These Case Study pages showcase examples of good practice in minerals restoration which is benefiting the natural environment and people.

Weatherhill Quarry

Weatherhill Quarry is a 116h silica sand quarry situated within the North Pennines SAC / SPA. Following the cessation of extraction works, the operator is obliged to submit a reclamation scheme for the site. Given the sensitive location of the site, Nature After Minerals was asked to provide advice for a restoration scheme that maximises biodiversity, while also extending the internationally-important habitats in the surrounding designated land.

Llynclys

Limestone has been quarried at Llynclys for over 150 years. In past years the quarry operations were widely spread and included limekilns with a rail link. The extent of the operating area is now far reduced from these early days to a single office with a one-way traffic system.

Fagl Lane Quarry

Fagl Lane is a restored sand and gravel site, now managed by a Community Interest Company, who are looking to recreate an ancient managed landscape on the site, featuring farmland, woodland, wetlands, an operational Iron Age farm and Roman Fort, all for educational, research and leisure purposes.

Crawcrook Quarry

Crawcrook Quarry is a 28ha site situated between the villages of Wylam and Crawcrook, in Tyne and Wear. Nature After Minerals worked with the RSPB-CEMEX biodiversity adviser input to a restoration plan for the site. Extraction ceased in 2012; the site had started to develop some significant biodiversity interest through natural regeneration.

Belcoo Quarry

Belcoo Quarry is a 40ha site situated 2km from the town of Belcoo. The site does not currently have a restoration plan for the final end-use. RESTORE provided advice to the operator on key habitats and biodiversity-focussed features which should be targeted with the proposed restoration plan.