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Special Areas of Conservation

Johnstown Newt Sites

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Wales
Unitary Authority East Wales
Centroid* SJ310466
Latitude 53.01222222
Longitude -3.028333333
SAC EU Code UK0030173
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 69.29
* 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 Johnstown Newt Sites SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (4%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (1%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (10%)
  • Improved grassland (15%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (45%)
  • Other land (including Towns, Villages, Roads, Waste places, Mines, Industrial sites) (25%)

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

  • 1166 Great crested newt Triturus cristatus

    This site lies near to Wrexham in north-east Wales and is composed of two post-industrial sites where coal and clay have been extracted. The population of great crested newts Triturus cristatus is one of the largest known in Great Britain and has been the focus of much conservation management over the last few years. Breeding sites are provided in part by a mining subsidence pool, and natural water-filled hollows on clay, whilst other ponds have been created as part of nature conservation management. Terrestrial habitat varies from marshy grassland, grazed farmland and swamp through to scrub and broad-leaved woodland. Good populations of the widespread amphibian species are also present.

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.