Tarmac boost biodiversity at Tunstead

Flag Dale biodiversity management project supports habitat and species conservation targets

AS part of a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) action, Tarmac have undertaken a calcareous grassland restoration project at Tunstead Quarry, near Buxton, in the Peak District. The aim is to protect and retain this nationally rare habitat within Tarmac’s portfolio and increase the floristic diversity at the site.

The project at Flag Dale, which despite being outside of the main quarry site is still within Tarmac’s freehold, involved the clearance of more than four acres of dense scrub. This has allowed sunlight to reach the ground and enabled native herbs and wildflowers to dominate once again. Some notable species include cowslips, pyramidal orchids, and rockroses.

Over the past 100 years, species-rich grassland in the UK has declined dramatically in its abundance, with roughly 90% of this habitat lost due to change of land use. Known for its floristic diversity and providing a habitat for as many as 40 species per square metre of turf, this habitat relies on traditional management methods such as coppicing and livestock grazing, primarily sheep. By controlling the scrub growth as a BMP action, Tarmac have been able to reset this habitat, taking a significant step in returning it to a favourable calcareous grassland.

Led by Tarmac’s operational team at Tunstead and supported by the region’s restoration manager, the delivery team included site manager Jacob Wright; Jason South, at the time the senior operations manager for Tunstead; and restoration manager James Rhodes. Works were carried out by environmental consultants Terra Analytical.

The Flag Dale restoration project forms a key part of Tarmac’s BMP for Tunstead, which has been in place since 2007 and was reviewed in 2021. Biodiversity management projects such as this support the habitat and species conservation targets set by the Peak District National Park and align with Tarmac’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, reflecting both Tarmac’s and CRH’s commitment to responsible and sustainable land stewardship.

James Rhodes said: ‘As long-term land custodians, we are committed to enhancing biodiversity across our sites. This project provided a great opportunity to re-establish calcareous grassland at Tunstead and protect this very rare habitat. With more than 187,000 acres of land under our stewardship, managing these assets in an environmentally responsible way is extremely important to us.’

James Bairstow, director of Terra Analytical UK, said: ‘We were really pleased to support Tarmac on this important restoration project. At Terra Analytical, our team combines practical land-management experience with a strong focus on quality, safety, and compliance. The Flag Dale project is a great example of how effective partnership working can deliver real biodiversity gains, encourage the return of native species, and contribute to long-term conservation targets in the Peak District.’