PLA26092 Lummaton Quarry SSSI

Lummaton Quarry Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), comprising Units 1, 2 and 3, is a nationally and internationally important geological site forming part of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark. The site contains significant Devonian-aged fossiliferous limestone exposures, including the Lummaton Shell Beds, which are of very high scientific, educational and geodiversity value. Over time, much of the quarry has become overgrown with scrub, trees and dense vegetation, significantly reducing the visibility and accessibility of key geological features. This has contributed to parts of the SSSI being assessed as “Unfavourable Declining”, with some areas no longer accessible for research or educational use. The Conservation and Enhancement Scheme (CES) Agreement between Natural England and Torbay Council establishes a formal programme of highly specialised ecological and geological works to restore the site to favourable condition and ensure its long-term management.