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Special Areas of Conservation

River Wensum

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority East Anglia
Centroid* TG022176
Latitude 52.71777778
Longitude 0.993888889
SAC EU Code UK0012647
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 306.79
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of River Wensum SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (42%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (12%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (40%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (6%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 1092 White-clawed (or Atlantic stream) crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes

    The Wensum is a chalk-fed river in eastern England, and is an eastern example of riverine white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes populations. As with most of the remaining crayfish populations in the south and east of England, the threats from non-native crayfish species and crayfish plague are severe. Designation of the river as a SAC provides as much protection as can be afforded to such vulnerable populations.

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.