Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

What are Special Protection Areas?

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are designated under the European Commission Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (1979).

Under this directive, the UK Government must designate SPAs to conserve the habitat of certain rare or vulnerable birds (listed in the directive) and regularly occurring migratory birds. It has to protect SPAs from any pollution, disturbance or deterioration.

For more information on SPA, visit the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website.

Special Protection Areas in Dorset

Dorset Council manages:

• Dewlands Common
• Parley Common
• Pine Clump, Upton Heath
• Slop Bog
• Stephens Castle
• Turners Puddle Heath