Biodiversity
Sand & Gravel Case Study

Little Paxton, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire
Aggregate Industries

The Little Paxton site is located near St. Neots in Cambridgeshire. The site covers a large area from which the extraction of sand and gravel began in 1946.

Whilst the quarry operation remains an ongoing concern, a programme of progressive restoration, predominantly to wildlife ponds and margins, has taken place over an area covering approximately 9 hectares. The restored area, which is known as the Pump House Lake, had mineral extracted from it between 1983 and 1993, and restoration was completed in 1995. The success of the restoration has been recognised by the granting of SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) status. Moreover, in addition to the site being of "national importance for wintering wildfowl", it also facilitates recreation and leisure for the local community.

Restoration

The area was restored progressively between 1984 and 1995. As sand and gravel was extracted, the topsoil and subsoil, to a depth of 1m, was removed and stored. This was then replaced to create the margins of a large, irregularly shaped lake some 3m deep with gradually sloping sealed banks. The lake, which will be extended after the completion of adjacent workings, was designed following consultation between the operating company, mineral planners at Cambridgeshire County Council and conservation bodies, specifically the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).

Around the lake some 10,000 trees have been planted - mainly Scottish willow, blackthorn and ash, and their height is carefully managed so as not to obstruct the flight path of wildfowl. Complementary flora has also been planted.

End Use

The site is part of a Nature Reserve, created particularly for bird life. In particular, the reserve boasts a visitors centre, car park, bird watching hides, and a resident warden employed by Huntingdon District Council. The company has maintained contact with the local Little Paxton branch of the RSPB, whose band of volunteers carry out much work on the site. Moreover, there are regular meetings between Bardon Aggregates, the RSPB, the nature reserve warden and the forester. The success of the restoration scheme can be judged by the results of the survey carried out by the St. Neots Bird & Wildlife Club; 216 species of bird, 25 species of butterfly, and 17 species of dragonfly were found, with several rare species identified in each category.