Restoration of Aushaw Moss

Aushaw Moss is a 28-hectare area of blanket bog within the West Pennine Moors SSSI that is owned by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. A former peat extraction site, Aushaw Moss was successfully re-wetted in part between 2009 and 2011. The Council wishes to undertake further works to re-wet the remainder of the site, prevent drainage to adjacent land holdings, as far as possible, and introduce sphagnum moss and other bog plants to hasten the restoration of vegetation. The restoration will help to sequester carbon and contribute to a reduction of emissions from the borough, an objective of the Council's Climate Emergency Action Plan, as well as enhancing the biodiversity and condition of the SSSI.