aggregate industries restores nature while building for the future at muldron quarry

The project exemplifies the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship, aligning with its pioneering Nature Strategy, and reinforces its commitment to creating a nature-positive future while ensuring the site remains a vital contributor to the UK’s industrial supply chain.

Muldron Quarry is part of the renowned Levenseat silica sand complex which has been a cornerstone of the UK’s infrastructure for generations. Quarried since the 1800s, the site today produces high-quality specialist sands applications ranging from masonry to elite sports venues
such as national stadiums, golf courses and equestrian arenas. 

Aggregate Industries is not only securing the site’s legacy, but also transforming it into a haven for biodiversity through innovative restoration initiatives. Complementing the site’s ongoing operations, the restoration project has been developed in line with planning commitments and demonstrates the potential for co-existing ecological enrichment and industrial activity.

Key features of the first phase, set for completion by the end of December, include:

• Tree planting: over 3,680 native trees (including birch, oak and alder) have been planted, with species selected to enhance the site's ecological resilience
• Heathland creation: a heath-grassland mosaic will be established using stored peat and other substrates, fostering the growth of bilberry, heather and other vital species
• Seasonal wetlands: wetlands surrounded by heathland will provide critical habitats for bird species such as Little Ringed Plovers, which have already been observed nesting in the area
• Sustainable techniques: ecological monitoring, natural regeneration and local partnerships are essential to the project’s success

“The Muldron restoration project has been an incredibly rewarding endeavour, both professionally and personally," says Phil Jackson, Biodiversity and Restoration Advisor at Aggregate Industries. "Over the next five years, we’ll be closely monitoring and nurturing these
habitats to ensure their success, knowing that we’ve tailored this site to Scotland’s unique ecological needs. For me, it’s been a privilege to help create a benchmark for restoration excellence in our industry and to see the tangible benefits this brings to biodiversity and the local environment."

The initiative is a pivotal example of Aggregate Industries’ Nature Strategy which launched this summer. The strategy encapsulates the company's commitment to reducing environmental impacts, restoring ecosystems and advocating for biodiversity.

Anna Baker, Sustainability Director at Aggregate Industries, comments: “The Muldron restoration epitomises our dedication to environmental stewardship while meeting our operational responsibilities and aligns with our goal of supporting nature-positivity by 2030.

Through projects like this, we not only fulfil our legal responsibilities but also showcase the transformative potential of restoration in addressing the biodiversity crisis."

The restoration efforts at Muldron build on the company's £24 million investment in restoration over the last five years, as well as its recognition by the European Aggregates Association with the Best Restoration Project award in 2022 for Ripon City Quarry’s transformation into the Ripon City Wetlands, in collaboration with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

With its Nature Strategy as a guiding framework, Aggregate Industries continues to lead the way in responsible business practices. From reducing freshwater withdrawal to pioneering the use of construction and demolition materials, the company is redefining the role of the construction industry in environmental sustainability.

For more information, visit aggregate.com/sustainability .