A Perfect Partnership

Broadoak Nature Reserve to thrive under Tarmac and Northumberland Wildlife Trust partnership

Biodiversity has long been a central focus for Tarmac’s operations. As the UK’s leading quarrying and construction materials business, the company recognizes the importance of harnessing the biodiversity potential of its sites and was the first company in its sector to have Biodiversity Plans (BAPs) in place at all active quarries.

This strategy has seen a number of nature reserves established across the UK, including an extensive site that has been developed in collaboration with Northumberland Wildlife Trust. The reserve, which will be approximately 70ha in size, covers two Tarmac sites: Broadoak and Hollings Hill.

‘Our industry manages a substantial proportion of land across the UK which is home to a range of important habitats and species. There is a growing understanding of the biodiversity value of this land, and the need for the quarrying industry to incorporate biodiversity into the strategic planning of each site,’ explained Tarmac estates manager Mike Young.

‘Tarmac have BAPs at all their UK sites, and this covers more than 350ha in Northumberland alone. In 2008 our work in the county was recognized when we were awarded The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark for the work undertaken at all seven of our Northumberland quarries, including Broadoak and Hollings Hill.

‘But the relationship goes deeper than this award. Here in Northumberland, Tarmac and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT) have agreed to jointly manage the 70ha site at the Broadoak Nature Reserve, creating and encouraging priority biodiversity habitats and species together with integrated public engagement and stewardship.’

In September 2011, as part of NWT’s 40th anniversary, Tarmac held an event to mark the historic occasion by handing over Phase 1 of Broadoak Nature Reserve to the NWT. This event was supported by Chris Packham, the TV presenter, photographer, author and patron of NWT (pictured fourth from left). The handover means that NWT will effectively be managing the site with direct support from Tarmac.

‘We’ll be transferring management over a number of phases as the reserve grows,’ said Mr Young. ‘Initially the reserve will be approximately 23ha in size, and the handover for Phase 2 is scheduled for spring this year. By 2020 Phases 3 and 4 will be complete, which will extend the reserve to 70ha.’

Throughout this handover process Tarmac will continue to manage the operational land responsibly and take proactive steps to ensure that the company remains at the forefront of biodiversity creation at the site.

Broadoak Nature Reserve actually stretches over two Tarmac sites. Both Broadoak and Hollings Hill are located adjacent to each other in the valley of the river Derwent. Sand and gravel will continue to be extracted from part of Broadoak Quarry that sits outside the nature reserve, and the tipping of inert waste materials will continue at Hollings Hill Quarry until the completion of Phases 3 and 4 of Broadoak Nature Reserve.

According to Tarmac, the carefully planned restoration proposals at both Broadoak and Hollings Hill quarries would not have been possible without the continued support of Northumberland County Council (NCC), NWT and the landowners, all of whom share a common goal for the creation and long-term enhancement of biodiversity.

Indeed, Broadoak already boasts an impressive array of wildlife and woodland, and within the reserve Tarmac will be working with the NWT to help create a south-facing biodiversity ‘amphitheatre’ which will allow amphibians, including great crested newts, to bask during the summer months. The key priority habitats for the site include lowland meadow and pastures, ponds and wetlands, with locally sourced broadleaf woodland and aquatic plans, together with over 300 birds and bat boxes and great crested newt hibernacula. Under Tarmac’s current restoration masterplan, the company will plant approximately 3,500 trees and 12,000 shrubs over the next 20 years.

‘The local quarry liaison group also played an instrumental part during the planning process and we are grateful for the support that was shown,’ said Mr Young. ‘We’ll continue to work closely with our neighbours to ensure that residents are involved and included in our plans – this is really a very exciting resource for local people to have on their doorstep.’

He added: ‘Broadoak Nature reserve is a great example of public and private sector collaboration and we’re really proud of what we and our partners at the NCC and NWT have achieved so far. Although Tarmac have handed over the principal management of the site to NWT, we will remain an active partner and wholly committed to the long-term management of protecting and enhancing biodiversity.’