Cefn Mawr Quarry

Site Biodiversity Action Plan

Prepared: November 2011 Updated: December 2013

Site Information- Cefn Mawr

Site Name and Cefn Mawr Quarry, Pantybuarth, Mold Location (incl. Grid SJ 199 635 centre of site Ref.) Hanson Company Hanson Cement BAP(s) that will be UKBAP targeted BAP BAP Habitat(s) to be Broadleaved Woodland (Flintshire, Denbighshire) developed Hedgerows (Flintshire) Calcareous grassland and limestone pavement (Denbighshire) Ponds (Denbighshire) BAP species to be Badgers (Flintshire) encouraged Hedgehog (Flintshire, Denbighshire) Brown hare (Flintshire, Denbighshire) Fritillaries (Flintshire, Denbighshire) Reptiles (Flintshire, Denbighshire) Bats (Flintshire, Denbighshire) Grizzled Skipper (Denbighshire) Song Thrush (Denbighshire) Bullfinch (Denbighshire) Tree Sparrow (Denbighshire) Designated Natural None in however site is within the Clywdian Range Area AONB Background and Cefn Mawr Quarry is a limestone quarry (Lower Carboniferous, site description Cefn Mawr and Loggerheads Limestone Formations) located west of Mold in North Wales, between the villages of Pant-y-buarth and

The majority of the extracted limestone supplies the cement- making process at Hanson Cement, Padeswood, Mold, which in turn supplies the building and development sector. A biodiversity audit (commissioned by HiedelbergCement) was carried out on the site in 2008 which identified the ecological features of the site. Extraction activities have led to the formation of artificial features within the quarry that mimic those found in the natural landscape, such as rocky coastal cliffs, upland scree slopes and limestone pavement. Broadleaved woodland, species-rich calcareous grassland and ponds are present, all of which are UKBAP priority habitats.

Statutorily-protected species (e.g. bats and badgers) are found on the site and some species present are listed on the UK, Flintshire and Denbighshire BAPs (e.g. Fritillaries). Nationally scarce plants such as Green-flowered Helleborine, Spring Sandwort and Stinking Hellebore are also present.

National Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge SSSI within site Designations (SSSI, Alyn Valley Woods SAC within site SAC, SPAs, Clywdian Range and Dee Valley AONB within site RAMSARs and NPs) within 500m Resource Restoration budget. Some land falls within SSSI/SPA/SAC Requirements- designation and requires annual costs for management comment on cost if (consultation is carried out with NRW as appropriate). appropriate Implementation of the Cefn Mawr Ecological Management Plan 2011-2016) is ongoing.

Contribution to Expansion of UK/LBAP priority habitat ‘Unimproved calcareous biodiversity grassland’ through annual scrub and bracken management providing further habitat for UK/LBAP butterflies (Fritillaries).

Expansion and management of ponds (UKBAP priority) providing habitat for invertebrates and also for Common Toad (UKBAP priority).

Contribution to Ecosystem Services.

Partners and Local Natural Resources Wales initiatives Other documents Cefn Mawr Quarry Biodiversity Study 2008 (2009) supporting the site Cefn Mawr Quarry Ecological Management Plan 2011 -2016 BAP Site Layout

Action Plan

Ite Objective Biodiversity Targets Tasks Assessing Responsible Timescale m Feature Indicator Person (Completion) No. 1 Restore (A) Unimproved Control bracken 1.Bracken spraying to be Area of Site Report important calcareous dominated areas carried out end of July calcareous Manager/ annually for habitats grassland/limestone annually grassland Consultant life of site pavement increased (ha) Ecologist (Denbighshire BAP) Increase and maintain 2.Sheep grazing calcareous grassland commencing late summer (Aug) Annual scrub removal carried out in autumn (Sept) (B) Ponds Increase area of open 1.Join two small ponds to Area of open Site Report (Denbighshire BAP) water provide larger body of water water created Manager/Lan annually for for breeding amphibians and (ha) dscape life of site invertebrates Architect/Con sultant Increase area of open 2.Partial removal of Ecologist water available in large Reedmace to provide drainage pond (south of balance of open water to crusher plant) marginal vegetation (Aug/Sept) (C) Broadleaved Removal of invasive non- 1. Identify and mark species Non- Consultant Report woodland native species to be removed (e.g. native/invasive Ecologist annually for (both Denbighshire Sycamore). Remove outside trees removed life of site and Flintshire BAPs) main bird-breeding season (no.) (e.g. Sept – Feb)

(D) Hedgerows Create new hedgerow 1.New hedge to be planted at New hedge Landscape (Flintshire BAP) (approx 50m) eastern border (base of planted (m) Architect slope) to provide stock-proof barrier and wildlife habitat. Maintenance of existing hedges Maintenance of all hedges to be carried out outside main bird-breeding season (i.e. Sept – Feb) 2 Protect Bat Maintain habitat suitable for 1. Monitor condition of bat boxes Boxes monitored Consultant Report species Bat populations on site and replace/repair as annually. Ecologist annually for necessary. life of site

Reptiles 2. Create opportunities for Annual reptile additional features for reptiles surveys during site development

3 Encourage Fritillaries Enhance areas for potential 1. Create stepping stone glades Landscape Report rare species Grizzled Skipper new colonies to encourage expansion of Architect/Con annually for Wall Brown species (especially GS). No. of sultant life of site Small Heath Monitor through annual walkover colonies/populatio Ecologist Maintain scarce plant surveys ns. Count of Scarce plants populations individuals. 2 .Monitor through annual surveys. 4 Consult with Calcareous grassland Maintain regular contact with 1. Consultation with NRW. Annual meeting Site Annually NRW and NRW. between Hanson Manager/Lan broadleaved woodland and NRW dscape management/restoration Architect/Con sultant Ecologist