| Background and site description |
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Granite had been extracted from the site on a small scale for over 100 years, with large-scale quarrying beginning in the mid 1960s. It is now the largest granite quarry in Europe, surrounded by Buddon Wood SSSI.
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| Initiative |
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Restoration proposals involving relocation of an area of overburden to ground adjacent to the surrounding SSSI were altered to enable restoration of heathland and acid woodland, and began in 1994. Heathland is a declining habitat in Leicestershire and the scheme involved use of soil from existing soil banks, withholding any topsoil and, in places, adding fine granite chippings.
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| Costs |
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- Additional costs were not much higher than conventional restoration.
- On-going management and monitoring costs have not been quantified.
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| Benefits |
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- Good PR, as the Redland scheme for responsible and innovative restoration is promoted by the Wildlife Trust.
- A good example of the potential scope in working in partnership with Wildlife Trusts.
- The experimental nature of the work could provide valuable pointers for future restoration work elsewhere.
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| Contribution to biodiversity |
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- Heathland is a priority habitat under the UK BAP.
- A good example of how mineral companies can work with Wildlife Trusts to meet local biodiversity objectives and targets.
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| Contact |
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Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
Mags Bainbridge
Conservation Officer
Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
Brocks Hill Environment Centre
Washbrook Lane
Oadby
Leicestershire LE2 5JJ
mbainbridge@lrwt.org.uk
01162 720444
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