Bradgate Brickworks
The site of Bradgate Brickworks off Fenton Road at Bradgate has been designated
a Site of Special Scientific Interest by English Nature. I will confess that I had never heard
of the site or knew of its importance and I still have only the faintest idea where it is. I
think you an access the site off Henley Way.
The site of Bradgate Brickworks contains an exposed quarry face and an area of acid grassland. The exposed strata of the quarry face is considered to be one of the finest examples of the Pennine Coalfield rock formations. The exposed beds of rock are used by geologists to interpret the development of the coal measures in the Pennine basin-complex hence the designation of the site as a SSSI. The acid grassland covering the area is becoming increasingly rare in Britain and supports many species of wildflowers and insects.
The site is owned by Watson Estates who have offered it free to Rotherham Council. The Council were considering the matter at December 2001. Bradgate Brickworks has seen considerable fly-tipping in recent times and the land will need to cleared, restored, protected and managed to preserve its interest and importance. In 2007 I have heard not a peep about what is happening at Bradgate Brickworks. However last time I passed by there was a housing development taking place there.