III. Species Action Plans - Newcastle City Council

3. Brownfield Land
3. BROWNFIELD LAND
General Description
This habitat action plan covers a broad
range of derelict habitats found in urban
areas, sometimes known as brownfield
sites. This type of ‘wasteland’ habitat is
generally unmanaged land, relatively
undisturbed by current human activity
and is usually characterised by
vegetation in the early stages of
succession. Such sites provide a refuge
for a wide range of animals and flowering
plants and can include the following
types of land:-
Industrial land – is often contaminated
with heavy metals and the poor soil
and lack of nutrients encourage a
wide diversity of plants, which
supports a range of insects and other
wildlife.
Railway land –disused railway land
provides important wildlife corridors
linking semi-natural habitats. Rough
grassland and woodland is often
found along railways which attracts a
wide range of wildlife.
Docklands – in areas where dockland
has been left vacant for some time,
species-rich plant and animal
communities have had time to
develop. Land areas awaiting
development are often important
wildlife sites, many of which are
variable in nature. Such sites are
naturally colonised and support
pioneer communities.
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Many derelict sites are proposed for
future development and are likely to
provide only temporary environments for
wildlife. However, some are interesting
enough to have been designated as
wildlife sites of varying importance.
Areas of derelict and unmanaged land
support a wide range of species
including slow worm, dingy skipper
butterfly, bats, breeding birds and a
range of mammals. Such sites can also
support plant species with restricted
distributions in Northumberland such as
yellow-wort, blue fleabane and bee
orchid.
Current Status
Several former colliery sites have been
derelict for a number of decades and are
now characterised by a range of habitats
and species. These sites have been
recognised as Local Wildlife Sites (LWS)
because of the wildlife they support. In
North Tyneside, designated sites such as
3. Brownfield Land
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan