Biodiversity
Sand & Gravel Case Study

Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve, Sevenoaks, Kent
Lafarge Aggregates Limited

The site at Bradbourne lies in the valley of the River Darent and comprises one large lake (40 hectares), several smaller lakes and wet woodland.

The site is one of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has long been internationally important for wintering wildfowl. The reserve has the benefit of seven hides strategically placed and a fine interpretive centre and museum.

Planning

The working of the site for sand and gravel commenced in the early part of the 20th Century. Subsequent permissions have followed, all with an obligation to restore to nature conservation. Extraction ceased in the mid eighties and the plant site, ready-mix site and railhead were removed. During the period somewhere in the order of 6-8 million tonnes of sand and gravel were excavated.

Restoration and Afteruse

A series of lakes have been produced with a variety of graded margins to provide diversity. Many trees were also planted around the edges of the lakes. Features such as lagoons fed by spring water have allowed water levels to be controlled and ephemeral ponding on a former stocking area has also been created.

Leased to and managed by The Jeffery Harrison Memorial Trust, today, the Sevenoaks Wildfowl reserve is an SSSI.

There was no provision for aftercare built into the planning permission, but the company has always retained an interest in the site and have worked with the Lessees in creating additional habitat.

There was no imported infilling in the establishment of the wildfowl reserve, however, some imported clays have been used in recent years to create features such as peninsulas and islands.

130 acres of open water, woodland and wet margins make a significant contribution to the survival of wintering wildfowl.

A prestigious interpretive centre and museum was opened in 1982 which provides a schools' education facility. Moreover, seven hides around the lake allow the monitoring of birdlife without disturbance.

The formal opening of the site was carried out by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.