Ecological Consultants

LCA

Wolverhampton Early Years Scheme.

LCA has successfully remodelled the outdoor spaces at three different nurseries across the city used by children ranging in age from six months to five years old: Wolverhampton Women’s Centre, TLC Nursery and Dove Children’s Centre. A far more natural play and learning environment has been created at all the sites incorporating a wide variety of elements including: a performance area with a green roof, circular cycle tracks, covered reading area, playhouse, a ‘sailing boat’, a crawling tunnel, sandpits, woodland planting, raised beds of different heights. All the schemes were well received by both adults and children.

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Dove 1 Dove 2 TLC 5 WWC 1 TLC 1 TLC 3 Dove 3 Dove 5

Perry Common Recreation Ground.

Remodelling of existing public open space in order to both improve its general amenity and adapt it to cope with heavy rainfall events that are the predicted future consequence of climate change. The scheme includes new footpaths, bridges, woodland planting, creation of wetland habitat, reedbeds and the incorporation of informal play opportunities.

Perry 1

Moseley Bog LNR

On behalf of The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country, LCA delivered £200,000 of Heritage Lottery Fund and Natural England funded access improvements, at this regionally important Local Nature Reserve, a childhood haunt of JRR Tolkein. New Forest grown green oak has been used to construct the boardwalk, which is over four hundred metres in length. This has both opened up inaccessible parts of the site to people with a degree of impaired mobility and served to protect a woodland ground flora previously suppressed by trampling. Great care was taken to preserve the slightly ‘loss in time’ character of parts of the woodland. The scheme has been extremely well received by the local community and wildlife trust staff.

Bilston Methodist Churchyard

LCA, in conjunction with a steering group comprised of a wide variety of stakeholders, developed proposals for the enhancement of this historic churchyard. The scheme included selective removal of some existing trees, a new footpath, seating area, relocation / refurbishment of existing memorials, an outdoor classroom area, and boundary tree and shrub planting. The completed scheme was considered to a success, particularly bearing in mind the relatively modest budget that was available. A proposed further phase of work involves using a grid of solar floor lights to create a memorial to the hundreds of cholera victims that lie buried in the churchyard.

Churchyard 1 Churchyard 2

Pendeford Mill Local Nature Reserve

At the request of Wolverhampton City Council an ecological assessment was carried out on this site in South Staffordshire. The survey was undertaken to record floral and faunal species present, assess the site and subsequently formulate management proposals which would enhance the site for the benefit of both wildlife and people. Regularly reported on the site are dormouse, white-clawed crayfish, water vole, badger and several bat species. Additionally the woodland contains important ancient woodland indicator species such as bluebell, moschatel, wood anemone and dog’s mercury along with an ancient yew tree which supports a Daubenton’s bat roost. In addition to the biological interest the site also has significant cultural interest and is widely utilised by local schools and other interested groups. LCA’s management plan for the site seeks to maintain and enhance the structural, biological, ecological and educational aspects of this local nature reserve.

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Holbeche Brook

As part of the proposed desilting work to Holbeche Brook, Land Care Associates conducted an Extended Phase 1 habitat survey and daytime bat assessment on part of Barrow Hill Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). This site is notable for the richness of its wildlife and habitats as well as significant geological and archaeological features. The initial habitat assessment identified fifteen water bodies (ponds) within 500m of the development site and efforts were concentrated on eight waterbodies with the highest potential for supporting breeding populations of great crested newts (Triturus cristatus). Given that the presence of great crested newts was definitely established and the sites proximity to nearby Fenns Pools SSSI (a nationally important site for this species), LCA recommended that all ponds and as much of the terrestrial habitat as possible should be protected for the duration of the proposed site works.

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Walsall SINC Surveys

Comprehensive survey and systematic evaluation of these mainly urban sites sites undertaken in 2010 on behalf of Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in conjunction with the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country.

Union Road

Derelict former petroleum storage site consisting of a mixture of habitats including grassland, scrub and immature woodland, as well as large areas of hardstanding, with an associated brownfield flora assemblage. The site is bounded by both the River Tame and two canals to form part of an important green corridor through what is otherwise a heavily urbanised area. LCA carried out an extended phase 1 survey and a bat activity survey, this information subsequently being used to produce the landscape masterplan for the proposed new metal recycling facility. This includes the retention of as much of the existing regenerating birch woodland as possible (including that portion growing amongst the former railway lines), creation of a string of attenuation ponds to handle on site run off and the establishment of wildflower margins (LCA ecologists have formulated a bespoke seed mix tailored specifically to the site conditions and locality).

Proposed Quarry Extension

A planning application to extend the quarrying activities of a local brick-making company will affect a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), with possible impacts on other locally designated sites. LCA have been employed to undertake a wide range of ecological surveys and subsequently produce an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) being prepared by others. In order to accurately ascertain current baseline conditions, surveys were undertaken during 2010, in both the area to be directly affected by the quarry extension and on land identified as suitable replacement habitat. These surveys included: breeding and wintering birds, phase 2 botanical (NVC), aquatic invertebrates, bats, amphibians and reptiles. LCA have also provided the client with advice on legislation and local planning policies and have been involved in developing suitable mitigation and compensation strategies.

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Yardley Green MSU

LCA first became involved with this site in 2007, when they carried out a bat survey of the derelict hospital buildings, prior to their demolition. In subsequent years both an extended phase 1 and a reptile survey were carried out. In addition LCA were appointed to produce, an ecologically informed landscape masterplan, detailed planting proposals (submitted for local authority approval) and a comprehensive five year landscape / ecological management plan. The proposals incorporate bats and reptile mitigation as well as seeking to create a wide variety of microhabitats across the site, even in the public ornamental areas, in front of the main entrance to this facility

Proposed People and Wildlife Centre

LCA have undertaken an extended phase habitat survey along with badger, great crested newt, bat, breeding bird at Moorcroft Wood LNR, in order to inform an ecological impact assessment being produced in relation to a proposed new headquarters building for The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. In adition its Landscape Architects have been

Norton Hall Children and Family Centre

In conjunction with the staff and users of this community facility LCA developed proposals for a play space targeted at children, aged five and over. It includes a 'free play' timber structure, an informal ball games area, large boulders, pergola, a bridge over a 'stream' and tree / shrub planting. The bridge was constructed by People and  Wildlife Services (PAWS). Since its completion last summer this scheme has enjoyed a high level of use but no vandalism. Plans are now being produced for an under fives play area on an adjoining lower level.