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Special Areas of Conservation

The Stiperstones and The Hollies

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority Shropshire and Staffordshire
Centroid* SJ375006
Latitude 52.59916667
Longitude -2.923333333
SAC EU Code UK0012810
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 602.18
* 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 The Stiperstones and The Hollies SAC

General site character

  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (1%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (75%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (10%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (10%)
  • Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (4%)

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

  • 4030 European dry heaths

    This site in central Britain is an example of European dry heaths that contains features transitional between lowland heathland and upland heather moorland. The most extensive vegetation type present is H12 Calluna vulgaris – Vaccinium myrtillus dry heath, which is characteristic of the uplands. South-facing slopes support stands of H8 Calluna vulgaris – Ulex gallii heath, a predominantly lowland vegetation community of south-west Britain. The heathland of the Stiperstones is in excellent condition because it is managed by a programme of rotational, controlled winter burning and cutting.

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

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

  • Not Applicable

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.