| Background and site description |
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The Westbury Quarry site is believed to have been used as a source of limestone for over 100 years. The existing processing plant was installed in 1966-67 and is still active at a low level. The unworked area within the site is made up of grassland, scrub and woodland, including an area of herb-rich limestone grassland designated as a County Wildlife Site by the Somerset Wildlife Trust. The quarry falls within the Mendips Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
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| Initiative |
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The quarry is a geological SSSI and a County Wildlife Site for its calcareous grassland, and it falls within the Prime Biodiversity Area of the Mendip Scarp as identified in the Mendip BAP (1995). In 1995 Pioneer obtained a Countryside Stewardship agreement over 13.9 ha including the quarry and adjacent grassland. Work within the agreement includes restoration of narrow grassland paddocks, management of limestone grassland, and repair and restoration of drystone walls. The site is also available for educational access.
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| Costs |
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- On-going running costs (unquantified).
- Funding from the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
- Staff time attending meetings, etc.
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| Benefits |
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- Good PR, including good liaison with local schools, promotional site material.
- Work on this site was used by Pioneer in support of its successful application for extraction at another site nearby.
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| Contribution to biodiversity |
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- The Action Plan for the Large Blue Butterfly identifies targets for re-establishing it at suitable sites. The initiative at Westbury presented an opportunity for a mineral company to play an active role in a national biodiversity species action plan.
- Conservation grant funding demonstrates that mineral operators can receive financial aid for their nature conservation work.
- The spin-off benefits, good PR and sound local relationships are valuable, and have encouraged Pioneer to promote the message that mineral companies have an important part to play in biodiversity.
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| Contact |
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Mendip District Council
Biodiversity Officer
Mendip District Council
Cannards Grave Road
Shepton Mallet
Somerset BA4 5BT
customerservices@mendip.gov.uk
01749 648999
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