Ulley Country Park’s nineteen hectares centre on a twelve hectare reservoir – built to provide Rotherham with drinking water but which is now decommissioned and used for recreational activities including sailing and fishing. The Country Park is managed by Rotherham Council, assisted by a voluntary ‘Friends of Ulley Country Park’ group, and the eastern arm of the lake is maintained as a nature reserve.

Habitats & wildlifeIn addition to the open water and reservoir margins, there are grasslands below the dam and along the two arms of the lake. Steep wooded hillsides are situated above the reservoir and bordering feeder streams.

Well over 120 bird species have been recorded. Commoner species such as Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Bullfinch are augmented in winter by wildfowl and in summer by migrant warblers such as Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot and Great Crested Grebe regularly nest and other waterbirds that might be seen are Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Kingfisher and Grey Heron. Occasionally, rarer species turn up, with both Red-necked and Slavonian Grebes having been recorded. In summer, Swifts, Swallows and House Martins feed on the many insects and Buzzards are frequently seen soaring overhead. The feeding station in the car park attracts Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer. Other species that may be seen in the area include Goldcrest, Linnet, Grey Wagtail, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush and Kestrel.

More than 150 species of flowering plants have been found on the site. Wetlands and swamp at the end of both arms of the reservoir have Bulrush, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Water Forget-me-not, Meadowsweet, Wild Angelica, Brooklime and Great Willowherb. Woodland areas are composed of Silver Birch, Oak, Rowan, Alder, Sycamore, Willow, Hazel, Ash, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Elder with an underlying flora including Bluebell, Wood Anemone, Wood Sorrel, Ground Ivy, Common Dog-violet and Greater Stitchwort. The grassland areas vary in their pH, with the more acid areas even grading into small areas of heathland.

Penny Hill Wind Farm

OnPath Energy are powering a more sustainable future through renewable energy. Projects, like Penny Hill Wind Farm, inspire and enable communities, businesses, and landowners to embrace a just transition to net zero. 

• Electricity generation capacity: Up to 20MW 

• Postcode of nearby property: S26 3YA

• Number of turbines: 6

• Tip height: 132m

• Local Planning Authority: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

• Lifespan: 40 years in operation plus two years for construction and decommissioning

• Operational since: June 2013