Brownfield Hub

Wildlife-rich brownfields develop as a result of periodic disturbance and abandonment, combined with low nutrient soils, and in many cases, introduced materials such as chalk, sandy dredgings or industrial materials such as Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA). They provide unique mosaics of habitats and microhabitats in close proximity, including unusual combinations which can be uncommon in the wider landscape. Many invertebrates have complex life cycles, needing different things at different stages, so they often require two or more habitats close to each other – a common feature of wildlife-rich brownfields. Brownfields can support species at the northern limits of their range, as their open bare ground warms up quickly in the sunshine. They are also used by burrowing and ground nesting invertebrates, as bare ground near expansive flower-rich areas can be a limited resource in the wider landscape.

Wildlife-rich brownfields support some of our most threatened invertebrate species. The once widespread Shrill Carder Bee (Bombus sylvarum) is now found in just a handful of populations in England and Wales – with the strongest relying on the wildflower-rich brownfields of the Thames Estuary, such as at Canvey Wick. Species only found in the UK on brownfields, include the Critically Endangered Distinguished Jumping Spider (Attulus distinguendus), and the endemic and globally Critically Endangered Horrid Ground-weaver Spider (Nothophantes horridus)- found only in Plymouth’s limestone quarries in the whole world. Their value for other species groups is also increasingly being recognised, with wildlife-rich brownfields supporting thriving populations of amphibians and reptiles, small mammals and flowering plants.

Despite the importance of brownfields being acknowledged in the formal priority habitat ‘Open mosaic habitat on previously developed land’, inappropriate ‘brownfield first’ policies often prioritise these biodiversity hotspots for development within Local Development Plans, which can then be difficult to change. Subsequent planning decisions are being made on the basis of inadequate ecological information, resulting in the loss of nationally and internationally important invertebrate populations. Many wildlife-rich brownfields have been identified as Local Wildlife Sites or included within Important Invertebrate Areas, but few benefit from statutory protection, leaving them vulnerable to this threat of development.

Buglife is working hard to address the problems confronting brownfield biodiversity, through developing brownfield habitat management advice, advocating for protection of ‘Open mosaic habitat on previously developed land’ and looking to change hearts and minds. By changing public opinion on the value of brownfields, we hope to encourage a ‘biodiversity first’ approach to planning policy, where sites of low value for wildlife, whether brownfield or greenfield, are prioritised for development.

We also want to see developments that do go ahead on brownfield sites maximising opportunities to retain areas of brownfield habitat, maintain connectivity, and incorporating wildlife-friendly designs such as brown roofs and landscaping.