RESTORATION STRATEGY IN RESPECT OF TOPLEY PIKE QUARRY, KING STERNDALE, BUXTON, DERBYSHIRE CONSOLIDATION APPLICATION FOR REVISED WORKING AND RESTORATION PROPOSALS, INCLUDING A REDUCTION TO THE END DATE FOR MINERAL OPERATIONS AND THE RESTORATION OF DEEP DALE TIP AREA For Aggregate Industries UK Limited December 2013 FINAL Prepared By: PLEYDELL SMITHYMAN LIMITED 20a The Wharfage, Ironbridge, Telford, Shropshire, TF8 7NH Tel: 01952 433211 Fax: 01952 433323 and 116 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 2EG Tel: 0141 204 3491 Email: [email protected] TOPLEY PIKE CONSOLIDATION APPLICATION AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES UK LIMITED LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CONTENTS: 1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Policy Context ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 3.0 Landscape Character ......................................................................................................................................... 5 4.0 Detailed Restoration Proposals ...................................................................................................................... 8 5.0 Proposed Habitats .............................................................................................................................................. 9 6.0 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................................... 14 APPENDICES: Appendix 1 – PSL Reference M11.160(f).D.027 Seeding and Planting Locations and Specifications TOPLEY PIKE CONSOLIDATION APPLICATION AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES UK LIMITED LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 1.0 Introduction 1.1 This document accompanies the restoration proposals drawing (reference TP/CSV2/09 - see Appendix 1) in stating the restoration landform and soft restoration planting proposals for both Topley Pike Quarry extraction area and Plant Site and Deep Dale Tip area. 1.2 This document states the aims and objectives of the Restoration Strategy, provides background Policy Context and Peak District Landscape Character Key Characteristics. It also states the detailed restoration proposals and demonstrates how they tie into policy and BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) targets. 1.3 This document details proposed planting works, species types and growing mediums to help establish the restoration proposals. 1.4 The overall aim of the Restoration Strategy is: ‘To provide a long term and sustainable landform with appropriate vegetation cover that either reflects and / or integrates into its local setting whilst providing wildlife and amenity enhancement’. 1.5 The objectives of the Restoration Strategy being: The re-establishment of a typical 'Dale' landform profile within Deep Dale Re-instatement of the surface water course within Deep Dale linking into the local water catchment network Establishment of a lake with shallows and crenulated lake margins to the extracted quarry void Areas of limestone grassland Craggy outcrops, cliffs/faces and benches Native scrub and woodland Footpath 37 reinstated along Deep Dale valley floor To optimise wildlife gain through the provision of a mosaic of grassland, scrub, woodland, rock and river habitat found within the Limestone Dales Landscape Character Type (LCT) applied to Deep Dale and Limestone Village Pastures LCT with additional lake and exposed rock / faces applied to the extraction area and Plant Site within Topley Pike Quarry. 1.6 The restoration of the Application Site will be progressive as illustrated on Drawing No. TP/CSV2/08a to TP/CSV2/08d which are contained within the submitted planning application / accompanying Environmental Statement. S:\M11.160(f) Topley Pike - Consolidation Application - ISO\Reports\M11.160(f).R.003 Topley Pike Restoration Strategy\M11.160(f).R.003 Topley Pike Restoration Strategy_FINAL_2013-12- 12.doc 1 TOPLEY PIKE CONSOLIDATION APPLICATION AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES UK LIMITED LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 2.0 Policy Context 2.1 The Application Site is located within the Peak District National Park designated in 1951. 2.2 This nationally recognised designation has two statutory purposes: i. Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage ii. Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special quantities of National Parks by the public. 2.3 The valley features of ‘Topley Pike and Deep Dale’ and ‘Wye Dale’ are recognised as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and are located within the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation (SAC). These areas abut or form a small part of the application site. These areas are cited due to the semi natural dry calcareous grassland, scrub and woodland areas. 2.4 The SSSI (Topley Pike and Deep Dale) is generally in a favourable condition with on- going management to maintain the habitats, however, the Deep Dale Tip area has been classified as being in an ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition due to reduced proportions of herbs and sward structure in this area. 2.5 The currently relevant planning policy documents for the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) are as follows: i. Saved Policies from the Peak District National Park Authority Local Plan (2001) ii. Peak District National Park Authority Core Strategy (2011) 2.6 The National Planning Policy Framework is also a material consideration where Chapter 13 considers the Sustainable Use of Minerals. Guidance is provided on what Councils/Authorities should include within their policies, for example ‘mineral development should not have unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment or human health, including from noise, dust, visual intrusion…and take into account the cumulative effect of multiple impacts from individual sites and or a number of sites locally’. 2.7 PDNPA Local Plan (Saved Policies) Policy LM1: Assessing and Minimising the Environmental Impact of Mineral Activity Mineral development will not be permitted unless adverse impacts on the valued characteristics and amenity of the area can be reduced to the minimum practicable level, or eliminated, and the development is acceptable given the need to conserve and enhance the National Park. Were appropriate, the applicant must provide satisfactory evidence that the development can be completed within an agreed period. Particular attention will be paid to the following and planning conditions will be imposed as appropriate: S:\M11.160(f) Topley Pike - Consolidation Application - ISO\Reports\M11.160(f).R.003 Topley Pike Restoration Strategy\M11.160(f).R.003 Topley Pike Restoration Strategy_FINAL_2013-12- 12.doc 2 TOPLEY PIKE CONSOLIDATION APPLICATION AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES UK LIMITED LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT a. Nuisance and general disturbance to the amenity of the area (including that caused by transport and the method and duration of working); b. The risk and impact of potential pollution affecting the use of land (including noise, dust, vibration and fumes); c. Harm to the landscape (including that caused by the design and location of plant and buildings) and any necessary screening or landscaping of the Site; d. Harm to nature conservation, built environment and other heritage features; e. Harm to agricultural and forestry interests; f. Harm to recreational interests including public rights of way; g. Harm to surface and groundwater resources; h. Damage in the form of subsistence or landslips and the effects of land instability on surface development; i. The cumulative impacts of operations. Where necessary, planning obligations will be sought to address matters which cannot be dealt with by means of planning conditions, including the extinguishment of existing planning permissions. Policy LC20: Protecting Trees, Woodlands or other Landscape Features put at Risk by Development a. Planning applications should provide sufficient information to enable their impact on trees, woodlands and other landscape features to be properly considered b. Where development that involves risk of damage to trees, woodlands or other landscape features is acceptable, adequate space must be left for their replacement with appropriate species of trees and shrubs or local materials. Appropriate maintenance that respects wildlife interests will be required. 2.8 PDNPA Core Strategy With respect to aggregates paragraph 14.5 states that: There is extensive national policy on the provision of aggregate minerals. Much of this is set out in MPS1. The main requirements affecting the Peak District are in respect of…..: ….giving ‘great weight’ to the conservation of landscape and countryside, wildlife and heritage, and avoidance of impacts on recreation, in assessing non-major mineral development in National Parks. Policy GSP2: Enhancing the National Park A. Opportunities for enhancing the valued characteristics of the National Park will be identified and acted upon. B. Proposals intended to enhance the National Park will need to demonstrate that they offer significant overall benefit to the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area. They should not undermine the achievement of other Core Policies. C. When development is permitted, a design will be sought that respects the character of the area, and where appropriate, landscaping and planting schemes will