Ecology
ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Client: Crest / Persimmon
Background: In 1990 Woodspring District Council (now North Somerset Council) identified a 183 ha brownfield area centred on Portishead Dock for mixed use urban regeneration. The site lies immediately adjacent to the European designated Severn Estuary. Landmark was engaged to undertake an ecological impact assessment for development of part of the area and to design and create a new 50ha nature reserve.
Description: The development site comprised restored ash tip from a former power station, supporting predominantly improved grassland and divided by ditches and hedgerows with areas of scrub and a pond. The reserve comprised an existing unmanaged reserve, low-lying pastures, species-rich meadows, neglected ponds, ditch and hedgerow. In addition to habitat surveys, species surveys of bats, badgers, water vole, otter, breeding and wintering birds and great crested newts were undertaken. Translocations of reptiles and great crested newts were undertaken to enable development to proceed. Landmark was also instrumental in the discharge of planning conditions pertaining to ecology.
The nature reserve offsets ecological impacts of development on local biodiversity and provides a major ecological feature that acts as a buffer between development and the Severn Estuary, and a crucial green link between Portishead and Royal Portbury Dock, and the Gordano Valley National Nature Reserve. Major habitat improvement works include wet grassland, marsh and open water habitats with scrub and rough / tussocky grassland for wading birds, created by enhancement and extensive earthworks. Artificial wildlife structures were also installed, including a badger sett, otter holts, newt hibernacula, barn owl boxes, bat boxes and floating nest islands. A Management Plan was prepared to direct management of existing habitats and to enhance the area for wildlife.
Our Ecological Clerk of Works supervised site development, monitoring impacts on protected species in accordance with wildlife law, ensuring protection of retained habitats and overseeing works within the nature reserve. Landmark continues to monitor the performance of the mitigation measures and inform future management of the reserve.
Client Benefits : Planning consent was achieved for development in an ecologically sensitive area. Informed design and management to secure ecological diversity generated good PR for our client and an attractive environment for local residents. The services of an Ecological Clerk of Works ensured compliance with wildlife law and provided practical advice to the developer on creation of the nature reserve.
