SEEDA (the South East England Development Agency) is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England, at the same time safeguarding the region’s cultural heritage and natural resources.

The SEEDA region is the most populous English region and subject to significant growth pressures. The maintenance of a healthy regional economy will require an adequate supply of minerals and minerals-related products to support a major housing programme, deliver key infrastructure projects and provide the everyday products that we all use. However, planning policy also has to balance the essential requirements of the regional economy for minerals and manufactured products with the environmental impact arising from their extraction, processing and transport.

Practical action on the ground remains central to promoting the welfare of species and habitats. Minerals industries have long been involved in this sphere, contributing to nature conservation through sensitive site working, restoration and aftercare.

The challenge of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan is to consider how existing efforts can be adjusted, guided or re-focused by the new target-led approach to conservation.

This site addresses that challenge, aiming to give mineral companies an overview of biodiversity issues, and recommendations for practical steps that can be taken to achieve biodiversity targets. A programme to meet such targets, including site aftercare, must be agreed with local authorities prior to the granting of planning permissions and contract approvals.

This website was developed to help facilitate that process. It gives site-specific advice for mineral operators on habitat and site restoration, as well as comprehensive information (including links) on possible partners, environmental groups, other interested bodies, habitats, species, and ground working.

The site’s content draws extensively on English Nature Research Report no.279 - The potential contribution of the mineral extraction industries to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Download the report here.

Additional material can be found at www.goodquarry.com