A new SINC for Worcester Park & Sparrowfeld
Hide Hill, to give it its historic name, is the area currently occupied by the Horse Fields and Green Lane Primary School.
- It is located within a surrounding mosaic of green spaces, many of which are designated Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs).
- For reasons that remain unclear, Hide Hill is not currently designated. It is cemetery-owned land, but this does not prohibit designation. Indeed, there are 64 cemeteries in London that are currently designated as SINCs. Sites can be designated, upgraded, downgraded and undesignated.
- It is the Council’s responsibility to maintain up-to-date data on all areas of nature conservation interest in the borough, regardless of land ownership.
- The last Sutton SINC Review was in 2016. Reviews should occur every 5 to 10 years.
Why Hide Hill should be designated as a SINC.
We believe that Hide Hill, in particular the west field, meet the criteria for designation as a Potential Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (pSINC), based on the following:
- Species richness and rarity: Dozens of birds can be observed on Hide Hill regularly, every year, including nine on the London Priority Species List, a further three on British Trust for Ornithology’s UK Red List, and 12 more on the Amber list.
- Habitat richness and rarity: Hide Hill is made up of wetted woodland, grazed grassland and scrub, with a high proportion of Blackthorn.
- Urban Uniqueness: Many of these species and habitats are not typically found in urban settings and cannot be found anywhere else locally.
- Attracts Enthusiasts and Experts: The variety and rarity of the species attracts serious birdwatchers well beyond the immediate region.
- Ecological Connectivity: Hide Hill is part of the wider Metropolitan Green Chain and also serves as an important feeding ground and resting point on the migratory flyway.
- Cultural and Educational Value: Mature hedgerow oaks add cultural and historical character to the site, making it an important area of educational and aesthetic value.
- Scope for Improvement: The site offers the opportunity for further enhancement with modest changes in management practices.
Sparrowfeld Patch 