Part of the ERUGGp briefing document for planning.
The conservation, protection and enhancement of the geodiversity of Torbay strongly contributes to and is essential for the retention of the UNESCO designation. However, it should be noted that the designation does not bring any additional legislation or protection for either Geodiversity or Biodiversity. Protection of both is reliant on existing national legislature. Equally it should be noted that designated sites for biodiversity, historical or cultural value are also relevant and contribute to the retention of the UNESCO designation.
The Geopark designation is based on the 32 designated sites of scientific importance. All of the sites are of international, national, or regional scientific importance as recognised through their various designations (International - Geological Conservation Review (GCR), National - Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Regional - County Geological Site* (CGS) known in Devon as Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Site* (RIGS). A table of all designations as of September 2020 can be found in Appendix 3. * The designation nomenclature for CGS and RIGS is interchangeable as the two terms are effectively synonymous.
Sixteen of the Geosites are of at least national importance as selected through the national Geological Conservation Review (GCR), but fifteen of these are also of international importance, as recognized within Global Geosites categories established for the UK and Ireland. The most important GCR sites are Lummaton Quarry, a locality fundamental to the original characterisation of the Devonian time period by Sir Roderick Murchison and Professor Adam Sedgwick in 1839, and the Quaternary record at Kents Cavern, which includes a remarkable succession of use by at least three subspecies of hominid, Homo heidelbergensis, Homo sapiens neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens sapiens. The complete list of GCR sites is: Babbacombe Cliffs (Marine Devonian), Daddyhole (Marine Devonian), Dyers Quarry (Marine Devonian), Hope’s Nose to Walls Hill (Marine Devonian), Hope’s Nose (Mineralogy of SW England), Kents Cavern (Quaternary of SW England), Long Quarry (Marine Devonian), Lummaton Quarry (Marine Devonian), Meadfoot Sea Road (Marine Devonian), New Cut ( Marine Devonian), Oddicombe (Permian /Permo-Triassic), Roundham Head (Permian/ Permo-Triassic), Saltern Cove (Marine Devonian), Saltern Cove (Permian/ Permo-Triassic), Shoalstone (Permian / Permo-Triassic).
Details of GCR sites can be found on p. 4/5 of “Significance of the territory’s geological heritage form the European/wider international perspective” and within the following Geological Conservation Review volumes:
A total of twenty of the geosites fall within the eleven nationally designated geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) areas. These are:
All SSSI’s are protected under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended by the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Although damage to SSSIs is rare, Defra/Natural England have the power to prosecute anyone found to be damaging a SSSI. The majority of SSSIs in the ERUGGp are leased to Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust (TCCT) by Torbay Council. TCCT cares for and protects these sites in accordance with a Service Level Agreement (with Torbay Council) and a Higher-Level Stewardship agreement (with Defra/Natural England). Under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulation 2017, many sea caves along the coast and reefs in the bay fall within the protected Lyme Bay and Torbay Special Area for Conservation (SAC), which provides greater protection in recognition of the European level significance of the area’s natural heritage. Whilst other important species and habitats are covered by the Tor Bay Marine Conservation Zone. A number of the Geosites are Scheduled Ancient Monuments, which are protected by national legislation (Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979).
Fifteen of the geosites are recognised as Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS). This second group of designated sites were selected by the Devon RIGS Group against more general criteria than SSSI, which whilst scientifically focused, also emphasises educational value. Devon RIGS Group is a voluntary organisation. The aims and objectives for RIGS designation and use are overseen by UK Geoconservation and recognised by Natural England.
At least 20 geosites of educational interest and used by schools and universities: Out of our 32 sites only two Brixham Cavern and Sharkham Iron Mine are not accessible either on foot or viewed from the sea for education. Access to particularly sensitive sites is by special arrangement only such as Lummaton Quarry. Many of the sites are used independently by visiting academic institutions or through organised education visits with the Geopark partners (including accompanied boat trips).
In 2019 the ERUGGp commissioned a survey and report to record the condition and to provide management recommendations regarding all of the geosites of the Geopark. The aim of the survey and report was to provide a systematic review of the condition of the notified geosites within the Geopark area which had not previously been available through any other process and can now be used to inform future management. Crucially, the report established a monitoring baseline against which to assess change and the development of an appropriate methodology through which both SSSI and RIGS sites can be assessed and compared. A summary of the condition and recommendations for each site can be found in Appendix 4.
The ERUGGp is not directly responsible for the management of any of the Geosites, this falls to a mix of organisations and private owners. However, it is hoped that the wider importance of the international UNESCO designation to Torbay will help positively influence and act as a catalyst and support for the individual geosite owners, to ensure the sites are appropriately managed, conserved and enhanced.