Former mine becomes nature reserve

A former surface mine in County Durham is set to be transformed into a new nature reserve following a land donation and long-term funding agreement.

Banks Mining has gifted a 21-hectare site at Bradley, between Leadgate and Dipton, to Durham Wildlife Trust. 

The site, now named Billingside Meadows, will be managed as a reserve after being fully restored following mining operations between 2018 and 2020.

Banks has also created a £127,000 fund to support the reserve’s long-term management, alongside annual backing for a further seven years. 

The move adds to Banks Mining’s wider restoration record, which includes restoring 120 sites and planting more than 1.7 million trees across northern England and Scotland.

Louise Harrison, of Banks Mining, said: “Many of our former surface mines have been transformed into well-used community resources over the last four decades as part of the restoration work we’ve carried out, and we’re excited to be adding the former Bradley site to this number.

“Billingside Meadows will be a wonderful place for people to walk, play or just spend time, and Durham Wildlife Trust’s expertise and dedication, along with the enthusiasm of their volunteer team, makes them the ideal partner to deliver something really special.

“We’re very pleased to be extending our longstanding relationship with Durham Wildlife Trust and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

Durham Wildlife Trust, which manages more than 50 nature reserves between the Tees and the Tyne, will bring in Exmoor ponies and native cattle to graze the area, in order to help create a varied plant structure that will support a mix of wildflowers and invertebrates.

Andrew Wadds, reserves manager for Durham Wildlife Trust, added: “We are pleased to be able to launch the new Billingside Meadows nature reserve and look forward to working alongside our volunteers to further restore the site for nature.

“Located between Dipton and Leadgate, the reserve comprises of grasslands, wetlands and mixed scrub, along with a number of accessible footpaths.

“Visitors can expect to see birds such as lapwing and skylark, which breed on the open grasslands, plus a range of dabbling ducks on the ponds throughout the year.

“The Trust will be using its Exmoor ponies and native cattle to graze the area, creating a varied plant structure which will support a mix of wildflowers and invertebrates.

“Our work for wildlife is made possible thanks to fantastic support from our members and volunteers, and we hope that more people who enjoy this wild space might get involved in what we do.”

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