Tarmac UK

Objective

Launch of Tarmac’s Biodiversity Action Plan for sites in Northumberland.

Context

Biodiversity Action Plans are an integral part of protecting and restoring biodiversity. Tarmac launched its first regional BAP covering quarries in Northumberland with planning permission for mineral extraction within the county.

Solution

Over 350 hectares of mineral sites in Northumberland were surveyed by ecologists. Surveys revealed that the sites support a number of species whose conservation status is of national concern including red squirrel, linnet, skylark and bats.

Other regionally important species such as ringed plover and snipe nest and rear their young in the quarries.

The mineral sites were also found to contain habitats such as whin grassland and wet woodland that are of national importance for the plant and animal species they support.

Result

The BAP will continue to ensure the protection of the identified species and habitats. The plans cover seven quarries, of which some are temporarily closed, most are active and some are yet to start operations. The BAP will ensure that biodiversity is protected at each stage of the quarries life.

The BAP received accreditation under the Wildlife Trusts Biodiversity Benchmark Scheme and have retained accreditation over a 10-year period in 2018.