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Reef limestones of Carboniferous age, Parkhouse Hill, Longnor, Derbyshire. Why are geodiversity conservation issues important to councillors?Introduction Britain has had a significant influence on the study of geology since the 19th century and many geological sites within the country are of international importance. Several periods of geological time were named after localities found in the Britain, e.g. Cambrian (Cambrian Mountain, N Wales), Ordovician, Silurian (Welsh border tribes), Devonian (Devon). The naming of Epochs, such as the Wenlock named after Wenlock Edge in Shropshire, show the high importance of British geological sites to international geoscience. We therefore have a responsibility to conserve this geological heritage. The minerals industry has a long link with geodiversity; exploration has increased our knowledge of geology while extraction has exposed many new and interesting features that would otherwise have remained hidden. However, imprudent quarrying activity could result in the destruction and permanent loss of some of our most valuable geological exposures. It is the duty of the planning system to ensure that geodiversity is maintained through careful planning, quarry operation and sympathetic restoration schemes. What is geodiversity?
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It is a common misconception that geological and landscape features, other than those already afforded some measure of protection as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, are sufficiently robust not to require active management or action planning. All geological features are potentially vulnerable. In addition to obvious threats posed by inappropriate site development and the infilling of quarries, the encroachment of vegetation, natural weathering and general deterioration with time may threaten to damage or obliterate important geological features. 
Hutton's unconformity, Siccar Point, Berwickshire.
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