We are entering an exciting new phase in our quarry development as we start to extract our recently consented quarry reserves of over 40 million tonnes of high quality chalk. This new area is accessed through a pre-existing tunnel under the A180 dual-carriageway connecting the existing south quarry with the new north quarry.  A half kilometre long, state of the art curved conveyor, due to be installed at the end of 2011 will transport rock from the new area to the existing processing plant. The tunnel was built some 30 years ago in preparation for future expansion and has lain dormant since that time. 

Several million pounds will be spent on new equipment, machinery and infrastructure to develop what is effectively a new quarry.  An amended working method will be utilised consisting of three benches of rock instead of the current two to improve health and safety.  As in the existing quarry, efficient and quiet running conveyor belts will be utilised to transport the rock, however it is planned that more mobile rock face crushing equipment will utilised in line with the most up to date quarrying techniques. 

The new quarry area has been designed to the highest environmental standards above and beyond the minimal requirements of the planning system.  Visual impact, noise, air-quality, hydrology, ecology, public rights of way, blasting and archaeology amongst many other matters have been planned in detail to minimise the impact on the environment and the local amenity.

The restoration scheme is designed around maximising biodiversity in an agricultural context, creating an environment more diverse than that currently existing, for the benefit of future generations.  The scheme is based on the principle of restoring on a continual basis behind the extraction to minimise the size of the quarry void.  The restoration scheme will minimise the short term and longer term landscape and visual impacts of the quarry.  Already over 13,000 native trees, a mile of hedge row, and a wildflower meadow have been planted in advance of the quarry workings to allow establishment in order to provide screening and bio-diversity gain at the earliest opportunity. 

The land will be reinstated to high quality agricultural land of the same grade as pre extraction to allow productive arable agriculture as a means of sustainable long term management.  Restored land will be integrated into the surrounding landscape through replication of local landscape features such as hedged field patterns.  Habitat creation to enhance the biodiversity of the site and surrounding area will include new hedgerows, substantial blocks of woodlands, wet grassland and ponds.  A significant increase in bridleways have been created for the benefit of the local community.