This map is based on Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. 100019229 2008.

Opportunity area description

River valley south of Newport as far as Chale Green.

Joint Character Area/Landscape descriptive unit

Isle of Wight Joint Character Area: Intensive arable land, sandstone hill and gravel ridges.

Landscape types

Rolling arable farmland, with scattered woodland in a wide valley.

Geology (bedrock)

Mudstone, sandstone, and ferruginous sands.

Geology (superficial)

Extensive alluvium and peat deposits.

Topography (landform)

Narrow stream heavily modified by river engineering crosses a wide sandstone vale. Irrigation storage reservoirs have been constructed in several places.

Biodiversity ( BAP habitat, Designated sites UK BAP Species)

SSSIs : The Wilderness, Cridmore Bay

SINCs: Billingham Manor Farm, Sibdown Farm Copse, Gatcombe Withybed, River Medina: Shide to Blackwater

BAP habitat

• Lowland mixed deciduous woodland
• Wet woodland
• Cereal field margins
• Purple moor grass and rush pasture

UK BAP Species

Water vole; Cornflower; Skylark; Yellowhammer; Linnet; Woodland Bats

Access

Footpaths cross the area, but no access along the length of the river.

Targets – main opportunities

• Wetland water control and management to benefit water vole and wetland BAP habitats
• Arable plants
• Farmland birds

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