The unique shingle landscape at Dungeness has very little overburden. Early excavations were shallow operations worked by hand until the introduction of mechanical shovels in the 1930s. Two large IDO permissions were granted in the late ‘40s, which effectively launched the beginning of large-scale gravel extraction, largely using excavators to fill barges and boats which would unload at the plant site. Extraction techniques soon changed to the use of dragline excavators to load shovels and conveyors which fed the plant. This method was effectively in use for over 30 years, creating the large open waterbodies characteristic of post war restoration at Lydd.

It was during these early years that the relationship was initiated between ARC and the RSPB. This relationship was to become an increasingly important part of the overall long term restoration concept at Lydd.

Over the years, continually improving restoration techniques have ensured that each long-term phase of the overall restoration is better than the last.

In the late 1960s, the RSPB agreed with ARC (now Hanson) to release a 46 hectare block of land that had previously been disturbed and ecologically degraded by military activity, which helped in gaining planning permission for gravel extraction. Subsequent restoration worked well for both parties, with the RSPB contributing significantly in terms of planning and in how design objectives were carried out.

Burrows Pit, as it is known, was worked 1970-1977; by the time it was finished there were already over 180 pairs of common tern and 160 pairs of black headed gull nesting on its islands, which had been created specially at a sufficient distance from the shoreline. Their gently sloping, scalloped banks provided an ideal habitat for many bird species. Varieties of duck and grebe also increased, proving that restoration quality can be enhanced when specialist advice and guidance is provided from the outset.

From the 1980s more areas were worked, and the restoration of each benefited from early involvement with the RSPB. A significant development came in 1987: following exhaustive consultation regarding the potential effects of mineral works and derogation of the main aquifer, permission was granted for mineral extraction in the Walkers Outland area. Throughout both the initial consultation process and the operation itself, the company and the RSPB developed their relationship still further, paying particular attention to the effect of silting operations from the dredger. The deposited silt proved to enhance the quality of the restored wetlands and thereafter became a feature of subsequent further restoration work both on Burrows Pit and Walkers Outland.

Following the success of Walkers Outland, and realising that further permissions on the beach shingle area would be difficult to obtain, the company instead focused attention on the more marginal gravels to the west. This would involve working the deposits in long, narrow strips, stripping agricultural soils where necessary and safeguarding the aquifer. Dengewest South, as the area was known, received planning permission in 1993 and extraction lasted some six years.

The Dengewest South area provided new challenges both in the extraction and eventual restoration of the site. As well as having to strip the agricultural soils present on site – which hadn’t been the case elsewhere – the working method for Dengewest South required the use of dump trucks and excavators rather than draglines and conveyors.

The linear, narrow water bodies that resulted were then planted with marginal species and the land between the lakes restored where necessary to low-density grazing land. The RSPB encouraged the company to create restoration habitats that would complement the more open lake and island type landscape present on previous working areas. Though not as inviting for migrant and wading birds, Dengewest South adds ecological interest and diversity to the overall site, as it provides good habitat for a wide range of invertebrates.

The plant site within the original IDO area north of Dungeness Road was the last area to be restored, and it now forms part of the RSPB reserve at Dungeness. As with previous areas, the continued input and guidance of the RSPB enabled Hanson to restore the area for the benefit of a variety of bird and other animal species. Various methods were used including island and beach creation, bund establishment for future hide locations, and blocks of tree and shrub planting to provide cover and food.