dataset · Wales
Special Protection Areas (SPA)
This spatial dataset contains the digital boundaries of all Spatial Protection Areas (SPAs) in Wales. The EC Birds Directive of 1979 requires member states to establish SPAs to conserve the habitats of two categories of birds: i) Species which are rare or vulnerable, of which there are forty-eight in the UK. ii) Some migratory species which visit our shores regularly. SPAs in Wales are identified by NRW, in conjunction with the UK Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and designated by the First
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Licence: ["There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.", "\u00a9 CNC/NRW All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number
Evidence quality: 45.9
Listed in data.gov.uk public catalogue API on 2026-10-16; relevance/value screened (haiku).
Metadata checked: 2026-10-14T13:20:00.000Z
What's in it
- Data offered docs-verified
- SPA digital boundaries (all Special Protection Areas in Wales)
- Coverage docs-verified
- Wales · 1982 to present (designation period)
- Update frequency docs-verified
- as needed
- Formats docs-verified
- Web Mapping Service (WMS)
- Access docs-verified
- Free and open: no access restrictions, NRW may release, publish or disseminate freely. Licence unclear (see limitations).
Useful for
- Use cases llm-inferred
- Habitats Regulations screening: check whether a Welsh project site or search area overlaps an SPA boundary · Ecology and planning constraints layer for Welsh site appraisals and planning reports · Statutory designated-site baseline: map SPAs within a Welsh site boundary for BNG or EIA scoping
- Audience llm-inferred
- ecologists · planners · GIS analysts · environmental consultants
Limitations
- Constraints llm-inferred
- Wales only; not applicable to England or Scotland · No spatial resolution or map scale stated in the docs · Updates are 'as needed' with no fixed schedule; the docs show 'Updated 8 October 2026' but the dataset reference date is 2022-11-28 · Only a WMS link is listed; the download format for the 'View and Download' link is not stated · Licence conflict: the docs licence field is 'Not set', while the ENTRY licence cites '© CNC/NRW All rights Reserved' and Ordnance Survey data. Check before redistribution · Docs do not say whether marine SPA extents are included
Evidence
- https://datamap.gov.wales/layers/inspire-nrw:NRW_SPA
- https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/68931d37-971a-4e4e-9866-119496e8859d/special-protection-areas-spa3
Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.