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Special Areas of Conservation

Cannock Extension Canal

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority Shropshire and Staffordshire, West Midlands
Centroid* SK020058
Latitude 52.64972222
Longitude -1.970555556
SAC EU Code UK0012672
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 5
* 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 Cannock Extension Canal SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (75%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (10%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (4.9%)
  • Other land (including Towns, Villages, Roads, Waste places, Mines, Industrial sites) (10.1%)

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

  • Not Applicable

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

  • 1831 Floating water-plantain Luronium natans

    Cannock Extension Canal in central England is an example of anthropogenic, lowland habitat supporting floating water-plantain Luronium natans at the eastern limit of the plant’s natural distribution in England. A very large population of the species occurs in the Canal, which has a diverse aquatic flora and rich dragonfly fauna, indicative of good water quality. The low volume of boat traffic on this terminal branch of the Wyrley and Essington Canal has allowed open-water plants, including floating water-plantain, to flourish, while depressing the growth of emergents.

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

  • Not Applicable

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