New help is at hand, from today (Thursday 11 April) to tackle some of the problems aggregates extraction impose on the countryside. Extraction of aggregates can damage historic landscapes and local biodiversity. It can increase traffic on small road...
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New funds mean a better future for areas affected by aggregates extraction - 11 April 2002

New help is at hand, from today (Thursday 11 April) to tackle some of the problems aggregates extraction impose on the countryside. Extraction of aggregates can damage historic landscapes and local biodiversity. It can increase traffic on small roads through rural communities. The Countryside Agency, English Nature and English Heritage will distribute

£16million from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) over the coming year. Another £13.5 millionwill be available through the fund in 2003/4, according to an announcement made today by the Environment Minister Michael Meacher.

The Countryside Agency, English Nature, and English Heritage, in consultation with local authorities, interest groups and the aggregates industry, will distribute grants to local projects to deliver a wide range of benefits to areas which are, or have been, affected by aggregates extraction, involving wherever possible local communities. Countryside Agency grants will focus on projects which deliver landscape, community and recreational benefits, while English Nature will work with local communities to deliver ecological, geological and biodiversity benefits and English Heritage will concentrate on historic environment, including historic buildings, archaeological sites and landscapes.

Richard Wakeford, Countryside Agency chief executive said: "Extraction of chalk, limestone and other aggregates can damage historic landscapes and local biodiversity. It can cause increased heavy traffic through villages that can't cope with it. We know that there are lots of communities with ideas to overcome these problems. They planlandscape restoration, public access and recreation facilities. Some even propose buying out historic rights to quarry.We are now ready to receive project proposals from anyone directly or indirectly affected by aggregates extraction."

Andy Brown, acting chief executive, English Nature said: "English Nature is delighted to assist in distributing part of the Sustainability Fund. It will have a significant impact and will enable local communities to increase biodiversity, conserve geological features and address the threat from old, unused mineral permissions. We will fund a wide range of projects that deliver such things as habitat restoration and creation, species recovery, local biodiversity action plans, improving geologically important sites and addressing potentially damaging effects of old mineral permissions. We are particularly looking forward to working in close partnership with the aggregates industry, local authorities and communities, English Heritage and the Countryside Agency to ensure that the long-term objective of sustainable development is achieved."

Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive at English Heritage, said: "This opens up exciting possibilities. Some of the most important archaeological projects of the past twenty years or more have taken place in advance of aggregate extraction. Now we have the opportunity to synthesise this work and to make the information available to a wider public. We have already received many good ideas for projects. We particularly need to understand better the historic environment of areas rich in aggregates, both on land and underwater, and develop predictive modelling for the benefit of the industry and planning authorities and improve further decision making."

More details about applying for a grant from the ALSF are available from:

  • the Countryside Agency website: www.countryside.gov.uk or from the Countryside Agency ALSF team - 0117 973 9966
  • the English Nature website: http://www.english-nature.org.uk or Phil Denham on 01392 889 777/770, fax: 01392 437 999
  • the English Heritage website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/archaeology or via the English Heritage ALSF team - 020 7973 3107  
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Notes to editors

  • The Countryside Agency has a team of regional case officers who will work with local people to generate and facilitate grants to the ALSF. The Cambridge-based case officer will cover the London, South East, Eastern and East Midlands regions, the Manchester-based officer will cover the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humberside regions, and the Bristol-based officer will cover the South West and West Midlands regions.
  • English Heritage has a network of regional offices, supported by the Archaeology Commissions team in London, who will deal with applications to the ALSF.
  • The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside. 
  • English Nature is the Government agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and geology throughout England. Tel: 01733 455 101, fax: 01733 455 103, email: enquiries@English-nature.org.uk
  • English Heritage aims to increase understanding of the past, conserve and enhance the historic environment, and broaden access to and appreciation of the heritage. www.english-heritage.org.uk