Survey work by an ecologist from English Nature identified an area of the land holding as valuable river valley grassland. Subsequently, working with the National Park’s Farm Conservation Scheme, the company agreed a Management Plan with its tenant farmer. The Management Agreement provides grant payment to the tenant farmer to manage the meadowland appropriately. The land comprises two areas of high quality meadowland, with additional small areas of marshland and wet grassland.

Although this initiative is valuable, it is noted that due to the company’s concerns over entering a lengthy Management Agreement, an additional clause was added to the effect that the Agreement can be terminated at any time that Blue Circle wishes to reclaim its land, subject to the necessary planning consents.