For Natural England and Historic England

Ecological Impact Assessment, for a moated manor restoration

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We identified several protected species in the restoration of this historic site, and delivered recommendations on how to avoid harming their habitats.

Keeping habitats safe
Our client’s restoration of a moated manor in Hail Weston, Cambridgeshire, involved removing plantation woodland, and restoring the site back to open grassland. So they asked us to carry out some ecological surveys and monitoring.

We started with a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, to identify the likely presence of protected species and habitats. Several badger sett holes were identified, along with six bat species, trees with potential roosts, and hazel dormice.

A detailed survey to help mitigate the effects
The survey results were used to inform an Ecological Impact Assessment, which set out in detail what needed to be done to minimise adverse effects to the species and habitats on site.

For the rest of the project, the tree felling, grassland restoration and ongoing management are being undertaken by Maydencroft, with supervision from our ecologists as required.


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