At a Glance

A proposed extension to Newington Quarry for further mineral extraction required prolonged and detailed assessments of the local water environment to ensure water resources and ecological features would not be impacted by quarry workings. Flooding was a major consideration, so we needed to ensure a flood risk assessment was carried out before the extension was proposed.

Hafren Water assessed the baseline conditions and potential impacts with regard to regulatory constraints. A working method and post-extraction restoration were formulated to satisfy all parties.

Scope

 

Newington Quarry (operated by Hanson UK) is located in Bawtry, Nottinghamshire, and produces sand and gravel. Planning Permission was sought for an extension to the mineral extraction quarry to the south and west of the worked area to allow the maintenance of production from the site.

The proposed extensions were located in a designated floodplain adjacent to the River Idle, with a statutory SSSI immediately to their south. The SSSI requires regular flooding to support its particular ecological features.

Restoration of the site was primarily for ecological enhancement with areas of wet grassland and reedbed in the more low-lying areas. Input was provided to the restoration design to ensure that it was hydrologically sustainable.


Challenges

The location of the site adjacent to the River Idle and the permeable nature of the deposit meant that the volumes of groundwater which could ingress to the workings required careful assessment. Calculations were undertaken, based upon both theoretical and empirical methods. Once determined the means of managing and disposing of the water were developed, in close co-operation with the quarry operators.
The site is located within a defended floodplain. A Flood Risk Assessment was undertaken, to assess the effects to and from the site. Consideration of safe egress was paramount.

Outcome

 

Planning permission was obtained and the site is being worked effectively; the prediction of impacts and water volumes were verified as site development progressed.