Sits of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are the finest sites for wildlife and natural features in England, supporting many characteristic, rare and endangered species, habitats and natural features and, as such, they are notified under the Wildife and Countryside Act (1981) legislation to recive special protection.
There are three SSSIs within the Dallington Forest Project area and the entire area is designated as being within SSSI Impact Risk Zones.
SSSI Impact Risk Zones are a tool for making rapid initial assessments of the potential risks posed by development proposals to SSSIs, SACs, SPAs, and Ramsar sites.
Further information on SSSI Impact Risk Zones is available from the data.gov.uk website:
https://data.gov.uk/dataset/5ae2af0c-1363-4d40-9d1a-e5a1381449f8/sssi-impact-risk-zones-england
Dallington Forest SSSI
A 16 Ha (40 acre) part of the ghyll woodland running south to north through Dallington Forest is designated as a SSSI due to its habitat type and populations of important plant species. It was originally notified in 1953.
Dallington Forest SSSI entry in Natural England database of designated sites: https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1002152
(In 2022, the SSSI was surveyed for vascular plants. See the ‘Plants’ page for the report and updated data on species present.)
Willingford Meadows SSSI
Willingford Meadows is an 11.4 Ha (28.2 acre) area of meadows on the side of the River Dudwell valley, and to the northeast of Dallington Forest. It was originally notified in 1990 and has since been extended.
Willingford Meadows SSSI entry in Natural England database of designated sites: https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1006042&SiteName=&countyCode=14&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea=
Bingletts Wood SSSI
Bingletts Wood SSSI is a 15.86 ha (39.2 acre) area of ancient woodland ghyll to the west of Dallington Forest noted for its habitat type and populations of important plant species. It was originally notified in 1966.