A 25-year restoration project at a former landfill in Knowl Hill, near Maidenhead in Berkshire, has been praised for transforming the area into a flourishing natural landscape that is rich in flora and fauna.
Now enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike, the 17.3 hectare site, originally a brickworks, was bought by Grundon in 1995 and first used as a clay quarry.
Right from the start, Grundon’s Risk & Sustainability Director, Toni Robinson, has led an ongoing restoration project to ensure that, as each section of the landfill was completed and capped, soil would be replaced and habitat work begun. This phased approach has been central to enhancing biodiversity and turning the land into an attractive area for the local community.
With the landfill closed in December 2021 and the restoration work completed at the end of 2022, the site has now become a thriving home for both wildlife and nature. When Toni and her colleague Annie Sessions recently visited, they spotted three raptor species, various other birds, roe deer and a variety of plant species – all clear indicators of how well the landscape is thriving.
The area is now a popular walking trail used regularly by local residents. Among them is keen walker, Dave Gray, who said:
“I would like to congratulate Grundon on the superb work they have done at the former landfill at Knowl Hill. I often walk in the area and enjoy seeing what has been created. I am sure the wildlife will flourish along with the new trees that have been planted.”
Dave Gray
Toni says: “We are delighted that Dave reached out to share his love of the area, it is truly rewarding to hear that the restoration work is being appreciated by the local community. When the work began, the area could only be described as a derelict landscape. As a business which is committed to doing our best for the environment, this was such an important project for us to get right. Our long-term aim has been to create a variety of habitats to support and enhance biodiversity across both this site and its neighbouring areas.
“This project demonstrates how, when landfill restoration is done well, it can deliver real value for both residents and nature alike. If the original quarry had not been landfilled, it would simply have been left as a deep clay hole with minimal biodiversity or value to the local community. While landfill sites are often viewed negatively, this work shows that with careful planning and commitment, there are significant long-term environmental benefits and we hope many more walkers and countryside enthusiasts will visit to see the progress for themselves.”
As part of the restoration project, Grundon has planted hundreds of native trees and reinstated a public footpath across the land to provide easy access for walkers. While some areas are fenced to safeguard the young trees from deer and also provide protection for ground-nesting birds, the footpath has deliberately been left unfenced to allow it to blend in with the landscape. Instead, it is marked by large stones which were taken from the original quarry, and keen-eyed fossil hunters may spot a fossil or two among them. Equally, the stones provide the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the views.
To explore the area, the public footpath runs north from ///warthog.agenda.tickets (OS ref SU 81679 79508) and links to other public rights of way in the area.