Environment

The following designations apply to the landscape of Wealden:

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

Covers two-thirds of Wealden

High Weald AONB	45,000 hectares including Ashdown Forest
Sussex Downs AONB	6,000 hectares including the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's)

29 sites, including:

Pevensey Levels	3,500 hectares which is also a National Nature Reserve and Ramsar Site (recognition as a wetland of international importance)
Ashdown Forest	3,100 hectares, the largest area of land in the South East that has never been ploughed, also a Special Protection Area (European Habitats Directive)

Environmentally Sensitive Area

		Covers part of the South Downs, where traditional agricultural methods are encouraged
Ancient Woodlands
	Approx 10,000 hectares is designated as 'ancient' 15-20% of Wealden is woodland

Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest

18 within Wealden

Scheduled Ancient Monuments

102 within Wealden

Sites of Archaeological Importance

301 sites within Wealden

Wealden Design Guide

If you are considering submitting an application which will affect the surrounding landscape, flora and/or fauna, you are advised to look at Chapter 3 of the Wealden Design Guide, a Supplementary Planning Document, the purpose of which is to encourage a higher standard of design for development within the District.

This chapter provides specific information and advice to help you take proper account of biodiversity and wildlife matters when considering proposals for development. Further information is also given on matters covering ecological surveys, tree surveys and protected specifies.