I understand where you're coming from, and there have been genuine gains like Druridge Pools - but there have also been substantial environment and biodiversity losses caused by the mining, that have not been replaced, either because they are not replaceable, or through lack of imagination in the restoration process. Ancient trees (with their nest holes for birds) are not replaced in a day or two after mining restoration; nor are the little stream gullies with vertical sandbank sides suitable for Kingfishers to nest in. The landscape produced by reclamation is too uniform, without any micro-habitats, and with heavily compacted, badly draining clay soils which only support very poor tree growth and very limited floral diversity, and are monotonously similar across the whole area. Squelchy wet most of the year, but turning rock-hard in dry summers. All the watercourses in the restored area are canalised with uniformly graded banks, and with constant gradient; no riffles, waterfalls, little pools, meanders, etc., etc. It's boring, and drab. And will always be limited in what it attracts. Where are the Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers going to breed? Where are the dry acidic sandy heaths that could attract Nightjars, and also Dartford Warblers in a warming world? Where are the open scrubby grasslands with scattered mature trees? All I see is barren overgrazed fields and solid block shelterbelts.