Hanson sites win restoration and biodiversity awards

Hanson picked up three awards including the coveted Cooper Heyman Cup for outstanding achievement in restoration at the Mineral Products Association’s Quarries and Nature 2015 event at the Royal Society in London.

The former Middleton Hall sand and gravel quarry on the Staffordshire/Warwickshire border beat off strong competition to win the top restoration award. Landscape architect David Southgate, who has been involved in the project for nearly 20 years, received the trophy.

In the biodiversity category, the landscape scale award was won by a joint entry from Hanson and Aggregate Industries for work done at the neighbouring Batts Combe and Callow Rock quarries in the Mendip Hills. The trophy was presented to landscape architect Alexandra Pick.

Finally, Hanson was a joint recipient with four other companies of a special award for the industry’s contribution in helping to shape the Cotswold Water Park over some 50 years of extraction, restoration and after use. Principal landscape architect Andy Duncan collected Hanson’s award.

The event was co-hosted by BBC Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton and BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today presenter Sybil Ruscoe.

More information: MPA press release: The Mineral Products Industry Is Playing a Key Role in Building on Britain’s Natural Capital