Issue - meetings

The purpose of the report is to advise Cabinet that the former BIFFA quarry and landfill site at Bramcote has now been legally adopted by the Council and to outline the next steps for the future use and development.

The former BIFFA sand quarry and landfill site at Bramcote was legally adopted by the Council in July 2025. Section 106 funds had been received from BIFFA for the improvement and maintenance of the restored quarry. Following the cessation of quarrying and landfill operations the site was capped and restored by BIFFA. It now comprised of a mixture of young woodland, naturalistic grassland and crushed stone paths. There was also a small car parking area with gated access. At present the gates were kept locked and only pedestrian access was possible, as keeping the gates open would make the site vulnerable to fly-tipping and unauthorised encampments.

Crushed stone paths on site had suffered erosion and wash-out in heavy rain and were not accessible. With a large-scale residential development currently taking place on the Coventry Lane, the footfall to this site was likely to increase. Members were informed that the proposed improvements included upgrading the car park and access track and incorporating a height restriction barrier at the entrance to the site to prevent unauthorised encampments. The area surrounding the car park would be more formally maintained and made more visible to discourage fly-tipping.

RESOLVED that:

1.     That the proposed improvement works at the former Bramcote Quarry and Landfill site be approved and added to the Capital Programme in 2026/27, with the cost of £107,000 to be funded by the relevant Section 106 Contributions be approved.

2.     That the draft management plan for the Bramcote Quarry site be submitted for public consultation and comment be approved.

3.     A public consultation exercise be undertaken to name the open space be approved.

4.     To undertake the necessary steps to designate the site Local Nature Reserve be approved.

Reason

The proposed designation and management of the site as a Local Nature Reserve will deliver positive climate benefits by enhancing carbon sequestration through habitat restoration and tree planting, while supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. These improvements contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation objectives, aligning with the Council’s Climate Change and Green Futures Strategy.