Uniquely placed to benefit nature
MPA Scotland members have a proud record, stretching back decades, of high quality restoration and enhancing biodiversity in Scotland by restoring former quarry sites to nature, including protection and enhancement of rare and threatened species.
These sites have already played a part in the industry’s creation of 80 km2 of priority habitat across the UK, with another 110 km2 planned.
Due to the long-term, but ultimately transient, nature of mineral extraction, our industry’s contribution to biodiversity is unique, taking a very different form to the contributions of other industries, land managers, and developments.
Glensanda
Knowledge of biodiversity on the Glensanda estate has come a long way in the last 14 years as there was relatively little known about what species were living and feeding on the estate. A large number of detailed surveys have been commissioned since 2010 which is enabling more informed management choices.
Aggregate Industries has designed a 64 hectare (105,000 trees), broadleaf woodlands scheme. The woodland will be a temperate rainforest (also known as Scotland’s rainforest) and will consist of Upland Oak, Upland Birch and Wet woodland.
This in turn will create three priority woodland habitats.The deer fence work on the scheme is complete and the trees are being planted with the scheme due to be fully complete by the end of April 2024.
Mature broadleaf woodland at Glensanda was once abundant, however historic use across large swathes of Scottish Estates for hunting saw them removed.
Aggregate Industries recognises it has an opportunity, as well as an important role to play in the restoration of these woodlands and therefore set out to deliver a woodland restoration project.The woodland will play an important role in the provision of habitats, leading to
the increase of biodiversity, as well acting as a store for carbon, helping to tackle the climate crisis.
Powmyre
This will connect with anexisting wetland in the core of the site and createan attractive area for wildlife.Sand and gravel extraction has occurred at Powmyre Quarry since March2008. It is expected that the site will remain as an operation quarry until at least March 2035.
This consent ensures progressive restoration of the site during its operational life, as planning conditions stipulate that the quarry must be worked in accordance with the approved Phasing Plan and Restoration Plan.
The main emphasis of the restoration at Powmyre Quarry has been on making habitats bigger, better and more joined up.Indeed, during the initial design of the restoration scheme, original features with biodiversity and landscape value were recognised and preserved, for example woodland belts such as the Dairsie Strip,along the southern boundary. In the centre of the site, there is alow-lying wetland supporting a number of habitats which was excluded from the extraction scheme.
Around the perimeter of the fishing lochan, marginal wetland and wildflower meadows are to be established as well as the formation of mown grass paths and a fishing platform. The scheme links the proposed fishing lochan with the existing wetland in the core of the site with no intervening agricultural land, making a great space for wildlife.