Environmental Landscaping Services

This is an expanding sector of the company dealing with issues relating to conservation and environmental policies for new sites being developed. We are able to complete translocation of endangered plants and reptiles away from construction areas to designated sites agreed with Local Authorities. Full environmental reports are given to clients on proposed new sites which include information regarding any perennial weed problems, such as Japanese Knotweed, Mare's Tail, etc. Below are a few examples of recent projects.
Construction of a Natural Wildlife Pond This project was created for a client who wanted to attract water birds and wildlife to his property. The site was covered in bramble growth and mixed woodland. A section of overgrown woodland was removed and the mature Oak trees were all saved. The garden already had a spring-fed ditch running through the area that was cleared out and the course was diverted into the newly excavated pond. The pond was constructed from natural clay, no liners were used, and once filled, the water flowed back into a ditch and followed its natural course as before. The banks were planted with ferns and reeds. The project was commenced in the autumn and planted the following spring and within the first season a pair of Canadian geese settled on the pond followed by numerous ducks and moorhens.
	Construction of a Raised Badger Sett This project involved moving several badgers from a section of land that was to be developed for housing. A section of the existing woodland was put aside as part of the planning agreement with the Developer and Local Authority. The new badger set was then constructed within these woods using plastic drainage pipes and concrete blocks, and the new sett was covered with soil and grass moved from the area that was to be developed.
The sett had seven entrance points for the badgers to investigate, and a programme of feeding the badgers leading them into their new home commenced. This process took almost a year but finally the old setts were removed and the badgers re-housed, in one of the photographs you can see nesting material that was being collected by the badgers for their new sett.
	This picture shows newly planted tree whips with mulch mats around the base of each plant. The area was once a landfill site that was filled over several years. Planting was done in stages over the entire site and a wild flower seed mix was sown over the area to encourage the wild life. In addition, on the area close to the site, which was to be developed, we undertook a programme of reptile collection. This involved moving lizards, slow worms and adders away from the proposed development site and onto the landfill site. The checking of the catchment area was carried out every day and after five months the collection of reptiles was complete.
Hedge Layering and Re-Planting This project involved cutting back the over-grown boundary hedge surrounding a woodland area and layering a percentage of the cut material down, securing the cut material with hazel wood. Additional native hedging plants were inter-planted to eventually help thicken up the hedgerow. The woodland area was also cleared to provide areas to re-plant with native trees such as Oak, Beech, Ash and Hazel. The project was managed over several growing seasons, with works undertaken in stages. This allowed for a balancing time period for the wildlife to adjust without causing too much distress and disruption of the habitat area.
Japanese Knotweed We carry out a specialized service for the removal of Japanese Knotweed