The QPA Restoration Awards 2007 was given to Patersons of Greenoakhill Limited for the Dykefarm Quarry Nature Reserve which has been created at the Company’s former sand and gravel quarry near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway.

On 11th February 1999, Patersons of Greenoakhill Ltd submitted amended proposals for the extension of sand and gravel extraction operations at Dykefarm Quarry and a revised restoration strategy for the creation of agricultural grassland and a community nature reserve.

In April 2000 Patersons of Greenoakhill Ltd were granted planning permission by Dumfries & Galloway Council for the limited extraction of sand and gravel from below the groundwater level in the southern portion of Dykefarm Quarry (planning permission ref: 98/P/40409) and as a result of the phased extraction of the sand and gravel reserves from the site a variety of sympathetic habitats have been created. The progressive reinstatement of Dykefarm Quarry not only reduced the landscape impact of the mineral workings but has also provided an opportunity for the landscape and ecological enhancement of the site and its immediate environs.

The restoration of Dykefarm Quarry has been achieved by the close link between Patersons of Greenoakhill Ltd and the Moffat & District Community Initiative. The Moffat & District Community Initiative, aware of the huge potential the creation of nature reserve at Dykefarm Quarry could have for the resident of the Moffat/Beattock area and the thousand of tourists who visit this area each year, have expended a lot of time and effort to ensure the community has been involved in all aspects of the site’s reinstatement so that the long-term benefit of the nature reserve for the community can be secured.

Previous Awards

In 2005 Patersons were awarded a Restoration Award for the reinstatement of the landfill site at the former Colzium Quarry; by the creation of the seven replacement golf holes we were required to build in accordance with the planning permission for the extension of Beltmoss Quarry.