Restoration

Once extraction is complete in each phase, the land would be progressively restored. This means a significant proportion of the site would return to productive use and/or be developed for nature conservation benefit well before operations finish overall.

The restoration concept proposes restoring the land to agricultural land (primarily pastureland for grazing) as well as nature conservation habitats, including woodland, wetland, grassland and farmland features. Veteran trees, hedgerows and all exiting woodland sections within the site would be retained throughout operations and incorporated into the restored landscape, with wildlife habitats linked across the site to deliver long-term biodiversity benefit.

In addition to areas of woodland planting the working and restoration concepts identify the establishment and management of a mitigation and enhancement area located north of the plant site to accommodate and manage Great Crested Newts, and other reptile and amphibians found on the site.  The design, establishment and management of this habitat will require a European Protected Species Licence issued by and regulated with Natural England, with further content secured by other management plans secured by way of planning conditions.

As part of the scheme, we are committed to establishing and maintaining a new cycle path connecting Gilston Garden Villages with the existing communities around Stanstead Abbotts. We are also proposing an enhanced network of permissive public access routes across the restored landscape, improving east-west connectivity for walkers and bridleway users.