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Special Areas of Conservation

River Lambourn

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Centroid* SU398739
Latitude 51.46194444
Longitude -1.426944444
SAC EU Code UK0030257
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 28.78
* 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 River Lambourn SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (100%)

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

  • The Lambourn is an example of sub-type 1 in central southern England, a chalk stream discharging into the middle reaches of the Thames system. For part of its length it is a winterbourne, drying through the summer months. It is one of the least-modified rivers of this type, with a characteristic flora dominated by pond water-crowfoot Ranunculus peltatus. In the downstream perennial sections R. peltatus is replaced by stream water-crowfoot R. penicillatus var. pseudofluitans.

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

  • 1163 Bullhead Cottus gobio

    The Lambourn represents bullhead Cottus gobio populations inhabiting chalk streams in central southern England. Good water quality, coarse sediments and extensive beds of submerged plants again provide excellent habitat for the species.

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.