Mineral extraction at the Newington Quarries complex in Bassetlaw, owned by Hanson UK, is due to cease in early 2019. Following a period of restoration, a 26 year management and aftercare of habitats plan comes into force.

Hanson UK has a long standing relationship with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust even before Newington South and West became working quarries.

Janice Bradley, Head of Conservation at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has worked hand in hand with Hanson UK, a leading supplier of heavy building materials to the construction industry,  for over a decade, advising from the earliest stages to ensure restoration with the best possible outcomes for wildlife at the site.

The long term relationship stems back to 2002 when Janice supported an allocation in the Mineral Local Plan for the Newington South quarry, on the basis of being able to secure large scale re-creation of rare floodplain habitats that had been lost in the 1980s and ensuring the nearby Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) was protected and enhanced. Janice has since been involved at each stage of the project from planning application advice, site visits for restoration advice to proposals for the 26 year management and aftercare of habitats plan for Hanson UK which come into place in 2019.

The plans for the complex of quarries include easy access views of wetland wildlife from elevated viewing areas along the central byway that runs through the Quarry complex, ensuring the wildlife is less likely to be disturbed but with a greater opportunity for the public to view exciting species. It is hoped that once completed, the site will attract wildlife from the highest priority red list of Birds of Conservation Concern including curlew, redshank, snipe, bittern and bearded tit, as well as the general public’s favourites - otters and water voles.

 John Ingham, Hanson’s Principal Landscape Architect with responsibility for the restoration of Newington Quarry stated “Hanson enjoys a strong partnership with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust who has provided invaluable input and advice during the development of restoration proposals for our quarry at Newington. With the help of NWT, Hanson is delivering significant biodiversity enhancements in this formerly intensive arable landscape. The final phase of restoration during 2018 and 2019 has been designed with input from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and a long term management plan for the site has also been developed alongside the Trust so that the benefits for wildlife will continue to be delivered for many years after Hanson finishes extraction at the site.”

Janice Bradley, Head of Conservation at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust commented: 

The complex is already building up to be a key wildlife site in the county for the future and is part of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Idle Valley Living Landscape area plans.”

Becoming a Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust corporate supporter can help to fulfil the demands of companies’ corporate social responsibility policy, engage staff and reach new audiences providing a way to differentiate the business. It provides an opportunity to join a network of like-minded individuals and local companies, which support Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust in protecting wildlife for the future, whilst making a tangible difference to business and to the local environment where customers and employees live, demonstrating the businesses’ commitment to the local community and the environment. Benefits include attracting new customers and clients as well as helping to raise companies’ profiles.

Click here for more information about Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts’ Corporate Support Programme  or ask for Holly McCain on 0115 958 8242.