Hull Biodiversity Action Plan

This plan includes areas of naturally vegetated urban land and industrial land, including railway land, dockland and other under-used sites. Industrial sites are often secure and undisturbed by human activity, bringing benefits for a wide range of birds and flowering plants. Intensification of agriculture and increasing development on greenfield sites is making wildlife refuges scarce elsewhere. With correct management the range of wildlife that industrial habitats support can be very varied.

Meadow Brown Butterfly

The soil on many abandoned industrial sites is often poor and may contain poisons such as heavy metals. The lack of nutrients encourages a wide range of plants. The open ground is important for lichens, butterflies, moths, beetles and bees. These sites are common within urban areas and are often close to where people live.

Both active and disused railways provide important wildlife corridors linking areas of semi-natural habitats. Along the active railway lines, little vegetation survives on the track bed itself due to the regular use of herbicides. However, the rough grassland and woodland found alongside railways attracts a range of insects, particularly butterflies, as well as many different mammals and birds. Embankments and, in particular, odd pockets of land created where lines meet are havens for wildlife. Disused lines and sidings are particularly important from a conservation point of view. Railways have been important in assisting the movement of some species e.g. Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus); although in some cases tracks are a barrier to dispersal.

Dockland can also provide important habitat for many species. In areas where dockland has been left vacant for some time, species-rich plant and animal communities have had time to develop. Demolition sites and land awaiting development also provide important habitat; such sites are very variable in nature and usually temporary. These sites are generally naturally colonised and support pioneer plant and animal communities. Plant species such as Rosebay Willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) and Butterfly-bush (Buddleja davidii) are characteristic of the early stages among the brick rubble of recently demolished sites, and over time are gradually replaced by longer-lived plants, shrubs and trees. Areas of land awaiting development often provide unmanaged rough grassland habitats and small mammals such as voles, mice and shrews will live there and become prey for Weasels (Mustela nivalis), Stoats (Mustela erminea), Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus).

CURRENT STATUS

Active and disused railway lines span nearly all of the country. There are about 17,700 kilometres of British railway lines and about 30,000 hectares of adjacent land. Most cities also include areas that are under-used or disused, although such sites are often temporary in nature.

The active and disused railway lines of Hull form a significant network of diverse habitats across the city, some 40 kilometres in length, and make a valuable contribution to the extent of semi-natural habitat in Hull. The verges and embankments of the active lines are ideal for wildlife with large areas of grassland, Bramble and Hawthorn scrub and some notable wooded sections. Although very different in character the disused lines, such as the Hull to Withernsea line, are equally valuable. The disused sidings and tracks provide a habitat for grassland species now otherwise uncommon in the area, for example Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneria) and Toadflax species. The railway sidings on Calvert Lane are home to breeding birds such as Sparrowhawk, Willow Warbler (Phyllocopus trochilus), Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) and possibly Linnet (Carduelis cannabina), as well as some commoner species. Butterflies identified on this site include Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperanthus) and Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris). The Calvert Lane site also contains areas of naturally regenerating Birch woodlands. Woodlands are a scarce resource in the City so this area is of particularly high value. The importance of railway land for wildlife within Hull has been recognised and a number of the disused railways and sidings have been designated as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).

Within Hull, industrial land accounts for most of the land awaiting development. This includes the site of the former Sculcoates power station and the disused areas of the docks. Hull is a major commercial port and a large area of the city is occupied by dockland, approximately 20 hectares of which are unused at present. The disused docks and surrounding areas used to be home to many plant species from around the world that were introduced as seed as a result of commercial activity. Some of these species spread throughout the city and further afield. The introduction of non-native plant species on to docks has become rare, nevertheless, these urban sites are important for both native species and established foreign plant species. Uncommon species which occur on the disused docks of Hull are Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata), Viper's-bugloss (Echium vulgare) and Great Mullein (Verbascum thapus).

There are other areas of land around the City that can also be described as industrial land, such as demolished sites and current development sites. These temporary sites are important for allowing pioneer plant species to survive and spread throughout the city.

CURRENT FACTORS AFFECTING THE HABITAT

The current Government policy promotes the use of previously-developed (brownfield) land for development. This policy protects many greenfield sites, but also threatens to remove the valuable wildlife refuges that develop on other land within urban areas. Disused railway land is often subject to development pressure, both for housing and employment. Priory Park and Summergroves are recent examples of this and there are many other such areas within Hull where there is pressure for development. Much of the disused dockland within the City has been developed for commercial or residential use, for example St. Andrew's Quay and Victoria Dock Village.
There are pressures for public access routes along disused railways. This leads to conflicts of interest e.g. off-track mountain bikers causing disturbance to wildlife such as birds nesting in wood embankments. This problem is evident at the disused railway land on Calvert Lane.
Derelict land is not always regarded as having wildlife potential. Many derelict sites are considered eyesores that attract public abuse such as fly tipping, bonfires, motorbike scrambling and anti-social behaviour. Lack of management on sites that have been abandoned for some time may result in a loss of biodiversity.

CURRENT ACTION

Legal Status

Many of the under-used industrial sites within Hull are designated as SNCI, however most are proposed for development and may be lost in the future.

Management, Research and Guidance

Railtrack are in the process of producing a Biodiversity Action Plan for their whole network. The plan will identify important habitats on and alongside active railways and recommends management to enhance the wildlife interest whilst at the same time allowing routine maintenance.

KuHCC have ensured protection of a colony of Common Lizards (Lacerta vivipara) on the site of the new Community Super Stadium and ensured developers provide a suitable habitat for the lizards when the development is complete. KuHCC have also required developers to translocate a colony of Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera) on a development site at Sutton Fields.

ACTION PLAN AIMS

To recognise the biodiversity value of derelict sites in the location and design of new developments.
To determine the distribution of industrial land with significant wildlife value.
To provide improved information about the biodiversity value of derelict sites for planners and developers.
To ensure species protection or appropriate mitigation where sites are to be developed.
To raise public awareness of the biodiversity value of derelict sites.
To assist in the production of a national Biodiversity Action Plan for the active rail network.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO

Action	Target	Partner	Aim
Policy and Legislation
Where sites are to be developed consider translocation of important species or appropriate mitigation.	Short Term: Translocation of Bee Orchids on development site at Sutton Fields. Short Term: Relocation of Common Lizards from site of the new Community Super Stadium, and ensure appropriate mitigation.	KuHCC (Planning) KuHCC (Property), EN, YWT	1,3,4
Habitat Management and Protection
Consider new SNCI designations on important sites.	Medium Term: Review of SNCI.	KuHCC (Planning)	5
Advisory
Assist in production of Railtrack Biodiversity Action Plan	Short Term: Provide information to Railtrack about habitats and species on Hull's active rail network.	KuHCC (Planning), NEYEDC	6
Future Research and Monitoring
Identify neglected sites of particular significance for biodiversity and outline any management needs.	Medium Term: Review of SNCI. Ongoing: Monitoring of plant species, including quantitative surveys of Yellow-wort and Bee Orchid. Ongoing: Monitoring of bird species.	KuHCC (Planning)HNHS HVWG, EYB	2,3
Communications and Publicity
Highlight the importance of industrial land for wildlife.	Short Term: Article in press on value of industrial land. Medium Term: Produce a leaflet on value of railways for wildlife.	YWT Railtrack	5

WHAT WE CAN ALL DO

Keep an eye out unusual plants on industrial sites and send records to the Hull Biodiversity Partnership.
Keep a corner of sites as mini-wildlife reserves.
Create a wildlife pond.

LINKS WITH OTHER ACTION PLANS

This action plan should be considered alongside those for Grassland, Trees, Scrub and Hedgerows, and The Built Environment. Species associated with this habitat for which plans have been produced include Linnet, Common Blue Butterfly, Yellow-wort, Bee Orchid, Wall Ferns and Lichens.

REFERENCES

Crackles, C, E. (1990) Flora of the East Riding of Yorkshire. Hull University & Humberside County Council, Hull.

Kingston upon Hull City Council (1998) Derelict Land Survey. Kingston upon Hull City Council, Hull.

Marshall, B.G. (2001) Comparative Biodiversity and Conservation Value of Brownfield and Greenfield Sites. MSc Dissertation (Unpublished).

Middleton, R. (2000) The Plants of Hull: A Millennium Atlas. (Retrieved January 2002, from http://www.hull.ac.uk/hullflora)

Wheater, C. P. (1999) Urban Environments. Routledge, London.

Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (1998) A Brown and Pleasant Land: Household Growth and Brownfield Sites. POST Report 117. POST, London.