Our Landscape Architects have been out and about collecting ideas and inspiration for our project work.
Dogsthorpe Star Pit (pictured) was notified as a SSSI in 1993 due to its biological interest associated with the variety of habitats which have developed on the former clay workings (excavated for brick production).
The sides of the pit support mainly sparse herb-dominated vegetation and areas of scrub, whilst reedbed, small pools and open water extend over the floor. These different habitats comprise a range of plant communities which support species that are scarce in Cambridgeshire. An unusual feature of the site is the presence of invertebrate species that are normally confined to coastal locations.
There is an irregular pattern to the habitat mosaic. Topographical variation (slope, elevation and aspect, pond shapes and wetland transitions) combines with the different ages and heights of vegetation, patches of bare ground, grassland clearings between the scattered scrub.
Situated on the eastern edge of Peterborough, the site is open to the public and managed by the Wildlife Trust. Reject bricks have been used to form the footpaths around the site, providing a reminder of the past land-use activities.
