Working on Sensitive Sites

Ebsford Environmental Ltd are experts when it comes to taking on projects with a sensitive element. Working with nature poses niche challenges and considerations such as; the sensitivity rating of a site, managing protected species and considering the public - all this adds to the task of delivering a successful outcome.

Team of Experts

We have an extensive team of highly skilled committed individuals with a full range of expertise and specialisms. Staff are continuously kept up to date with quality training and support from industry certified providers only. Each staff member is equipped with the skills required to manage increasingly complex projects with safety and environmental considerations held as prime objectives alongside delivering client value.

They work cohesively with some of the most talented design teams in the country providing build-ability assessments and assistance with funding applications, come up with unique methodologies that mitigate against risks, maximise the use of site material whilst ensuring compliance to regulations and stakeholder aspirations. They overcome challenges to enable a project to be done compliantly, cost-effectively, safely and with full respect to the environment.

“When facing a project with challenges, it’s all about adapting quickly and efficiently to ensure the successful running of the site, with a key consideration for preplanning, communication. This requires opening Ebsford up to learning new areas of environmental management meeting new people, learning different communication, license and the list goes on.” Emily Farrell

Success at Sensitive Sites

Branston Beck Restoration

Ebsford were appointed by Lincolnshire Rivers Trust to carry out works on a 1.5km stretch of Branston?Beck to enhance habitat, improve water quality, and diversify the fluvial geomorphology. As part of a?wider catchment of improvement works to prevent further deterioration of the spring fed water bodies?in central Lincolnshire, these works were an important contribution to the overall quality of the river?system.

In recent years, the springs had become vulnerable and open to pressures in the environment. This?unfortunately led to a poor ecological status throughout the water bodies which had a detrimental effect?on the wildlife and biodiversity of the area.?

Using low impact equipment to minimise disruption to wildlife and the surrounding landscape the team?began with clearance of some low ecological value vegetation to improve the light to the channel before?moving on to reprofiling the existing beck and creation of a new channel and pond area.

Encouraging flooding into a wetland area by reprofiling the existing banks provided additional opportunities?for habitat and improved the in-channel conditions that spawning Brown Trout and other species that rely?on to reproduce and survive.

Although thorough ecological investigations were carried out pre-start, the presence of Water Voles once?works had begun led to a variation of the scope of works on the existing beck. Ebsford worked with a full-time ecologist, present for the duration of the project and adapted the design of the channel with a new?sinuous back channel leading to the pond and wetland area. This ensured the water voles were not?disturbed and remained protected.?

Once the new channel had been created, a variety of features were installed including 100t of clean?limestone to create in water habitat, raised burrowing habitat for the Water Voles plus the creation of inset?floodplains through land lowering, smaller ponds, and backwash features. The new channel was then?reconnected to the original beck and flow restored.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS

• The addition of the gravels into the beck improves conditions for spawning Brown Trout
• Increased water levels encourages flooding over the reprofiled banks into the new wetland area which provides extra habitat for the area
• The project was well received by the local community
• Many residents volunteered to plant a variety of plants and wildflower mixes along the banks?of the new channel.?

Tudor Grange and Hillfield Park

As part of ongoing environmental developments in the Solihull Borough, this multi-functional scheme was?designed to improve habitat in two locations across the Solihull Borough, Tudor Grange and Hillfield Park. The?scheme was match funded through ERDF and the small habitats grant (SHG).?

The two sites have become much-loved amenity spaces for the local community,?however?were classed as being?low ecological value and required significant improvements. Overtime, the parks two main ponds had?accumulated significant amounts silt, causing stagnation and depleting oxygen levels. In addition, the adjoining?brooks had been historically straightened and concrete lined, further deteriorating the area. The works carried out?by Ebsford will provide multiple benefits including; biodiversity enhancements, diversifying hydrogeomorphology?and improving the connection between green and blue infrastructure.

?The first part of the project consisted of dredging the lake at Tudor Grange using a silt pusher and amphibious?excavator. The Nicospan receptor was then installed, providing high-quality and economical erosion control,?providing protection to the banks. Coir rolls were used to line the banks, so in future a vegetated bank will form,?and wildlife can flourish.?

The site team then started works at Hillfield Park, which involved desilting of the lake and relocation into the?receptors. This increases the water capacity of the pond, providing enhancement to the aesthetic value of the?park. Daylighting tree works were then carried out across the watercourse and the removal of concrete across?various inlets that feed into the lake. Spilsbury croft, at the north of the site, was widened and re-meandered to?the existing channel, connecting it to the paleo-channel, allowing it to act as a floodplain and create a free-flowing,?sinuous channel?for natural river processes to occur?and offline ponds to act as water storage.?

Aside from providing greater opportunities for local plant, fish, bird, and invertebrate species to grow,?further environmental benefits of the works include an increase in overall water capacity, which will reduce?the risk of flooding.?

Following completion of the main works, wildflower planting of all areas took place with a few helpers from?the local community, including the Friends of Hillfield Park and a local ECO-club from?Monkspath?School.?Key plants that have been introduced to the park include Marsh Marigold, Lesser Spearwort, and flowering?rush, which will provide more marginal wetland habitat, helping improve the park’s natural biodiversity.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS

• Silt Removal & Dredging
• Concrete Removal
• Re-meandering of previously?straightened watercourses
• Marginal planting
• Working with the public and?volunteers

"The environmental benefits for the work are well recognised by local residents and people who use the parks and I thank all at Ebsford for their commitment to our borough. The work involving the local community and school in planting aquatic plants was the icing on the cake." Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Infrastructure at Solihull Council

Interested in our services or like more information, we’d love to help you.??

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Tel: 01924 802 190?? |???[email protected]?

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