creating environmental improvements through biodiversity

ANNEX 1
Summaries of ALSF-funded papers
RESEARCH INTO THE DESIGN, MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION OF
QUARRY SILT LAGOONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND LANDSCAPE
BENEFIT (MIRO MIST, GEOPLAN LTD.)
Christina Allen (Geoplan Ltd.) March 2004
Project Type: Literature review, desktop study, site visits, case studies
Sites: South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire (plus one site in North Yorkshire)
Project Aim:
To ascertain the range of after-uses proposed for sand and gravel silt lagoons within a pilot study area. To
assess designs, operational management and restoration techniques that have influences or are likely to
influence, the after-use of silt lagoons. To discuss the principle elements involved in the design, management and
restoration of silt lagoons to maximise their beneficial use
Main Methods:
Desktop study to establish range of restoration proposals for silt lagoons – recent planning applications,
existing and dormant sites, recently restored and exhausted quarries – through planning applications and
Reviews of Old Mineral Permissions (ROMPs)
Sustainable Aggregates Creating Environmental Improvements through Biodiversity
Output:
Desktop study main findings:
Management of silt lagoons on site will determine their final restoration
Large number of silt lagoons (56 %) in the study area were to be restored to a conservation use, particularly
on river terrace deposits and glacial deposits
Fifty eight percent of silt lagoons with conservation after-use were to be restored by natural regeneration
– this is considered easy, irrespective of restoration in rest of the quarry
Thirty one percent of conservation restoration was to be reedbed – but unclear whether through silt
management or natural regeneration
One site was to become woodland – not included under ‘conservation’ in the report
Most planning applications had little detail on design, operation or restoration of silt lagoons (but in some
cases details were a condition of planning permission or review)
Where silt lagoons were to be restored for conservation there was little data on how this was to be achieved
Details on active management of silt were only contained in 5 planning applications
Desktop study and site visits:
A range of habitats were naturally regenerating on silt lagoons in the study area
Critical factors in determining range of habitats in lagoon are: relationship of the silt and water levels (including
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