To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the protection afforded to the site of special scientific interest at Offham Marshes, near Lewes. [9519]

Under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 SSSIs are protected from damaging operations by requiring owners and occupiers to notify English Nature if they wish to carry out any listed operation that might damage the special interest of the site. Notification allows for a period of negotiations. In respect of Offham Marshes there is a management agreement in place which protects the special interest for which the site was notified.