woodland type

Festuca altissima
Wood fescue
AWI
Festuca gigantean
Giant fescue
AWI
Filipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet
WW
Fragaria vesca
Wild strawberry

Frangula alnus
Alder buckthorn
AWI, WW
Galium odoratum
Sweet woodruff (where not a
garden escape)
AWI
Galium saxatile
Heath bedstraw

Geranium robertianum
Herb Robert

Geum urbanum
Wood avens

Glechoma hederacea
Ground ivy

Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Oak fern

Helleborus foetidus
Stinking hellebore
AWI
Holcus mollis
Creeping soft grass

Hordelymus europaeus
Wood barley
AWI
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Native bluebell
AWI
Hydrocotyle vulgaris
Marsh pennywort
WW
Hypericum hirsutum
Hairy St John’s wort

Hypericum pulchrum
Slender St John’s wort
AWI
Iris pseudacorus
Yellow flag iris
WW
Lamiastrum galeobdolon
Yellow archangel (where not a
garden escape)
AWI
Lathraea squamaria
Toothwort
AWI
Lathyrus linifolius
Bitter vetch
AWI
Lonicera periclymenum
Honeysuckle

Luzula pilosa
Hairy woodrush
AWI
Luzula sylvatica
Greater woodrush
AWI
Lychnis flos-cuculi
Ragged robin
WW
Lysimachia nemorum
Yellow pimpernel
AWI
Lysimachia nummularia
Creeping Jenny
WW
Melampyrum pratense
Common cow-wheat
AWI
Melica nutans
Mountain melick

Melica uniflorae
Wood melick
AWI
Mercurialis perennis
Dog’s mercury
AWI
Milium effusum
Wood millet
AWI
Molinia caerulea
Purple moor grass

Monotropa hypopitys
Yellow bird’s nest

Myosotis sylvatica
Wood forget-me-not
AWI
Oenanthe crocata
Hemlock water dropwort
WW
Orchis mascula
Early purple orchid
AWI
Oreopteris limbosperma
Lemon scented fern

Oxalis acetosella
Wood sorrel
AWI
Phegopteris connectilis
Beech fern

Phragmites australis
Common reed
WW
Phyllitis scolopendrium
Hart’s tongue fern

Poa nemoralis
Wood meadow grass
AWI
Polypodium vulgare agg
Polypody fern
AWI
Polypodium interjectum
Intermediate Polypody

Polystichum aculeatum
Hard shield fern
AWI
Polystichum setiferum
Soft shield fern
AWI
Potentilla erecta
Tormentil

Potentilla sterilis
Barren strawberry
AWI

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Scientific name
Common name
Woodland type

Primula vulgaris
Primrose
AWI, WW
Ranunculus auricomus
Goldilocks buttercup

Ranunculus ficaria
Lesser celandine

Ranunculus flammula
Lesser spearwort
WW
Ranunculus lingua
Greater spearwort
WW
Rumex sanguineus var
sanguineus
Wood dock (where not planted)

Rumex sanguineu var viridulus
Wood dock

Salix aurita
Eared Willow
WW
Salix pentandra
Bay Willow
WW
Sanicula europaea
Sanicle
AWI
Scirpus sylvatica
Wood club rush
AWI
Scrophularia nodosa
Common figwort

Silene dioica
Red campion

Sphagnum spp
Sphagnum moss (each species
counts as one)
WW
Stellaria holostea
Greater stitchwort

Stellaria nemorum
Wood stitchwort

Stellaria alsine
Bog stitchwort
WW
Tamus communis
Black bryony
AWI
Teucrium scorodonia
Wood sage

Tilia cordata
Small leaved lime
AWI
Trollius europaeus
Globe flower

Valeriana officinalis
Common valerian
WW
Vaccinium myrtillus
Bilberry

Veronica chamaedrys
Germander speedwell

Veronica montana
Wood speedwell
AWI
Vicia sylvatica
Wood vetch
AWI
Viola palustris
Marsh violet
WW
Viola reichenbachiana
Early dog violet
AWI
Viola riviniana
Common dog violet
AWI

Plantation

Wd2 PLANTATION WOODLAND Sites may be considered for selection where they support a
significant component of semi-natural woodland ground flora (qualifying under the third bullet
point of Wd 1) and/or populations of other species of conservation concern (e.g. birds or fungi) or
it provides connectivity with other areas of qualifying woodland. This would apply to Planted
Ancient Woodlands (PAWs), or other plantations where they do not meet the UK BAP Broad Habitat
– Broadleaved mixed and yew woodland description of greater than 20% deciduous tree cover.

Scrub

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Scrub can provide important habitats, providing structural diversity within a woodland or an ecotone
between woodland and other habitats. It provides an important resource for birds and invertebrates
(Scrub Management Handbook - EN). However, scrub commonly develops on ex-industrial sites and
marginal land within the urban conurbation. For example, dense even aged stands of willow species
may support only a very poor ground flora. Caution and a careful professional judgement are needed
when selecting SBIs solely for their scrub habitats. Generally, scrub habitats are only likely to be
included within sites which support other qualifying habitats and species.

Wd3 SCRUB HABITAT Scrub communities considered for selection will generally include the
following features:

At least 4 shrub species, where no single species forms dense monocultural stands. Shrub
species include:
 willow - goat/grey willow (count as 1 even if both present), creeping willow, eared
willow, other willow species and/or hybrids
 blackthorn
 hazel
 gorse
 hawthorn
 elder
 broom
 holly

Complex structure including age-diversity, vertical structure, canopy shape including glades
and ‘rides’ and a developed ground flora (not necessarily woodland).

Transition zones between the scrub habitat and adjacent habitats whether it be either
grassland, heathland or other woodland habitats.

Supports good representative species groups e.g. scrub bird assemblage from the primary
list below (taken from the Scrub Management Handbook).
 bullfinch*
 common whitethroat
 corn bunting*
 dunnock*
 grasshopper warbler*
 lesser redpoll*
 lesser whitethroat
 linnet*
 long eared owl
 reed bunting*
 sedge warbler
 song thrush*
 stonechat
 tree sparrow*
 willow tit*
 yellowhammer*

Additional breeding species below cannot be used for selection unless found in combination
with species from the primary list:
 willow warbler

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 blackcap
 chiffchaff
 garden warbler
 greenfinch

Wintering species include:
 fieldfare/redwing flocks
 goldcrest
 firecrest

* UK Biodiversity Priority Species

Wood-Pasture & Parkland

Very few examples exist of this UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat type within Greater Manchester.
Generally, these sites support veteran trees (Veteran Tree Management Handbook EN) in an open-
structured habitat, with grazed grassland, heathland or woodland ground flora. This habitat type is
internationally important for the dead wood habitat it provides, which may support a wide variety of
specialist epiphytic and saproxylic flora and fauna. This Selection Guideline applies to groups of
veteran trees in the landscape. Single trees are extremely unlikely to be considered for selection.

Wd4 WOOD-PASTURE & PARKLAND Sites which support veteran or very old trees (approx 200
years) even if stunted will be considered for selection. Sites where evidence and/or potential is high
for other groups e.g. bat roosts, fungi and dead wood invertebrates, which may or may not qualify
under other Selection Guidelines will also be considered for selection as Grade C or B sites.

Hd HEDGEROWS

Hedgerows are a UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat (BRIG (ed. Ant Maddock) 2008). This document
provides a definition of what constitutes a hedgerow and should be used as a reference.

Hedgerows are important habitats in their own right. They are a primary habitat for at least 47 extant
species of conservation concern in the UK (UKBAP for species rich hedgerows). They can be locally
important for butterflies and moths, farmland birds and bats (providing roost sites and commuting
routes). Hedgerows may also act as wildlife corridors for many species, including reptiles and
amphibians, allowing dispersal and movement between other habitats. Hedges are important not just
for biodiversity, but also for farming, landscape, cultural and archaeological reasons and therefore,
contribute to the intrinsic appeal of a site.

In Greater Manchester however, it is unlikely that a hedgerow would be selected as an SBI in isolation.
Hedgerows may be included and identified as a supplementary attribute – denoted by Hd on the SBI
statistics sheet - in a site where they act as an important corridor linking different parts of a site,
provide shelter for key species within a site (e.g. hibernation site for newts or nesting habitat/shelter
for birds or are particularly species rich).

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Consideration of the formulation of a detailed Guideline will be kept under review as and when the
UK Biodiversity forum produces a more detailed definition.

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Gr GRASSLAND

Old traditionally managed species-rich grasslands, which have not been agriculturally improved by
ploughing, reseeding or use of herbicides/fertilizers, are increasingly uncommon in Greater
Manchester. Older sites might show ridge and furrow or other earthwork features, which indicate
that there has been no intensive ploughing in the recent past.

In many cases across Greater Manchester there has been slight to moderate agricultural
improvement, which results in semi-improved grasslands. These sites can still support species rich
and diverse communities, particularly where they are still managed in a manner sympathetic to the
retention of these characteristics.

Other groups, such as fungi – waxcaps (Hygrocybes), fairy clubs (Clavarioid), earth tongues
(Geoglossaceae) and Entoloma (CHEG grasslands) – can occur in diverse communities and a number
of species are particular indicators of unimproved grassland of nature conservation value. At the
current time there are no specific guidelines which could be applied to Greater Manchester grasslands
for this group. However, sites could be considered on individual merits judged against the relevant
literature available at the time (e.g. English Nature Report 555), until suitable guidelines can be
adopted.

Other semi-natural grasslands may be found on recolonised sites or on sites where the management
has changed considerably or agricultural use has been abandoned. Recolonised post-industrial sites
or road verges may have good species-diversity and may be rich in orchids, sedges and bryophytes
(see also Urban Habitats Guideline - Ur). Sites supporting high species diversity of ephemeral species
at the early stages of recolonisation will not generally be selected as SBIs, unless this character type
is sustained in the longer term by site conditions and is associated with notable species/species
assemblages, such as characteristic invertebrates of waste or disturbed ground. The assessment of
longer-term sustainability will be assessed by site visits over a number of seasons.
Recreated/reseeded sites will only be considered where they have maintained their species diversity
for over 5 years.

Grasslands may often support a variety of grassland communities including neutral, acidic, flushes,
marshy grassland according to the pH of the underlying substrate and/or hydrology.

Neutral The UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat – Lowland Meadows – includes both grasslands which
are either grazed and/or cut for hay.

Acid Lowland dry acid grassland is a UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat. The Greater Manchester acid
grassland Biodiversity Habitat also includes the Pennine fringe acid grassland communities.
Unimproved acid grassland is often not species rich; in some cases it may support less than 5 species
per 4m2. Good examples will however, support representative species such as: wavy hair grass, mat
grass, sheep’s fescue, sheep’s sorrel, heath rush and heath bedstraw. Often acid grassland will occur
within a matrix of heath and may therefore qualify under the Heathland & Bog Guideline (HB). Acid
grassland sites on the Pennine fringe may support small but diverse flush communities. Other more
lowland sites may also include species of a more neutral character.

Marshy grassland This is a term used to classify areas under the Phase 1 Habitat Survey system. The
NVC categorises these communities principally under grassland types (mesotrophic) or rush pasture

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and some under mire communities, for example flush communities. There is no direct relationship
between the Phase 1 type ‘marshy grassland’ and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Purple moor grass–
rush pasture is identified as a UK Priority Biodiversity Habitat, although generally only relatively
species poor examples of this habitat type occur in Greater Manchester. Marshy grassland, is
considered a useful category for SBI selection, however, and is identified as a Greater Manchester
Biodiversity Habitat.

Marshes and/or flushes may be selected under either grassland (Gr) or Reedbed, Fen and swamp
(Fw1) dependent on the dominant species and hydrology.

Calcareous grassland habitats do not occur on natural substrates in Greater Manchester, however,
lowland calcareous grassland is a UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat. They only occur on man-made
substrates such as waste from previous industrial processes. This includes Le Blanc waste, Pulverised
Fuel Ash (PFA) and limestone ballast usually on disused railways. The best example of this habitat
type, Nob End (Bolton), is also designated as a SSSI.

Gr1 OLD GRASSLAND All ‘old’ traditionally managed species rich grassland sites which are
unimproved or semi-improved but retaining much of their semi-natural character, will be selected
as grade A SBIs. They will support good representative communities of UK Biodiversity Priority
Habitats (lowland meadows, lowland dry acid grassland and upland hay meadows) and will often
include other non-ecological features which indicate their origins.

Gr2 SEMI-NATURAL GRASSLANDS Sites will be considered for selection for their grassland
communities where they exhibit 2 or more of the following features:-


A site supporting 9 or more species from Table 2.

Where more than one type of grassland occurs, the site will support in the region of 15
species listed from Table 2.

The grass species component will not be dominated by rye grass, Yorkshire fog, cock’s-foot,
false oat-grass or black bent.

The sward will include a number of fine grass species, which are well distributed within the
sward and not forming extensive near mono-specific stands. Grasses may include: wavy
hair-grass, sweet vernal grass, crested dog’s-tail, sheep’s fescue, red fescue, brown and/or
common bents and mat grass. [These grasses do not appear in Table 2.]

Forbs will be well distributed within the sward, although the field unit or grassland area may
not be consistently diverse (see notes on boundary definition Part 1 Section 5).

Areas of marshy grassland considered for selection may qualify under either the Grassland
Guidelines or those for the Fen or Swamp Guidelines (Fw1).

Sites regularly supporting a population of those species marked with * in Table 2 will be
considered for selection, even if the survey unit does not qualify on the number of species.
These species have extremely limited distribution in Greater Manchester.

Gr3 CALCAREOUS GRASSLAND All examples of this grassland type, which exhibit calcareous
conditions and support representative calcareous grassland species, will be considered for selection.
Grading will depend on the species-richness and diversity of each site.

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TABLE 2 GRASSLAND SPECIES.

Species listed in bold are Biodiversity Action Plan species and Count as 2. Species marked * refer to Gr2.

Scientific Name
English Name
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow
Achillea ptarmica
Sneezewort
Agrimonia eupatoria
Agrimony
Aira praecox
Early hair-grass
Ajuga reptans
Bugle
Alchemilla sp
Lady’s mantle (where not a garden escape)
Alopercurus aequalis
Orange foxtail
Anacamptis pyramidalis
Pyramidal orchid*
Anemone nemorosa
Wood anemone
Angelica sylvestris
Wild Angelica
Anthyllis vulneraria
Kidney vetch
Arabis hirsuta
Hairy rock-cress
Blackstonia perfoliata
Yellow wort
Botrychium lunaria
Moonwort*
Briza media
Quaking grass
Bromopsis erecta
Upright brome
Bromus racemosus
Smooth brome
Calluna vulgaris
Heather
Caltha palustris
Marsh marigold
Campanula rotundifolia
Harebell
Cardamine pratensis
Cuckooflower
Carex acutiformis
Lesser pond sedge
Carex caryophyllea
Spring sedge
Carex demissa
Yellow sedge
Carex disticha
Brown sedge
Carex echinata
Star sedge
Carex flacca
Glaucous sedge
Carex hirta
Hairy sedge
Carex hostiana
Tawny sedge
Carex laevigata
Smooth-stalked sedge
Carex nigra
Common sedge
Carex otrubae
False fox sedge
Carex ovalis
Oval sedge
Carex panicea
Carnation sedge
Carex pilulifera
Pill sedge
Carex pulicaris
Flea sedge
Carex remota
Remote sedge
Carlina vulgaris
Carline thistle*
Centaurea nigra
Common knapweed
Centaurium erythraea
Common centaury
Cerastium arvense
Field mouse-ear
Cirsium dissectum
Meadow thistle*
Cirsium heterophyllum
Melancholy thistle*
Cirsium palustre
Marsh thistle
Clinopodium vulgare
Wild basil
Conopodium majus
Pignut
Crepis paludosa
Marsh hawk’s beard
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Common spotted orchid
Dactylorhiza incarnata
Early marsh orchid
Dactylorhiza maculata
Heath spotted orchid
Dactylorhiza praetermissa
Southern marsh orchid

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Scientific Name
English Name
Dactylorhiza purpurella
Northern marsh orchid
Dactylorhiza hybrids
Hybrid orchids
Danthonia decumbens
Heath grass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Tufted hair grass
Digitalis purpurea
Foxglove
Eleocharis palustris
Common spike rush
Epilobium palustre
Marsh willowherb
Epilobium parviflorum
Hoary willowherb
Epilobium hirsutum
Great hairy willowherb
Epipactis palustris
Marsh helleborine*
Equisetum palustre
Marsh horsetail
Equisetum sylvaticum
Wood horsetail
Equisetum telmateia
Giant horsetail
Erica cinerea
Bell heather
Erica tetralix
Cross-leaved heath
Erigeron acer
Blue fleabane
Eupatorium cannabinum
Hemp agrimony
Euphrasia agg
Eyebright
Festuca filiformis
Fine-leaved sheep’s fescue
Filago vulgaris
Common cudweed
Filipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet
Fragaria vesca
Wild strawberry
Gallium cruciata
Crosswort
Galium palustre
Common marsh bedstraw
Galium saxatile
Heath bedstraw
Gaium uliginosum
Fen bedstraw
Galium verum
Lady’s bedstraw
Genista anglica
Petty whin *
Genista tinctoria
Dyer’s greenweed *
Gentianella amarella
Autumn gentian *
Gentian pneumonanthe
Marsh gentian *
Geranium columbinum
Long-stalked crane’s bill
Geranium pusillum
Small-flowered crane’s bill
Geum rivale
Water avens
Gnaphalium sylvaticum
Heath cudweed
Gymnadenia conopsea
Fragrant orchid *
Helianthemum nummularium
Common rock rose
Heiracium spp
Hawkweed species
Hippocrepis comosa
Horseshoe vetch
Hordeum secalinum
Meadow barley
Hyacynthoides non-scripta
Bluebell
Hydrocotyle vulgaris
Marsh pennywort
Hypericum hirsutum
Hairy St John’s wort
Hypericum humifusum
Trailing St John’s wort
Hypericum maculatum
Imperforate St John’s wort
Hypericum perforatum
Perforate St John’s wort
Hypericum pulchrum
Slender St John’s wort
Hypericum tetrapterum
Square stalked St John’s wort
Hypochaeris radicata
Cat’s ear
Inula conyzae
Ploughman’s spikenard
Isolepis setacea
Bristle club rush
Jasione montana
Sheep’s bit
Juncus acutiflorus
Sharp flowered rush
Juncus articulatus
Jointed rush
Juncus compressus
Round fruited rush
Juncus squarrosus
Heath rush

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Scientific Name
English Name
Knautia arvensis
Field scabious
Lathyrus linifolius
Bitter vetch
Lathyrus nissolia
Grass vetchling
Lathyrus pratensis
Meadow vetchling
Leontodon autumnalis
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon hispidus
Rough hawkbit
Leontodon saxatilis
Lesser hawkbit
Leucanthemum vulgare
Oxeye daisy
Linum bienne
Pale flax
Linum catharticum
Fairy flax
Listera ovata
Common twayblade *
Lotus corniculatus
Common bird’s-foot-trefoil
Lotus pedunculatus
Greater bird’s-foot-trefoil
Luzula campestris
Field wood-rush
Luzula multiflora
Heath wood-rush
Lychnis flos-cuculi
Ragged robin
Lysimachia nummularia
Creeping Jenny
Medicago lupulina
Black medick
Mentha aquatica
Water mint
Monotropa hypopitys
Yellow Bird’s-nest
Myosotis discolor
Changing forget-me-not
Myosotis ramosissima
Early forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides
Water forget-me-not
Myosotis secunda
Creeping forget-me-not
Ononis repens
Common restharrow
Ononis spinosa
Spiny restharrow
Ophioglossum vulgatum
Adder’s tongue fern *
Ophrys apifera
Bee orchid
Oreopteris limbosperma
Lemon scented fern
Ornithopus perpusillus
Bird’s-foot
Orobanche sp
Broomrape sp
Pedicularis sylvatica
Lousewort
Persicaria bistorta
Common bistort
Pilosella officinarum
Mouse ear hawkweed
Pimpenella major
Greater burnet-saxifrage *
Pimpenella saxifraga
Burnet-saxifrage
Plantago lanceolata
Ribwort plantain
Poa compressa
Flattened meadow grass
Poa humilis
Spreading meadow grass
Polygala serpyllifolia
Heath milkwort
Polygala vulgaris
Common milkwort
Potentilla anglica
Trailing tormentil
Potentilla anserina
Silverweed
Potentilla erecta
Tormentil
Potentilla palustris
Marsh cinquefoil
Potentilla reptans
Creeping cinquefoil
Potentilla sterilis
Barren strawberry
Primula vulgaris
Primrose
Prunella vulgaris
Selfheal
Pulicaria dysenterica
Common fleabane
Ranunculus auricomus
Goldilock’s buttercup
Ranunculus bulbosus
Bulbous buttercup
Ranunculus ficaria
Lesser celandine
Ranunculus flammula
Lesser spearwort
Rhinanthus minor
Yellow rattle
Rumex acetosa
Common sorrel
Rumex acetosella
Sheep’s sorrel

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Scientific Name
English Name
Sanguisorba minor
Salad burnet
Sanguisorba officinalis
Great burnet
Saxifraga granulata
Meadow saxifrage *
Scutellaria galericulata
Skullcap
Senecio aquaticus
Marsh ragwort
Senecio erucifolius
Hoary ragwort
Serratula tinctoria
Saw-wort
Silaum silaus
Pepper-saxifrage
Stachys officinalis
Betony
Stachys palustris
Marsh woundwort
Stellaria graminea
Lesser stitchwort
Stellaria palustris
Marsh stitchwort
Stellaria alsine
Bog stitchwort
Succisa pratensis
Devil’s-bit scabious
Thalictrum flavum
Common meadow-rue
Thalictrum minus
Lesser meadow-rue
Thymus polytrichus
Wild thyme
Tragopogon pratensis
Goat’s beard
Trifolium arvense
Hare’s-foot clover
Trifolium striatum
Knotted clover
Trifolium subterraneum
Subterranean clover
Triglochin palustre
Marsh arrowgrass
Trisetum flavescens
Yellow oat grass
Trollius europaeus
Globe flower *
Vaccinium myrtillus
Bilberry
Valeriana officinalis
Common valerian
Valeriana dioica
Marsh valerian
Veronica chamaedrys
Germander speedwell
Veronica officinalis
Heath speedwell
Veronica scutellata
Marsh speedwell
Vicia cracca
Tufted vetch
Vicia sativa
Common vetch
Vicia sepium
Bush vetch
Vicia tetrasperma
Smooth tare
Viola canina
Heath dog violet
Viola hirta
Hairy violet
Viola palustris
Marsh violet
Viola reichenbachiana
Early dog violet
Viola riviniana
Common dog violet

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HB HEATHLAND & BOG

Greater Manchester supports examples of a range of these types of habitat, including examples of all the UK
Biodiversity Priority Habitats: Upland heath, Lowland heath, Upland blanket bog, Lowland raised bog or
mossland. The North West of England, including Greater Manchester, holds a significant proportion of the
British resource of these habitats, with some of the examples being important in an international context. The
definition of lowland and upland is taken from the categorisation within the UK BAP. Upland heathlands
generally occur above approximately 300m.

The majority of the examples of bog in the County should be regarded as modified or degraded; as a
consequence of drainage, pollution or changes in surrounding land management including peat extraction or
agricultural use. The Selection Guidelines are designed to select semi-natural examples of these habitats for
each District.

In terms of the species present in these habitats, there is considerable overlap with the fen, swamp and flush
habitats (see also Guideline Fw 1). In addition, examples of these habitat types will often be located within a
matrix of other habitats including fen and swamp and a variety of dry and wet grassland types (see also Gr 1 –
3).

HB1 HEATHLAND & BOG Sites will be considered for selection if they meet one or more of the
following conditions:

Where dwarf shrubs, either individually or in combination, form more than 25% cover. Dwarf
shrubs include heather (Calluna vulgaris), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and crowberry
(Empetrum nigrum).

Any site which supports one or more of the following species – even where the habitat
quality appears poor:
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Sundew species
Drosera spp
Bell heather
Erica cinerea
Cross-leaved heath
Erica tetralix
Stag’s-horn clubmoss
Lycopodium clavatum
Bog myrtle
Myrica Gale
Bog asphodel
Narthecium ossifragum
Cloudberry
Rubus chamaemorus
Deergrass
Trichophorum cespitosum
Cranberry
Vaccinium oxycoccus
Cowberry
Vaccinium vitis-idaea


Sites which support more than 25% Sphagnum cover.

Sites which support 6 or more species of Sphagnum.

Lowland mossland on peat over 0.5m deep, which supports semi-natural vegetation
particularly where this occurs on unmodified mossland soils (as discussed in text above).

Upland blanket bog on peat over 0.5m deep, which supports semi-natural vegetation
particularly where this occurs on unmodified substrates. Areas dominated by ‘white moor’
will generally not be included within this category.

Upland or lowland vegetation of UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat purple-moor grass and rush
pasture which supports 9 or more grassland species from Table 2.

Heathland vegetation that occurs within a matrix of acid grassland, which also supports 6
or more grassland species from the Table 2.

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Fw FRESHWATER HABITATS

Reedbed, Swamp & Fen

These habitats are typically dominated by large grasses and/or sedges and are often found in a
complex of habitats as a transition zone between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The habitats are
permanently or seasonally waterlogged and may be associated with drawdown zones or inundation
communities.

Reedbed is a UK Priority Biodiversity Habitat and is botanically species poor being dominated by
common reed (Phragmites australis). Its distribution in Greater Manchester is very restricted and all
the examples of this habitat are a significant nature conservation resource.

Swamp habitat dominated by reed canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea) may be selected where it
forms part of a true inundation community, but not where it forms a near monocultural stand, for
example on abandoned land.

Fen is a UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat, which has been split into Lowland Fens and Upland Flushes,
Fens and Swamps (Review 2007). Although they are peat based systems they are included here as
they do not generally support ericaceous dwarf shrubs. Fens receive their hydrological supply from
either sub-surface water (e.g. soils and rock) or groundwater, in addition to rainfall. Generally, the
fen habitats of Greater Manchester are classified as ‘poor-fen’.

Often these habitat types will be associated with other habitats, which qualify for SBI selection. The
swamp/fen/reedbed may be included within SBI boundaries as a supplementary habitat, even if it
does not qualify on its own grounds.

Marshes and/or flushes may be selected under either grassland (Gr) or Reedbed, Fen and swamp
(Fw1) dependent on the dominant species and hydrology.

Fw1 REEDBED, SWAMP & FEN Sites considered for selection will include one of the following:


Any ecologically sustainable reedbed of common reed. Sustainability can be indicated where
the reedbed is of sufficient size to support other species typical of this habitat e.g. sedge or
reed warbler or where small reedbeds provides connectivity within the landscape.

Examples of swamps generally greater than 0.5ha and/or greater than 20m wide (from bank
to water’s edge), where the species assemblage is dominated by one or a mixture of the
following: common or lesser bulrush, horsetail, branched bur-reed or reed-sweet grass.

Swamps or lowland fen of smaller extent where the predominant species are one of the
following: lesser pond sedge, greater pond sedge, bottle sedge, common spike rush and
accompanied by 6 or more species from Table 3. These types of swamp are generally smaller
in extent than other types and are less frequent in Greater Manchester.

Upland fens or flushes which support 8 or species from the Table 3.

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TABLE 3 SPECIES OF REEDBED, FEN AND SWAMP.

Species listed in bold are Biodiversity Action Plan species and count as 2.

Scientific Name
English Name
Achillea ptarmica
Sneezewort
Ajuga reptans
Bugle
Alisma plantago-aquatica
Water-plantain
Anagalis tenella
Bog pimpernel
Angelica sylvestris
Angelica
Athyrium filix-femina
Lady fern
Caltha palustris
Marsh marigold
Cardamine pratensis
Cuckoo flower
Carex acutiformis
Lesser pond sedge
Carex curta
White sedge
Carex demissa
Yellow sedge
Carex dioica
Dioecious sedge
Carex disticha
Brown sedge
Carex echinata
Star sedge
Carex flacca
Glaucous sedge
Carex hostiana
Tawny sedge
Carex laevigata
Smooth-stalked sedge
Carex nigra
Common sedge
Carex paniculata
Greater tussock sedge
Carex pendula
Pendulous sedge
Carex pulicaris
Flea sedge
Carex rostrata
Bottle sedge
Crepis paludosa
Marsh hawk’s beard
Dactylorhiza incarnate
Early marsh orchid
Dactylorhiza maculata
Heath spotted orchid
Dactylorhiza pratemissa
Southern marsh orchid
Dactylorhiza purpurella
Northern marsh orchid
Eleocharis sp
Spike rush
Epipactis palustris
Marsh helleborine
Epilobium hirsutum
Great hairy willowherb
Epilobium palustre
Marsh willowherb
Epilobium parviflorum
Hoary willowherb
Equisetum fluviatile
Water horsetail
Equisetum palustre
Marsh horsetail
Equisetum sylvaticum
Wood horsetail
Equisetum telmateia
Giant horsetail
Eriophorum angustifolium
Common cotton grass
Eriophorum vaginatum
Hare’s tail cotton grass
Filipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet
Galium palustre
Marsh bedstraw
Hypericum tetrapterum
Square stalked St John’s wort
Hydrocotyle vulgaris
Marsh pennywort
Iris pseudacorus
Yellow flag
Isolepsis setacea
Bristle club-rush
Juncus compressus
Round fruited rush
Lathyrus linifolius
Bitter vetch
Lotus corniculatus
Common bird’s foot trefoil
Lotus pedunculatus
Greater bird’s foot trefoil
Lycopus europeaus
Gypsywort
Lynchis flos-cuculi
Ragged robin
Lysimachia nemorum
Yellow pimpernel
Lysimachia nummularia
Creeping Jenny
Lythrum portula
Water purslane
Lythrum salicaria
Purple loosestrife
Mentha aquatica
Water mint
Menyanthes trifoliate
Bog bean
Molinea caerulea
Purple moor grass

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Scientific Name
English Name
Myosotis sp
Water-forget-me-not
Oreopteris limbosperma
Lemon scented fern
Pedicularis sp
Lousewort
Persicaria bistorta
Amphibious bistort
Persicaria hydropiper
Water pepper
Phragmites australis
Common reed
Potamogeton polygonifolius
Bog pondweed
Potentilla anserina
Silverweed
Potentilla erecta
Tormentil
Potentilla palustris
Marsh cinquefoil
Pulicaria dysenterica
Common fleabane
Ranunculus flammula
Lesser spearwort
Rorippa palustris
Marsh yellow-cress
Salix repens
Creeping willow
Sanguisorba officinalis
Great burnet
Scirpus sylvaticus
Wood club-rush
Schoenoplectus nigricans
Black club-rush
Scutellaria galericulata
Skullcap
Sparganium emersum
Unbranched bur-reed
Sparganium erectum
Branched bur-reed
Sphagnum spp
Sphagnum moss species (each species counts as
one)
Stachys palustris
Marsh woundwort
Stellaria palustris
Marsh stitchwort
Stellaria alsine
Bog stitchwort
Succisa pratensis
Devil’s bit scabious
Triglochin palustris
Marsh arrowgrass
Valeriana dioica
Marsh valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Common valerian
Vaccinium oxycoccos
Cranberry
Veronica beccabunga
Brooklime
Veronica scutellaria
Marsh speedwell
Viola palustris
Marsh violet

Ponds and Small Mill Lodges

The category of Ponds & Small Mill Lodges covers any permanent or seasonal standing water body up
to 1ha in extent. There are relatively high numbers of ponds and lodges in Greater Manchester,
particularly for an urban area. Many of these are man-made in origin, having been formed as a result
of mineral extraction, predominantly marl for agricultural uses, in the 15th and 16th centuries. Lodges
are man-made waterbodies, with most examples originating from the industrial revolution. These
were created to hold water for industrial processes - notably in Greater Manchester for the textile
industry.

Ponds as defined by the UK BAP Panel are a UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat. This incorporates and
expands on the previous category Ponds of High Ecological Quality/Ponds of High Conservation Value.

Plant populations in ponds and small mill lodges have been relatively well surveyed within the region
under the PondLife Project in the mid-1990s. This included a survey of over 1000 ponds within
Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Analysis of the data from these surveys was reported
in ‘Ponds & Pond Landscapes in Europe’ (Editor John Boothby 1999). Guidelines for selection of ponds
and small mill lodges are based on this work.

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Site boundaries may also include adjacent area of semi-natural terrestrial habitat as well as the water
body itself. Reference should also be made to the other criteria on aquatic invertebrates, amphibians,
dragonflies and mammals found within Part 3.

Fw2 PONDS & SMALL LODGES Sites considered for selection will include one of the following:


Any pond or small mill lodge that qualifies as a Pond of High Ecological Quality/of High
Conservation Value, as defined by the UK BAP will be considered for selection as a Grade A
or B site.


Sites will be considered for selection if they support either species diverse populations or
numbers of species, referring to the table below and the list of Species in Table 4.

Conservation Value
Plant Species
numbers
Grading
Very High
>40
A
High
23-39
B
Moderate
9-22
C

Taken from D Gledhill in Ponds & Pond Landscapes of Europe 1999


Several ponds that lie within 500m of each other, forming a ‘pond cluster’ will be considered
for selection if they meet the qualifying criteria in combination.

The plant species recorded should be within the outer boundary of the waterbody. For ponds this is
defined as the upper level at which water stands in winter.

Species that are not locally native to the waterbody or are classed as invasive species should not be
included within the total count. Garden ponds are excluded from these Guidelines.

In addition, ponds and small mill lodges may occur within a cluster – a number of ponds occurring
within 500m of each other. Individual waterbodies within the cluster may not support the qualifying
number of species but taken as a whole the collection of waterbodies may provide an important
biodiversity resource, particularly where different successional stages are represented within the
cluster or where metapopulations of amphibians or invertebrates are present.

Large Areas of Standing Open Water

This category includes areas of open water greater than 1ha in size. It includes reservoirs used for
public water supply, those associated with industrial workings, or for ornamental purposes and
waterbodies created as the incidental result of mining activity. Mining subsidence has resulted in
large areas of standing water being created, particularly in Wigan where they are known as flashes.
Canals are also included within the category. Greater Manchester does not have any naturally
occurring lakes and the majority of the waterbodies are Eutrophic. The main exceptions to this are
the canals, which are mesotrophic.

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In many cases large waterbodies will be selected for inclusion in the Register due to the population
of species supported, e.g. wintering waterfowl or floating water plantain, or habitats present around
the margins. Many of the flashes in Wigan, for example, are associated with large reedbeds.

Eutrophic Standing Waters are a UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat and include artificial waterbodies
and reservoirs. GMEU holds a GIS layer of such waterbodies, compiled nationally as part of the UK
BAP.

Fw3 LARGE AREAS OF STANDING OPEN WATER Sites should be considered for selection if
they support populations of the following:

Nutrient poor standing waters over 1ha that score 6 or more from nutrient poor water quality
(Column A Table 4) or 12 from either nutrient poor or nutrient rich water quality (Table 4 Columns
A and B).

Nutrient rich standing waters over 1ha that score 12 or more from the species listed in Column B
(Table 4) with at least one species recorded from two of the following habitats:

 Aquatic
 Submerged
 Marginal

Sites supporting a good population of those species marked with * in Table 4 should be considered
for selection, even if the unit does not qualify on the number of species as these species either have
extremely limited distribution in Greater Manchester or are UK Biodiversity Priority species

Species that are not locally native to the waterbody or are classed as invasive species should not be
included within the total count. In addition, the majority of species recorded should be well
represented within the vegetation communities. Due to their length, canals should be assessed in
sections (e.g. bridge to bridge) but each section may not necessarily support the qualifying number
of species.

Running Water Habitats

This category includes all rivers, streams, ditches or similar watercourses that are flowing or semi-
flowing. The rivers and streams of Greater Manchester are an important biodiversity resource and
numerous watercourses cross the County. Major rivers include the Mersey, Bollin, Goyt, Etherow,
Medlock, Irk, Irwell, Croal, Tame, Douglas and Roch. Associated with these are a number of small
streams such as Timperley Brook, Lady Brook and Whittle Brook. The rivers and their tributaries vary
in character. The upper reaches tend to have steep gradients and run over stony or rocky strata.
Many streams originate in the Pennine hills, although the flow of these has largely been altered by
the construction of reservoirs. Lower reaches tend to have gentler gradients and flow over mainly
sand or silt strata such as the Mersey in Trafford. Geological and geomorphological characteristics of
running water habitats are important in determining their biodiversity value and therefore, some of
these characteristics have been used within the Guideline below.

Ditches are mainly concentrated in areas with remnant mossland such as Chat Moss and Carrington
Moss, although they occur throughout the County.

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Rivers have been identified as a UK Biodiversity Habitat (BRIG (ed. Ant Maddock) 2008.
(Updated 2011))

Fw4 RUNNING WATER HABITATS Sites considered for selection will be one of the following:

Any watercourse that qualifies as a UK Biodiversity Priority River Habitat will be considered for
selection as a Grade A or B site.

Watercourses considered for selection will support two or more of the criteria listed below. Ditches
should be considered under point v only:

i)
Headwaters which have a natural character
ii)
A site used by salmon as a breeding or nursery/juvenile area.
iii)
Stretches of a water course where water-crowfoot beds are abundant
iv)
Regularly supports a high to good Ecological Quality as determined by the Water
Framework Directive River Basin Management Plans used by the Environment
Agency.
v)
A score of 12 or more from the species listed in Table 4 Column C.
vi)
Three or more natural river habitat features from the list below:
river terraces
cascades
islands
oxbows
pools
rapids
riffles and runs
sand, mud, shingle or gravel banks
unmodified bank profiles
point bars – vegetated or unvegetated
flood plain connectivity.

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Table 4 – Indicative species list for Freshwater Habitats
Species listed in bold are Biodiversity Action Plan Species and Count as 2. Species marked with * refer to Fw3.

Scientific Name
Common Name
A - Nutrient
poor standing
water
(Oligotrophic to
Mesotrophic)
B - Nutrient rich
standing water
(Eutrophic to
Mesotrophic)
C- Running
water (including
ditches)
Achillea ptarmica
Sneezewort



Alisma plantago-aquatica
Water plantain



Alopercurus geniculatus
Marsh Foxtail



Angelica sylvestris
Wild angelica



Apium inundatum
Lesser marshwort



Apium nodiflorum
Fool’s watercress



Athyrium filix-femina
Lady fern



Berula erecta
Lesser water-parsnip



Bidens cernua
Nodding Bur-marigold



Bidens tripartita
Trifid Bur-marigold



Butomus umbellatus
Flowering rush



Callitriche brutia
Pedunculate water
starwort
?
?

Callitriche
hermaphroditica
Autumnal water-starwort



Callitriche hamulata
Intermediate water
starwort



Callitriche obtusangula
Blunt-fruited water
starwort



Callitriche platycarpa
Various-leaved water
starwort



Callitriche stagnalis
Common water starwort



Caltha palustris
Marsh marigold (where
not introduced)



Cardamine amara
Large Bittercress



Cardamine pratensis
Cuckooflower



Carex acuta
Slender tufted sedge



Carex acutiformis
Lesser pond sedge



Carex curta
White sedge



Carex disticha
Brown sedge



Carex otrubae
False fox sedge



Carex paniculata
Greater Tussock Sedge



Carex pseudocyperus
Cyperus sedge



Carex remota
Remote sedge



Carex riparia
Greater pond sedge


Carex rostrata Bottle Sedge



Ceratophyllum demersum
Rigid Hornwort



Chara sp.
Stoneworts (each species
counting as 2*)



Cirsium palustre
Marsh thistle




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Scientific Name
Common Name
A - Nutrient
poor standing
water
(Oligotrophic to
Mesotrophic)
B - Nutrient rich
standing water
(Eutrophic to
Mesotrophic)
C- Running
water (including
ditches)
Cyperus longus
Galingale (where not
introduced)
?


Dryopteris carthusiana
Narrow buckler fern



Dryopteris dilatata
Broad buckler fern



Dryopteris filix-mas
Male fern



Eleocharis acicularis
Needle spike-rush



Eleocharis palustris
Common spike-rush



Epilobium hirsutum
Great hairy willowherb



Epilobium obscurum
Short-fruited willowherb



Epilobium palustre
Marsh willowherb


Epilobium parvilflorum
Hoary willowherb



Equisetum fluviatile
Water horsetail



Equisetum palustre
Marsh horsetail



Equisetum telmateia
Great horsetail

Eriophorum sp.
Each species counting as 1


Eupatorium cannabinum
Hemp agrimony



Filipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet



Galium palustre
Common marsh bedstraw



Glyceria declinata
Small sweet-grass



Glyceria fluitans
Floating sweet-grass



Glyceria maxima
Reed sweet-grass



Glyceria notata
Plicate sweet-grass



Hippuris vulgaris
Marestail



Hottonia palustris
Water Violet



Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
Frogbit



Hydrocotyle vulgaris
Marsh pennywort



Iris pseudacorus
Yellow flag iris



Juncus acutiflorus
Sharp-flowered rush



Juncus articulatus
Jointed rush



Juncus bufonius
Toad rush



Juncus bulbosus
Bulbous rush


Juncus conglomeratus
Compact rush



Juncus effusus
Soft rush



Juncus inflexus
Hard rush



Lemna gibba
Fat duckweed



Lemna minor
Common duckweed



Lemna trisulca
Ivy-leaved duckweed



Lotus pedunculatus
Greater birds foot trefoil
?


Luronium natans
Floating water-plantain*



Lychnis flos-cuculi
Ragged robin



Lycopus europaeus
Gypsywort



Lythrum portula
Water-purslane
?


Lythrum salicaria
Purple loosestrife



Mentha aquatica
Watermint



Menyanthes trifoliate
Bog bean



Myosotis laxa
Tufted forget-me-not



Myosotis scorpioides
Water forget-me-not



Myosotis secunda
Creeping forget-me-not



Myosoton aquaticum
Water chickweed


Myriophyllum alterniflorum
Alternative water-milfoil




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Scientific Name
Common Name
A - Nutrient
poor standing
water
(Oligotrophic to
Mesotrophic)
B - Nutrient rich
standing water
(Eutrophic to
Mesotrophic)
C- Running
water (including
ditches)
Myriophyllum spicatum
Spiked water-milfoil



Myriophyllum
verticillatum
Whorled water-milfoil



Nitella sp
Stonewort- each species
counting as 2



Nuphar lutea
Yellow water lily



Nymphaea alba
White water lily



Nymphoides peltata
Fringed water lily – where
not introduced



Oenanthe crocata
Hemlock water dropwort



Persicaria amphibia
Amphibious bistort



Petasites hybridus
Butterbur


Phalaris arundinacea
Reed canary grass



Phragmites australis
Common reed



Potamogeton alpinus
Red pondweed



Potamogeton berchtoldii
Small pondweed



Potamogeton compressus
Grasswrack pondweed*



Potamogeton crispus
Curled pondweed



Potamogeton epihydrus
American pondweed*
?


Potamogeton friesii
Flat stalked pondweed



Potamogeton gramineus
Various-leaved pondweed

Potamogeton lucens
Shining pondweed



Potamogeton natans
Broadleaved pondweed



Potamogeton obtusifolius
Blunt-leaved pondweed



Potamogeton pectinatus
Fennel pondweed



Potamogeton perfoliatus
Perfoliate pondweed



Potamogeton
polygonifolius
Bog pondweed



Potamogeton praelongus
Long-stalked pondweed



Potamogeton pusillus
Lesser pondweed



Potamogeton trichoides
Hair-like pondweed



Potentilla palustris
Marsh cinquefoil



Ranunculus aquatilis
Common water crowfoot



Ranunculus flammula
Lesser spearwort



Ranunculus fluitans
River water crowfoot


Ranunculus hederaceus
Ivy-leaved crowfoot



Ranunculus omiophyllus
Round-leaved crowfoot
?


Ranunculus peltatus
Pond water crowfoot



Ranunculus sceleratus
Celery-leaved buttercup



Ranunculus trichophyllus
Thread-leaved
water
crowfoot



Riccia fluitans
A liverwort



Rorippa amphibian
Great yellow-cress



Rorippa nasturtium-
aquaticum
Water-cress



Rorippa palustris
Marsh Yellow-cress



Rumex hydrolapathum
Water dock



Sagittaria sagittifolia
Arrowhead



Schoenoplectus lacustris
Common club-rush




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Scientific Name
Common Name
A - Nutrient
poor standing
water
(Oligotrophic to
Mesotrophic)
B - Nutrient rich
standing water
(Eutrophic to
Mesotrophic)
C- Running
water (including
ditches)
Schoenoplectus
tabernaemontani
Grey club rush



Scutellaria galericulata
Skullcap



Senecio aquaticus
Marsh ragwort



Solanum dulcamara
Bittersweet
?


Sparganium emersum
Unbranched bur-reed



Sparganium erectum
Branched bur-reed



Spirodela polyrhiza
Greater Duckweed



Stachys palustris
Marsh woundwort


Sphagnum sp
Bog moss (- each species
counting as 1


Stratiotes aloides
Water solider



Stachys palustris
Marsh woundwort



Stellaria uliginosa
Bog stitchwort


Tortula freibergii
A moss* - occurs on canal
walls



Typha angustifolia
Lesser reedmace



Typha latifolia
Bulrush



Valeriana officinalis
Common valerian


Veronica beccabunga
Brooklime



Veronica palustris
Marsh violet


Zanichellia palustris
Horned pondweed




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HM HABITAT MOSAICS

In the urban/urban fringe environment, there are many areas of land that are not intensively
managed, including areas of semi-natural vegetation with little or no active management, or areas
which have naturally regenerated following other land uses. Such areas support examples of natural
habitat mosaics but which may not be typical of more recognised habitat types in their composition
or character (i.e. acid grassland-heath or heath – bog habitats). Therefore, some of these areas
support a number of habitats that do not naturally fit into the classification systems described within
the Part 2 Guidelines and include sites with many different habitat types within a single area for
example; areas of scrub succeeding into woodland maybe associated with connecting semi-improved
grasslands or wetland habitats such as disused lodges or areas of impeded drainage. These habitats
can be important both for the assemblages of birds and invertebrates they support and/or for the
connectivity they provide between other areas of high quality habitat. In addition, examples of these
habitat mosaics may exhibit artificially arrested early successional stages of habitat development, due
to the prevailing ground conditions (e.g. contaminated, unstable/loose and/or extreme nutrient poor
substrates).

It is recognised that these types of habitat have considerable value in maintaining the biodiversity
resource. Careful consideration and professional judgement will be needed to select sites under this
Guideline. The citation for an SBI selected under this Guideline should include sufficient detail to make
clear the justification for selection and the attributes which contribute to the site qualifying for
selection.

HM1 HABITAT MOSAICS Sites considered for selection under this Guideline will exhibit 2 or more
of the following features:


Will support two or more habitat types where individually each attribute will almost qualify
for selection on either Habitat (Part 2) Species or Species Assemblage (Part 3) Guidelines.

The site is greater than 5ha in size and each of the main habitats will be of a size that is
sustainable (generally greater than 0.3 ha), though some supplementary habitats may be
present in smaller areas.

The site contributes to the connectivity of other habitats of value in the locality (e.g. District
or geographical locality see Part 1).

The site is in a locality which has a significant deficit of other semi-natural habitats of
recognised value.

Supports other important features which contribute to habitat diversity and ecological
functioning, which add structural diversity:
 Linear features crossing and connecting parts of the site and adjacent habitats e.g.
hedgerows/ walls/ ditches/ road verges/ disused railway tracks.
 Features that provide a variety of substrates for colonisation e.g. loose substrate/
scree/ bare ground/ small steep banks.
 Features which provide a variety of micro-topographical or micro-climatic conditions
e.g. tussocky grassland/ anthills/ hummocky ground in quarries/ spoil heaps.
 A variety of hydrological conditions e.g. ditches/ temporary or seasonal pools/
scrapes/ impeded drainage.
Ur URBAN HABITATS

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It is recognised that many sites within urban areas will be selected as SBIs because they fulfil the
criteria for the selection of other habitat types, particularly habitat mosaics. However some habitats
in urban areas display characteristics that do not easily fit into other habitat descriptions in these
Guidelines. Some of these ‘urban’ habitat types are known to support important populations of
invertebrates. Open Mosaic Habitats of Previously Developed Land has been identified as a UK
Biodiversity Priority Habitat BRIG (ed. Ant Maddock) 2008, (Updated 2011)

The definition of what constitutes the Priority Habitat is by necessity complex and detailed. The
Selection of SBIs under the Urban Habitats Guideline will necessitate a high degree of professional
judgement and a justification of the sites selection should be placed on the GMEU SBI file.

Buddleia can support significant butterfly and moth species (Lepidoptera) and willow species are
known to support large numbers of invertebrates. But they can have a negative impact on other site
features if present as the dominant shrub. Therefore a high level of professional judgement is
required for site selection as described above.

Since a lack of resources and/or specialist knowledge may preclude an intensive survey of these sites
for invertebrates, and therefore their selection as SBIs under faunal guidelines, certain habitat types
will be used as indicators of significant invertebrate interest.

Ur1 URBAN HABITATS – The following habitat types and sites within urban areas will be
considered for selection as SBIs because of their potential contribution to the conservation of
invertebrates [following English Nature Research Report no 651 and BRIG 2011]:


Any site that supports the UK Biodiversity Priority Habitat Open Mosaic Habitat on
Previous Developed Land.

Scrub - Mixtures of buddleia, grey willow, goat willow and silver birch on infertile
substrates.

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PART 3
GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION

SPECIES & SPECIES ASSEMBLAGES

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Introduction

Sites of Biological Importance selected under Guidelines in Part 2 represent the best examples of their
habitat types and it is highly probable that they will support populations or assemblages of other
important groups of flora and fauna, which contribute to the biodiversity of Greater Manchester.
However, there may be cases where sites are not necessarily selected for their habitats but support
assemblages of species of importance within the County, District or geographical locality (see Part 1).

Within Greater Manchester some groups are quite well surveyed and there is good information on
numbers and/or distribution across the County, for example birds and aquatic invertebrates. Other
groups have only partial information or information restricted to only a few Districts. For such groups
it is not possible to generate meaningful thresholds or guidelines for individual groups (e.g.
grasshoppers and crickets or moths). Where detailed information does not exist more general
guidelines have been formulated. As further information is gathered and collated for Greater
Manchester this will be incorporated within the SBI Guidelines.

The same reasoning applies to the analysis of species assemblages. Where well recognised systems
exist these will be used, for example the amphibian assemblage scoring system (SSSI Selection
Guidelines) and species diversity indices for aquatic invertebrates (Species Rarity Index Pond Action
1994 & PondLife survey 1998). As scientific knowledge and theory advances and new systems are
established, they will be incorporated within the SBI Guidelines with appropriate adjustments for the
Greater Manchester context.

For groups of fauna which are mobile it is important to establish that the species and/or assemblages
uses the habitats on more than a casual basis. The site under consideration will be used ‘regularly’
by the species/group for a critical stage of its life cycle. Reference to technical literature will be used
to assist in the identification of what is considered the appropriate life stage and interpretation of the
term ‘regularly’ unless it is stated within the Guidelines. This is not applicable for birds on passage
during the spring and autumn migration.

Sites brought forward for consideration should have data available from the recent past (e.g. within
the last 5 years), although historic data may be used to assist in the grading of a site.

Where a site’s selection has been made partially on the basis of a comprehensive data set/survey (e.g.
detailed survey for moths), it may not be possible to repeat the detailed surveys at each Review of
the SBI, due to the need for additional resources and/or specialist survey skills/equipment. During
the review survey an assessment will be made of the condition of the habitats present and their
suitability to still support the species/assemblage recorded. The local experts/recorders will be
contacted for additional data to try and verify the continued presence of the species/assemblage.
Where a specific threat or challenge is made on individual SBIs, additional specific surveys may be
commissioned to assess the populations and/or presence of the recorded species/assemblage. The
same criteria as described in Part 1 (section 4 - Site survey & data collation) will be used by the
Partnership in accepting records from unverified sources.

Some priority species may utilise features which it may not be practicable to select as SBIs, e.g. active
industrial premises (barn owls, bats, little ringed plover), domestic dwellings (bats, house martins,
swifts, black redstarts) and private gardens (e.g. garden ponds supporting amphibians). In the
majority of cases such sites will not be selected and many of these species will be protected by the

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provisions of legislation. Consideration will be given to the selection of sites supporting these types
of features where the site is either critical to that species’ survival in the Greater Manchester context,
or supports exceptional numbers. Sites will also be selected where they qualify, even if they may have
other land use designations (e.g. allocated areas within UDPs/LDFs, actively managed agricultural
land, country parks etc).

Where a site supports habitats which are necessary for several stages of the species/groups’ lifecycle,
the boundary of the selected SBI will include sufficient areas of each habitat type. This is important
for invertebrates (egg laying sites, larval food plants/conditions, adult food sources), amphibians
(breeding/terrestrial/hibernation sites) and some groups of birds. Where sites qualify under the
mammal Guidelines for bats, consideration will be given to identifying critical commuting routes
and/or feeding areas of significant importance to the roost (e.g. a specific known feeding area close
to a maternity roost).

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GSG GENERAL SPECIES GUIDELINES

These General Guidelines are applicable to the following groups:
 Vascular plants
 Lichens
 Bryophytes – mosses & liverworts
 Stoneworts and other algae
 Fungi (for wax caps see grasslands in Part 2)
 Terrestrial invertebrates (not an exhaustive list but including: moths (Lepidoptera),
grasshoppers & crickets (Orthoptera), slugs & snails (Mollusca), beetles (Coleoptera), true flies
(Diptera), bees & wasps (Hymenoptera), nemertean worms, crustaceans, bugs (Hemiptera),
lacewings (Neuropteran), spiders (Arachnida).
 White-clawed crayfish
 Small mammals e.g. yellow-necked mouse, harvest mouse and water shrew (excluding water
vole which is discussed separately)
 Mustelids e.g. stoats, weasels & polecats (excluding badger which is discussed separately)

GSG1 GENERAL SPECIES Sites will be considered for selection where they regularly support a
population of any species on one of the following:


Schedules 1,5 or 8 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)

the most recent relevant Red Data Book for the UK or England

Nationally scarce species list (incorporating invertebrate and other taxa Nationally Notable
A & B classifications).

Recorded from 3 or fewer localities in the County or holds a population considered to be a
stronghold for the region

Where the species under consideration occurs in greater than 3 localities is a UK Priority
species or a Greater Manchester Biodiversity Action Plan Species (with reference to
Appendix 3).

Or where:

The site supports a significant proportion of the Greater Manchester population of the
species’ or contributes significantly to the species’ range in the County, and the species may
be at risk because of very small populations, recent rapid decline, or habitat loss or change

Supports an assemblage of the group that significantly contributes to the overall flora/fauna
for the County or District.

Supports a ‘characteristic’ assemblage for the habitat or seral stage of habitat development
(e.g. ancient woodland hoverflies/molluscs, deadwood invertebrates or invertebrates for
ponds with seasonal water levels)

AI AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES

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Aquatic invertebrate populations have been relatively well surveyed within the Region with the
PondLife Project in the mid-1990s. This included a survey of over 1000 ponds within Cheshire,
Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Analysis of the data from these surveys were reported in ‘Ponds
& Pond Landscapes in Europe’ (Editor John Boothby 1999). The identification of the criteria for
selection of aquatic invertebrate assemblages is based on this work. In general terms, this work
applies to ponds and small lodges, but may be adapted to fit larger water bodies. Other pond
evaluation systems, such as Oxford Pond Survey System (Chadd & Extense) and PSYMs may be used
to supplement the PondLife ones if required

AI1 AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES Sites will be considered for selection if they support either high
species numbers or species-diverse populations with reference to the table below and with
reference to the listing of aquatic invertebrates in the North West (to be compiled by a local
specialist in conjunction with Lancashire County Council). Until such time as this has been
established the UK listings for invertebrate status will be used.

Potential
SBI Grade
Conservation
Value
Species no.
invertebrates
Species Rarity Index (SRI)
Invertebrates
A
Very High
>50
>1.5
One or more Nationally Scarce or RDB
B
High
31-50
1.2 – 1.49
No nationally notables or RDB species
C
Moderate
11-30
1.01 – 1.19
Taken from D Gledhill in Ponds & Pond Landscapes of Europe 1999

The calculation of the SRI is based on that used in Pond Action (1994), according to the following
categories:

Species Rarity
Score
Common
1
Local
2
Regionally Notable
3
Nationally Notable B
4
Nationally Notable A
8
RDB 2
32
RDB1
64

Using the following formulae:-

SRI = sum of Species Rarity Score
number of species recorded

Dr DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA)

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The distribution of this group of animals is not well recorded within Greater Manchester, but some
understanding of their distribution exists informally. Figures for SSSI selection are also well recognised
(SSSI Guidelines for Site Selection), for Lancashire and counties to the north it is 10 species and for
Cheshire and counties to the south it is 12 species. Breeding is considered if records exist within the
previous 3 years as evidenced either by:

mating activity

ovipositing females

juvenile aquatic larvae

exuviae/very newly emerged young.

Dr1 DRAGONFLIES Sites considered for selection will regularly support 7 or more breeding species
of Odonata.

Bu BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA)

The distribution of butterflies in Greater Manchester has been documented in ‘Butterflies in Greater
Manchester’ (PB Hardy 1998). This indicates that 24 of the UK species can be considered to occur in
Greater Manchester on more than an occasional basis. The Selection Guidelines below are based on
this body of work. Updates to this survey or any evidence produced in future will be used to
supplement these Guidelines. Where the Guideline includes ‘regularly supports breeding’ this is taken
to mean that breeding is either confirmed or probable in 2 out of the last 5 years. Breeding can be
considered as probable if both of the following features are recorded:


Presence of any pre-adult – caterpillars, pupae, eggs

Repeated records of adult imagos at the site

Or one of the above is supplemented with both of the following:


Suitable adult nectar sources

Presence of larval food plants

Sites which will be considered for selection are as follows:

Bu1 BUTTERFLIES - Local Distribution Sites which regularly support populations of species with
very localised distribution and scarce in Greater Manchester:

 Green hairstreak
 Purple hairstreak
 White-letter hairstreak*
 Holly blue (consideration will be given to the colony size)
 Brimstone

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Bu2 BUTTERFLIES – Limited Geographical Range Sites which regularly support breeding
populations of species with distribution limited by geographical range:

 Small Heath*
 Wall*

Bu3 BUTTERFLIES – Assemblages Sites, including habitat matrices, which regularly support
populations of 9 or more species, of which 6 are breeding. This applies to all other species recorded
within Greater Manchester, excluding migrants and the ubiquitous large and small whites:

 Small skipper
 Large skipper
 Green-veined white
 Orange tip
 Small copper
 Common blue
 Small tortoiseshell
 Peacock
 Comma
 Speckled wood
 Meadow brown
 Gatekeeper
 Ringlet

* UK BAP Priority Species

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Rp REPTILES

The distribution of reptiles in Greater Manchester is not at all well known. But records from the
recognised recording centres (i.e. GMEU, Bolton Museum and Record – Cheshire) indicate that they
are not at all common.

Sites where these species have been deliberately released (e.g. discarded pets) should not be
considered for selection unless it is part of a recognised nature conservation programme.

Rp1 REPTILES Sites which regularly support a population of any of the reptiles found in Greater
Manchester will be considered for selection. This includes:


Adder

Slow worm

Grass snake

Common lizard

Am AMPHIBIANS

Techniques for estimating amphibian populations have become well established over the recent past
(NCC 1989, Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines English Nature 2001). For development
purposes Natural England require a minimum of 4 surveys to establish presence/absence or 6 surveys
for population estimates. This is required to allow a sufficient survey window to cover the seasonal
variability of newts returning and breeding in ponds. For the purposes of these Guidelines it may not
be necessary to undertake several visits, although they may be useful for the establishment of
maximum counts.

Some SBIs have been selected under older assessment systems (e.g. egg counts) and have not
subsequently been resurveyed using the more recently accepted techniques. As already indicated
GMEU does not, at the present time, have the resources to undertake full reassessments of these
sites. Therefore, unless the habitat has become unsuitable for breeding amphibians in the intervening
period between selection and review, it will be assumed that the species/group still qualifies the site
for selection.

The distribution patterns of amphibians across Greater Manchester are variable and there are
particularly high numbers of pond clusters. This in combination with the variability of breeding from
year to year, means that if great crested newts or other amphibians have been previously/historically
recorded on a site, one season’s data of absence of breeding is not considered sufficient to conclude
that the site is no longer suitable for that species.

Amphibians are not evenly distributed in the Districts of Greater Manchester. For example the eastern
districts of Rochdale and Oldham on the Pennine fringe, although not comprehensively surveyed,
appear to support very few great crested newt breeding ponds, but have in some cases been found
to support moderate to good populations of palmate newts. Areas near or on the Cheshire Plain have
been found to support higher densities of great crested newt breeding ponds. This variation in
distribution will be taken into account when applying the Guidelines and grading selected sites.

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Am1 AMPHIBIANS Sites, either single ponds or clusters†, will be considered for selection if they
meet one of the following, with reference to Table 5 below:


Supports a ‘good’/’medium’ population of great crested newt

Supports an ‘exceptional’/’large’ population of any amphibian species

Supports 5 breeding species of amphibian (4 in Rochdale & Oldham)

Supports a species assemblage score of 7 or more (or 5 in Rochdale & Oldham) according to
the scoring system shown in Table 5 below.

Table 5 Scoring System for Amphibian Assemblages (NCC 1989/EN 2001)

‘low’/’small’ *
population
score 1
‘good’/‘medium’*
population
score 2
’exceptional’/’large’*
population
score 3
Great crested newt
Netted/seen
daytime
<5
6 - 50
> 51
Torched/bottled
< 10
11 - 100
> 101
Smooth newt
Counted
day/night
< 10
11 -100
> 101
Palmate newt
Counted
day/night
< 10
11 - 100
> 101
Common Toad
Estimated
< 500
501 - 5000
> 5001
Counted
< 100
101 - 1000
> 1001
Common Frog
Spawn– clumps
counted
< 50
51 - 500
> 501
Add 1 to assemblage score for 4 species
Add 2 to assemblage score for 5 species
* terms from either NCC1989 or EN 2001 respectively

† A cluster of ponds should be considered as all the ponds within 500m of each other, whether or not they all support
each breeding species of amphibians.

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B BIRDS

Br Breeding Birds

For the purposes of these Guidelines acceptable evidence of breeding bird species follows the British
Trust for Ornithology approach using the criteria of probable and possible breeding which includes:

the presence of a territorial male

repeated sightings of the species concerned in suitable habitat during the breeding season

pair behaviour during the breeding season

birds seen nest building or carrying nesting material

birds seen carrying feeding material or faecal sacs

fledgling birds seen or an occupied nest is found.

A breeding population is defined as one pair. The use of the term ‘regularly’ in these Guidelines means
that the species should have been recorded for the site concerned for a minimum of two separate
years during the last five years.

Boundaries of sites selected for their breeding bird interest will reflect all of the necessary habitat for
breeding, including specific habitat requirements for feeding juveniles.

The use of the term ‘rare’ in these Guidelines means that there are less than 10 records of the species
each year, or that records are restricted to specific habitat types. The use of the term ‘scarce’ means
that the species occurs in only small numbers. The Annual Bird Report for Greater Manchester or the
bird database will supplement this assessment.

Account is taken in these Guidelines of the fact that birds are generally far more mobile than other
fauna. This means that sites other than breeding sites are also essential for species survival. Such
areas may include those regularly used for major pre- and post-breeding gatherings, migration staging
posts, moulting and during different stages of the winter.

The SBI Guidelines regarding birds will not generally be applied to occupied domestic dwellings or
active industrial buildings. However, consideration will be given to the selection of sites in these types
of premises, where the site is either critical to that species’ survival in the Greater Manchester
context, or supports high species numbers or exceptional populations

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The following will be considered for selection as Grade A SBIs

Br1
BIRDS – Significant Breeding Population Sites that regularly support more than 0.5%
of the total British breeding population of any native bird species.

Br2
BIRDS – Schedule 1 Any site which regularly supports a breeding population of any bird
species included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), as amended.

Species to which this Guideline may be applied in Greater Manchester include, but may not be
exclusive to:

peregrine, black redstart, barn owl, little ringed plover, kingfisher, black necked grebe,
merlin, hobby, quail, Mediterranean gull,

Br3 BIRDS – Rare Breeders Any site which regularly supports a significant proportion of the
breeding population of a bird species regarded as a rare breeding bird in Greater Manchester.

Species to which this Guideline may be applied in Greater Manchester will include, but may not be
exclusive to:

cuckoo*, long-eared owl, short-eared owl, lesser spotted woodpecker*, yellow wagtail*,
wood warbler*, spotted flycatcher*, pied flycatcher, twite*, redshank, ring ouzel*, gadwall,
pochard, shoveler, goosander, teal, redstart, marsh tit*

The following will be considered for selection as SBIs

Br4
BIRDS – Scarce Breeders Any site which regularly supports a significant proportion of the
breeding population of a bird species regarded as a scarce breeding bird in Greater Manchester.

Species to which this Guideline may be applied in Greater Manchester will include, but may not be
exclusive to:

water rail, golden plover, snipe, woodcock, curlew*, green woodpecker, grasshopper
warbler*, willow tit*, tree sparrow*, corn bunting*, whinchat, stonechat, raven, lapwing*,
ringed plover, common sandpiper, common tern

Br5 BIRDS – UK Priority Species Any site of significant importance for birds listed as UK
Priority Species, which have not been included in the previous Guidelines (marked above with *).
These are species included in Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006 and were previously known as CRoW
Act Section 74 species.

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Br6 BIRDS – Assemblages Any site from which the following have been recorded in the last
five-year period for which data is available. Regard will be given when applying this Guideline to
the status (e.g. red/ amber list of breeding concern etc) of all the species under consideration for
the assemblage.

10 or more regular breeding bird species
20 or more regular breeding and wintering bird species
30 or more regular breeding, wintering and passage bird species

These figures are the minimum for consideration for site selection. Account needs to be taken when
allocating grades to a site of the distribution of breeding birds within similar habitats in that District.

Only species making regular active use of site should be included. Those simply flying over should be
excluded.

Br7 BIRDS – Colonial Breeders Any site that supports a significant population of a colonial
nesting bird.

Species to which this Guideline may be applied in Greater Manchester will include, but may not be
exclusive to:

sand martin, grey heron, common tern and house martin

* UK BAP Priority Species

WB Wintering Birds

The primary source of data for wintering bird populations in Greater Manchester is the Wetland Bird
Survey (WeBS) a joint scheme of the British Trust for Ornithology, The Royal Society for the Protection
of Birds and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee in association with the Wildfowl and Wetlands
Trust. Data used in these assessments will be the most recent five year period for which data are
available.

The winter period is defined as September to March.

The following will be considered for selection as Grade A SBIs:

WB1 BIRDS – Significant Wintering Population of an Individual Species. Sites that
regularly support a significant proportion (more than 10%) of the total Greater Manchester
wintering population (based on WeBS counts) of an individual native water bird species (as defined
by Wetlands International).

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For other wintering bird sites the following guidelines may be used:

WB2 BIRDS – Wintering Schedule 1 Any site which regularly supports a wintering population
of any bird species included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), as amended.

Species to which this Guideline may be applied in Greater Manchester include, but may not be
exclusive to:

Bittern, peregrine, black redstart, barn owl, kingfisher, black necked grebe, merlin,
Mediterranean gull.

WB3 BIRDS – Wintering UK Priority Species Any site of significant importance for wintering
birds listed as UK Priority Species, which have not been included in the previous Guidelines. These
are species included in Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006

WB4 BIRDS – Wintering Assemblages Any site which supports a significant proportion of the
total Greater Manchester wintering population (based on WeBS counts) of all recorded waterbird
species (as defined by Wetlands International). The following figures should be used to determine
the grading of the site:
 Grade A - supports 3% or more
 Grade B – supports between 1% and 2.99%
 Grade C - supports between 0.5% and 0.99%

Some sites whilst not regularly supporting high numbers of water birds may occasionally be of key
importance, particularly in very harsh winter weather (freezing conditions), in enabling species to
survive. Sites that may qualify include rivers and large reservoirs which may retain areas of open
water whilst all other still water bodies in the area have frozen over. Avoiding disturbance at such
sites may be vital to the survival of water birds in freezing conditions. For sites such as these the
following guideline should be used:

WB5 BIRDS – Wintering Harsh Weather Sites Sites that occasionally (during harsh weather
conditions) support a significant proportion (more than 10%) of the total Greater Manchester
wintering population (based on WeBS counts) of any native water bird species (as defined by
Wetlands International).

Thresholds – With the exception of Schedule 1 species all percentages relate to a minimum of 20 birds
of an individual species. Definitions: “Regularly” is defined as being recorded in three out of the last
five years for which data are available.

Further information on the interpretation of the Bird Guidelines may be sought from the Greater
Manchester Bird Recording Group in the determination of how significant a site may be for a
particular species in the sub-region or in the district concerned.

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Mm MAMMALS

Bats

All species of bats are UK and European Protected Species and UK Biodiversity Priority Species (except
common pipistrelle, which was removed in the 2007 UK BAP Review).

The distribution and population sizes of bats in Greater Manchester are not well understood. In
addition, the number of species present in the County is not truly known. To date validated records
for eleven species are known and all are considered of conservation importance. These species are:
 Common Pipistrelle
 Soprano Pipistrelle
 Brown long-eared
 Daubenton’s
 Whiskered
 Brandt’s
 Noctule
 Natterer’s
 Nathusius’s Pipistrelle
 Leisler’s
 Serotine

The Bat SBI Guidelines will not generally be applied to occupied domestic dwellings or active industrial
buildings. However, consideration will be given to the selection of sites in these types of premises,
where the site is either critical to that species’ survival in the Greater Manchester context, or supports
high species numbers or exceptional populations. The boundaries of any site selected may include
key feedings areas and/or commuting routes to feeding areas where they can be identified.

Mm1 BATS Sites qualifying for consideration for selection will include one or more of the
following:

Hibernation sites that are regularly used in one of the following ways:
-
at least 5 individuals of 1 or more species
-
solely Pipistrelle sp. hibernation sites of more than 7 individuals.

A breeding roost site that regularly supports more than:
- 100 Pipistrelle sp
- 15 for Brown Long-ear
- 10 Brandt’s/whiskered
- 20 of any other species currently known to occur in Greater Manchester
- Of any size for other species not currently recorded with maternity roosts in Greater
Manchester (e.g. Leisler’s or Serotine or colonisation by Barbastelle).

Any site which regularly supports roosting by 3 or more species of bat. (Temporary night
roosts and feeding roosts are not included within this categorisation).

Any site which is of known importance for feeding bats either due to species numbers or
numbers of individuals, will be considered for selection, even where it is not necessarily
associated with a known roost.

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Further consultation on the interpretation of the final bullet point of this Guideline may be sought
from the bat specialists within the Greater Manchester Partnership (Appendix 1) on the
determination of how significant a site may be for a particular species in the sub-regional or District
context.

Other Mammals

The distribution of many mammal species in Greater Manchester are not well documented, but work
by organisations such as the Environment Agency on water voles has contributed to the increasing
understanding of species’ distributions. The principle species which will be considered for use as Site
Selection Guidelines are those on either Annex 2 of the Habitats Directive, Schedule 5 of the Wildlife
& Countryside Act or are UK Biodiversity Priority Species. In Greater Manchester these include:


Red squirrel – At the time of publication this species is only recorded from a very small number
of sites in a restricted area within Wigan.


Otter – At the time of publication there have been records or sightings for this species but no
confirmation of breeding territories. There is evidence of the species increasing its range in all
surrounding counties and it is likely that colonisation of Greater Manchester will occur.


Water vole – This species is more widely distributed in Greater Manchester, but continues to
suffer population losses and/or local extinctions due to loss of habitat and predation by mink.
Its distribution is variable across the County, with the Douglas catchment in the north west
holding a high density of populations (Water Vole Handbook ed 2 2006). The mosslands of
Salford and Wigan also hold significant populations. The results of the 3 year North West
Water Vole Project will be used to inform future assessments of this species.


Brown Hare – This UK Biodiversity Priority Species appears to be sparsely distributed across
the County, which is typical of its social ecology. However, there are some areas where the
species has a stronghold and numbers/density is high, for example but not exclusively south
Stockport. It is these areas that will be considered for SBI site selection.


Mountain Hare – The distribution of this UK Biodiversity Priority Species (UK Biodiversity
Review 2007) is restricted to the Pennines, where localised populations occur. A detailed
survey was undertaken in 2000 coordinated by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. The Greater
Manchester Pennine population forms part of this wider population.


Hedgehog - This species is believed to be widespread and ubiquitous across Greater
Manchester. Therefore, at the current time it is not envisaged that sites will be selected for
this species in isolation. Domestic gardens or grounds to dwellings are unlikely to be
considered for selection at any stage even when the distribution of the hedgehog is known in
more detail.

Boundaries for sites selected for the species listed above, should include the key habitat for breeding
territory requirements. In addition, other areas of habitat should be considered for inclusion where
it is utilised at other times of year.

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Mm2 MAMMALS Sites will be considered for selection where the site regularly supports a
breeding population of a qualifying mammal species, which is either: a significant proportion of the
County’s known population or contributes significantly to the known range in the County of the
species, but where the species and its range could be at risk because of very small populations,
recent rapid decline, or habitat loss/ change in that location.

Badgers

Badgers are protected from abuse and disruption by the Badger Protection Act and are considered as
a material consideration within the planning system. They are not deemed as a sufficient reason for
considering a site for selection as an SBI. However, where a sett or significant foraging areas are
recorded within a site being considered for selection on other Guidelines, this may influence the site’s
boundary or grade.

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APPENDIX 1

KEY PARTNERS &CONSULTEES

The list below incorporates the organisations and experts who were consulted on the document and
form the Local Sites Partnership. The terms of reference for the partnership can be found in Appendix
5. Those listed in bold will form the Key Partners who will be consulted on the annual SBI review
process as detailed at Section 6. Other individuals may be asked to comment on specific SBI selections
or reviews according to their key skills or specialism.

Greater Manchester Local Authorities
Bury
Rochdale
Oldham
Tameside
Stockport
Manchester
Trafford
Salford
Wigan
Bolton

Birds
Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group
RSPB Regional Office

Invertebrates & Amphibians
ARGSL – David Orchard
Rick Parker

Bats
South Lancashire Bat Group
Cheshire Bat Group

Botanists – Higher & Lower Plants
Alan Bamforth
Norman Bamforth

Butterflies
Peter Hardy

Wildlife Trusts & Naturalist Groups
Bolton Museum - Don Stenhouse
Oldham Museum – Patricia Francis
The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Greater Manchester & North Merseyside
Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Cheshire Wildlife Trust North Group (Trafford) - Liz Blackman
City of Trees, Andy Long

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Local Government Ecologists in adjacent counties
Derbyshire
Lancashire
EAS – for Merseyside & the Wirral
Cheshire West and Chester
Cheshire East
Peak District National Park

Statutory Agencies
Natural England
Environment Agency
United Utilities
Forestry Authority

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APPENDIX 2

SITE VISIT LETTER TO SITE OWNERS

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Greater Manchester Ecology Unit
[ADD IN CURRENT ADDRESS]

Email: xxx@xxx.xx

Principal Ecologist:
Derek Richardson

X
Your ref :
Our ref :
Doc ref :
Contact :
Phone:
Date :

Dear

ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS IN GREATER MANCHESTER

As part of the council’s continuing commitment to nature conservation and Biodiversity the Greater
Manchester Ecology Unit, on behalf of the 10 districts in Greater Manchester is carrying out ecological
surveys of land in the County in the near future. This is to assist in monitoring the state of the
environment and to provide important information for forward planning and to assist on reporting to
central government on Performance Indicators. As a Local Planning Authority, each council is required
and given powers under the Town & Country Planning Act to carry out such surveys.

Land which we believe may be wholly or partly in your ownership has been selected for survey,
because either we have no survey information for the area, or it is old and is in need of updating.
Please see the attached map for the location of the land in question, outlined in a thick black line and
named as ‘SITE NAME’ (grid reference).

Experienced surveyors will visit the site between April – September to carry out this survey, which will
take between 1 to 3 hours to complete. The survey work will be carried out by GMEU staff, who will
carry identification. Once the survey has been written up, usually in the autumn following the survey
visit, a copy will be sent to you.

Owners of land surveyed in previous years have told us that these surveys can be very interesting
and can be of use in the management of the land or for gaining additional funding to manage the site.

I attach a form which I would be very grateful if you could fill in and return to me in the prepaid envelope,
to either confirm you own some/all of the land or that you do not own any of the land in question. There
is room on the form for you to let us know if there are conditions which you may require in connection
with the survey, particularly regarding the means and day/time of the visit, so that all care can be taken
not to inconvenience you in any way.

Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation in this important survey work. If you require any further
information in connection with the survey, please contact me as soon as possible at the address shown
above.

Yours sincerely

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Ecologist

Important Notes

Local Planning Authorities are required under Section 13 of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to
undertake surveys in order to ensure that forward plans are based on fully adequate information. Planning Policy
Statement (PPS 9) published by the Department of Food and Rural Affairs, makes it clear that these surveys
should include biodiversity issues.

In pursuance of the Council’s powers under Sections 324 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as
amended the Council has authorised GMEU staff to enter the land in the County in connection with the carrying
out the survey work as described above.

Adapted from letter used by Stoke-on-Trent City Council

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APPENDIX 3
UK BIODIVERSITY PRIORITY SPECIES & HABITATS
IN GREATER MANCHESTER
February 2015

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UK BIODIVERSITY PRIORITY SPECIES & HABITATS
IN GREATER MANCHESTER

BIRDS
Arctic Skua*
Bittern
Black-tailed Godwit*
Black-throated Diver
Bullfinch
Common Scoter
Corn Bunting
Cuckoo
Curlew
Dark-bellied Brent Goose*
Dunnock (Hedge Accentor)
Eurasian Wryneck *
Grasshopper Warbler
Greater Scaup
Greenland Greater White-fronted
Goose
Grey Partridge
Hawfinch
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Lapwing
Lesser Redpoll
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Linnet
Marsh Warbler*
Nightjar
Red-backed Shrike*
Red Grouse
Reed Bunting
Ring Ouzel
Roseate Tern
Skylark
Song Thrush
Spotted Flycatcher
Starling
Tree Pipit
Tree Sparrow

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* Rare passage migrants

AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES
Slow Worm
Common Toad
Grass Snake
Great Crested Newt
Adder
Common Lizard

MAMMALS
Water Vole
Hedgehog
Brown Hare
Mountain Hare
Otter
Noctule
Soprano Pipistrelle
Brown Long-eared
Red Squirrel

FISH
River Lamprey?
European Eel
Atlantic Salmon
Brown/Sea Trout

INVERTEBRATES

Beetles
Early Sunshiner (Amara famelica)
Ten-spotted Pot Beetle (Cryptocephalus decemmaculatus)
Tansy Beetle (Chrysolina graminis)

Dragonflies & Damselflies
None known at this time

Flies
Southern Silver Stiletto Fly (Cliorismia rustica)

Tundra/Bewick Swan
Turtle Dove
Twite
Willow Tit
Wood Warbler
Yellow Wagtail
Yellowhammer

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Bees & Wasps
None known at this time

Butterflies
Small Heath
Wall
White Letter Hairstreak

Moths
Anomalous
August Thorn
Autumnal Rustic
Beaded Chestnut
Blood-vein
Brown-spot Pinion
Buff Ermine
Centre-barred Sallow
Cinnabar
Dark Spinach
Dark-barred Twin-spot
Carpet
Deep-Brown Dart
Dot Moth
Double Dart
Dusky Thorn
Dusky-lemon Sallow
Ear Moth
Figure of Eight
Flounced Chestnut
Galium Carpet
Garden Dart
Garden Tiger
Green-brindled Crescent
Grey Dagger
Haworth's Minor
Heath Rustic
Hedge Rustic
Knot Grass
Lackey
Minor-Shoulder-knot
Mottled Rustic
Mouse Moth
Neglected Rustic
Oak Hook-tip
Oak Lutestring
Olive Crescent

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Pale Eggar
Powdered Quaker
Red Carpet
Rosy Minor
Sallow
September Thorn
Shoulder-Striped Wainscot
Small Phoenix
Small Square-spot
Spinach
Sprawler
V-moth
White Ermine

Molluscs
The Shining Ram’s-horn Snail
Mud Pond Snail (Omphiscola (Lymaria) glabra)

Other Invertebrates
White clawed crayfish
Lophopus crystallinus (a byrozoan)

LICHENS
None known at this time

FUNGI
Hiericium erinaceus
Olive Earth Tongue (Microglossum olivaceum)

BRYOPHYTES
Knowlton’s Thread-moss (Bryum knowltonii)
Freiberg’s Screw-moss (Tortula freibergii)

VASCULAR PLANTS
Floating water plantain
Yellow Bird’s-nest
Grasswrack Pondweed
Corn buttercup
Greater Water Parsnip
Marsh Stitchwort

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HABITATS

Arable Field Margins
Blanket Bog
Eutrophic Standing Waters
Hedgerows (those comprising 80% or more cover, excluding archaeopyhtes and sycamore,
of at least 1 woody species)
Inland Rock outcrop and Scree Habitats?
Lowland Dry Acid Grassland
Lowland Fens
Lowland Heathland
Lowland Meadows
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland
Lowland Raised Bog
Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land
Ponds

 Ponds that meet the criteria under Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive
 Ponds supporting species of high conservation importance
 Ponds supporting exceptional assemblages of key biotic groups
 Ponds of high ecological quality
 Other important ponds

Reedbeds
Rivers (all natural or near-natural running waters)
Upland Flushes, Fens and Swamps
Upland Hay Meadows
Upland Heath
Upland Oakwood
Wet Woodland
Wood-Pasture & Parkland)

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APPENDIX 4 SBI CITATION

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SITES OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE IN GREATER MANCHESTER
Greater Manchester Ecology Unit
Council Offices, Clarence Arcade, Stamford Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne
Tameside OL7 PT
(Private & Confidential)
Site Name : x
District : X
Location : x
Grid Ref : x
Grade : x
SITE LOCATION MAP (1:10000)
© Crown Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Tameside MBC Licence No 100022697, 2014

EXAMPLE MAP SHEET

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SITES OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE IN GREATER MANCHESTER
Greater Manchester Ecology Unit
Council Offices, Clarence Arcade, Stamford Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne
Tameside OL7 PT
(Private & Confidential)
SITE NAME :
District : Bolton
LOCATION :
GRID REF :
GRADE :
SITE DESCRIPTION

EXAMPLE SITE DESCRIPTION

The habitat figures given are an approximation and are only intended to give an indication of the relative
proportions of each habitat.

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SITES OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE IN GREATER MANCHESTER
Greater Manchester Ecology Unit
Council Offices, Clarence Arcade, Stamford Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne
Tameside OL7 PT (Private & Confidential)
SITE NAME :
District : Wigan
LOCATION :
GRID REF :
GRADE :
AREA (HA) :
ALTITUDE (M) :
DATE :
STATUS :
SURVEYOR :
INITIAL SURVEY DATE :
No OF REVISIONS :
OWNER :
District REF :
HABITATS PRESENT
Area (ha)
HABITATS PRESENT
Area (ha)
Woodland broadleaved (semi-nat)
Woodland plantation

Scrub

Acid grassland

Neutral grassland – species rich

Neutral grassland – species poor

Marshy grassland/flush

Calcareous grassland

Tall ruderal

Ericaceous heath lowland/upland

Bog

Swamp/Fen/Reedbed

Pond/small lodge

Reservoir/large area of open water

Canal

Running water - River/stream/ditch

Quarry/cliff/rock/wall

Other

Areas of habitat covering less than 0.1ha recorded as 0.01
Qualifying Features Code (taken from Part 2 or Part 3 of the Greater Manchester SBI Selection Guidelines
2008).

Supplementary Features Code - for other features that are not the primary reason for SBI selection, but
are identified either as a supplementary attribute (taken from Part 1) and/or by almost reaching the Guideline
threshold (Parts 2 & 3).

COMPLETE FOR GAINS AND PARTIAL LOSSES ONLY
Loss since Last Survey :
Loss since First Survey :
Primary cause :
Secondary cause :
Gain since Last Survey :
Gain since First Survey :
Primary cause :
Secondary cause :
Net change since Last Survey :
Net change since First Survey :

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APPENDIX 5

SBI MONITORING FORM

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SITES OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE MONITORING FORM

Site code

Site Name
Grid reference of site

OS Base

District

Date first
selected
Size (ha)
Ownership
(private/public)
Dominant Habitat Type(s) when selected

Date of Monitoring Survey
Names of surveyors

General site description (dominant habitat types and land use):

List any notable features / species / habitats present not already cited

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Approximately what proportion of the site was visited (%)?

Greater Manchester Ecology Unit
Council Offices, Clarence Arcade,
Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne
Tameside OL6 7PT

Are there any signs of active management on the site? If yes, what are they?
Recommendations:

Deletion / part deletion

Extension

Change of Grade

Substantive change to site description

Only if one or more of the above is ticked as ‘yes’ should the master citation and/or the boundary map be changed
Qualifying features code(s) under current SBI guidelines
Supplementary features:

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APPENDIX 6

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF
LOCAL SITES PARTNERSHIP

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SBI SELECTION PARTNERSHIP

Membership of the Partnership

 GMEU staff

 A representative of each local authority with an appropriate level of understanding
of the system and biodiversity policy; usually from within the planning department.
These will form the core membership of the Selection Panel and be termed Key
Partners.

 Additional local authority staff may join the panel to provide a more detailed
ecological perspective. This member may be from the warden/ranger service,
countryside and leisure or be a biodiversity officer.

 Members of the voluntary sector (as shown in Appendix 1) may be co-opted to the
Selection Panel as a Key Partner depending on the sites under consideration.

 Members of statutory organisations such as Natural England and the Environment
Agency. These organisations are also considered Key Partners

The collective role of the Partnership is to:

1. Set, publish, monitor and review guidelines for the selection of SBIs

2. Co-ordinate the SBI system, ensuring consistent application of the Guidelines

3. Promote the importance of SBIs at all levels

4. Promote and support site management of SBIs, providing broad advice to
landowners/managers where appropriate and possible.

5. Promote educational use of SBIs where appropriate.

6. Co-ordinate funding provision for the SBI system and seek funding opportunities for
those activities not currently fully resourced e.g.
 Landowner identification and liaison
 Social criteria
 Provision of management advice to landowners

GMEU’s role:

1. Provide day-to-day management of the SBI system, including survey and monitoring
of sites (Target: 15% of all sites will be reviewed each year).

2. Agree with Key Partners a broad list of sites to be reviewed each year, including any
new sites recommended for consideration.

3. Consult Key Partners on proposed changes to existing sites and any deletions or
additions to the Register of Sites.

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4. Produce an annual review of changes to the SBI Register (The SBI Review).

5. After consultation with the Partnership, ensure the SBI Selection Guidelines are
updated as necessary.

The role of individual Key Partners of the SBI selection panel:

1. To represent their organisation or group on the panel, in respect to the organisation’s
biodiversity functions.

2. Scrutinise, and where possible contribute to, the information used in the SBI
selection.

3. Assess whether the Selection Guidelines have been applied correctly and
consistently.

4. Provide GMEU with details, including any relevant survey information, of any sites
considered to require:
 Revision
 Deletion from the Register
 Addition to the Register

5. Ensure all SBI citation sheets and the SBI Review are distributed to relevant
departments/individuals within their organisation.

6. Local authority representatives in addition, will submit the final revised or new SBI
citation sheets to the appropriate committee or cabinet for adoption for planning
purposes.

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APPENDIX 7

CONDITIONS OF USE FORM

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SITES OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE IN GREATER MANCHESTER
Conditions of Use of Information from the Register

1.
The Greater Manchester Ecology Unit and the ten Metropolitan Boroughs of Greater
Manchester are committed to the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitats. Persons or
organisations requesting information from the Register of Sites of Biological Importance (SBIs) are
required to inform the Ecology Unit of the purpose and location of their enquiry and the use to which
information from the SBI register will be put. Release of information from the SBI register may be
refused if it is believed that access to the information could be used against the interests of nature
conservation.

2.
A charge will be made for the release of SBI information and this will vary according to the
quantity and detail of information requested. The information is provided pursuant to Section 141
of the Local Government Act 1972.

3.
The SBI record is, unless stated otherwise, the copyright of the Greater Manchester
Ecology Unit. Data supplied for a specific purpose must not be disseminated or used for a purpose
other than that specified without the express permission of GMEU.

4.
Users of SBI information are asked to inform the Unit of new data which may come to light
as a result of their work.

5.
The use of information from the SBI register should be acknowledged, with reference to
the date of survey, in any publication or report in which the information has been used.

6.
The Greater Manchester Ecology Unit accepts that in certain cases enquiries will be made
in confidence. Users are expected to use the information responsibly.

7.
The Ecology Unit attempts to ensure that all the information contained in the SBI register is
accurate and relevant, but no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of specific items of
information within the register.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
SITES OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE IN GREATER MANCHESTER

I accept the conditions of use of information from the SBI register

Signed:

Date:

Name of organisation:

Address:

Subject and purpose of enquiry:

Please return to: Greater Manchester Ecology Unit, Council Offices, Clarence Arcade, Stamford Street,
Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside OL7 7PT Tel: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx
Please mark any written communication for the attention of the Principal Ecologist.

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GLOSSARY

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Ancient Woodland – Woodlands that are assessed to have been present since 1600.
NCC developed criteria which included woods greater than 2ha, present on maps since
first edition maps and support other features such as boundary banks, boundary with parish
boundary, names etc.
Ancient Woodland Indicator Species – A series of plant species which have been found
to be associated with Ancient Woodland. The work was undertaken in the south-east of
England and needs some interpretation for the Greater Manchester area.
ANGSt – Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards established by English Nature, as set
out in English Nature’s Report R153 – ‘Accessible natural greenspace in towns and cities:
review of appropriate size and distance’ 1995.
Archaeophytes – A plant of non-native origin but which has become established in the
wild in Britain prior to 1500.
AWI - Ancient Woodland Inventory A national process of identifying Ancient Woodland,
undertaken by NCC in the 1980’s and revised in 2007.
Base rich Soils which are derived from alkali rich material. This may be as a result of
fluvial soils such as boulder clay or are fed with water derived from alkali rich substrata
such as in base rich flushes.
Cascade – River feature including fast moving flow usually over boulders within the river
channel.
CBC – Common Bird Census Nationally recognised method for surveying breeding birds.
Organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Commuting routes Bats of several species use certain routes habitually to ‘commute’ from
roosts to feeding areas. Features such as hedgerows or woodland edges can be used.
CRoW – Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 Conferred the biodiversity on Central
Government and identified habitats and species of principle importance for nature
conservation in England.
DAFOR scale Nationally recognised scale for recording the abundance of plant species
used in the Phase 1 Survey (JNCC). The initials stand for Dominant, Abundant, Frequent,
Occasional and Rare.
Defra – Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Government
department which has responsibility for the natural environment.
Dwarf shrubs Small shrubs generally less than 0.5m high usually ericaceous, but may
also include willows.
Ecotone The boundary between two different habitat types, which often supports very
different microclimatic conditions where specialist species may find a niche.
English Nature Superseded by Natural England in 2006. Was the statutory body with
responsibility for SSSIs, SACs and protected species?
Environmental Impact Assessment Carried out under the T&CP Act EIA Regulations for
developments of specific types and/or sizes. The EIA is published in an Environmental
Statement.
Ephemeral habitats Communities of plants, bryophytes and lichens which are
characterised by their colonisation of bare sites. The communities are short lived and
usually succeed to more well established community types. Often but not always
dominated by annual weed species.
Epiphytic A species which lives upon another species, but where the host usually only
provides support or substrate and not nutrition.
Ericaceous dwarf shrubs dwarf shrubs of heather family including heathers, bilberry,
crowberry and cranberry etc.
Eutrophic Usually referring to a water body which has a very high nutrient content, often
caused by run-off from surrounding land where the use of fertilizers and/or organic inputs
are high.

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Exuviae The shed exoskeleton of a dragonfly or damselfly (and other species e.g. spiders)
when they have metamorphosed (transformed) into their adult terrestrial form from their
aquatic larval stage.
Fine-leaved grasses Term used to collectively identify grasses which do not usually
dominate a grass sward. Generally abundant in grasslands of high biodiversity value as
they do not form a dense thatch thereby herbs can occur in high numbers.
Flash Local term for a waterbody formed by ground subsidence, generally as a result of
underground mining. Common in Wigan in the Greater Manchester area
Flush A hydrological feature where subsurface water comes to the surface on a springline.
The water is usually base rich.
Forbs Flowering plants that occur within a grassland. Does not include grasses, sedges
or rushes. See also herbs.
GIS – Geographical Information System Computer systems for mapping – common
programs are MapInfo and ArcView.
Habitat community Term used to refer to the collection of plants and animals which occur
in certain physical conditions such as soil type, hydrology, aspect and altitude etc.
Ecological classification systems such as NVC breakdown the generally recognised
habitats into community and sub community types.
Habitat matrix Term used to identify an area where no single habitat is dominant, but
where two or more habitats occur within an intermingled structure of closely associated
habitat types. Changes between the habitats can occur across distances of metres.
Habitat Regulations The UK legislation which implemented the European Regulations
and the identification of European nature conservation sites SACs.
Herbs Another term used to identify flowering species in a grassland. See Forb above.
Imago Adult sexual form of insects that metamorphose e.g. butterflies and dragonflies.
Invasive species Generally non-native species that have been introduced into the region
or country. They have an invasive habit and often become dominant to the detriment of
the native flora or fauna. Species include Japanese knotweed, New Zealand pygmyweed,
Himalayan balsam, signal crayfish and Harlequin ladybird.
Larval food plant Specific plant used by the larva/pupae of species such as caterpillars of
butterflies and moths. Example; nettle is the food plant for the tortoiseshell butterfly.
LDF – Local Development Framework Strategic planning documents which are replacing
UDPs. Each Unitary Authority, which in Greater Manchester are the District or City
Councils, produces an LDF to identify the policies which govern the planning decision
making process. These are now (2015) called Local Plans.
Local As used in the aquatic invertebrate Guideline is a species confined to limited
geographical area and/or specialist habitats that are wide spread but nowhere assessed
as common.
Locally native Term used to identify species which occur within a given geographical
location. E.g. field maple is only locally native in the south and midlands of England. It
does not occur naturally in the northern part of Greater Manchester but does to the south
of the County on the Cheshire Plain.
Lodge A local term referring to an artificial waterbody usually made to provide power or
water source for industrial purposes e.g. textile mills.
Mesotrophic Refers to moderate inherent fertility. Usually used in reference to soils or
waterbodies.
Metapopulation Where a metapopulation of a species occurs within a landscape of
individual populations found within a locality. Individuals will ‘mix’ with other individuals
from an adjacent population over an extended period of time. Often used in connection
with amphibians which occur in metapopulations across a number of ponds.

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Modified lowland bog Natural (unmodified) bogs are altered by a number of external
factors such as drainage in the surrounding countryside, eutrophication (nutrient
enrichment) from fertilization of adjacent fields and changes in pH of rainfall.
Nationally Notable A (Nb A) Species recorded in 16 – 30 10km squares.
Nationally Notable B (Nb B) Species recorded in 31 –100 10km squares.
Nationally Rare Species recorded in less than 15 10km squares. Also equates to RDB3
(Red Data Book 3).
Nationally Scarce A species recorded in 16 – 100 10km squares. The category is
subdivided into Nb A and Nb B.
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) - National government guidance within the
strategic planning process. Used to guide the formulation and interpretation of Local Plan
policies.
Natural England The statutory body with responsibility for statutory sites such as SSSIs,
SACs and protected species. Formed in 2006 from the amalgamation of English Nature,
Countryside Commission and the Rural Development Agency.
NCC – Nature Conservancy Council Predecessor of the statutory agencies English
Nature and Natural England.
NVC – National Vegetation Classification A detailed system for identifying plant
communities and sub communities of habitats by extensive quadrat survey and use of
ordination computer programmes. Developed in the 1980s.
Oligotrophic Refers to very low natural fertility within waterbodies.
OS – Ordnance Survey The organisation which publishes the maps for the United
Kingdom.
Oxbow A river feature where a small curved linear pond is formed when the natural
processes of erosion and deposition of silts isolates a bend in a river.
Passage Refers to birds which are in the process of migrating from summer breeding
territories to wintering grounds, or vice-versa. Routes and staging posts for resting and
feeding are used habitually by certain species.
Phase 1 Habitat Survey A vegetation survey technique developed by NCC in 1970s to
allow consistent identification of broad habitat types. A standard methodology and
handbook are used produced by JNCC 1990.
Point bars A river feature of natural watercourses formed from the deposition of sediments
on the inside of a river bend.
Pond cluster A group of ponds which all occur within 500m of each other.
Pool A slow moving area of water within a watercourse, which has been created by
scouring out a deeper section of channel by the downward force of water.
PPS 9 – Planning Policy Statement 9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation
Former national government guidance within the strategic planning process. Used to guide
the formulation and interpretation of UDP/LDF policies.
Propagule Mechanism by which plants spread or colonise new ground. Can either be
sexual mechanisms such as seed or asexual such as grass tillers, budding etc.
Pupae The life stage of an insect which is undergoing metamorphosis from a larvae to
imago/adult. Also termed a chrysalis in butterflies.
Rapids Area of fast flowing water in a watercourse where water turbulence is high and is
usually associated with a rocky substrate. Usually associated with pools.
RDB – Red Data Book Species recorded within the RDBs are subdivided into
 RDB1 – Endangered – only single population in 1 10km square
 RDB 2 – Vulnerable – species selected on the basis of population decline
 RDB3 – Rare – see Nationally Rare

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Riffles & runs Terms used in combination when defining river characteristics. Riffles are
shallow turbulent fast moving bodies of water and runs are deeper but still fast flowing
areas with little or no turbulence.
River terrace The old floodplain of a river where active erosion has changed the course of
the river and a new deeper channel has left the terrace at a higher level.
RIGs Regionally Important Geographical Sites, the geological equivalent of the second tier
nature conservation sites.
SAC – Special Area of Conservation Sites of European nature conservation importance
designated under the Habitats Regulations 1994.
Saproxylic An organism which is totally dependent on dead organisms to obtain its
nutrition e.g. certain species of fungi.
Semi-natural Most habitats which are found in England are no longer considered natural,
as they have been modified by man-made processes.
Sett The series of underground passages and chambers used for shelter by badgers.
SPA - Special Protection Area A European site selected for its important bird
assemblages. Designated under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.
SRI - Species Rarity Index A ratio of the number of species found against the sum of the
score for the relative rarity of each species. Used by entomologists to evaluate various
sites against each other where different assemblages of species occur.
SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest Statutory site designation for the UK.
Designated under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981(as amended).
Substantive nature conservation importance Term used in planning legislation referring
to a site which has nature conservation value as assessed against a recognised system of
analysis.
Succession The natural process of change which occurs as habitats change from one
type to another over a period of time. For example open grassland habitats will eventually
succeed to woodland communities.
Sward The vegetation of grassland including all elements of grasses/sedge/ rushes and
forbs/herbs.
UDP – Unitary Development Plan Strategic planning documents which are being
replaced by LDFs. Each Unitary Authority, which in Greater Manchester are the District or
City Councils, produces an LDF to identify the policies which govern the planning decision
making process.
Unmodified soil structures Soils which have not been disturbed by ploughing, fertilization
or introduction of artificial changes in drainage.
Unverified records Biological recording term referring to a record which has not be verified
by a recognised professional/amateur recorder.

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REFERENCES

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‘Accessible Natural Greenspace in Towns and Cities: Review of Appropriate Size and
Distance’ English Nature Research Report 153 1995 by C Harrison, J Burgess, A Millward
& C Dawe

‘Biological Heritage Sites – Guidelines for Site Selection’ Lancashire County Heritage Site
Scheme – (February 1998)

‘Butterfly Atlas of Greater Manchester’ P Hardy 1997

‘Criteria for Selecting Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation in Hampshire’
Hampshire County Council - October 1996 Downloaded from web site

Critical Pond Biodiversity Surveys – Jonathan Guest and David Bentley 1995-1998.

‘Derbyshire Wildlife Site Selection Guidelines’ 2003 – Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

‘Flora of Cheshire’ A Newton 1971 Cheshire Community Council Publications Limited

‘Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines’ English Nature version August 2001

Greater Manchester Bird Report - Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group

‘Guidelines for Identifying and Grading Sites of Biological Importance in Cheshire’ – 1st
Edition January 1997 – Ian Marshall and Len Johnson

‘Guidelines for the Selection of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs/Wildlife
Sites) in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’ an extract provided by Sue Timms Ecologist
for Leicester (July 2007)

‘Guidelines for Selection of Biological SSSIs’ – Nature Conservancy Council - 1989 with
subsequent revisions from the JNCC web site
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2303 .

‘Guidelines for the Selection of Sites of Biological Importance in Greater Manchester’
revision date unknown circa 1984

‘Local Site Systems – Guidance on their Development and Management’ – Defra March
2006

‘National Indicators for Local Authorities & Local Authority Partnerships – Handbook of
Definitions’ Communities and Local Government Publications May 2008

NVC books Rodwell

North West water vole survey (Environment Agency)

Otter survey (Environment Agency 1999 by Penny Anderson Associates).

‘Phase 1 Handbook' JNCC

Pond survey of Bury (2004 & 2005) – under contract to Bury MBC

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‘Ponds & Pond Landscapes of Europe – Proceedings, International Conference of the
PondLife Project’ 30th August – 2nd September 1998 Edited by John Boothby

‘Report on the Species and Habitat Review – Report to the UK Biodiversity Partnership’
Biodiversity Reporting and Information Group, June 2007

‘Review of the coverage of urban habitats and species within the UK Biodiversity Action
Plan’ English Nature Research report 2005 Report Number 651 by G Tucker, H Ash &
Colin Plant

Review of the Sites of Biological Importance System (SBI) in Cheshire – Consultation
Paper (August 1996)

‘Scrub Management Handbook’ - pub The Forum of the Application of Conservation
Techniques (FACT) English Nature September 2003

Sites of Biological Importance in Greater Manchester – Explanation of the Survey – Greater
Manchester Countryside Unit date unknown circa 1987

‘The Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy’ - Appendix 1 Policy, criteria and procedures for
identifying nature conservation sites in London – Mayor of London

‘The Somerset Grassland Fungi Project 1997 – 1999 – Somerset Environmental Records
Centre’
–
Project
Officer
Richard
Thompson
downloaded
as
pdf
from
http://www.somerc.com accessed 2006

‘Travis’s Flora of South Lancashire’ Ed Savidge, Heywood & Gordon 1963 Liverpool
Botanical Society

‘Urban Mersey Basin – Natural Profile’ English Nature by Ralph Tomlinson 1997

‘Wax-cap grasslands – an assessment of English sites’ English Nature Research Report
2004 Report Number 555 by S Evans

White-clawed crayfish survey (Environment Agency 2005)

‘Veteran Tree Management Handbook’ – Helen Read pub. English Nature 2000