6 Geodiversity of Doncaster

6.1 Site of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI)

Four sites in Doncaster are listed as SSSIs (Figure 13):

• Ashfield Brick Pit, Conisbrough (CadebyFormation)
• Bilham Quarry (CadebyFormation)
• Cadeby Quarry (CadebyFormation)
• New Edlington Brick-clay Pit (Edlington Formation)

All four sites were cited under the Geological Conservation Review (GCR) process and the details are published in the Marine Permian of England GCR volume (Smith, 1995)

6.2 Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites (RIGS)

In 1997 the survey of geological sites in Doncaster by the South Yorkshire RIGS Group was essentially based on information gleaned from BGS Geological Memoirs and Maps, old Ordnance Survey maps and other relevant publications, largely provided by Doncaster Museum. The desktop research was undertaken by a small team of volunteers and enthusiastic amateurs, with the field work undertaken by a freelance geologist contracted on a fixed sum.

Based on criteria used to assess potential RIGS in Barnsley and Rotherham, RIGS in Doncaster were selected on the strength of:

• Representing a full cross-section of geological formations in the area
• Scientific value
• Education value
• Accessibility and aesthetic, recreation and amenity value
• Links with other biological, archaeological and architectural interests

Although several active hard rock and sand and gravel quarries were assessed as part of the 1997 field survey work, with some considered to merit RIGS status, the existing planning conditions and legislation, together with commercial interests of quarry operators deemed it necessary to omit certain sites from the RIGS selection process, even though on strict merit these would have been included in the final short list.

The increased protection now afforded to geological sites by PPS9 and the Local Development Framework and the realistic prospect of Geodiversity Action Plans, produced in conjunction with the private sector, has emphasised the need to devote professional expertise to the current project. With more time to assess each of the RIGS and related geological features, the 2007

Survey highlights the opportunity to reinforce geological links with current management plans, especially along the Don Gorge, where there is great potential to link to funding opportunities with English Heritage and Natural England, and along the Permian limestone escarpment.

The resurvey of sites was conducted during mid January to early March 2007. Site assessment data was collected using the UKRIG Site Assessment Form and entered into the UKRIGS GeoConservation Microsoft Access database. In practice, this database has proved very difficult to use, especially importing and exporting data and the translation into a user friendly report format. These database problems only came to light once the project was well underway, leaving no opportunity to introduce an alternative system.

It is therefore recommended that when undertaking future surveys of Sites of Scientific Interest within the borough, the compatibility of using this database alongside others used in Doncaster for Ecology, Archaeology and Architecture should be taken fully into account.

A summary of the 2007 survey is presented in Table 2 with sites plotted on (Figure 13). Of the 28 sites listed in 1997, 23 are recommended for continued designation as RIGS, while five sites are proposed for removal from the list. Six new sites were surveyed and are recommended for designation as RIGS, bringing the total RIGS in Doncaster to 29. For full details of the individual sites see individual site assessment reports in Appendix 1.

With respect to geological formations that are not well represented, difficulties still remain in that both the Permian marls and associated minerals, together with the soft Quaternary sediments, are extremely susceptible to natural weathering, quarrying operations and development and these are probably best recorded in addition to an archaeological or ecological survey that may be required as part of future works.

Table 2 Summary of Doncaster RIGS and potential RIGS site (D and DR in site number column respectively)