SITE INFORMATION : BROWNFIELD

BROWNFIELD LOCATION

MICROCLIMATE

Brownfield Location

The site is partically enclosed by surrounding trees, resulting in sunlight being obstructed in the early morning and late afternoon and some rainfall being intercepted.

The small woodland and Vitafoam factory to the South and West (see top aerial photo) will intercept and reduce the prevailing wind speed.

The neighbouring industrial processes raise the temperature slightly at the site compared to its surroundings.

From 1950-1970, the site was occupied by a large cotton mill, featuring tanks and a reservoir. In 1970, the mill was extended eastwards towards the River Irk.

Since the demolition of the mill after a fire in 2000 (see Former Cotton Mill page), the site has remained derelict. The only remnants are the tarmac, gravel and concrete that the site was built on.

Over the last 16 years vegetation has established on the site, creating a 'brownfield wilderness'.

(Ordnance Survey, 2015e)

HISTORY

1950 1970 1990 2016

South-West Facing East Facing

There is no management or maintenance at this site. It is currently used by a few dog walkers or a place to discard waste. The site is currently advertised as a potential plot for housing development.

The underlying soil is freely draining, slightly acidic and sandy. It has a low fertility and carbon content. However, the surface of the site is artificial. Although the cotton mill was demolished, the tarmac, gravel and concrete surfaces/foundations remain.

Bare ground is apparent alongside pioneer species which have pushed through rough substrates and established. The open character, bare ground and disturbed soils have created a new wildlife corridor this this industrial area.

(British Geological Survey, 2015a)

SOILS

MAINTENANCE & USE

INTENSIVE/EXTENSIVE VIEWS

ECOLOGY

The diversity of species that brownfield sites can support is suprising. Often viewed as derelict and worthless, they can create wildlife corridors to link nearby habitats. Their open character, disturbed soils and bare ground provide perfect conditions for invertebrates and reptiles, including common lizards and slow worms (The Wildlife Trusts, 2016). Garden tiger and cinnabar moths are also associated with brownfield sites.

The low nutrient content results in greater plant diversity as fast growing species cannot establish (Adamo et al. 2015). Flower-rich grasslands provide nectar and pollen for hoverflies, bees and butterflies. Thistles, ragworts (Jacobaea vulgaris), fairy flax (Linum catharticum), common centaury (Centaurium erythraea) and blue fleabane (Erigeron acer) appear alongside rarer orchids, including fragrant (Gymnadenia conopsea), pyramidal (Anacamptis pyramidalis) and bee (Ophrys apifera).

Temporary pools of water are used by common frogs, great crested newts and natterjack toads and they can support plants including horsetails (Equisetum arvense), rushes and the yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus). Scrub habitats provide shelter and nesting opportunities for small mammals, such as voles, and birds, such as linnets.

The site is relatively flat (see image). Most surface water is evaporated or taken up by the plants. However, the drainage is impeded by the soil conditions (see below).

(Ordnance Survey, 2015b)

DRAINAGE

As the site is surrounded by trees that have established on the boundary and small woodland, there are limited views. The Vitafoam factory can be seen to the south-west, moreso in winter when the leaves have fallen making the canopy more transparent. To the East, views extend over a large area of bare ground, bordered by trees.

Views within the site are limited to the bare ground, discarded waste, earth mounds and the road which runs through the site (see top aerial photo).

RL

SITE INFORMATION : BROWNFIELD

BROWNFIELD LOCATION

MICROCLIMATE

Brownfield Location

HISTORY

1950 1970 1990 2016

South-West Facing East Facing

The underlying soil is freely draining, slightly acidic and sandy. It has a low fertility and carbon content. However, the surface of the site is artificial. Although the cotton mill was demolished, the tarmac, gravel and concrete surfaces/foundations remain.

Bare ground is apparent alongside pioneer species which have pushed through rough substrates and established. The open character, bare ground and disturbed soils have created a new wildlife corridor this this industrial area.

(British Geological Survey, 2015a)

SOILS

MAINTENANCE & USE

INTENSIVE/EXTENSIVE VIEWS

ECOLOGY

The site is relatively flat (see image). Most surface water is evaporated or taken up by the plants. However, the drainage is impeded by the soil conditions (see below).

(Ordnance Survey, 2015b)

DRAINAGE

Views within the site are limited to the bare ground, discarded waste, earth mounds and the road which runs through the site (see top aerial photo).

RL

SITE INFORMATION : BROWNFIELD

BROWNFIELD LOCATION

MICROCLIMATE

Brownfield Location

HISTORY

1950 1970 1990 2016

South-West Facing East Facing

The underlying soil is freely draining, slightly acidic and sandy. It has a low fertility and carbon content. However, the surface of the site is artificial. Although the cotton mill was demolished, the tarmac, gravel and concrete surfaces/foundations remain.

​

Bare ground is apparent alongside pioneer species which have pushed through rough substrates and established. The open character, bare ground and disturbed soils have created a new wildlife corridor this this industrial area.

​

(British Geological Survey, 2015a)

SOILS

MAINTENANCE & USE

INTENSIVE/EXTENSIVE VIEWS

ECOLOGY

​

The site is relatively flat (see image). Most surface water is evaporated or taken up by the plants. However, the drainage is impeded by the soil conditions (see below).

​

(Ordnance Survey, 2015b)

​

​

​

​

DRAINAGE

Views within the site are limited to the bare ground, discarded waste, earth mounds and the road which runs through the site (see top aerial photo).

RL