Chalk grassland in South Downs will be restored under plans

Chalk grassland in South Downs will be restored under plans

May 4, 2021

An important restoration scheme that will provide tree planting and chalk grassland creation has been approved by the Authority.

The restoration work was given the green light as part of a planning application that was considered by Planning Committee for Butser Hill Lime Works, close to the A3 and the village of Buriton, in Hampshire.

The application was to consolidate two extant planning permissions for chalk extraction and aggregate recycling operations, as well as an enhanced restoration scheme for the site. The consolidation of the extant planning permissions would see end of chalk extraction from 2042 to 2024.

Following the decision by committee, the aggregate recycling operations and restoration of the site is now due to be completed by the end of 2028.

Sabrina Robinson, Planning, Monitoring and Compliance Officer for the Authority, explained: “The previously permitted restoration scheme for the site was to import material to have a flat plateau style landscape which would then be left to self-seed.

“This restoration scheme was typical of old mineral permissions and was granted prior to the South Downs National Park being created. As such it did not adhere to purposes One and Two of the National Park.

“The new scheme was landscape led and involves the importation of large amounts of clean inert waste and soils, clays and top soils to create a landform which will integrate with Queen Elizabeth Country Park which is adjacent to the site.”

The restoration will include the creation of low-lying areas to encourage aquatic habitats, a focal viewpoint on top of the ridge in the Northern Quarry, and informal paths to encourage exploration of the site.

The lime kilns will also be protected and enhanced.