Natural England - Geological Conservation

Introduction
Protected Sites
Beyond SSSIs
Strategy
People and Policies
References

Beyond SSSIs
- Introduction
- LNRs
- RIGS
- Organisations

Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites (RIGS)

Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) were established in 1990 by the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) and continue to be actively supported by the UK statutory conservation agencies. RIGS are important sites which underpin and complement the SSSI coverage. RIGS are selected by voluntary local RIGS groups, which are generally formed by county or by unitary authority area in England.

There are now more than 50 local RIGS groups in the UK. UKRIGS is an association of RIGS groups, overseeing the RIGS scheme on a national basis. Some former RIGS groups now use the term "geology trusts" under an umbrella organisation called the Geology Trusts.

RIGS are selected on a local or regional basis according to the following nationally agreed criteria:

	the value of a site for educational purposes in life-long learning;

	the value of a site for study by both amateur and professional Earth scientists;

	the historical value of a site from an Earth science perspective;

	the aesthetic value of a site from an Earth science perspective.

RIGS do not have formal statutory protection in the same way as SSSIs. However, the RIGS groups notify the local planning authorities of the RIGS which have been declared in their area and encourage the local authority to protect the RIGS through the planning process. For example, RIGS can be listed on local authorities' development plans.