Maintained Sites

While some brownfield sites are left to grow wild, Sidmouth’s Maintained Sites are those where dedicated groups work to balance human use with ecological health. From historic observatories to community ponds, these sites form a vital network of green corridors.

1. Deepway Meadow (Sidbury Millennium Green)

Established in 2001 to celebrate the millennium, this meadow in the heart of Sidbury is managed by a charitable trust. It serves as a tranquil spot for community gatherings while providing a rich aquatic habitat.

• The Pond: A central feature hosting Marsh Marigold and Purple Loosestrife.

• Life in the Water: In spring, the pond is filled with frog spawn, followed by several species of dragonflies and damselflies in the summer.

• The River Corridor: The River Sid flows along its eastern edge, linking the meadow to the wider valley ecosystem.

2. The Knapp Nature Pond

Located near Alexandria Road, this small reserve was created in 1992 after local development threatened a historic footpath.

• Restoration Success: After falling into neglect and being choked by the invasive Australian Swamp Stonecrop, volunteers completely cleared the pond in 2018.

• Biodiversity Indicators: Today, the pond is a healthy nursery for Caddis fly larvae, Palmate Newts, and various water beetles.

• Natural Filtration: Water lilies and the root systems of native plants help keep the water clear by limiting light and removing nitrates.

3. Jacob’s Ladder: The Coastal Frontier

This area is a classic "brownfield" example; though it looks like natural grassland, it was extensively landscaped to create beach access paths.

• Harsh Conditions: The shingle beach and cliffs are nutrient-poor and high in salt.

• Specialists: Only halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) can survive here. In summer, the banks along the walled paths provide a stunning display of wildflowers.

4. Sidmouth Cemetery: A "Green Highway"

Covering 10 acres, the cemetery is a "fragment of our ancient landscape".

• Grassland Recovery: By leaving some grass long, species like the Oxeye Daisy have recovered.

• The Hedgerow Network: Ancient hedges act as a "green highway" for foraging Lesser Horseshoe Bats and provide a potential habitat for the rare Hazel Dormouse.

• Stone Habitats: Older gravestones and walls support unique communities of lichens and mosses.

5. Norman Lockyer Observatory

Founded in 1912, this historic astronomical site sits on Salcombe Hill.

• Returning to Heath: While the grounds were originally landscaped into "tidy" lawns, restoration work is now encouraging heather and native gorse scrub to return to its original heathland state.