Recommendation 91

There is a target to restore 75 per cent of protected sites to a favourable condition by 2042. 124 Natural England holds an objective to achieve ‘favourable condition’ status for all Sites of Scientific Interest (SSIs), meaning that the habitats and features are in a healthy state and are being conserved by appropriate management. 125 In June 2023, 39 per cent of SSSIs were in a favourable condition; in 2003, 44 per cent were in a favourable condition. 126 Richard Benwell, CEO of the Wildlife Countryside Link, told us “68 per cent of Sites of Special Scientific Interest have not been visited or monitored in the last six years”. 127 Natural England has tools to secure the good management of SSSIs but has used them only nine times in the previous 20 years. 128