Anger after Natural England confirms Penwith Moors as SSSI

Farmers in west Cornwall fear for their future after Natural England (NE) confirmed plans to turn Penwith Moors into a heavily protected nature conservation area.

The government body confirmed more than 3,000ha in West Penwith as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), after amending the total area at its board meeting in St Ives on Wednesday 28 June, due to errors in the final report.

See also: Farmers exposed by Natural England data leak over Cornish SSSI plan

The designation will recognise special features within semi-natural habitat and farmland, stretching 11 miles from Land’s End to St Ives.

NE says Penwith Moors is important for rare birds, plants and insects and claims its designation as an SSSI is essential to promote wildlife.

However, farmers and landowners fear disruption to farming activities in an area which has been managed by Cornish people for more than 4,000 years.

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Country Land and Business Association (CLA) president Mark Tufnell said he was “deeply disappointed” by NE’s decision to designate Penwith Moors as an SSSI.

He accused the body of choosing to “ignore the concerns of the farmers and land managers who know the area best”.

“The decision fails to take into account any socio-economic factors. The impact of this SSSI designation will likely be disastrous for many,” said Mr Tufnell.

“Not only will land managers now have to apply to NE for consent to carry out everyday activities, the consent would be temporary, likely take a long time to be considered, and may not be granted at all.”

The CLA’s representative at the meeting emphasised that only 38% of SSSIs under NE’s management are in favourable condition – and questioned whether designation will make any positive difference to nature.

One affected farmer told Farmers Weekly the designation put NE “in control of everything” across Penwith, as it included a long list of activities for which NE’s consent is demanded.

For example, the farmer will need prior permission for “use of vehicles or craft”.

“Effectively, I will need NE’s consent to drive a 4×4 up a 45-degree slope to feed my llamas half a mile away,” he explained.

He added: “Species indicators which NE are looking to protect have increased massively over the last two generations under Cornish management.”

NE chair Tony Juniper admitted it had been a “complicated and difficult decision” to designate Penwith Moors as an SSSI.

But he added: “We want to work in partnership with farmers to support them in delivering the best possible management to sustain nature in the SSSI and in the surrounding countryside alongside running their farm business.”