2005 - Gloucestershire Geology Trust

1 Gloucestershire . COTSWOLDS. GEODIVERSITY AUDIT & LOCAL GEODIVERSITY. ACTION plan (LGAP). 2005 . Gloucestershire . COTSWOLDS. GEODIVERSITY AUDIT & LOCAL GEODIVERSITY. ACTION plan (LGAP). Prepared by Gloucestershire Geoconservation Trust in partnership with: The Geology Trusts Cotswolds AONB Conservation Board IHS Energy Ltd. Principal Authors: David Owen Bill Price Claire Reid With contributions from: Hannah Evans, Nick Chidlaw, Chris Toland, and John Conway This Geodiversity Audit and Local Geodiversity Action plan (LGAP) has been prepared by Gloucestershire Geoconservation Trust , in partnership with The Geology Trusts, Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Conservation Board and IHS Energy Ltd.

2 , with funding from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) administered by the Minerals Industry Research Organisation (MIRO) via the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. This publication and references within it to any methodology, process, service, manufacturer or company do not constitute its endorsement by the Minerals Industry Research Organisation or the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. ISBN 1-904530-07-9. Bibliographical Reference: Owen, D., Price, W. and Reid, C. 2005 . Gloucestershire Cotswolds: Geodiversity Audit & Local Geodiversity Action plan .

3 Gloucester: Gloucestershire Geoconservation Trust . Cover photograph: The Cotswold Escarpment Between Crickley Hill and Shurdington Hill Lists of sites in this document have been compiled from records in the Gloucestershire Geological Records Centre. Sites have been selected for their representitiveness and geological merits. Their listing implies no right of access and in all instances access must be arranged in advance with the appropriate landowner. Topographic maps are based on Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey, on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office.

4 Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 100043722. Geological maps are based on British Geological Survey material reproduced by permission of the British Geological Survey. NERC. All rights reserved. IPR/62-10C. Printed by Impressions of Monmouth Ltd. 01494 839407. Contents Part 1 The Gloucestershire Cotswolds Part 2 Geodiversity in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds Part 3 Geodiversity Audit Part 4 Implementing the Action plan & Interpretation of Geodiversity Part 5 Action plan SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE Gloucestershire .

5 COTSWOLDS LOCAL GEODIVERSITY ACTION plan . Page Introduction 1. What Is Geodiversity? 2. What is a Geodiversity Action plan and What is its Purpose? 3. Geoconservation 3. Geodiversity in Gloucestershire 4. A Vision for Geodiversity in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds 5. Geoconservation in Gloucestershire 6. a Gloucestershire Geoconservation Trust (GGT). b Gloucestershire Geological Records Centre (GGRC). c The Geology Trusts (GT). d English Nature e Geological Conservation Review Series Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 8. Cotswold Hills Geopark 8.

6 Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club 9. SECTION 2 GEODIVERSITY IN THE Gloucestershire . COTSWOLDS. Page Introduction 11. Geological History of the Cotswolds 11. The Quaternary Record in Gloucestershire 13. Economic Geology 15. Related Issues 17. a Biodiversity b History c Industrial Heritage d Communities and Settlement Types of Geodiversity Sites 19. a The Geological Conservation Review Series (GCR). b Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). c Regionally Important Geological / Geomorphological Sites (RIGS). d Local Sites e Lost Sites f Landscapes g Active Quarries h Stone Buildings, Monuments and Other Constructions i Earth Science Interest on Sites Designated for Other Purposes j Opportunities to Enhance Geodiversity Features Soils 22.

7 A Definition of Soils b Diversity of Soils in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds c Influence on the Landscape and Social & Industrial History d Influence on Biodiversity e Future Requirements SECTION 3 GEODIVERSITY AUDIT. Page Aims and Objectives of the Geodiversity Audit 25. The Geological Framework 25. a Regional Structural Setting b Faults and Folds c Sedimentological Effects on Structure d Superficial Structure The Palaeozoic Basement 28. The Stratigraphical Succession in the Cotswolds 29. a Lias Group (Lower Jurassic) 30. i Charmouth Mudstone Formation ii Dyrham Formation iii Marlstone Rock Formation iv Whitby Mudstone Formation v Bridport Sand Formation b Inferior Oolite Group (Middle Jurassic) 33.

8 I Birdlip Limestone Formation ii Aston Limestone Formation iii Salperton Limestone Formation c Great Oolite Group (Middle Jurassic) 40. i Chipping Norton Limestone Formation ii Fuller's Earth Formation iii Taynton Limestone Formation iv Hampen Formation v White Limestone Formation vi Forest Marble Formation vii Cornbrash Formation d Ancholme Group (Upper Jurassic) 45. i Kellaways Formation ii Oxford Clay Formation e Late Jurassic to Quaternary 46. Geomorphology and Landforms 47. Landforms 48. a Escarpment b Escarpment Valleys and Outliers c High Wold and Dip Slope Cotswold Valley Systems 50.

9 A Dry Valleys and Misfit Streams b Valley Meanders and Abandoned Meanders c Wind Gaps Karstic Forms 51. Summary 51. SECTION 4 IMPLEMENTING THE ACTION plan INTERPRETING. GEODIVERSITY. Page Implementation of the Action plan 81. Potential Geodiversity Resources 81. Key Sites and Features 89. Recommended Sites 91. Major Footpaths, Cycle Routes and Bridleways 94. Guided Walks and Field Trips 95. FIGURES. Section 1 Figures Page Fig. The Outcrop of Jurassic Rocks in Britain 1. Fig. Simplified Geological Map of Gloucestershire 4. Fig. Huntsmans Quarry Interpretation Board 5.

10 Fig. Gloucestershire Uncovered Trail Guides 6. Fig. Geosites Database 6. Fig. Geology Trusts in Britain 7. Fig. English Nature Cotswolds Natural Area Map 7. Fig. Cotswolds AONB Map 8. Fig. Cotswold Hills Geopark Map 8. Section 3 Figures. Page Fig. Regional Structural Setting for the Cotswolds 25. Fig. Faults in the Cotswolds 26. Fig. Cotswolds AONB Landscape Character Map 27. Fig. Geological Map of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds 28. Fig. Stratigraphy of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds 29. Fig. Stratigraphy of the Lias Group (Lower Jurassic) 30.