The primary purpose of the management plans for the old quary area is to halt and gradually reverse the trend towards woodland. Areas of birch, hawthorn, ash and bramble etc will be retained, but their spread resticted.

The following map shows the quarry areas planned for some clearance work:
The larger dark shading indicates grassland areas to be kept clear of trees and scrub. The other shaded areas are for specific clearance work. The following list provides additional details:

• Birch control:
  By 2002, birch had spread over much of the quarry, with one or two areas on the east side having become 'mini' birch woodlands. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, birch saplings and small trees in areas where their density was low have been removed. New saplings, and re-growth from the old stumps will be cut back in future years.

  It is intended that the area shown as 'grassland' on the above map is kept clear of trees and scrub.

• Sycamore infestation:
  In 2003, 9 sycamore trees were identified, primarily on the southern side of Stonepit Quarry - it is probable that these had spread from the northern end of Ring Haw wood which is heavily infested. 8 trees were removed in the 2003/4 winter period, and re-growth from stumps and any new saplings found will be cut back in future years. One tree remains near the kissing gate entrance to the quarry from Old Sulehay Road.
• Footpath maintenance:
  

  As with other reserve areas, all footpaths will be kept clear for access by walkers as an ongoing maintenance task. In the 2004/5 winter maintenance period, the footpath running south from the north west corner of the quarry was cleared of overhanging bramble, hawthorn, blackthorn and wild rose to a width of around 2m.

• Scrub Clearance:
  
  The footpath running across the northern side of the quarry has been found to be a prime habitat for Dingy Skipper and Grizzled Skipper butterflies. However, the area has become increasingly shaded by trees and scrub on the bank to the south of the footpath.
  During the 2004/5 winter maintenance period, a significant scrub clearance task was undertaken in this area to remove ash and hawthorn from the top of the bank, and to remove the scrub on the side of the bank. As a result, it is anticipated that the additional sunlight and warmth throughout the year will significantly improve the habitat for the butterflies and other insects.
• Ragwort control:
  The quarry is reasonably clear of ragwort. However, some plants are found, particularly along the ride edges. Throughout the summer/autumn periods, any ragwort found will be removed by hand.
• Fence construction:
  In 2003, stock fencing was installed to fully enclose the quarry area, with kissing gates at pedestrian access points.
  The Wildlife Trust plans in future to use sheep and/or highland cattle to graze the quarry area thus helping to restrict the desity of plant growth, and maintain a rough surface which is low in nutriments.
  It may be necessary in the near future to further strengthen the fencing, and/or use one or two strands of barbed wire to deter live stock from using the fence posts as 'scratching' posts.
• Ride maintenance:
  The main ride running along the northern edge of the quarry was re-surfaced with a limestone mixture of hardcore and sand in the spring of 2002.
  In the 2004/5 winter maintenance program, the ride sides were mown, and overgrowing shrubs and bramble were cut back. It is expected that it will be necessary to repeat this process annually.