County Geology Site

County Geology Site (often abbreviated to CGS) is a conservation designation in the British Isles, used in parts of Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. In the UK the designation confers no statutory protection, unlike SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

Classification

The designation shows a site's geological importance and the areas designated appear in planning policies, and on planning maps. The designation is classified by the UK government as a 'Local Site' [1] though sites can be of regional, national or international importance.

Regional Variations

Many local geological sites were originally called RIGS (Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites) which had their origin in "Earth science conservation in Great Britain - A Strategy" published in 1990. In some areas the designation RIGS continues under its original name (e.g. in Dorset,[2] and Greater Manchester), but in Wales RIGS now stands for 'Regionally Important Geodiversity Site', while in other areas the equivalent local geology site is now called a 'County Geology Site' (to correspond to County Wildlife Site, e.g. in Cornwall[3] with matched criteria for CWS and CGS[4]), County Geological Site (e.g. in Devon[5]), County Geodiversity Site (e.g. in Norfolk[6]), Local Geological Sites (e.g. in Staffordshire, Essex[7] and Berkshire[8]) and others. These sites are selected by local groups, such as wildlife trusts, geology trusts, geological societies and local authorities, with the sites being vetted by a Local Sites Partnership involving local government.

Ireland

In Ireland the term 'County Geological Site' is used in County Limerick, County Donegal, and others.[9]

References
  1. "Nature conservation: Local Sites in positive conservation management in England, 2008-09 to 2018-19". Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. "DIGS - Dorset's Important Geological Sites". Dorset's Important Geological Sites Group (DIGS). Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  3. "County Geology Sites". Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  4. "County Geology Site Criteria for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly" (PDF). Cornwall Wildlife Trust 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  5. "What are County Geological Sites?". Devon RIGS Group. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  6. "Geodiversity in Norfolk". Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  7. "Welcome to GeoEssex". Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  8. "What are Local Geological Sites?". Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  9. "The Geological Heritage of County Limerick" (PDF). Geological Survey of Ireland. 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
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