Designating SINCs helps to protect London’s rare and distinctive habitats and species. The SINC network enhances well-being, offering people opportunities to connect with nature, which is linked to better mental health and childhood development. SINCs also provide essential ecosystem services, such as flood management, urban cooling, and air quality improvement, supporting a more sustainable and resilient city. The understanding, protection and improvement of the SINC network not only benefits biodiversity but also enhances quality of life, making London a better place to live, work, and invest in.

SINC protection, and elements of their protection, such as the protection of important species and habitats, is outlined in policy and legislation (see below).

 National Planning Policy Framework 2024

Chapter 15: Conserving and enhancing the natural environment.

 London Plan 2021

Chapter 8: Green Infrastructure. Specifically, Policy G6 Biodiversity and access to nature.

 London Environment Strategy (LES) 2018

Appendix 5 provides guidance on the SINC selection, extracted from the previous GLA SINC advice note (2019).

Chapter 5 ‘Green Infrastructure’ proposal 5.2 1a addresses SINCs and London Plan policies relating to SINCs recognising biodiversity and access priorities.

Objective 5.1 and 5.2 provide two quantified objectives relating to the role of the SINC network in protecting priority habitats.

 Environment Act 2021

Part 1 Environmental governance, Chapter 1 Improving the natural environment.
Part 6 Nature and biodiversity (BNG & LNRS).

 London’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

Published in 2026, it is recommended that boroughs use the LNRS to align Local Nature Recovery Plans in accordance with individual Local Plan cycles.

 Natural Environment & Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006

Part 3 Wildlife etc., Section 41 Biodiversity lists and action (England) & Section 40 Duty to conserve and enhance.

 Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981

Chapter 8: Informs the assessment of core criteria for SINC designation.

 The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

Outlines the Regulations affording internationally recognised protection to rare habitats and species at the European level. Where such designated sites overlie SINCs, greater protection is afforded in the development planning system.

 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949

Informs statutory instruments for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) designations, and of National and Local Nature Reserves (NNRs and LNRs, respectively), which, when overlapping with SINCs, provide greater protection in the planning process.

 London’s Green Infrastructure Framework (LGIF)

A London-wide strategic evidence tool designed to support the planning, delivery and long-term management of green infrastructure. The LGIF consolidates key data into resources to help guide decisions on where and how green infrastructure can deliver the greatest social and environmental value.

Published in March 2026, the LGIF replaces the 2018 GI Focus Map and the 2012 All-London Green Grid.

One key way to get involved in the SINC review process is by enhancing the database that ecologists will be accessing for reviews by recording species to GiGL. Recording improves species evidence for sites and offers a great way to connect through events, guided walks, youth nature clubs, or surveys. Apps, spreadsheets or webforms can be used to capture sightings on the spot. Discover the recording methods below and get in touch with a member of our Community Team to discuss how we can help further.

 Submit 1-20 Wildlife Records

 Regularly Record – using GiGL’s recording spreadsheet

 Recording Apps

Regular recording ensures that measures for species richness and rarity (two of the SINC designation criteria) are improved and as up-to-date as they can be for sites. Some species records can also act as indicators for important habitats.

Species and habitat richness and rarity are key criteria for SINC designation, protection and management. Certain species and habitats are protected at both local and national levels, with some protections being legal and others non-legal but still significant. While GiGL receives data for all species, not just those of conservation concern, the lists below can help individuals explore designations and support those interested in recording.

 Species designations

• A list of legal designations affording species protections, as well as other notable (non-legal) designations.

 Species Lists – follow this link to access the below resources:

• Greater London and Middlesex Axiophyte List: A list of plant species which are indicators of habitats of interest for nature conservation.
• London’s LNRS Focus Species Longlist: Created as part of the steps to developing the capital’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The spreadsheet includes information on the primary habitat and practical measures deemed important for the recovery of each focus species.
• London Invasive Species: Invasive non-native species that are cause for concern and a potential threat to the value of London’s natural environment.
• London Priority Species: London’s priority species are those species we share our city with that are national priorities for conservation and those that are believed to be declining in London or beyond.

 London’s Biodiversity Action Plan

• The archived London Priority Species and Habitat Action Plans created by the London Biodiversity Partnership (now dissolved) can also be a useful resource, though some of the information may be outdated.

A Local Biodiversity Panel is a time limited task and finish group that should be established to help identify which sites should be included in a review and to evaluate the recommendations in a local borough context. In the case of a partial review, the local expertise of the Panel will support prioritisation of sites to be surveyed, for example by highlighting non-SINC sites that should be included because of species or habitats they support.

The SINC Advice Note requires boroughs to establish a local panel, and it is the responsibility of the LA to convene one. Existing forums and partnerships should be used where established, such as Local Biodiversity Partnerships, to avoid duplication. Suitable participants for a Panel would include:

• Acknowledged local natural history experts (e.g. council ecologists or London Natural History Society members).
• Local wildlife group leads (e.g. local bat group, bird groups)
• eNGO leads actively working in the Boroughs
• London Geodiversity Partnership members

The chair of the group could be the Borough Biodiversity lead, or a member of the group voted in, determined by the panel’s terms of reference.

To engage in public consultations, keep an eye on your Local Authority website via their consultation or Local Plan webpages. Visit Planning Aid for London or Planning Aid England for more information about when and how to get involved:

 Planning Aid for London

 When should you get involved in Local Plans? | Planning Aid England

If you are concerned about recommendations and would like to submit a consultation response supported by evidence, GiGL can assist with the provision of data summaries, information and advice to community members. Find out more:

 Accessing GiGL Data | SINC Resource Hub

Proposed changes are also reviewed by the London Wildlife Sites Board (LWSB). The board provides expert and independent advice on the review process and should be consulted on SINC reviews and proposed changes.

 London Wildlife Sites Board

Once recommendations have entered public consultation as part of local planning Regulation 18, they can be entered into GiGL’s proposed SINC (pSINC) dataset. These proposals have not yet been officially adopted within a Local Plan. There can be a long gap between SINC reviews and official adoption, so GiGL have established this pSINC dataset to allow these sites to be shared with GiGL stakeholders to benefit their conservation. 

 GiGL pSINC Timeline

Whether you’re interested in discovering SINCs near you or concerned about their management or a potential development near a SINC, GiGL can support you by providing data, information, and advice. Find out more:

 Accessing GiGL Data | SINC Resource Hub

Members of the public can view and learn about all publicly accessible SINCs on GiGL’s online interactive map, DiscoverLondon, while local community groups and members of the public can request bespoke outputs from GiGL, including community data reports to view further information for no charge. Contact a member of GiGL’s Community Team to discuss.

SINCs are collated from LPAs and their boundaries and citations processed and standardised by GiGL. Areas of Deficiency (AoD) in Access to Nature are areas where people have to walk more than one kilometre to reach an accessible SINC of Metropolitan or Borough Importance. GiGL will calculate and update AoD based on SINC changes and any consequential changes to site access. These data can then be made available for decision making and research via GiGL’s products and services.

 Areas of Deficiency in Access to Nature

SINCs are afforded protection from development or incompatible land uses within the planning system. This is a non-statutory designation, meaning that SINC status alone doesn’t protect an area by law. However, national policies such as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), as well as regional strategies such as the London Plan (Policy G6), helps to ensure that impacts on SINCs are avoided, mitigated, or appropriately compensated for through the planning process.

Many SINCs also overlap with statutory nature conservation designations (protected by law), which convey greater protection. In London, these include:

• 157 Local Nature Reserves 
• 3 National Nature Reserves
• 3 Special Areas for Conservation 
• 2 Special Protection Areas
• 2 RAMSAR sites
• 37 nationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Head to the glossary to find out about each designation:

 SINC Resource Hub Glossary

Many SINCs are managed with the help and commitment of local people. If you would like to get involved with your local site, you can find local Friends Groups and resources here:

 Resources for Volunteers & Community Groups | Parks for London

 Find a Friends of Group