Project Profiles
Dilly Lane, Hartley Wintney
This project involved the successful design of a mitigation package for the consent for 170 homes for Barratt Homes. The mitigation primarily consisted of 10 hectares of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) to ensure that the avoidance of potential recreational effects on the nearby Thames Basin Heath SPA. The plan was agreed by Natural England and was instrumental in the consent for the application, which has recently been upheld by a subsequent Judicial Review in a landmark case for the Thames Basin Heath SPA.
South of M4 SDL
The design of a bespoke SANGS Plan for the Wokingham Borough South of M4 Strategic Development Location (SDL) involved extensive consultation which resulted in Natural England support and approval. This complex of land units is designed to provide long, varied walks in semi-natural habitats where dogs can be run off-lead, ample opportunities to learn about and enjoy wildlife whilst also developing better grassland, hedgerow, woodland and river meadow habitats. The specialised requirements of a range of protected species (otter, barn owl, bats) have been factored carefully into the designs which will ensure enhanced future biodiversity for the area.
The Hatch, Basingstoke
The Hatch is an example of innovative ecological restoration based on intensive research on site history and ecology. A small fragment of ancient peat fen survives at Mapledurwell near Basingstoke and is extremely rich in plant species. Research showed that part of the adjoining land, for some of which B1 uses were sought, had originally been part of the same fen, but had been infilled in the 1960’s with demolition rubble from the redevelopment of Basingstoke Town Centre.
The restoration of the fen and management of the River Lyde involved careful design prior to the removal of the rubble, and the re-exposure of the intact fen beneath, facilitating the achievement of planning consent. The scheme is now managed by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Priddy’s Hard, Portsmouth
Priddy’s Hard is a 650-unit development with a 7-hectare nature reserve created beside the Gosport foreshore within a former MoD base. The site supported significant ecological features including great crested newts, badgers and slow worms, and also regionally important salt meadows and is adjacent to a nationally designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and internationally designated Special Protection Area (SPA).
In addition it is considered a site of historical importance militarily and the key structures, including armaments magazines, moats and earth blast walls around which the reserve has been established, have been retained.
The design and construction of a seven-acre coastal wetland Nature Reserve was provided as part of the development proposals. The design and supervision of the initial formation of the nature reserve, including the extensive capital works needed to create the new and varied wetlands within the reserve. The nature reserve has been in operation since 2001 and has proved successful in achieving its objectives.
Burnham Beeches
This feasibility study was undertaken to inform the development of a landscape-scale habitat restoration project in and around the pasture woodlands of Burnham Beeches Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Littleworth Common SSSI, South Buckinghamshire. This involved extensive research on the sites themselves and the techniques and economics of re-introducing grazing to restore the structure and species of the ancient commons.
Sylvan Drive, Newport, Isle of Wight
This project involved the design and supervision and the creation of a small nature reserve including several ponds as part of a great crested newt mitigation scheme. In order to support a great crested newt licence application, a detailed management plan was created, which is now being implemented by a local community charity, under our supervision.
Hunts Pond Road, Fareham
Hunts Pond Road is a large housing development in Fareham with significant biodiversity interest on site, and on an adjacent County Council Nature Reserve. This involved preparation of a 15-year conservation management plan for an area of land to be transferred to the County Council and incorporated into their reserve. Although small, this area contained a variety of different habitats, and management will include regular coppicing and woodland management, river corridor management and grassland management using grazing and cutting techniques.
A habitat creation and management plan was also prepared for wildlife strips on nearby farmland, which included wildflower strips, hedgerow planting and restoration and the annual sowing of seed strips to provide food for farmland birds.
Whippingham, Isle of Wight
As part of the mitigation for a large housing development site near East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, a habitat management plan was designed and supervision on behalf of the client. This has included the creation of a series of new wetlands adjacent to the River Medina, hibernacula for reptiles, improved dormouse habitats, information boards and careful fencing and landscaping to reduce recreational impacts on the foreshore which is important for wintering wildfowl and wading birds.
River Dove, Derbyshire
A section of the River Dove was surveyed, a management report written and a habitat improvement project carried out. The habitat improvements were tailored to improve both breeding and survival conditions for wild brown trout, grayling, bullheads and lampreys and opportunities for fly-fishing on a famous fishery. The river has suffered water quality problems in the past, but these are now improving and the physical habitat works were designed to take advantage of these improved conditions. This is just one example of many river and lake restoration and fisheries projects which our staff have been involved in over past years.