Aggregates site restored by Brett

‘Restoring the land on which we work is core to the Brett business approach’, said the company. In 1996 it struck an agreement with a local Kent landowner, Neville Marchant, to excavate material from approximately two and a half hectares of his land and to then restore the area.

The restoration plans included a lake with trees and reed beds to encourage wildlife and create an attractive environment. A five year after-care plan ensured the area will also be well maintained into the future.

The first part of the project was to excavate the material. Brett constructed a specially made, 52m conveyor (designed and fitted by Canning Conveyors) that stretched from Marchant’s land across the River Stour, across a busy rural footpath, and discharged onto another conveyor, and was then taken by dump truck to Milton Quarry for processing.

Special spillage trays and canopies were built onto the conveyor to protect both the river and the general public walking below and power was provided by a silent generator to reduce any noise for neighbours and walkers. Approximately 57,000 tons of aggregate was removed from Marchant’s land and processed at Milton Quarry before being turned into the Durite decorative aggregate.

The restoration of the land then got underway with the creation of the pond, reed beds and a shallow area to encourage swallows, ducks and wading birds. 250 new trees are providing hedgerow for wildlife and screening the nearby paper mill. Platforms will be strategically placed around the lake for fishing and leisure use.