creating environmental improvements through biodiversity

Sustainable Aggregates Creating Environmental Improvements through Biodiversity
6.2 PLANNING FOR THE LOCATION OF MINERALS SITES:
Damage to existing biodiversity and environmental assets should be minimised through early consideration
in the planning process. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) techniques can limit negative impacts of
minerals sites on biodiversity, by considering internationally and nationally designated sites, and Biodiversity
Action Plan targets.
Opportunities to enhance biodiversity at a site should be maximised. This should include early agreement of
end-uses that will buffer and link existing habitats in an area.
Habitats to be created must be locally achievable and appropriate, and be both hydrologically and ecologically
meaningful. This can be achieved by early dialogue with statutory and non-statutory conservation bodies, and
dialogue between disciplines.
A strategic overview of habitat creation at a regional scale should be encouraged, through linking planning
considerations (such as Minerals Local Plans) with BAP targets.
Early and continued monitoring of biodiversity on all minerals sites will increase understanding of best
practice and help to guide restoration programmes, future management and any necessary mitigation
measures.
6.3 MANAGING SITES DURING EXTRACTION:
Quarries usually have some value for biodiversity during their operational lifespan. Areas surrounding
quarries also usually have some wildlife value. A spatial and temporal approach to site management needs to
be taken to accommodate these, while site management and restoration plans should ensure that existing
semi-natural habitat and features of conservation value are retained.
Baseline surveys of biodiversity already present should be carried out, and monitoring should continue
throughout working, restoration and long-term management.
Progressive restoration through phased working will help provide for biodiversity that may use temporary
landscapes and habitats. A flexible approach to operations can accommodate early colonising wildlife.
Research into the impacts of quarrying activity on nearby existing habitats (e.g. dust) would be useful.
6.4 RESTORATION AND DESIGN OF SITES:
Restoration of a site needs to be considered at the earliest discussion stages. Discussions should involve
partner organisations and local communities, and should consider BAP targets, local landscape and existing
nearby habitat types. Any integration of other end-uses with habitat creation (e.g. public access) should be
worked into restoration plans at an early stage to avoid any later conflict. Guidance on design of public
access to help minimise disturbance to wildlife would be useful.
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