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List of Areas of Special Scientific Interest in County Down


This is a list of the Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) in County Down in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

In Northern Ireland the body responsible for designating ASSIs is the Northern Ireland Environment Agency – a division of the Department of Environment (DoE).

Unlike the SSSIs, ASSIs include both natural environments and man-made structures. As with SSSIs, these sites are designated if they have criteria based on fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features. On top of this, structures are also covered, such as the Whitespots mines in Conlig, according to several criterion including rarity, recorded history and intrinsic appeal.[1]

For other sites in the rest of the United Kingdom, see List of SSSIs by Area of Search.

Data is available from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's website in the form of citation sheets for each ASSI.

Site name Reason for Designation Area[A] Council Year declared Map
Biological Interest Geological Interest Historical or Cultural Interest Hectares Acres
Aughnadarragh Lough ASSI149 Green tickY     5.18 12.8 Ards; Down 1999
Aughnadarragh Lough SAC045 Green tickY     5.18 12.8 Ards; Down 2005
Ballyquintin Point NNR040 Green tickY Green tickY   n/a n/a Ards 1987
Ballyquintin Point ASSI087 Green tickY Green tickY   29.99 74.1 Ards 1995
Copeland Islands Green tickY     81.55 201.52 Ards 2004
Whitespots   Green tickY   2.04 5.05 Ards 1999

References

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  1. ^ Environment and Heritage Service