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Special Areas of Conservation

Aston Rowant

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Centroid* SU727972
Latitude 51.66833333
Longitude -0.948611111
SAC EU Code UK0030082
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 124.89
* 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 Aston Rowant SAC

General site character

  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (14%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (62.5%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (23%)
  • Other land (including Towns, Villages, Roads, Waste places, Mines, Industrial sites) (0.5%)

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

  • 5130 Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands

    Aston Rowant represents Juniperus communis formations near the northern edge of the habitat’s range on the chalk of southern England where it is rare and declining. The juniper population has been estimated to be between 1,000 and 2,000 individuals of various age-classes. It is one of the best remaining examples in the UK of lowland juniper scrub on chalk.

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.