Bardon Hill Quarry achieves Biodiversity Benchmark

AGGREGATE Industries have been awarded The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark in recognition of their ongoing commitment to improving biodiversity at Bardon Hill Quarry, near Coalville, in Leicestershire.

The Biodiversity Benchmark is a rigorously audited certification which allows organizations across the country to assess the quality of their land management, improve their contribution to the environment and demonstrate their commitment to biodiversity.

As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to creating and improving wildlife habitats at Bardon Hill, Aggregate Industries have worked closely with local biodiversity partners, including Natural England, to monitor and enhance the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on Bardon Hill; BTCV, who help to care for the area; and the Leicester & Rutland Wildlife Trust, who wrote the company’s biodiversity management plan.

Bill Bolsover, chief executive officer of Aggregate Industries, said: ‘Since applying to start the Benchmark process in early 2007, we have worked extremely hard with our partners, auditing a number of our processes and procedures in respect to protecting and enhancing biodiversity at Bardon Hill Quarry.

‘Clearly we are delighted to have achieved this accreditation, however, we are committed to not just stopping here. Our aim now is to continue the good work already done and build on this so that we can constantly improve the way we manage our landholdings in the future, both at this site and at our other quarries across the UK.’

Mr Bolsover explained that the most significant work at the Bardon Hill site to date had been to replace the conifers on the site’s SSSI with UK-provenanced broad-leafed species, such as oak, ash and holly. ‘With so many rare species in the National Forest, and more specifically in the Charnwood area, we have an opportunity to provide some of the habitats to encourage these species to establish themselves at Bardon,’ he said.

Presenting the Benchmark award to Mr Bolsover, Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, commented: ‘There is increasing awareness among the business community of the need to develop more sustainable business operations and I am delighted that Aggregate Industries is at the forefront of organizations who have achieved the Biodiversity Benchmark.

‘Every organization that owns or uses land can help protect and restore our native wildlife by managing their land with the environment in mind, and I hope that this example will encourage many more organizations to meet the challenge of the Biodiversity Benchmark.’