Community Member Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs are designed for community groups or members of the public who are interested in finding out more about Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). Please refer to other pages in the SINC Resource Hub for further information.
How can I access information on SINCs?
The London wide SINC dataset can be accessed in several ways. 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 community data reports for no charge. Consultants can access information on SINCs through GiGL’s data search reports. Full boundaries and citation information as well as standard & predictive SINC AoD mapping are available under licence to GiGL Service Level Agreement (SLA) partners.
Are SINCs protected from development?
This is a non-statutory designation, meaning that SINC status alone doesn’t protect an area by law. However, SINCs are still afforded protection from development or incompatible land uses within the planning system. Local Planning Authorities should follow national policies such as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), as well as regional strategies such as the London Plan, to avoid, mitigate, or compensate for impact on SINCs in the planning process.
Sites that are SINCs may also be covered by other designations that offer protection in the planning system, for example Green Belt or Local Nature Reserves (LNR).