The Sandpit Project is operated by The Greensand Trust, working in partnership with local authorities, with funding from the Countryside Agency through the DEFRA Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.  The project was established by the Greensand Trust, Bedfordshire County Council and South Beds District Council to deliver elements of the previously defined Sandpit strategy.

The initial motivation for the strategy came from the recognition of opportunities provided by the restoration of sandpits in the Leighton Buzzard area to relieve the intense pressure on Stockgrove Country Park and its surroundings, and the need to look more strategically at their restoration. 

The Project Team pursues access and landscape improvements while also working to increase local awareness of the sand industry and promote educational opportunities.  We have a range of public events and also arrange special educational visits in and for schools and other groups.

For many years sand has been an integral part of the landscape and industry of Leighton Buzzard and Heath & Reach. Large reserves remain locally, so the industry is likely to remain important for the foreseeable future. Worked-out sand pits are already used for informal public recreation, and others in the future could be restored for this purpose, or for wildlife and conservation.

Project Report 2002-2008

Educational Resources