Draycott Sleights, Somerset

Acquisition of 94.6 acres of unimproved limestone grassland, Draycott Sleights, which lies on the south-west face of the Mendip Scarp. It is underlain by Carboniferous Limestone and Triassic Dolomitic Conglomerate. The soils vary in places skeletal calcareous soils and elsewhere overlain by neutral loess soils. The site was designated as an SSSI due to herb rich unimproved calcareous grassland and rich invertebrate fauna. it is especially recongised for its fine assemblage of butterflies of regional and national importance. The site has unimproved grassland, scrub, secondar woodland, a central band of rock and scree. The flatter plateau support a more neutral grassland important for nesting Skylarks.