1.0 Description
1.1 General information
Portsdown Hill S.S.S.I. is a non-cultivated site on the south-facing escarpment of an east-west chalk anticline. The S.S.S.I. notification describes a rich chalk grassland flora which supports a diverse insect fauna, despite extensive scrub and a Bromopsis erectus (upright brome) dominated grassland.
Portsdown Hill S.S.S.I Information Summary- Site: Portsdown Hill,Also known as Ports Down, see OS maps
- County: Hampshire
- Local authorities: Portsmouth City Council & Fareham Borough Council.
- Status: S.S.S.I. - Scheduled 1978. Revised 1984
- OS Grid. Ref: SU 618068 in west to SU 666064 in east.
- OS Sheets: 1:50,000 - 196, Explorer -119, 1:10,000 - SU60NE & SU60NW
- Soil Survey: Soils of south east England No 6 (1:250000)
- Geological survey: Fareham No 316 (1:63,360)
- Photographic cover: Map library University of Portsmouth, Portsdown Hill Countryside Service
- Site managers: (Portsmouth land) Richard Jones(Fareham land)Karl Irvin
- Address: Portsdown Hill Countryside Service, Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill Road, Portsmouth. PO6 3LS023 9238 9623
- Fareham Countryside ServiceFareham Borough CouncilCivic Offices Fareham PO16 7TT
- Owners: Portsmouth City Council; Fareham Borough Council; MoD.
- Total area: 80.67 ha
- Plan prepared by: Richard Jones
- Holding number:Portsmouth 15/130/8000Fareham 15/128/8002
- Last updated: 9/09/2001
1.1.1 Location
Portsdown Hill lies immediately north of Portsmouth, Hampshire. It is an urban fringe site and clearly marks the boundary between town and country. The north of the S.S.S.I. is bordered by Portsdown Hill Road (B2177) and James Callaghan Drive. The most westerly area of the site, Portchester Common - compartment 11, is separated from the road by a narrow strip of arable land and has vehicular access at only one point, which is along Skew Road. Most of the south of the site adjoins housing and associated access roads. A further road, Southwick Hill Road, passes through the S.S.S.I. below Fort Widley.
1.1.2 Tenure
This is not a legal document. Compartments 1,2,3 and part of 4 are owned by the MoD and leased to Portsmouth City Council (PCC) as public open space. Compartments 4 (part) and 5-10 are owned by PCC. Compartment 11 is owned by Fareham Borough Council and is common land.
1.1.3 Management Infrastructure
Management of compartments 1-10 is implemented by the Portsdown Hill Countryside Service (PHCS), which is based at Fort Widley. The PHCS has a single employee (Portsdown Hill Countryside Officer) and is part of Portsmouth City Council's Leisure Service. A public consultation group meets every six months. Practical management of the site is carried out by the Portsdown Hill Countryside Officer, contractors, volunteers and various community groups. Most of the volunteer work is done by the Portsdown Hill Conservation Volunteers who meet weekly and one weekend a month. A Portsmouth-wide Ranger service, the City Rangers, also patrol the site occasionally. Certain legal and administrative functions are carried out by other departments within Portsmouth City Council.
The PHCS is directly responsible for the management of other areas of non-S.S.S.I land across Portsdown Hill and is active in influencing the management of land in the control of agencies such as the, MoD, utilities and farmers.
Compartment 11, often referred to as Portchester Common, is managed by Fareham Countryside Service. Many aspects of the management of the western compartments (1 and 11) is carried out collaboratively between PHCS and FCS for instance the PHCS arranges the grazing for both compartments and the livestock are driven through an adjoining gate. Joint work parties repair damaged fences.
A friends group (the Friends of Portsdown Hill) represent some of the local views on the site and the wider area, in particular taking an interest in the site's history and wildlife.
A path (stoned in part) runs the length of the site with many minor paths that appear to be relics of livestock paths and other historic routes. There are no buildings, although there are the remains of wartime structures.
Gas, water, telephone and electricity companies have mains/cables with wayleaves crossing the site. Some of these are substantial and need to be considered when carrying out constructive works.
1.1.4 Compartments
Due to its linear shape, (approximately 200 m x 4.5 km) the site has been divided into compartments. The 11 compartments chosen for this plan range in size from 3-12 ha and where possible have boundaries that reflect topographical features, see site map, appendix 1 comp map 1-10 and comp map 11.