Aggregates and the Community

Four projects that have received recent funding from ALSF in order to deliver benefits to areas that have been subject to aggregates in the local community

The Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund

The Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) came into existence on the 1st April 2002, at the same time as the introduction of the aggregates levy itself. The primary aim of the Fund was to reduce the environmental impacts of the extraction of aggregates and to deliver benefits to areas subject to these impacts. Since 2002, the Earth Heritage Trust has received substantial amounts of funding from ALSF. Such initiatives have included a number of new geology and landscape trails; geodiversity audits of the two counties and production of geodiversity action plans. Four projects that have received recent funding from ALSF in order to deliver benefits to areas that have been subject to aggregates extraction are outlined

Whitmans Hill Geodiversity Discovery Venture (2005-07)

In 2005, a ten year lease was obtained by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust. Following the completion of extensive safety and face clearance works, the site has been used as an educational and research resource, with a busy schedule of events and activities. A steering group from the local community was involved in the project. More information can be found here.

Broadway Quarry Feasibility Study (2009-10)

Situated on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment above the village of Broadway, Broadway Quarry is a designated Local Geological Site (LGS). The quarry was subject to a detailed and widespread feasibility study into its future use and management upon restoration. This included the creation of a local stakeholder group. The restoration plan includes the retention of a geological face and the recreation of an area of lowland calcareous grassland in the quarry floor. The study drew up some recommendations to take forward, as well as some generic guidance for other quarry operators and organisations when looking at the post-restoration management of an aggregate site with a high nature conservation interest. The study can be found here.

Exploring Aggregates along the Geopark Way (2010-11)

The outputs of the project were to produce a booklet on the aggregates along the Geopark Way trail, to develop three new circular walks leading from the main trail and to print the geology map of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark (drawn by the British Geological Survey). During the 18 months of the project, improvements have been made at several locations along the length of the trail, including signage along the entire route. A Geopark Way Trail Watch Scheme, in which local volunteers assess the condition of the trail on a biannual basis, has become fully established. Throughout the project, communities and individuals along the route became involved in study and research at their local aggregates sites, visited other sites along the trail, and gained further understanding of their local geology and the merits of geo-conservation.

Interpreting and managing aggregate sites (2009-11)

Funding was obtained to produce site management plans for six former aggregate sites being used as part of the larger Community Earth Heritage Champions Project. These included geological, biological, archaeological and landscape sections. Site improvement works were also carried out at two sites to allow easier and safer access. Interpretation materials have also been developed for the six sites including leaflets and interpretation panels.

Links to the site descriptions for these sites can be found below:

Barnt Green Road Quarry, Worcestershire

Callow Hill Quarry, Worcestershire

Linton Quarry, Herefordshire

Quarry north of King Arthur’s Cave & King Arthur’s Cave, Herefordshire

Shaver’s End Quarry, Worcestershire

Warren Lane Quarry, Worcestershire

Site descriptions for other aggregate Champions sites:

Abberley Hall East, Worcestershire

Croft Castle quarries, Herefordshire

Dingle Quarry, Worcestershire

Gardiners Quarry, Herefordshire

Martley Rock, Worcestershire

Rudge End Quarry, Herefordshire

Westminster Bank Quarry, Worcestershire

Whitman’s Hill Quarry, Herefordshire

For further information on county-specific aggregate quarrying, please click on the links below

Herefordshire Geological Succession

Geological time is divided into eons, eras, periods, epochs and ages, with eons representing the largest stretches of time (500 million years or more).

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Worcestershire Geological Succession

Geological time is divided into eons, eras, periods, epochs and ages, with eons representing the largest stretches of time (500 million years or more).

Learn More