List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in South Yorkshire

This is a list of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom. As of 2009, There are 35 sites designated within this Area of Search, of which 18 have been designated due to their biological interest, 14 due to its geological interest, and 3 for both biological and geological interest.[1] In England the body responsible for designating SSSIs is Natural England, which chooses a site because of its fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features.[2] Natural England took over the role of designating and managing SSSIs from English Nature in October 2006 when it was formed from the amalgamation of English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. Natural England, like its predecessor, uses the 1974–1996 county system[3] and as such the same approach is followed here, rather than, for example, merging all Yorkshire sites into a single list. Natural England produces citation sheets for each SSSI and are the main source of information for this list.[4]

South Yorkshire shown within the UK.

South Yorkshire's geography can be split into different types. The very west of South Yorkshire is part of Dark Peak which is part of the Peak District National Park and lies to the west of Sheffield. This extensive moorland is one of the largest semi-natural areas in England and has broad plateaus with rocky outcrops interspersed with valleys.[5] Moving east the land elevation drops with a transition from the peak district to coal fields. Much of this area of transition has seen urban development with Sheffield being a good example.[6]

The central region, to the north of Sheffield is largely dependent on the presence of coal measures in the areas geology. This is reflected by ancient woodlands, valley wetlands and large arable fields where there is no urban development. To the east of the coal measures is a strip of Magnesian Limestone which runs north to south between Sheffield and Doncaster. This open landscape is characterised by ancient woodlands and limestone grasslands and often has historic limestone monuments. However the light and dry soils are ideal for cultivation which means little of the original habitat remains. In the very east of South Yorkshire the Humberhead Levels dominate, with the area being relatively flat and dominated by the areas river systems. The area is predominately covered with small fields or areas of peatland.[7][8][9][10][11]

Sites
Site name Reason for designation Area[A] Grid reference[B] Year in which notified Map[C]
Biological interest Geological interest Hectares Acres
Anston Stones Wood Y 33.7 88.3 SK531831 1955 Map
Ashfield Brick Pits Y 0.6 1.4 SK515981 1955 Map
Bilham Sand Pits Y 0.2 0.1 SE487066 1987 Map
Bradgate Brickworks Y 0.9 2.2 SK413935 1988 Map
Cadeby Quarry Y 97.0 240.0 SE522003 1977 Map
Canyards Hills Y Y 64.1 158.4 SK250950 1990 Map
Carlton Main Brickworks Y 15.5 38.4 SE412081 1989 Map
Dark Peak[D] Y Y 31,852.9 78,708.4 SK110960 1951 Map
Denaby Ings Y 24.5 60.6 SE500009 1977 Map
Eastern Peak District Moors Y Y 8,094.4 20,001.6 SK270770 1955[E] Map
Edlington Wood Y 99.7 246.7 SK549980 1979 Map
Hatfield Moors Y 1,400.7 3,461.1 SE705060 1954 Map
Lindrick Golf Course Y 22.0 54.4 SK543825, SK545828, SK553827 1987 Map
Little Don Stream Section Y 1.1 2.6 SE222004 1977 Map
Maltby Low Common Y 6.0 14.8 SK545913 1970 Map
Neepsend Brickworks Y 4.3 10.6 SK350891 1988 Map
Neepsend Railway Cutting Y 1.4 3.5 SK344894 1988 Map
New Edlington Brickpit Y 0.2 0.4 SK531988 1989 Map
Owston Hay Meadows Y 5.5 13.5 SE554114 1979 Map
Potteric Carr Y 118.6 293.0 SE599003 1977 Map
Pye Flatts Meadows Y 2.2 5.4 SE274052 1990 Map
River Idle Washlands[F] Y 88.6 219.0 SK662936, SK685937, SK706945, SK720963 1972 Map
Roche Abbey Woodlands Y 52.8 143.8 SK542899 1979 Map
Sandall Beat Y 63.9 157.9 SE613037 1984 Map
Shirley Pool Y 15.5 38.4 SE568121 1955 Map
Spring Meadows, Alderman's Head & Cow Croft Meadows Y 16.8 41.6 SE229005 2005 Map
Sprotbrough Gorge Y 76.9 190.1 SE534007 1988 Map
Stairfoot Brickworks Y 0.1 0.1 SE381048 1999 Map
Stannington Ruffs Y 2.4 5.9 SK306891 1988 Map
Thorne Crowle and Goole Moors[G] Y 1,918.6 4,740.9 SE730160 1970 Map
Totley Wood Y 14.7 36.4 SK325815 1954 Map
Wadsley Fossil Forest Y 0.3 0.7 SK318913 1990 Map
Went Ings Meadows Y 6.4 15.8 SE650183, SE654184 1981 Map
Wharncliffe Crags Y 14.5 35.8 SK298974 1988 Map
Wood Lee Common Y 6.4 15.8 SK533915 1958 Map

See also
  • List of SSSIs by Area of Search.

Notes
A Data rounded to one decimal place.
B Grid reference is based on the British national grid reference system, also known as OSGB36, and is the system used by the Ordnance Survey.[12]
C Link to maps using the Nature on the Map service provided by English Nature.
D The Dark Peak site extends into three other counties and so can be found on lists of SSSIs in Derbyshire, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.[4]
E Incorporates three formers SSSIs: Hallam Moors being first notified in 1955, Eastern Moors in 1964 and Houndkirk Moor in 1972.[4]
F SSSI is split between South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. 36.7 hectares (90.6 acres) is in South Yorkshire.
G SSSI is split between South Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 1309.1 hectares (3234.7 acres) lie in South Yorkshire.

References
  1. "SSSIs in South Yorkshire". Natural England. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
  2. "Notification of SSSIs". Natural England. Archived from the original on 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
  3. "County search of SSSIs". Natural Endland. Archived from the original on 2010-08-19. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
  4. Natural England citation sheets for each SSSI. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
  5. Dark Peak, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17
  6. Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17
  7. Natural Character Areas, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17
  8. Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire & Yorkshire Coalfield, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17
  9. Southern Magnesian Limestone, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17
  10. Humberhead Levels, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17
  11. South Yorkshire (Barnsley, Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster Districts) Archived 2010-12-19 at the Wayback Machine Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17
  12. "Guide to National Grid". Ordnance Survey. Archived from the original on 2006-07-20. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
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