A new 18-hectare woodland is set to be created on the site of a former
County Durham surface mine.
North East employer Banks Mining has been working on the landscaping and
aftercare of its former Bradley site, which sits off the A692 between
Leadgate and Dipton, since mining and restoration work was completed
three years ago.
The family-owned firm has enhanced the original restoration plan to
include the planting of 36,000 new trees and shrubs on the site, 93% of
which will be broadleaf trees.
Pedunculate oak, sessile oak, hazel, cherry, crab apple, silver and
downy birch will all be included in the new woodland.
New footpaths are being created to maximise public access to the site
and will run alongside the others across the site that have been
reinstated as part of the restoration process.
Specialist contractor Tilhill Forestry has already been carrying out
preparatory work on the site in advance of planting starting early in
the new year.
The woodland project has been brought forward with the support from the
Bradley Liaison Committee, made up of members of Durham County Council,
local groups and residents, and the England Woodland Creation Offer
administered by the Forestry Commission.
Louise Harrison, project manager at Banks Mining, says: “The aftercare
period of our mining projects is just as important as all the other
elements, and we’ve had a dedicated team of aftercare specialists
working at the Bradley site over the last three years to deliver a range
of landscape benefits.
“Planting this new woodland will enhance the long-term biodiversity
benefits we can provide and will add additional wildlife habitats to the
site while also providing more opportunities for local people to enjoy
it for leisure purposes.
“We’re very grateful to the Bradley Liaison Committee, Durham County
Council, Tilhill Forestry and the Forestry Commission for their support
in bringing these plans to fruition.
“Everything is in place for us to be able to make swift progress with
the planting, and we’re excited to see this valuable new community asset
taking shape in the new year.”
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