RSPB receives historic site on the Kent south coast from CEMEX UK

CEMEX UK has handed over Lade Pits, formerly Denge quarry, to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Lade Pits is a unique site equipped with three so-called Sound Mirrors. The site and its listening devices, which are located next to the existing RSPB Dungeness nature reserve near Lydd, have been an iconic feature on the Kent coast and will now be one of nature’s homes in the region.

Lade Pits is a restored sand and gravel site covering 70 hectares. Work commenced on restoring the site into a home for nature during the life time of the quarry. Approximately 4 million t of sand and gravel for local construction projects were extracted from the quarry.

RSPB South East Regional Director, Chris Corrigan, commented: “I am absolutely delighted that Lade Pits is now part of nature’s home in the South East and I am grateful to CEMEX UK for their generosity and unwavering commitment to help the RSPB save nature. Where the mighty Sound Mirrors were once used to listen out for man-made noise, they will now symbolise just how important it is to listen – and look - out for nature. The site will prove invaluable for what the RSPB is trying to achieve in the South East and we are very much looking forward to taking Lade Pits forward together with the local community”.

“We are delighted to hand over Lade Pits to the RSPB, for the next stage in the site’s life cycle. It has provided valuable sand and gravel for local construction projects, such as roads, homes and schools and now, after restoration, it becomes a home for nature and a local asset for the community,” added Andrew Scott, Estates Manager, Southern region.

CEMEX UK is working to ensure their sand and gravel operations create wider benefits for both the environment and local communities, and the RSPB is working with industry to help them achieve their environmental aims, so very much a mutually beneficial relationship where nature comes out the winner.

The Lade Pits Sound Mirrors, to which there is no public access, are not only famous in terms of their historical significance, but also because they have appeared in numerous music videos and fashion shoots. The structures are listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument [SAM].

Edited from press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/30112015/rspb-receives-lade-pits-from-cemex-uk-1707/