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Special Areas of Conservation

Lands End and Cape Bank

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority Extra-Regio
Centroid* SW127405
Latitude 50.201
Longitude -5.825
SAC EU Code UK0030375
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 30203.63
* 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 Lands End and Cape Bank SAC

General site character

  • Marine areas, Sea inlets (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

  • 1170 Reefs

    Closely associated with the main area of offshore upstanding rocky reefs within the Lands End and Cape Bank pSAC are isolated upstanding rocky reef pinnacles to the east and south. These isolated reefs appear to be as topographically complex and as biodiverse as those in the main area of upstanding rocky reef. Much of the coastal margin deepens to 30 m within a kilometre or two of the shore. It includes areas of sand which stretch out from the major bays and as patches between rock outcrops. The resistant headlands and islands are formed of a variety of rock types including granite, metamorphic and volcanic rocks which also form a fringing reef system. The site’s south westerly position on the British coast means that the sub-littoral zone is exposed to the full force of the waves and oceanic swells coming in from the Atlantic, as well as experiencing full salinity, given the absence of any major source of fresh water run off from the land. The offshore upstanding rocky reefs areas are the most biodiverse of all rocky reef habitats within the site.

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.