Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are strictly protected sites designated under the EC Habitats Directive. These sites have absolute protection recognising the need to protect all forms of wildlife and their habitats. Article 3 of the Habitats Directive requires the establishment of a European network of important high-quality conservation sites that will make a significant contribution to conserving the 189 habitat types and 788 species identified in Annexes I and II of the Directive (as amended). The listed habitat types and species are those considered to be most in need of conservation at a European level (excluding birds). Of the Annex I habitat types,78 are believed to occur in the UK. Of the Annex II species, 43 are native to, and normally resident in, the UK.

A 10km buffer outside the PKC boundary has been applied to the data to show any SACs in the immediate vicinity.