HC Deb 06 February 1981 vol 998 c229W
Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what species were present on Wintringham Marsh, North Yorkshire, which were of such special interest that led it to be designated as a site of special scientific interest in November 1975; and what species have been lost on that site since November 1975 that led the Under-Secretary of State, in his answer to a question from the right hon. Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Ennals) (Offiqal Report, 11 November, c. 171) to describe the site as having been destroyed.

Mr. Monro

Selection of the Wintringham Marsh SSSI by the Nature Conservancy Council was not made on the basis of the presence of particular species, although some of the 100-plus plants recorded during the original survey in 1968 were locally or nationally scarce, but because of the quality of its plant communities growing in a uniform graduation from dry pasture to marsh.

It is not possible to say how many species have been lost since 1975 as no comparative survey has been made since the effects of the draining and ploughing of 60 per cent. of the site were investigated in 1976.