Loading...
Search any UK location to check for a Local or National Nature Reserve and what its designation means for development nearby.
Updated: as Natural England and local authorities amend boundaries · Last checked by Maplify: July 2026
This layer maps National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) across England. NNRs protect the best examples of wildlife habitats and geology, and are frequently also designated as SSSIs, carrying the strongest ecological protection available. LNRs are designated by local authorities for their local wildlife or geological value and public access benefit — there are over 1,600 LNRs in England.
Both categories are distinct from privately or charity-managed nature reserves (such as those run by Wildlife Trusts or the RSPB), which may not carry the same statutory weight unless separately designated.
Nature reserve status affects both the ecological assessment burden on a development proposal and, for LNRs, the weight given to loss of valued community green space in the local plan. Developers and planning consultants check this layer to identify whether a site sits within, or could indirectly affect, a reserve through noise, drainage, recreational pressure or habitat fragmentation.
Because NNRs frequently overlap with SSSI boundaries, the practical protection at play can be significantly stronger than the "nature reserve" label alone suggests — checking both layers together avoids underestimating the ecological constraint on a site.
National Nature Reserve (NNR)
Premier wildlife and geological sites, frequently overlapping with SSSI designation.
Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
Designated by local authorities for community access to nature and local ecological value.
Development affecting a nature reserve, particularly an NNR that overlaps with SSSI status, triggers the same ecological assessment and Natural England consultation requirements that apply to SSSIs generally. LNRs also carry material weight as valued green infrastructure in local plan policy, and their loss or harm is a recognised planning consideration even without statutory SSSI backing.
Indirect impacts — increased recreational footfall, changed drainage patterns, noise or lighting from adjacent development — can all be assessed as part of a proposal's effect on a nearby reserve, so proximity matters as much as direct site overlap.
Confirm the exact reserve boundary and any overlapping SSSI status with Natural England or the local authority.
Commission an ecological impact assessment addressing both direct and indirect effects on the reserve.
Check the SSSI layer for the same site, since NNRs frequently coincide with SSSI boundaries.
Consider mitigation for recreational pressure, lighting or drainage impacts on nearby reserves.
Engage the reserve's managing body — Natural England, the local authority or a delegated trust — at pre-application stage.
This is general guidance, not professional or legal advice — confirm specifics with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Property Developers
Screen sites for direct or indirect nature reserve impact before committing to acquisition.
Environmental Consultants
Scope ecological assessments covering both direct and indirect reserve impacts.
Planning Consultants
Advise on the weight likely to be given to reserve loss or harm in a decision.
Architects
Design layouts that minimise disturbance to nearby reserves.
Surveyors
Factor reserve proximity into valuation and feasibility reports.
Landowners
Understand designation status before commissioning land management works.
Nature reserve checks are commonly run alongside these related layers.
How do I check if a site is in a nature reserve?
Search the site on Maplify and enable the Local and National Nature Reserves layers. If the site falls within a shaded boundary, its type and any overlapping SSSI status will show in the popup.
What is the difference between an NNR and an LNR?
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) protect the best examples of wildlife habitats and geology in England and are often also SSSIs. Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are designated by local authorities for local wildlife value and public access, and there are over 1,600 in England.
Does nature reserve status prevent development?
Not automatically. An NNR overlapping with SSSI status carries strong statutory protection, while an LNR carries weight as valued green infrastructure in local plan policy but generally weaker protection than a national designation.
Can I develop on land near a nature reserve?
Development near a nature reserve, particularly an NNR, can still be assessed for indirect impacts such as recreational pressure, noise or drainage changes, even where the application site itself sits outside the boundary.
Are all nature reserves also SSSIs?
No. Many NNRs coincide with an SSSI boundary, but LNRs are a separate, locally designated category that does not carry SSSI status unless separately notified.
How do I find out who manages a specific nature reserve?
NNRs are typically managed by Natural England or a partner conservation body; LNRs are managed by the local authority or a delegated trust — check the reserve's own management plan for specifics.
Open the map, generate a site report or save your search to come back to it later.
| Provider | Natural England / Local Authorities |
| Geometry type | Polygon |
| Coverage | England (1,600+ LNRs, 200+ NNRs) |
| Update schedule | Quarterly check against Natural England data |
| Reference date | July 2026 |
| Licence | Open Government Licence v3.0 |
