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. , 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. In England the body responsible for designating SSSIs is Natural England, which chooses a site because of its fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features. 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 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.Natural England citation sheets for each SSSI. Retrieved 2007-03-04.

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.Dark Peak, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17 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.Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17

The central region, to the north of Sheffield is largely dependent on the presence of coal measures in the area's 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 area's river systems. The area is predominantly covered with small fields or areas of peatland.Natural Character Areas, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire & Yorkshire Coalfield, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17Southern Magnesian Limestone, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17Humberhead Levels, Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17South Yorkshire (Barnsley, Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster Districts) Natural England. Retrieved 2009-02-17

Sites Site name Reason for designation Area Grid reference Year in which notified Map Biological interest Geological interest Hectares Acres Anston Stones Wood33.788.31955 Ashfield Brick Pits0.61.41955 Bilham Sand Pits0.20.11987 Bradgate Brickworks0.92.21988 Cadeby Quarry97.0240.01977 Canyards Hills64.1158.41990 Carlton Main Brickworks15.538.41989 Dark Peak31,852.978,708.41951 Denaby Ings24.560.61977 Eastern Peak District Moors8,094.420,001.61955 Edlington Wood99.7246.71979 Hatfield Moors1,400.73,461.1 1954 Lindrick Golf Course22.054.4, , 1987 Little Don Stream Section1.12.61977 Maltby Low Common6.014.81970 Neepsend Brickworks4.310.61988 Neepsend Railway Cutting1.43.51988 New Edlington Brickpit0.20.41989 Owston Hay Meadows5.513.51979 Potteric Carr118.6293.01977 Pye Flatts Meadows2.25.41990 River Idle Washlands88.6219.0, , , 1972 Roche Abbey Woodlands52.8143.81979 Sandall Beat63.9157.91984 Shirley Pool15.538.41955 Spring Meadows, Alderman's Head & Cow Croft Meadows16.841.62005 Sprotbrough Gorge76.9190.11988 Stairfoot Brickworks0.10.11999 Stannington Ruffs2.45.91988 Thorne Crowle and Goole Moors1,918.64,740.91970 Totley Wood14.736.41954 Wadsley Fossil Forest0.30.71990 Went Ings Meadows6.415.8, 1981 Wharncliffe Crags14.535.81988 Wood Lee Common6.415.81958

See also List of SSSIs by Area of Search

Notes Data rounded to one decimal place. Grid reference is based on the British national grid reference system, also known as OSGB36, and is the system used by the Ordnance Survey. Link to maps using the Nature on the Map service provided by English Nature. 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. Incorporates three formers SSSIs: Hallam Moors being first notified in 1955, Eastern Moors in 1964 and Houndkirk Moor in 1972. SSSI is split between South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. 36.7 hectares (90.6 acres) is in South Yorkshire. SSSI is split between South Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 1309.1 hectares (3234.7 acres) lie in South Yorkshire.

References