Quarrying continued until 2015, and material was excavated and sold from the quarry as recently as autumn 2015. A remaining small deposit is being used to assist with restoration.
Was material imported into the site?
Since Grundon opened up the site, other appropriate materials have been imported for blending and to provide a diverse range of sands, gravels and aggregates for local use. The volume of imported material has remained roughly the same for the last ten years of excavation. Additional material has been imported to restore the site.
What is the current restoration plan?
In line with the planning consent, the site is being restored to low-lying agricultural use. The restoration plan requires the site to be covered with layers of subsoil and then topsoil, before grass is established. Material ihas been imported to achieve this, along with the original topsoil that has been carefully stored on site.
The buildings, concrete pads and bays have been removed and certain areas have been planted with trees and native shrubs.
Specific areas of the quarry walls – those of most geological interest – will be left exposed. Small heaps of rocks will also be left.
Oxfordshire County Council has extended the planning permission on several occasions so the site can be fully excavated and the material sold for local use. In December 2015, once all the economically viable material had been extracted, Grundon then moved its remaining operations to its new Faringdon Quarry in Little Coxwell parish. Restoration work at Wicklesham Quarry is currently underway and will be completed shortly.
