Sidmouth's Brownfield Sites
What are "brownfield" sites in the context of the Sidmouth Nature project?
In the Sidmouth Nature project, brownfield sites refer to areas that have been influenced by human activity but still offer opportunities for nature to survive, and in some cases, thrive. These sites range from actively managed parks and gardens to areas where human intervention is minimal, allowing for natural regeneration. The project identified and surveyed 15 such sites in Sidmouth.
The 15 surveyed sites in Sidmouth were divided into three broad categories: Managed Sites (Parks and Gardens), Maintained Sites (Green Spaces), and Minimal Sites (Lanes and Waysides). This categorisation reflects the level of human intervention and management at each site.
These are brownfield sites, primarily five in number, that are actively managed as gardens or parkland areas. Four of these are publicly accessible and serve as attractive places for visitors and locals, including areas with recreational facilities like bowls, tennis, cricket, croquet, and putting. One managed site is a private estate with no public access. Despite the high level of management, these sites still support nature.
These are five brownfield sites where human intervention is significantly less intrusive compared to the parks and gardens. Habitat is actively 'maintained' within these areas to encourage nature. Examples include Sidmouth Cemetery, which has a significant area of grassland. The source suggests that classifying some of these sites as 'brownfield' might be an understatement given their natural attractiveness.
This category encompasses brownfield sites that have been heavily influenced by human activity but where intervention is 'minimal', allowing nature to regenerate the area. Examples include hedgerows along quiet roads that are only trimmed once a year, demonstrating minimal human disturbance.
The Sidmouth Nature project considers several habitat types as justifiably included in the brownfield classification. These include road verges and redundant railways offering relatively undisturbed habitat, narrow herb-rich verges, cultivated and disturbed land (including arable and ephemeral/short perennial grasslands and gardens), and amenity grassland such as mown lawns in parks and playing fields.
The 'Town Parks and Gardens' site specifically encompasses areas like the Blackmore Gardens, bowling green, tennis courts, Parish Church, croquet lawns, and cricket ground.