Statutory Designations
Ashdown Forest is an area of European ecological importance. It is designated by the UK government as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Ashdown Forest is part of the European Union's Natura 2000 Network.
Though not a statutory designation, Ashdown Forest forms part of the Western Ouse Streams and Ashdown Forest Biodiversity Opportunity Area, and is thus a subject of the Sussex Biodiversity Action Plan, which aims to focus conservation bodies, local government and statutory agencies on work to conserve and enhance the habitats and species of Sussex.
Ashdown Forest lies within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The areas covered by the statutory designations are not identical to and are generally larger than the area of Forest administered by the Conservators. The SSSI covers 3,144 hectares (12.1 sq mi), mainly because, in addition to the Forest land covered by the Conservators, it also includes the Ministry of Defence's Pippingford Park Dry Training Area, accounting for 11% (346 hectares (1.3 sq mi)) of the SSSI, Hindleap Warren, Broadstone Warren, and Sussex Wildlife Trust's Old Lodge Local Nature Reserve, which covers 76 hectares (0.3 sq mi). The SPA covers 3,207 hectares (12.4 sq mi) while the SAC covers 2,729 hectares (10.5 sq mi).
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