Restoring former quarries and extraction sites for tourism, leisure and recreation uses

We help mineral companies, landowners, charities, national park authorities, and local authorities turn worked-out quarries, gravel pits, and mines into visitor destinations, from identifying options through to market assessments and building the business plan that helps to secure funding.

Once extraction is complete, some sites are restored for agricultural, woodland, or nature conservation uses.  A growing number are becoming visitor destinations, from nature reserves through to water sports, activity tourism, and other visitor uses, taking advantage of the landform left behind after extraction is complete.

What we do

• Site appraisals, market analysis and options appraisal to identify concepts and end uses for an extraction site, then evaluating the potential uses to identify a preferred way forward
• Feasibility studies and business plans for post-extraction uses, testing whether a working or restored extraction site can support a water sports offer, an activity attraction or visitor centre
• Operational reviews of established tourism, leisure or recreation experiences which have been developed in a former extraction site. Working with the client to identify opportunities to enhance the visitor experience, increase visitor numbers and improve financial resilience.

Quarry and extraction site projects

• RSPB: Working with the RSPB at St Aidan’s Nature Park, we carried out a review of development proposals to enhance the visitor experience at the Nature Park, which has been developed on a former open-cast coal mine
• Charity in the Midlands: Carried out a feasibility study to assess the opportunity for a working extraction site to become a watersport activity offer following completion of extraction activities
• Lochaline Quartz Sand (with Duncan Bryden Associates): A feasibility study for a discovery and heritage centre linked to a working mine in North West Scotland
• Cotswold Lake Trust: Carried out a market review and evaluated appropriate water-based uses, education activities and supporting visitor infrastructure which could be introduced at a former mineral extraction site
• Lancashire Wildlife Trust: Initially worked with the Trust to carry out a feasibility study to assess the opportunity for a visitor centre. Appointed to prepare the business plan, which was used to raise £9 million to develop the site (a former gravel pit), including a floating visitor centre with catering, conferences and retail uses
• International Earth Resources Centre: Working with the project team, we carried out a market analysis and forecast future visitor levels which could be attracted to the proposed Earth Project in Snowdonia, which would be developed in the former Glyn Rhonwy slate mine
• Private landowner: Assessed the opportunity to introduce a visitor attraction use into an existing quarry as part of the reinstatement works
• Scottish Borders Council and 3 to 1 CIC (with Duncan Bryden Associates): Carried out a feasibility study for an environmentally themed visitor centre; five sites, including a hard rock quarry, were reviewed
• Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust: Feasibility study to develop the Attenborough Nature Centre and Reserve, on a former gravel extraction site
• Northumberland National Park Authority: Options appraisal and business plan to enhance the visitor offer at Walltown Country Park
• North Northamptonshire Council: Feasibility study at Irchester Country Park, a former ironstone quarry

Clients we’ve worked with

• The RSPB
• Lancashire Wildlife Trust
• Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
• Cotswolds Lake Trust
• Lochaline Quartz Sand (with Duncan Bryden)
• International Earth Resource Centre
• Scottish Borders Council 3to1 CIC (with Duncan Bryden)
• Northumberland National Park Authority
• North Northamptonshire Council
• Private landowners

What helps us to create robust solutions for former mines, quarries, and extraction sites?

Our sister company manages the Cotswold Country Park and Beach near Cirencester, which has been developed on a former gravel extraction site, and CONKERS, a 120-acre woodland experience in the National Forest, which has been developed on a former colliery.

This hands-on experience managing visitor sites means we understand the challenges and pressures of creating financially sustainable uses.

Talk to us about your project

Contact Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk to discuss how we can help with your project.