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GIS Technical Details
These files require unzipping. If you do not have an unzip program, you can download WinZip from their web site.
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GIS Digital Boundary Datasets
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How the Datasets are arranged
The Datasets are divided into Topics, such as "National Nature Reserves". Some Datesets, such as "Sites of Special Scientific Interest", are available by Topic in convenient 100km files, based on the Ordnance Survey grid - there are up to 27 files per Topic. Most Datasets, such as "Natural Areas", are available as a single "England-wide" file.
 
Dataset formats
The Datasets are available in several formats suitable for use in a Geographic Information System (GIS) - MapInfo TAB; MapInfo MID/MIF; ESRI Shape; AutoCad DXF. It may be suitable for other software packages that can handle these formats. Other formats may be available in due course.
 
Zip Files
The Datasets are "zipped up" which reduces the size of data being transferred over the network to your computer, and will require "unzipping" with WinZip. You may download an example Zip File, which contains a single SSSI boundary in all three formats. To unzip the datasets you will need a program such as WinZip, which can be downloaded by visiting http://www.winzip.com/ and following the setup instructions. To download a sample dataset please click on the link below:
Download Sample
 
To download a ZIP file to your computer or server:
1. Select a Dataset Type (for example, SSSIs)
2. Select a Data Format (for example, MapInfo TAB)
3. Select 100km square (if selecting a 100km subset)
4. Select a download option
5. After reading the Terms and Conditions, click "I agree"
6. If data is available, a "shopping basket" style page appears
7. You may select more data, or you may choose to proceed with the download
 
Use of the Datasets
Use of the Datasets is generally unrestricted. Please note that by downloading the GIS data you will be accepting the Terms and Conditions as shown on the Download Page.
 
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