Gravel pit and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) located in Biddenham, Bedfordshire
Biddenham Pit is a gravel pit and Site of Special Scientific Interest[1] (SSSI), 0.41 hectares in size located in Biddenham, Bedfordshire.[2] The pit was notified to Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire County Council under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) in 1988,[2] and is also a Geological Conservation Review site.[3] The site is owned by Persimmon Homes and Kier Homes, with management advice given by Natural England.[4]
The pit provides an intact and visually inspectable terrace gravel, both silty and clayey, which has been laid down by the River Great Ouse.[2] Several features of scientific interest have been identified in the deposits - interglacial mollusca and mammalian remains have been found, possible microfossil material as well as evidence of a prolific Paleolithic industry in the lowest layers of the gravel.[2] Its last official inspection by a Natural England staff member found the whole site[5] and more specifically the gravel feature inside it to be in a 'Favourable' condition.[6]
There is access by a footpath from Malcote Close.[4]
References
52°08′31″N 0°30′25″W / 52.142°N 0.507°W / 52.142; -0.507
