Ponds are not directly protected by legislation (except for a few ponds of international importance that meet criteria under Annex I of the Habitats Directive).
However, ponds that support protected species such as great crested newts do receive some protection under species legislation (e.g. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Conservation Natural Habitats Regulations 1994, The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000).
Some ponds are in designated sites, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest or local wildlife sites, which offer varying levels of protection.
Ponds are also a UK Priority Habitat, and subject to local Biodiversity Action Plans in many areas, which means authorities such as local councils and government agencies must consider ponds (under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 they have a duty to have regard to biodiversity in everything that they do, including giving planning permission, writing policies, running their business and managing their own sites).
Some of the rarer plants and animals that live in ponds are protected under the law.
There are also many other national, regional and local planning policies and guidance that highlight the importance of ponds and direct land use and development control planners to have regard to ponds when making decisions.
