On Stony Ground

Preface

Limestone pavement is a rare and threatened habitat and landscape feature. Its protection and proper management is a conservation priority, the more so because the British Isles are home to the world’s most important areas of pavement and we thus have international responsibilities.

Their importance is recognized in conservation designations in both the United Kingdom and Ireland and some pavements will have further protection as Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive. In addition, in England, the most important pavements are now covered by Limestone Pavement Orders (LPOs) made under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which prohibit damage and disturbance.

Despite these safeguards many pavement areas, particularly in England, have been extensively damaged to meet a demand for decorative rockery stone and, in some cases, to supply stone for larger landscaping schemes. This damage is continuing. It is now much reduced in England as a result of the LPO provisions but growing in Ireland, where market opportunities to meet demand for stone in the UK are being exploited.

Both the Governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland wish to see more effective protection of important pavement areas but need evidence of the extent of the problem, if action is to be taken.

The Countryside Agency in England and the Heritage Council of Ireland have jointly funded this research, which is intended to provide facts and figures on the extent of continuing damage to pavement areas and in particular on trade in water-worn limestone.

Richard Lloyd, Chair

Limestone Pavement Biodiversity Action Plan Working Group