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Special Areas of Conservation

Barnack Hills and Holes

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority East Anglia
Centroid* TF075046
Latitude 52.6278
Longitude -0.4114
SAC EU Code UK0030031
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 23.54
* 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 Barnack Hills and Holes SAC

General site character

  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (15%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (79.5%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (5.5%)

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

  • This site hosts the priority habitat type "orchid rich sites". his habitat at Barnack Hills and Holes consists largely of CG5 Bromus erectusBrachypodium pinnatum grassland. It supports what is considered to be the largest UK population of the nationally scarce man orchid Aceras anthropophorum. It also supports a rich assemblage of other orchid species, such as fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea, pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis and bee orchid Ophrys apifera. The site represents orchid-rich grassland in the northern part of its range, on limestone rather than on chalk.

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.