Ripon Parks is a

Site of Special Scientific Interest A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Great Britain or an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom and Isle of ...

, or SSSI, situated north of

Ripon Ripon () is a cathedral city in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. The city is located at the confluence of two tributaries of the River Ure, the Laver and Skell. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, the city ...

, to the west of the River Ure and to the east of the village of

North Stainley North Stainley is a village in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England north of Ripon. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is the closest settlement to the theme park Lightwater Valley which is to the south. Histo ...

, in

North Yorkshire North Yorkshire is the largest ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county (lieutenancy area) in England, covering an area of . Around 40% of the county is covered by National parks of the United Kingdom, national parks, including most of ...

, England. It was once part of the land held since the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...

as a deer park by the archbishops of York (including

Cardinal Wolsey Thomas Wolsey ( – 29 November 1530) was an English statesman and Catholic bishop. When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509, Wolsey became the king's almoner. Wolsey's affairs prospered and by 1514 he had become the controlling figur ...

) and the canons of Ripon. The site was

designated Designation (from Latin ''designatio'') is the process of determining an incumbent's successor. A candidate that won an election for example, is the ''designated'' holder of the office the candidate has been elected to, up until the candidate's i ...

as an SSSI in 1983, because its varied

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

s are valued for their breeding birds,

amphibian Amphibians are tetrapod, four-limbed and ectothermic vertebrates of the Class (biology), class Amphibia. All living amphibians belong to the group Lissamphibia. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living within terres ...

s and varied

flora Flora is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous) native plants. Sometimes bacteria and fungi are also referred to as flora, as in the terms '' gut flora'' or '' skin flora''. E ...

. The woods here are "of note" for the parasitic flowers of

common toothwort ''Lathraea squamaria'', the common toothwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae. It is widely distributed in Europe and also occurs in Turkey. It is parasitic on the roots of hazel and alder, and occasionally other tre ...

and yellow star-of-Bethlehem. A small part of the site is accessible via public footpaths; there are no public facilities or dedicated car parks. The site incorporates the High Batts Nature Reserve, which is privately run for training, recording and educational purposes, and accessible to members only, except for its annual open day. Ripon Parks is now owned by the

Ministry of Defence {{unsourced, date=February 2021 A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is an often-used name for the part of a government responsible for matters of defence, found in states ...

, and parts of the site are used as military training areas.

Site history

Ripon Parks forms part of a tranche of land owned by the Church since the 7th century, when the King of Northumbria – possibly

Aldfrith Aldfrith (Early Modern Irish: ''Flann Fína mac Ossu''; Latin: ''Aldfrid'', ''Aldfridus''; died 14 December 704 or 705) was king of Northumbria from 685 until his death. He is described by early writers such as Bede, Alcuin and Stephen of Ripon ...

– gave it the Liberty of St Wilfred. Archbishop John Kemp of

York York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...

claimed the fishing rights and the

warren A warren is a network of wild rodent or lagomorph, typically rabbit burrows. Domestic warrens are artificial, enclosed establishment of animal husbandry dedicated to the raising of rabbits for meat and fur. The term evolved from the medieval Angl ...

on this land in 1439; there had already been complaints of poaching there. From 1320 the park was managed by wakemen of Ripon.

Mary, Queen of Scots Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication in 1567. The only surviving legitimate child of James V of Scot ...

travelled from Bolton Castle to Sheffield Castle via this park in 1569. Wolsey

From the

Reformation The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and in ...

, the Church maintained its hold on the land via the

archbishop of York The archbishop of York is a senior bishop in the Church of England, second only to the archbishop of Canterbury. The archbishop is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and the metropolitan bishop of the province of York, which covers th ...

, and subsequently the canons of Ripon. In 1516 Miles Staveley and his son John became keepers of the park, which was at that time a "reserved hunting park" for

, who had by then acquired the

archbishopric In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associate ...

of York, and the bishoprics of

Winchester Winchester is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city in Hampshire, England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government Districts of England, district, at the western end of the South Downs Nation ...

and Durham. When hunting, the archbishops originally used Horseman's Lodge, and later a summer palace, which still exists as a school at

, in a deer park called New Park. The Staveley family remained keepers of the Park until 1647, when it was enclosed and had previously ceased to be a hunting park. Much of the land is still in the possession of the

Church Commissioners The Church Commissioners is a body which administers the property assets of the Church of England. It was established in 1948 and combined the assets of Queen Anne's Bounty, a fund dating from 1704 for the relief of poor clergy, and of the Eccle ...

, who inherited it from the Canons of Ripon. Middle Parks Farmhouse - geograph

Before enclosure, there were three hunting lodges: Chief Lodge in the south, Horseman's Lodge in the middle, and North Lodge. Enclosure divided the park into three farms, and the lodges became

farmhouse FarmHouse (FH) is a social Fraternities and sororities in North America, fraternity founded at the University of Missouri on April 15, 1905. It became a national organization in 1921. Today FarmHouse has 33 active chapters and four associate ch ...

s. The Horseman's Lodge, next to the old fish ponds, was renamed Middle Parks, and it retains a Tudor

wing A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is expres ...

. North Parks farmhouse has been cement rendered, and South Parks Farmhouse was demolished in the 1970s. In 1647 a survey recorded nearly a thousand "decayed oak trees," plus

maple ''Acer'' () is a genus of trees and shrubs commonly known as maples. The genus is placed in the family Sapindaceae.Stevens, P. F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 9, June 2008 nd more or less continuously updated since http ...

hazel The hazel (''Corylus'') is a genus of deciduous trees and large shrubs native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The genus is usually placed in the birch family Betulaceae,Germplasmgobills Information Network''Corylus''Rushforth, K. (1999). ...

hawthorn Hawthorn or Hawthorns may refer to: Plants * '' Crataegus'' (hawthorn), a large genus of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae * ''Rhaphiolepis'' (hawthorn), a genus of about 15 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the family Rosace ...

and

ash Ash or ashes are the solid remnants of fires. Specifically, ''ash'' refers to all non-aqueous, non- gaseous residues that remain after something burns. In analytical chemistry, to analyse the mineral and metal content of chemical samples, ash ...

, although by then the deer were all gone. Ripon Park was possibly once fenced in with a

palisade A palisade, sometimes called a stakewall or a paling, is typically a fence or defensive wall made from iron or wooden stakes, or tree trunks, and used as a defensive structure or enclosure. Palisades can form a stockade. Etymology ''Palisade' ...

or perhaps a hedge on an earthen bank. The

Lord Mayor of London The Lord Mayor of London is the mayor of the City of London and the leader of the City of London Corporation. Within the City, the Lord Mayor is accorded precedence over all individuals except the sovereign and retains various traditional powe ...

owned Ripon Parks between 1649 and 1660, then it reverted to the Church, which retained it until 1926. The southern section of Ripon Parks passed through several ownerships, and part of South Parks still belongs to Ripon City Golf Club. Along with Laver Banks and Ellington Banks, Ripon Parks is owned by the Ministry of Defence, and these sites are known as HG Ripon Training area, commanded from Deverell Barracks. It is used for "low level infantry dry training," plus training in use of earth-moving equipment and cross-country vehicles, and in building bridges. "The habitat in all DTE North (East) training areas is carefully managed with the best interests of the flora and fauna given full consideration."

Site location and designation

Ripon Parks is a biological

(SSSI). It follows a line along the River Ure, from just north of

, to a point just east of

. Its habitats are all river-related, and include calcareous grassland,

pasture Pasture (from the Latin ''pastus'', past participle of ''pascere'', "to feed") is land used for grazing. Pasture lands in the narrow sense are enclosed tracts of farmland, grazed by domesticated livestock, such as horses, cattle, sheep, or swine ...

pond A pond is an area filled with water, either natural or artificial, that is smaller than a lake. Defining them to be less than in area, less than deep, and with less than 30% emergent vegetation helps in distinguishing their ecology from th ...

marsh A marsh is a wetland that is dominated by herbaceous rather than woody plant species.Keddy, P.A. 2010. Wetland Ecology: Principles and Conservation (2nd edition). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 497 p Marshes can often be found at ...

, scrub

woodland A woodland () is, in the broad sense, land covered with trees, or in a narrow sense, synonymous with wood (or in the U.S., the ''plurale tantum'' woods), a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade (see ...

riverbank Riverbank or river bank may refer to: * Bank (geography), the bank of a river Places * Riverbank, California *Riverbank, former name of Bryte, California Enterprises and organizations *Riverbank Academy, a special school in Coventry, England *Ri ...

s and

stream A stream is a continuous body of water, body of surface water Current (stream), flowing within the stream bed, bed and bank (geography), banks of a channel (geography), channel. Depending on its location or certain characteristics, a stream ...

s, besides the river itself. The site was notified on 1 February 1983. All the habitats are noted for their varied flora, but all have their specialities. The "relatively undisturbed reach of river ... is important for breeding birds." The wetlands are "important for amphibians." This is a Magnesian Limestone area, with overlying calcareous grassland and its typical species. The woodlands are "of note" for

toothwort Toothwort is a common name for several plants and may refer to: *''Cardamine'', a genus of plants in the mustard family, Brassicaceae *''Lathraea'', a genus of parasitic plants in the family Orobanchaceae Orobanchaceae, the broomrapes, is a fam ...

and yellow star-of-Bethlehem. A small part of the site is accessible via public footpaths, but there are no public facilities.

High Batts Nature Reserve

High Batts Nature Reserve is a privately run study resource, and part of Ripon Parks SSSI. It is sited at the north end of Ripon Parks, between the River Ure on the east side, and Hanson's sand and gravel quarry on the west side. It has an annual Open Day, and is accessible to subscribing members, and to visitors by appointment. It includes various habitats, including meadow, coppice,

bracken Bracken (''Pteridium'') is a genus of large, coarse ferns in the family Dennstaedtiaceae. Ferns (Pteridophyta) are vascular plants that have alternating generations, large plants that produce spores and small plants that produce sex cells (eggs ...

, clearings and an orchid area, plus a stream, pond and bird hides. Training of members in

bird ringing Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweight ...

moth trap Moth traps are devices used by entomologists to capture moths. Most use a light source. Pheromone traps are also used. All moth traps follow the same basic design - consisting of a mercury vapour or actinic light to attract the moths and a box ...

ping and other wildlife recording is carried out. Birds recorded at High Batts include: marsh tit, redpoll, siskin,

great spotted woodpecker The great spotted woodpecker (''Dendrocopos major'') is a medium-sized woodpecker with pied black and white plumage and a red patch on the lower belly. Males and young birds also have red markings on the neck or head. This species is found acros ...

, redwing, goldcrest and kingfisher. Fungi include:

birch polypore ''Fomitopsis betulina'' (previously ''Piptoporus betulinus''), commonly known as the birch polypore, birch bracket, or razor strop, is a common bracket fungus and, as the name suggests, grows almost exclusively on birch trees. The brackets burs ...

, candlesnuff, dead man's fingers,

jelly ear ''Auricularia auricula-judae'', which has the recommended English name jelly ear, also known as Judas’s ear or Jew’s ear, is a species of fungus in the order Auriculariales. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are brown, gelatinous, and have a noti ...

and stump puffball. There are many bryophytes, including three which require a calcareous soil:

Entodon concinnus ''Entodon concinnus'' is a species of moss belonging to the family Entodontaceae. It has cosmopolitan distribution In biogeography, cosmopolitan distribution is the term for the range of a taxon that extends across all or most of the world ...

, Thuidium assimile and Ditrichum gracile.

Significant site content

''Note'': Unless otherwise stated, images of flora and fauna in this article are for identification only, and the photographs were not taken at this site.

Flora

In the wetlands are narrow buckler-fern,

water violet ''Hottonia palustris'', also water violet or featherfoil, is an aquatic plant in the family Primulaceae. Description The plant has a stem reaching up to in height. Its basal roots are buried in the underlying mud, while other silvery, shiny r ...

, common skullcap and marsh cincquefoil. There is also bird's eye primrose,

saw-wort ''Serratula tinctoria'', commonly known as dyer's plumeless saw-wort or saw-wort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a native of Europe with a thistle-like flower head. It grows in moist soil, full sun to part shade, ...

, marsh valerian ''(

Valeriana dioica ''Valeriana dioica'', the marsh valerian, is a species of flowering plant in the genus ''Valeriana ''Valeriana'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Caprifoliaceae, members of which may by commonly known as valerians. It contains many ...

)'', and

butterwort ''Pinguicula'', commonly known as the butterworts, is a genus of carnivorous flowering plants in the family Lentibulariaceae. They use sticky, glandular leaves to lure, trap, and digest insects in order to supplement the poor mineral nutrition ...

growing around

bog rush ''Schoenus'' is a predominately austral genus of sedges, commonly known as bogrushes, or veldrushes in South Africa. Species of this genus occur mainly in South Africa (some 44 species), Australia (some 70 species) and Southeast Asia. Others are ...

. Dryopteris.carthusiana.jpg, Narrow buckler-fern Hottonia palustris 1a.jpg,

Water violet ''Hottonia palustris'', also water violet or featherfoil, is an aquatic plant in the family Primulaceae. Description The plant has a stem reaching up to in height. Its basal roots are buried in the underlying mud, while other silvery, shiny r ...

Scutellaria galericulata W.jpg, Common skullcap Comarum palustre flower kz.jpg, Marsh cincquefoil Kleine valeriaan RIMG0076.JPG, Marsh valerian ''(

)'' Primula farinosa Šobec.JPG, Bird's eye primrose On calcareous grassland over Magnesian Limestone are

felwort ''Swertia perennis'' is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common names felwort and star swertia. It is native to several regions of the northern hemisphere, including much of Eurasia and western North America. It is ...

and

yellow-wort ''Blackstonia perfoliata'' or yellow-wort is a species of flowering plant in the family Gentianaceae found around the Mediterranean Basin, but extending into northwestern Europe. Description Yellow-wort grows tall, with stiff, branching stems. ...

, alongside the more common cowslip, wild thyme and

salad burnet ''Sanguisorba minor'', the salad burnet, garden burnet, small burnet, burnet (also used for ''Sanguisorba'' generally), pimpernelle, Toper's plant, and burnet-bloodwort, is an edible perennial herbaceous plant in the family Rosaceae. It has fe ...

. Gentianella amarella.jpg,

Felwort ''Swertia perennis'' is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common names felwort and star swertia. It is native to several regions of the northern hemisphere, including much of Eurasia and western North America. It is ...

BLACKSTONIA PERFOLIATA - PONTS - IB-256 (Clora).JPG,

Yellow-wort ''Blackstonia perfoliata'' or yellow-wort is a species of flowering plant in the family Gentianaceae found around the Mediterranean Basin, but extending into northwestern Europe. Description Yellow-wort grows tall, with stiff, branching stems. ...

Gullviva.jpg, Cowslip Thymus praecox - Iceland - 2007-07-05.jpg, Wild thyme Sanguisorba minor W.jpg,

Salad burnet ''Sanguisorba minor'', the salad burnet, garden burnet, small burnet, burnet (also used for ''Sanguisorba'' generally), pimpernelle, Toper's plant, and burnet-bloodwort, is an edible perennial herbaceous plant in the family Rosaceae. It has fe ...

The more unusual plants on the mixed woodland floor are yellow star-of-Bethlehem. and parasitic

colonies. The more frequent herbaceous plants here are

sanicle ''Sanicula'' is a genus of plants in Family (biology), family Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae), the same family to which the carrot and parsnip belong. This genus has about 45 species worldwide, with at least 22 in North America.Focus on Rarities (fro ...

, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, bluebell and Primula vulgaris, primrose. In the woodland understory, understorey are Euonymus europaeus, spindle and

. The canopy is mostly made up of Acer campestre, field maple, Acer pseudoplatanus, sycamore, Ulmus glabra, elm and

. Gagea close-up.jpg, Gagea lutea, Yellow star-of-Bethlehem Lathraea squamaria ENBLA02.jpg, Lathraea squamaria, Toothwort Sanicula europaea 02.jpg, Sanicula europaea, Sanicle Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Common Bluebell).jpg, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Bluebell Prolećno cveće 3.JPG, Primula vulgaris, Primrose Corylus avellana 001.jpg, Corylus avellana, Hazel

Fauna

Birds

Along the riverside, birds found here include kingfisher, Eurasian oystercatcher, oystercatcher and waders. In December 2017, members of Harrogate and District Naturalists' Society (HDNS) recorded yellowhammer, Eurasian bullfinch, bullfinch, Eurasian tree sparrow, tree sparrow, European goldfinch, goldfinch, redpoll, siskin, Eurasian curlew, curlew, Common buzzard, buzzard, peregrine falcon, mallard, Northern pintail, pintail, goldeneye (duck), goldeneye, Common merganser, goosander, Eurasian wigeon, wigeon, teal, tufted duck and a large Flocking (behavior), murmuration of Common starling, starling. Over 10,000 redwing passed through the site in the days following 17 October 2016, and in October and November of that year 1,417 redwing were Bird ringing, ringed there. Emberiza citrinella -Midtjylland, Denmark -male-8.jpg, yellowhammer Flying (5554005453).jpg, Eurasian curlew, curlew Common-Buzzard.jpg, Common buzzard, buzzard Peregrine Falcon from the Crossley ID Guide Britain and Ireland.jpg, peregrine falcon Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis.jpg, Common kingfisher, Kingfisher Austernfischer Haematopus ostralegus.jpg, Eurasian oystercatcher, Oystercatcher

Amphibians and invertebrates

In the wetlands the Northern crested newt, great crested newt and smooth newt are present. Among the wetlands invertebrates are the bug ''(Lygaeidae, Acompus rufipes)'', the saw-fly ''(Tenthredinidae, Rhadinocera micans)'' and the local weevil, ''(Curculionidae, Limnobaris pilistriata)''. Kammmolchmaennchen.jpg, Northern crested newt, Great crested newt TriturusVulgaris2-.jpg, Smooth newt Acompus rufipes.jpg, Bug ''(Lygaeidae, Acompus rufipes)'' Rhadinoceraea micans larva on Iris pseudocarus 02.jpg, Saw-fly larva ''(Tenthredinidae, Rhadinocera micans)''

Maintenance

All the

s on this site should be protected from potential pollution by pesticide and Fertilizer, fertiliser, including that used on adjacent land. Public access and recreation should be controlled or managed on this site.

River

The general principle of management of the river is to protect the wildlife

, which consists of the water channel (geography), channel, the bank (geography), riverbank and the vegetation upon it. The channel's form, including natural obstructions such as waterfalls, should be maintained, and artificial modifications should be restored to the natural form where appropriate, to allow fish breeding and movement of wildlife. Channel vegetation should not be cut by more than 50%, to allow seed-setting and wildlife breeding. Exposed river sediment, collapsing banks and timber debris should be left undisturbed, as habitat for invertebrates and other Biome, biota. There should be control of invasive species such as Reynoutria japonica, Japanese knotweed, Impatiens glandulifera, Himalayan balsam, signal crayfish and mink. There should be prevention of water pollution where possible, for example, chemicals including phosphorus, and Biogenic substance, organic pollution, from local and upstream housing, agriculture and industry. Organic pollution should be treated before it enters the river. To prevent soil affecting river ecology, a strip of two metres should be left unploughed along the riverbank. Floodplains should be maintained as such, or restored where appropriate. Alternative water sources for the floodplain are not acceptable, because the local ecology depends upon the river's mineral content. A variety of vegetation such as grass, fen, scrub and trees should be maintained to promote a variety of flora and fauna. Light grazing by livestock or twice-yearly cutting may be used for this purpose. Riverbank vegetation can be fenced off from livestock to avoid excessive trampling. Any woodland carr (landform), carr, Vernal pool, vernal ponds,

and oxbow lakes should be maintained to support biodiversity.

Ponds

Temporary ponds, and ponds without fish, should be maintained as they are, because they support

s and certain aquatic plants. Where there is a range of different types of ponds, these should be maintained as such to ensure biodiversity. When a pond becomes Siltation, silted up, or choked with vegetation, it should be cleared or deepened in small sections to allow recovery at all times. Ponds should be protected from spillages, pollution and entry of nutrients and silt, which would limit diversity of species, or even cause loss of most Aquatic ecosystem, pondlife. Introduction of Coarse fishing, coarse fish and the removal of aquatic plants should be avoided, because they disturb the natural ecology. Changes to local land use, especially where Water extraction, water abstraction is involved, should be monitored.

Grasslands

Marshy grassland should be mowed annually, to prevent a prevalence of tall rushes and grasses with dead vegetation below, because this would limit growth of more delicate plants. Annual light grazing by cattle, ponies or Hill farming, hill sheep, between late spring and early autumn, is recommended – although this should not be allowed to disturb marsh fritillary butterflies or nesting birds. A hedge and some scrub is beneficial in an around the marsh. Existing ditches and Drainage, drains should be maintained in their traditional shape and condition. Calcareous grassland is at risk of overgrowth by scrub and rank Poaceae, grass, which inhibits specialised vegetation. Light annual grazing and trampling by livestock is recommended, to promote a variety of vegetation, without overgrazing. A small amount of scrub can be permitted for nesting birds and other biota.

Scrub and woodland

Shrubland, Scrub in the UK is defined as small trees, such as juniper, rowan and

, and bushes. Scrub, and the transitional area between it and adjacent grassland, supports a diversity of species. It should be maintained such that it comprises various heights and densities of growth, with some areas cut to produce patches of grassland. Light grazing may help to manage these requirements. Fencing may be needed in some places to prevent overgrazing or to allow spread of scrub. The best way to manage woodland carr which includes ash (tree), ash, willow and alder is to leave it alone. Old trees will then fall and create glade (geography), glades, although the environment must be made safe where there is public access. If the woodland appears to be encroaching on grassland and taking its sunlight, coppicing may solve the problem.

Great crested newt

In this site it is necessary to protect the habitat of the Northern crested newt, great crested newt. They need land for feeding and hiding, and water for breeding. Breeding ponds should be unshaded, not too deep, and near other breeding ponds and suitable land. Shallow slopes will allow warming sunlight, and deeper areas will provide safe shelter. Trees, therefore, should be on the north side only, to avoid excess shadow. Newts need aquatic plant cover, but no predatory fish. Late autumn and early winter are the best times for maintenance work to be done here. For foraging, newts need grassland, scrub and woodland close to the pond. They can Hibernation, hibernate in tree roots, under ancient hedges, in rubble, woodpiles and Dry stone, drystone walls. They can travel via ditches and hedges, from pond to pond, if there are no barriers.

Development and risk assessment

Assessment by Natural England

The protected habitat sets within this Upland and lowland, lowland SSSI consist of broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland, neutral and calcareous grasslands, bogs, standing open water and canals, and rivers and streams. Natural England has divided this SSSI into 17 units for assessment purposes, and all were assessed between 2010 and 2013. Six of the units were deemed to be in favourable condition: all the river and stream units (15, 16 and 17); one woodland unit (4, Fox Covert); one standing open water and canal unit (7, Black Heath ponds); one neutral grassland unit (10, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust field). Nine units were judged to be in unfavourable but recovering condition. Unit 1 (High Batts nature reserve), of Deciduous, broadleaved, Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest, mixed and yew woodland, was suffering from "insufficient natural regeneration (biology), regeneration," but was showing gradual improvement. Unit 2 (High Batts calcareous grassland), contained too much Rosa pimpinellifolia, burnet rose, but this was gradually being removed. Units 5 (Fox Covert marsh and bogs), 6 (Fox Covert neutral grassland) and 8 (Round Hill calcareous grassland), needed more scrub control and grazing than they had yet received. Woodland units 9 (Sike Wood), 12, 13 and 14 were also adjudged unfavourable but recovering, although no explanation was given. Two units were assessed as unfavourable with no change. Units 3 (woodland by Ure) and 11 (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust woodland), suffered "lack of representative ground flora" due to the invasive species Impatiens glandulifera, Himalayan balsam and sycamore, lack of regeneration and over-mature trees. Protection of saplings from deer-browsing was recommended.

Historical damage

In 1982, Ripon Parks had SSSI status but the designation was not yet enshrined in law due to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which allowed a three-month waiting period between designation and legal protection. This loophole meant that one calcareous grassland-and-marsh meadow on the site was Cultivator, rotovated and reseeded by a tenant farmer. The field previously had 90 different species of plants, including a large patch of marsh orchids. Reed bunting and curlew had nested there. The damage happened because, in spite of a request by the English Nature, Nature Conservancy Council (NCC), the Property Services Agency (PSA) did not inform prospective tenants of the pending SSSI designation. On 8 May 1982, the NCC informed one new tenant of his obligations of care two days after he had taken over the property, and on 10 May that tenant responded by rotovating the field.

Planning applications

In 2009 Hanson Quarry Products, who ran Ripon Quarry adjacent to Ripon, North Staining, the River Ure, High Batts and Ripon Parks, made an application to North Yorkshire County Council to extend their works by . An environmental impact assessment was required because the extension was more than . As of 2019, Hanson has a biodiversity action plan for Ripon Quarry. In October 2016, North Yorkshire County Council published a document called ''Identification of areas of search for sand and gravel'', which is intended to provide information which will assist the local authority to plan ahead until 2030 for land use with respect to sand and gravel quarrying, and its effect on the Natural environment, environment and people. Various SSSIs, including Ripon Parks, are considered in this document.

Hunting

In 1990, the York and Bedale Hunt had a licence to hunt on

land on the Ripon Parks site. A question was asked in Parliament about it on 5 April 1990 by Mr. Meale.

Notes

References

External links

{{Commons category-inline, Ripon Parks Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North Yorkshire Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1983