Biodiversity
Sand & Gravel Case Study

Godmanchester Gravel Pit, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire
Lafarge Aggregates Limited

Godmanchester Gravel Pit lies just off the A14 near Huntingdon and abuts the River Great Ouse.

The site lies in the flat plains of Cambridgeshire and within the borders of the town of Godmanchester. A 100 hectare nature conservation area has been developed, which effectively complements the old field patterns and pollarded willows of the surrounding area.

Planning

The original planning permission for the extraction of high quality sand and gravel was granted in 1970, with work commencing in 1972. Over the years, somewhere in the order of 3 million tonnes of material has been excavated and processed. Although the original planning permission identified sailing as a restoration proposal, subsequent ambitions and opportunities called for a change from recreation to a nature conservation afteruse.

Restoration and Aftercare

The site was progressively restored between 1987 and the early 1990's and its development has sought to create an environment which encourages species to habituate. This has been extremely successful and provides a range of features which comprise:

• Open Water
• Wet Margins
• Shallow Water
• Islands of Mixed Configuration
• Reed Areas
• Osier Fringes
• Woodland
• Grassland Areas

The significance of the ecological contribution of the area can be judged by the fact that it meets four of the criteria used to designate Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Moreover, it is the foremost site in Cambridgeshire for damsel and dragonflies, with an assemblage of 20 species. In addition to this, well over 180 bird species have been identified on site, and it has also become one of the country's principal locations for bird ringing.

Lafarge Aggregates Limited continues to manage the site and is keen to exploit opportunities for enhancement. The site has the benefit of an active voluntary monitoring group, which was established in 1985, and with whom the operating company liaise on a weekly basis.