4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-303938373735 eng dataset Natural Resources Wales (NRW) 0300 065 3000 Maes-y-Ffynnon LL57 2DW enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk pointOfContact 2023-03-07 Gemini 2.2 urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::BNG OGP Special Protection Areas (SPA) Ardaloedd Gwarchodaeth Arbennig (AGA) Sites (SPA) Special Protection Areas.LYR Protected sites: Special Protection Areas 2022-11-28 publication 2010-08-26 revision 98775 https://naturalresources.wales This spatial dataset contains the digital boundaries of all Spatial Protection Areas (SPAs) in Wales. The EC Birds Directive of 1979 requires member states to establish SPAs to conserve the habitats of two categories of birds: i) Species which are rare or vulnerable, of which there are forty-eight in the UK. ii) Some migratory species which visit our shores regularly. SPAs in Wales are identified by NRW, in conjunction with the UK Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and designated by the First Minister for the Welsh Assembly Government. These sites are also protected through being Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The 1994 Conservation Regulations also provide a means of protecting such areas at sea. SPAs together with SACs will contribute to a European Union network of protected sites to be known as 'Natura 2000' (N2K sites). SPAs have been designated over a number of years, from 1982 to the present day, and are on-going. The data has been held digitally since the mid1990s. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) 0300 065 3000 Maes-y-Ffynnon LL57 2DW enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk owner Natural Resources Wales (NRW) 0300 065 3000 Maes-y-Ffynnon LL57 2DW enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk originator asNeeded Geographic Information System Protected sites GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2023-03-08 publication Birds Biodiversity Nature conservation Integrated Public Sector Vocabulary (IPSV) 2023-03-08 publication © CNC/NRW All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019741. Crown Copyright and Database Right Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and copyright of the owners. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose. otherRestrictions There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely. eng biota environment imageryBaseMapsEarthCover ISO3166 Countries 2023-03-08 publication Wales (WLS) -5.77774100 -2.60886500 51.24082900 53.51306700 2000-01-01 2017-11-29 Please refer to the EC Birds Directive of 1979 and 1994 Conservation Regulations for reasons for original designations. RW has also created a subset of this dataset showing only those where relate to the marine enivronment. These are available on the Welsh Government marine planning portal. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) 0300 065 3000 Maes-y-Ffynnon LL57 2DW enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk distributor https://datamap.gov.wales/layers/inspire-nrw:NRW_SPA Download Data and Web Service https://datamap.gov.wales/capabilities/layer/381/?access_token=i61nd1X0RwdwAgQrGW0sqAsWxBMiwx&ows_service=wms Web Mapping Service dataset All SPAs designated before the advent of GIS technology have been converted into digital data from paper maps of various scales. In 2008 the whole dataset was updated to OS MasterMap (to CCW 2006 OS update). This update made reference back to original designation maps and all notational descriptions on these maps e.g. boundary follows Mean High Water Mark and is liable to change. All new or re-designated sites will be put to the latest release by NRW, of OS MasterMap. With the coming of GIS and its use in government departments and commercial companies mobilising the data in this way, advances the protection of these sites and the efficiency of decision making. This data has been checked by relevant NRW staff. However please refer to the designation map as the legal definitive boundary. For recent, large SPAs that were captured digitally and have been printed on a smaller scale map than OS MasterMap, please refer to OSMasterMap edition at time of capture to view the definitive boundary. Marine SPAs will be the exception as they are shown against Marine Charts, so please refer to description for definitive boundary out to sea.