Felstone Consulting Limited’s Director Simon Higson presented at the Nature Recovery session EIG Conference in September.
Our review of biological SSSIs for evidence of mineral extraction identified more than 77 biological SSSI sites on former workings of sand, gravel, sandstone, limestone, clay and chalk in England, with a further 20 sites of mixed (biological and geological) interest.
Extending over 4,452 ha and across 39 counties, the results provide a much-needed resource of information for professionals engaged in planning new projects and undertaking biodiversity net gain (BNG) calculations of proposed restoration schemes.
Sevenoaks Gravel Pit SSSI (pictured) was notified as a SSSI in 1989 due to its biological interest: “The interest of this group of lakes, formed by the flooding of the former gravel workings and fed by the River Darenth, centres on its breeding bird populations. Extensive landscaping to create shallows, spits and islands, and the planting of trees and aquatic plants have provided conditions suitable for both breeding and wintering birds.”
