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Greenstructure and
Urban Planning - Case Study - Sheffield, UK - Geology and
Biodiversity |
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Sheffield - the geological and biodiversity resources summarised The following notes are a very brief summary of the work undertaken in the 1990s by Dr. Ian Rotherham of Sheffield Hallam University - contact him for more details. 1. The Geological Resource in the Sheffield area The rocks underlying Sheffield have played an important role in the development of the city:
The oldest rocks found in the area, formed 300 million years ago, are of the Upper Carboniferous Period (including Millstone Grit Series and Coal Measures), when the region was sub-tropical. Distribution: to the west are the Coal Measures sandstones underlying the north east, forming ridges separated by valleys of softer rock; the Middle Coal Measures extend further north east underlying the valleys of the rivers Don and Rother; the Middle and Upper Coal Measures extend east to Doncaster and Rotherham. Peat formation began approximately 10,000 years ago on the moors. Geology data sources There are records from 500 sites in the area, including quarries, mines, railway cuttings. Most of the data relates to 'permanent' exposures, but information on temporary exposures which emerge through excavation and development is proposed. Geological Sites Natural: some geological sites are constantly modified, e.g. along a river course; other processes, such as the formation of 'edges', have ceased or proceed only slowly. Caused by human activity: iron works and coal mining extend from the mediaeval ages; the steel industry stemmed from the local abundance of materials, the local water supply and coal for fuel. The manufacture of quality bricks for kilns depends on clay and mudstones, and sandstones were used for the building and manufacture of grindstones . These sites are of particular interest to the industrial archaeologists. Quarries, coal pits and spoil tips provide evidence of the City's geology and remnants of old industrial activity can be seen throughout its greenspace system. Conservation Strategies recommended by the city in its Nature Conservation Strategy Many of the geological sites have scientific importance:
2. The ecological resource of the Sheffield area Sheffield extends over 3,600 hectares, from the western gritstone edges and tors at over 500 meters above sea level, to the low-lying river valleys in the east which are only 10m above sea level at their lowest point. Rivers flowing from the northern and western uplands down to the east/south east add great diversity to the local landscape and their valleys form the main greenspace structure through the city. Major characteristics of the district's green structure:
Major habitat types found in Sheffield:
Diagram of Nature Conservation in Sheffield - This sketch map shows the distribution of SSSIs (Sites of special scientific interest) to the west of the city where it joins the Peak District National Park (orange lines), together with the distribution of woodlands with nature conservation value (dark green). The other woodlands (mid-green) and the major parks ( light green) within the city are indicated as these all have the potential to develop some level of biodiversity over time. The red lines are the Ward Boundaries (administrative areas). For full details of the information available with regard to sites of national interest visit the English Nature website A clickable version will be added to allow you to zoom in to view the many smaller sites of scientific interest within the city boundary.
3. Council Planning Policies on nature and green - Creating and improving wildlife habitats - in the existing City Plan (under review 2003) The
information below relates to the policies that operated
until 2003. Habitat creation
Nature conservation in land management Proposals include:
Nature for people - Public participation and consultation A survey by the Sheffield City Wildlife Group in 1988 demonstrated rich and varied wildlife interest within the City. Involving the public in the protection of wild places, as well as wildlife, is an important educational factor. Examples include the establishment of Sunnybank Urban Nature Park in Broomhall, the City Wildlife Group, with support from the Council and the Urban Programme; and an urban nature reserve at Petre Street, Pitsmoor, established by the Sorby Natural History Society, with the Council. Nature conservation in people's gardens also plays an important part - e.g. nest boxes, bird tables, ponds. Consultation with local users is important when planning new parks or improving existing parks. Access to areas of natural historical interest is needed. Easy access is encouraged, where appropriate. Community involvement in the protection of conservation sites is encouraged, e.g. litter collection, tree planting, fencing.
Interpretation and Publicity
Education Over 30 school nature areas have been created, to encourage the involvement of children in wildlife and nature conservation. Teacher resource packs are planned. The City also provides funds for schools to purchase trees, shrubs pond liners and wildflower seeds. An Environmental Education Officer was first appointed in 1971.
Monitoring - Policies and progress are under regular review.
4. Planning controls for nature conservation and and biodiversity SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST AND LOCAL NATURE RESERVES Development which would damage Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)or Local Nature Reserves is not be permitted. The term SSSIs is a statutory designation by English Nature for wildlife or geological sites of regional, national or international significance. These are protected by law. The term Local Nature Reserves is a statutory designation which is placed on sites by the City Council and confirmed by English Nature. They must be owned or leased by the City Council and provide strong protection against adverse future development. Reasons
for the Policy Further Sites of Special Scientific Interest may be designated by English Nature during the period of the Plan. It is intended that this Policy should also give protection to sites designated after the Plan is adopted. There are currently no Local Nature Reserves in Sheffield but six sites are proposed and a number are being investigated. All the sites are currently designated as Areas of Natural History Interest. Official declaration of these sites as Local Nature Reserves will increase opportunities for use by local people. They will provide full access for people with disabilities and they will also become valuable sites for school fieldwork. During public consultation on the Draft UDP many organisations and individuals stated their strong support for a firm policy which protects important nature conservation sites. The City is seeking to declare the following sites as Local Nature Reserves:
The City also intends to identify additional sites where the main use of land will be nature conservation. http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/sheffield/biodiversity/habitats/
THE CITY"S APPROACH TO THE LINK BETWEEN NATURE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT A fundamental policy is to maintain and where possible enhance biodiversity within the City. The design, siting and landscaping of development is controlled where possible to respect and promote nature conservation and include measures to reduce any potentially harmful effects of development on natural features of value.
In city planning documents the term 'Natural environment' is used to cover the range of habitats that support plants and animals and which reflect geology, landforms, climate and land-use. The habitats in Sheffield include:
'Nature conservation' - is the term used in planning documents to describe the protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
Many people are now concerned about the damage being done to the environment, both locally and globally. The Government's national planning guidance recognises that the country's natural heritage is not confined to a few important sites and there are now many legal mechanisms to support a city intending to protect and enhance its natural resource. In Sheffield there is a gradation of nature conservation interest throughout the countryside areas and in urban areas. Wildlife in and around cities as in the farmed areas now depends as much on the management of the land resource as a whole as the remnants of ancient habitats.The national planning guidance requires the City Council to take account of nature conservation in deciding planning applications and in preparing development plans. Regular contact with nature improves the quality of life for people living in cities like Sheffield. It is an accepted part of the planning process that everyone should be able to live close to areas where the natural environment has been conserved. Nature conservation is also one of the stated aims in the South Yorkshire Forest area and substantial areas of the City are now being manaaged with their involvement. It is recognised that landscape schemes can enhance the wildlife of a site (e.g. by using locally native plant species). The City is intending that the Green Network, which is part of its planning policies, should enable areas rich in a diversity of habitats and usable for recreation to develop successfully, particularly in the east and north of the City where biodiversity has had less chance to thrive, due to the vast acreage of unsympathetic developments of the 1930s to 1970s.
All photographs are © Anne R. Beer, 2003 but users are free to download and use as they wish, with the proviso that the copyright is always acknowledged. Students may use the text as they wish provided they again acknowledge the sources of the text. To view the Case Studies
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