Holme Park Quarry in Cumbria is an 88 hectare limestone quarry which has been operational for around 50 years. It is of particular biological and geological interest as there are three levels of designation within the boundary: Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), National Nature Reserves (NNR) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) most of which also extend beyond the site boundary.
In the centre of the working quarry, an ‘island’ of limestone pavement has been retained and this, along with the area of limestone pavement on the south-western margin of the site, is designated as Clawthorpe Fell NNR. This area, plus an area to the south-west beyond the site boundary and the large area of fell adjacent to the north-eastern boundary of the site, is designated as Farleton Knott SSSI. All of this area falls within the Morecambe Bay SAC. All of these sites are designated for their limestone habitats, principally limestone pavement, limestone grassland and scree with its associated flora.
Some of the species which are attracted are plants typical of limestone pavement and limestone grassland like the blue moor-grass which have in turn attracted a butterfly assemblage including high brown fritillary, pearl-bordered fritillary and northern brown argus all of which are of national importance and have specific plans within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP).
Other interesting species found have included narrow mouthed whorl snails which are globally noted with a conservation dependent status on the IUCN Red List. Surveys have also noted dormouse in the woodland and scrub, great crested newts, and peregrine falcon. If the habitats are managed, we may be able to tempt the red squirrel onto the site as older records noted they were in the area.
A viewing area has been constructed on the southern boundary of the quarry which is often used by the local community. It is accessed through the nature reserve which is managed by the quarry along with members of the community. The quarry have also had groups from the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) helping to keep the scrub under control.
This site shows all the tensions that can arise in society over differing views on today’s use of natural resources and the management of landscape of high conservation, recreational and aesthetical values: excellent opportunities for quarrying basic raw materials required by every part of society stand opposite the preservation of a unique landscape with distinct uncommon biodiversity elements harbouring many species of conservation concern. Ultimately, this is a good example how these interests can be quite successfully integrated with each other.