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Special Areas of Conservation

Tyne and Allen River Gravels

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority Northumberland and Tyne and Wear
Centroid* NY689624
Latitude 54.95555556
Longitude -2.485555556
SAC EU Code UK0012816
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 36.76
* 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 Tyne and Allen River Gravels SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (5%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (20%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (50%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (15%)
  • Coniferous woodland (2%)
  • Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (8%)

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

  • 6130 Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae

    This site in north-east England encompasses the most extensive, structurally varied and species-rich examples of riverine Calaminarian grasslands in the UK. The river gravels contain a range of structural types, ranging from a highly toxic, sparsely vegetated area with abundant lichens through to closed willow/alder Salix/Alnus woodland. In addition, the site is of considerable functional interest for the series of fossilised river channel features. Spring sandwort Minuartia verna and thrift Armeria maritima are particularly abundant, and there are several rare species, including Young’s helleborine Epipactis youngiana, which has its main UK population at this site. The site is also of great importance for its lichen communities. A number of rare and scarce species are present, including the Red Data Book-listed Peltigera venosa.

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

  • 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.