Appendix 8.4: Mineral Extraction Sites - Restoration Plan Requirements

A restoration plan should include:

1. a site-based landscape strategy for the restoration scheme;
2. the key landscape and biodiversity opportunities and constrains ensuring connectivity with surrounding landscape and habitats;
3. the geological, archaeological and historic heritage and landscape features and their settings;
4. the site boundaries and areas identified for soil and overburden storage;
5. an assessment of soil resources and their removal, handling and storage;
6. an assessment of the overburden to be removed and stored;
7. the type and depth of workings and information relating to the water table;
8. storage locations and quantities of waste/fill materials and quantities and types of waste/fill involved;
9. proposed infilling operations, sources and types of fill material;
10. the arrangements for monitoring and the control and management of landfill gas;
11. consideration of land stability after restoration;
12. directions and phasing of working and restoration and how they are integrated into the working scheme;
13. the need for provision of additional screening taking account of degrees of visual exposure;
14. details of the proposed final landform including pre and post settlement levels;
15. types, quantities and source of soils or soil making materials to be used;
16. a methodology for management of soils to ensure that the pre-development soil quality is maintained;
17. proposals for meeting targets of biodiversity gain and make contributions towards achieving specific targets set out in the Greater Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan;
18. removal of all buildings, plant, structures, accesses and hardstanding not required for long term management of the site;
19. planting of new native woodlands;
20. installation of drainage to enable high quality resonation and after-use;
21. measures to incorporate flood risk mitigation opportunities;
22. details of the seeding of grass or other crops and planting of trees, shrubs and hedges;
23. a programme of aftercare to include details of vegetation establishment, vegetation management, biodiversity habitat management, field drainage, irrigation and watering facilities; and
24. the restoration of the majority of the site back to agriculture, if the site consists of the best and most versatile agricultural land.