Home / Environment / Quarry Safety Work Buries Wildflower Haven
Quarry Safety Work Buries Wildflower Haven
28 Jul
Summary
- Rare butterfly habitat at a former quarry was covered by soil mounds.
- Conservationists spent 15 years cultivating wildflowers for butterflies.
- Quarry company claims work was for safety after a rockfall incident.
Conservation efforts spanning 15 years at the former Hoe Grange Quarry in Brassington, Derbyshire, have been significantly impacted. In January, soil mounds were placed over areas planted with wildflowers, which were known to attract rare Wall butterflies. This action was taken by Longliffe Quarries, the company managing the site.
Longliffe Quarries stated the work was essential for safety due to identified unstable rock faces and a previous rockfall. They consulted external geotechnical experts to implement remedial measures, including the creation of mounds to contain future rockfalls and deter access to unsafe zones. These mounds cover approximately 4.5% of the five-hectare site.
Butterfly Conservation East Midlands expressed disappointment, noting a dramatic decline in butterfly numbers observed since the mounds were created. They highlighted that volunteers' efforts over 15 years have been undermined, and proposed that a solution balancing safety and habitat preservation could have been achieved. The quarrying company indicated the site is now accessible for guided visits.
