9 August 2010

Following 10 years of involvement, EPR helped secure planning consent earlier this year for a large scale residential development of around 800 houses at Abbotswood in Romsey.  This followed extensive ecological surveying, preparation of the Ecological Chapter for the Environmental Statement, and design of a comprehensive ecological mitigation strategy, to ensure the protection and enhancement of biodiversity within and around the site.

EPR was responsible for the design and long term management proposals of a large 22ha nature conservation area  to be provided as part of the development incorporating new ponds, scrub, grasslands to be managed by grazing and informal recreational open space. As part of the site has been designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) due to the presence of a large population of Great Crested Newts on site, a European protected species, the nature conservation area incorporates habitats designed to support these species.   

Pre-construction ecological mitigation works have now been started with the installation of newt fencing and the relocation of the great crested newts into the nature conservation area prior to the start of construction in 2011. 

To read article in the Romsey Advertiser click here