Horton Quarry

Site Biodiversity Action Plan

Prepared: Nov 2011 Updated: December 2013

Site Information - Horton

Site Name and Horton in Quarry located approximately 0.5km to Location the west of the village Horton-in-Ribblesdale within the Dales National Park. Grid Ref – SD795724 Hanson Company Hanson Aggregates - North BAP(s) that will be UK BAP targeted BAP - Nature in the Dales:2020 Vision Habitat(s) to be Upland calcareous grasslands developed Limestone pavements Native woodland BAP species to be Mammals: Bats encouraged Birds: Lapwing Invertebrates: Northern Brown Argus Higher plants: Juniper Other species: white clawed crayfish Designated Natural Yorkshire Dales Area Background and Within the boundary of the site habitats include calcareous site description grassland, acid flushes, springs, heathland, limestone pavement (both undisturbed and disturbed), bracken and stands of juniper. Species recorded on the site include Skylark (Alauda arvensis); butterflies including Northern Brown Argus, High brown and Pearl Bordered Fritillary. Much of the calcareous grassland is dominated by Blue Moor Grass and there are stands of juniper. National Complex Special Area of Concern (SAC); Designations (SSSI, Ingleborough Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) SAC, SPAs, Ingleborough National Nature Reserve (NNR). All adjacent RAMSARs and NPs) to the western boundary of the site. The SAC is designated within 500m for its Annex 1 habitats including Juniper formation on heaths,calcareous grassland and alkaline fens. The SSSI and NNR are designated for many of the same features as the SAC and occupy much of the same area as the SAC. Resource Hanson is providing land and grants for a juniper Requirements- regeneration project. comment on cost if Restoration budget appropriate Contribution to Provide features that complement the adjacent biodiversity SAC/SSSI/NNR. Partners and Local Natural initiatives Other documents Juniper re-introduction programme supporting the site Horton Management Plan BAP Restoration Plan Site Layout

Action Plan

Item Objective Biodiversity Targets Tasks Assessing Responsible Timescale No. Feature Indicator Person (Completion) 1 Maintain SSSI Calcareous Maintain species Monitor grazing regime as Annual walkover Ecological Annually as grassland and grassland diversity of existing part of management plan. and reporting as Consultant detailed in the adjacent SSSI grasslands. part of annual report quality grassland management until translocation. Grassland to be within a plan using NE stewardship scheme. standard Condition Site Monitoring methods 2 Creation and Calcareous To create calcareous Liaise with Natural England Walkover to Ecological Annually as translocation of grassland grassland to replace that For provision of hay/seed assess Consultant detailed in the calcareous lost to quarrying. from nearby NNR to establishment annual report grassland on floor establish success during of To translocate SSSI species diverse grassland. 5-year aftercare quarry. and SSSI quality period grassland to be lost to Source topsoil material to quarrying. recreate calcareous grassland in area of disturbed pavement and translocate grassland 3 Large open Open water To create smaller Create shallow ponds as Successful Site Manager Ongoing as water Ponds waterbodies in addition awell as larger waterbody on establishment of Landscape detailed in the body and smaller to large lake to provide final restoration ponds with Architect annual report. ponds habitat for amphibians aquatic, New habitats and invertebrates emergent and created on final marginal flora. restoration 4 Creation of Broad leaved Planting of Daleside Establish and manage Land area Landscape Ongoing as woodland Woodland woodland type along woodland. maintained by Architect detailed in the Juniper mosaic slopes and ridges. NVC annual report. with calcareous type (ha). grassland Juniper scrub Reversal of decline in Follow trial at south end of Successful Juniper in short term quarry with view to reestablishment through trial area and expanding into restored of juniper. expand in longer term into areas. quarry restoration. 5 Species Northern brown Create suitable habitat 1.Habitat management to Species present Site Manager Ongoing as conservation and argus for the species. create suitable conditions in restored areas Landscape detailed in the management White clawed and undisturbed Architect annual report crayfish 2. Liaise with Natural fringes. Butterfly species Potential for waterbodies England and others to and on site to be“ark” site for establish feasibility. Meetings as and other invertebrates. species. when required.

Periodic walkover Range of conditions for 3.Active management to surveys to invertebrates including create mosaic of habitats assess species scrub/grassland mosaics present. as above. 7 Communications Produce Explain importance of Produce BAP leaflet to Leaflet Site Manager Ongoing as and publicity Leaflet that Horton Quarry biodiversity highlight habitat, species distributed detailed in the explains including flagship species. and conservation work. No of annual report, importance of students visiting Leaflet Horton Local schools regard Encourage educational visits. site. completed. in Ribblesdale and use site as 1 or 2 school visits per year. Quarry educational resource biodiversity. Encourage educational visits