Doncaster geodiversity assessment. Volumes 1 & 2

This report describes a resurvey of Doncaster’s RIGS (Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites) commissioned by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC). It updates and expands the 1997 South Yorkshire RIGS Group survey of geologically important areas in Doncaster Barnsley and Rotherham. Since 1997 the concept of geodiversity has moved up the planning agenda. The recent Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (PPS9), which places equal weight on biodiversity and geodiversity is a key driver in this process. The report will allow DMBC to develop a Doncaster Geodiversity Action Plan and incorporate this within the Local Development Framework. RIGS resurvey work took place between January and March 2007. Site assessment data was collected using the UKRIG Site Assessment Form and entered into the UKRIGS GeoConservation database. Problems were encountered in using this database, especially importing and exporting data and the translation into a user-friendly report format. The database entries have been exported and appended to ESRI shape files for use in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 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. The new sites are: • DR1-Denaby Woods –Mexborough Oxbow Lake • DR2-Harlington Railway Cutting • DR3-Cadeby Waste Water Works • DR4-Nearcliff Wood Quarries • DR5-Levitt Hagg Wood • DR6-Barnburgh Cliff