Hanson to complete quarry restoration works

The former Newington South quarry is being restored to create 11 ha. of reedbeds and 19 ha. of wet grassland, in the hope of attracting a wide range of wildlife, including snipe, bittern, otters, and water voles.

The earthworks have created a series of reed bed cells, which will be planted with common reed. The new wet grassland will be sown with a suitable mix this spring. The foundations for a new viewing platform have been established off Slaynes Lane and, once construction of the platform is complete later in 2019, this will allow visitors to gain an elevated view across the restored landscape.

Formerly known as Misson quarry, 12 ha. of land has also been restored to agriculture and 2500 trees are being planted in blocks around the edge of the restored farmland. In addition, there will be 700 m of new hedgerow.

The latest phase of works follows the previous restoration of approximately 25 ha., known as Newington North, to wet grassland in 2013. This land is already host to a wide range of waders, wildfowl, and gulls, including several species of conservation concern status.

Following final extraction, later this year the area known as Newington West will also be restored, providing additional wet grassland and incorporating a publicly accessible circular walk and a further viewing platform.

Throughout the restoration works, Hanson has worked closely with Nottingham Wildlife Trust and a Habitat Management Committee, as well as representatives from Natural England, RSPB, the Environment Agency, Mission Parish Council, and Nottingham County Council, who will oversee the long-term management of the site.

The Newington and Misson quarry has been operational for more than 30 years, consisting of a total of 77 ha. of land, most of which is within the floodplane of the River Idle. The adjoining River Idle Washlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is important for feeding roosting populations of wintering and passage wildfowl for breeding waders. Before extraction, Newington Quarry was intensively managed farmland of minimal biodiversity value. The majority of the site will be restored to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats, complementing and extending the adjoining River Idle Washlands SSSI.

“Following final restoration, we will be responsible for the management of the habitat for 26 years so that the benefits for wildlife will continue to be delivered for many years after extraction finishes at the site,” said John Ingham, Principle Landscape Architect at Hanson UK.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/15032019/hanson-to-complete-quarry-restoration-works/