Grid Ref: SK975695

Status:     Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Lincolnshire Trust)

Lincoln City Council Act 1985

Lincoln South Common is a large area of open grassland on the south-east fringe of Lincoln. The area includes common land, playing fields and a golf course. Much of the grassland is semi- improved or improved. The site has been designated as Critical Natural Asset for the following reasons:

1) The site supports unimproved and semi-improved neutral and calcareous/limestone grassland. This site, at 80ha is the largest single area of grassland in Lincoln. The unimproved limestone grassland resource is fragmented throughout the site, but the largest area covers approx. 4ha. The site represents approx. 40% of Lincoln's calcareous grassland, 9.2% of Lincolnshire's unimproved limestone grassland resource, and 2.7% of its calcareous grassland resource. South Common is the largest area of calcareous grassland in Lincoln and one of only five calcareous grassland sites in Lincoln. The site is one of 11 sites in the city with neutral grassland/marsh habitat, (approx. 76ha) and accounts for approx. 34% of that habitat type within Lincoln.

2) The site supports the following rare and endangered species.

Flatsedge    : Blysmus compressus      

A species that is reliant on calcareous marsh conditions and is serious decline in Lincolnshire. Now known from only two sites, including South Common, it was present at 11 sites in 1985.

3) The site supports a number of species uncommon in Lincoln and indicative of unimproved grassland. These species include:

Marsh horsetail  Equisetum palustre           (2 sites in Lincoln)

Twayblade    Listera ovata (1 site)

Adder's-tongue   Ophioglossum vulgatum(1 site)

Opium poppyPapaver somniferum(3 sites)

Meadow saxifrage    Saxifraga granulata  (3 sites)

Devil's-bit scabious  Succisa pratensis    (1 site)

Landscape Value

Prominent area on the south side of the Witham Gap. Helps outline the Lincoln Ridge and hence the City's landscape setting. Provides important views across the City of the Cathedral and historic hilltop City, and west towards the Trent Valley. Important visual relationship between Central Lincoln and open countryside.