The Environment at Chicksgrove

Our Chicksgrove site is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is situated within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As such Chicksgrove Quarry Ltd appreciate that we have a responsibility towards the environment in which we work and take this into consideration during operations and planning.

At the recommendation of the relevant authorities the extinct areas of the quarry are being left to regenerate naturally. The nature of the geology in the area results in disturbed land encouraging the growth of otherwise rare plants which in turn encourages the insects which feed on them. Buzzards, Kestrels, Barn Owls, Skylarks, Nightingales and many other bird species are regularly sighted around the quarry and mammal species such as bats, deer, rabbits and badgers frequent the site once the working day is over.

During the planning investigations for the extension area evidence was found of Dormice living in the boundary hedgerows. Given that the Dormouse is such a rare and fragile species expert help was enlisted and a major project was undertaken to avoid impacting on their habitat, this included the moving of the hedgerow in small stages and the provision of special boxes to encourage any Dormice present to settle in the replacement hedgerow.

A concern of any working quarry will always be noise levels. We have used overburden to build a bund along the North edge of the processing yard. This has naturally regenerated with vegetaion and fulfils the dual purpose of helping shield our neighbours from the noise generated during an operational day and also reducing the visual impact from the road on the far side of the valley. A wall has been constructed from railway sleepers around our primary saw to deflect sound away from reisdents living in the vacinity of the processing yard. The quarry’s generator has also recently been replaced by a new, more efficient model with a ’super silent’ canopy. This was a considerable investment but has been worth every penny as it has as reduced noise level considerably.

All sawing performed at the quarry is done as a wet process which avoids any issues resulting from dust. We have recently installed a large settling tank, this allows the sediment to settle which means that the water can be recycled and water wastage is significantly reduced.

The Geology at Chicksgrove

The geology exposed by the present, and historical, workings at Chicksgrove Quarry contribute heavily towards it’s classficiation as SSSI and access to the former quarry faces for future generations features in the quarry’s restoration plans.

The Chilmark Stone present at Chicksgrove Quarry dates from the latter part of the Jurassic period so is around 145 million years old, the stone is from the upper part of the Portland Stone Formation and the very lower beds of the Purbeck Limestone Group.

The Chilmark Stone at Chicksgrove is a fine grained, silicaceous limestone, creamy-white in colour when fresh, weathering to a more grey colour. It occurs in 4 distinct beds, some of which are very fossiliferous containing silicifed shell fragments which look very attractive when used for flooring and paving. Large ammonite faunas are also found, though rarely whole.