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Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Started by: jo anne (34699) 

Today’s Photo-a-Day is another outstanding photograph by Oy - Winter Silver Birches

It was taken at Highfield Moss, Lowton, which is one of Wigan Borough's four SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest).

Does anyone know any of the other three? (I admit I don’t!)

Started: 13th Jan 2021 at 08:33

Posted by: spacebar (539)

jo anne, there is a link on the Wigan Council site to the SSSI, I’ve tried to do a link to it but failed!
They are Highfield Moss, Astley Moss, Bryn Marsh and Ince Moss, Abram Flashes.

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 10:11
Last edited by spacebar: 13th Jan 2021 at 10:23:42

Posted by: TerryW (inactive)

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 10:49

Posted by: jo anne (34699) 

Thanks, Spacebar and TerryW. I wouldn’t have got any of those if I hazarded a guess.

What are SSSIs?
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are areas of land and water protected by law to conserve wildlife and geology.

Scientific interest can be due to the diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms, or a combination of natural features.

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 11:15

Posted by: TerryW (inactive)

If only people would respect them as they should, some people think they are there for fly tipping or having illegal parties during lockdown. I have heard of several cases of fly tipping on the mosses and flashes.

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 11:25

Posted by: jo anne (34699) 

Agreed, TerryW, and it often seems harder work getting their rubbish there rather than a tip in the first place.

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 11:38

Posted by: TerryW (inactive)

Indeed it is, Jo Anne. A pointless exercise in my opinion by very stupid lazy people.

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 11:50

Posted by: TerryW (inactive)

Oh and let's not forget the lovely tree decorations left by the lazy dog walkers.

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 11:52

Posted by: broady (inactive)

I have worked on pipeline contracts where we have has SSSI’s to protect plants etc. In a lot of cases not worth the effort or cost. I especially remember one alongside the A6 from Carlisle to Penrith to protect some “ rare” thistle. We did everything we were instructed to. Used special excavators to pull soil back, stored it all on terram, protected the plants and reversed the actions when the pipe was laid. I spoke to the farmer after completion who was amazed at the lengths we went to. He said every Autumn he threw diesel or similar on and fired it up and it grew back stronger and healthier every Spring.

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 15:43

Posted by: tonker (27834) 

Broady, did you ever have to erect a net, a foot high, to stop newts wandering onto the carriagway and getting squashed?

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 18:06

Posted by: wnwanderer (52)

Didn't they try to get Orica made an SSSI with David Bellamy involved?

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 19:17

Posted by: tonker (27834) 

Oh., and jo anne, they aren't "Wigan Borough's" Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 19:33

Posted by: broady (inactive)

Tonker,
When I worked on the Mawdesley to Warrington pipeline British Gas had a guy full time looking for newts. He found one which the men had brought on site. Where they thought they were crossing we had to erect ultra violet sheeting so they wouldn’t get sunburn. We had to make ramps fully carpeted for them to cross. We were based at Gadbury Fold. I told the van driver to get some offcuts next time he was driving round. BG rejected them and insisted we use Axminster or Wilton carpet. I heard a figure of £1m mentioned as the cost of the exercise. We were cost plus so no problem to us.

Replied: 13th Jan 2021 at 19:58
Last edited by broady: 14th Jan 2021 at 19:06:08

Posted by: jo anne (34699) 

I enjoyed reading your insights, Broady, thanks.

Go on then, Tonker, why aren’t they Wigan Borough’s SSSIs?

Replied: 14th Jan 2021 at 18:15

Posted by: jo anne (34699) 

Wnwanderer, re: Orica

I can find mention of David Bellamy’s support, but not of SSSI hopes for the site. There could well have been though, it was certainly worth a try.

Thread (2007):
Orica (Roburite) Housing Development


Local Life Wigan, Feb 2012

After an ‘Extra-Ordinary Meeting of Shevington Parish Council’ in 2013, they went on to ‘buy Crooke and Otters Croft Woods from Orica UK’ (Link).

The woodlands are a Site of Biological Importance (SBI).

Unlike SSSIs, SBIs have no legal protection but must be taken into consideration when planning applications affect the site.
www.wigan.gov.uk

Replied: 14th Jan 2021 at 18:59

 

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