Thomson Habitats
undertakes ecological contracting projects to turn the
recommendations of ecology consultants into reality
on the ground. We create ponds and manage wetland areas,
plant hedgerows and seed wildflower meadows. We treat
and control invasive weeds such as Japanese knotweed
and Himalayan balsam. We also help ecologists in trapping
and translocation programmes by installing exclusion
fencing for newts, reptiles and mammals and we enhance
areas for wildlife by building hibernacula, managing
woodlands, building and installing bat roosts, bird
nesting boxes and artificial badger sets.
Recent projects:
Power
Station development helps biodiversity
The development of a large desulphurisation plant for
a major power station in NE England required the creation
of various habitats in mitigation of the effects of
the works on existing wildlife. Our brief included digging
two large ponds of 300 cu metres for great crested newts,
building large mounds around the ponds for reptiles,
extending ditches for water vole habitat, planting 200
native trees and a wildflower area, and building log
piles and hibernacula.
Reptiles move
away from new housing development
Thomson Habitats installed 1000 metres of exclusion
fencing and refugia in preparation for translocation
of reptiles prior to a large housing redevelopment at
an old hospital site in Essex.
Exclusion fencing is required to prevent reptiles from
getting back into the dangers of the development area
after they have been trapped and removed to a suitable
site that will not be affected by the construction works.
The fencing consists of polythene sheeting fixed to
posts and buried in the ground to deter the reptiles
from burrowing under it.
Reptiles get
new home next to bridge extension in SE England
Where a bridge had to be extended, we erected exclusion
fencing to enable reptiles to be moved to a suitable
adjacent area which we enhanced by building hibernacula
and log piles.
Hogweed
hazard at demolition site in NE London
Thomson Habitats were called in to remove and advise
on giant hogweed that posed a risk to demolition workers,
who are preparing a large site for the construction
of an extensive sports stadium.
Giant hogweed is common along roads, rivers and waste
ground. It looks similar to hogweed but the leaves are
larger and the plant is taller, up to 3m high. It is
spread by its seeds which can remain dormant in the
soil for several years and are spread by wind and water.
The hairs and sap of the plant can make the skin sensitive
to ultraviolet light; in sunlight the affected area
discolours and feels as if it is burnt. This effect
can last for years.
Leisure development
complicated by Japanese knotweed
We have been asked to advise on the management of a
large area of Japanese knotweed which is complicating
the construction of a large leisure complex in North
London. This in turn is further complicated by the presence
of reptiles and requires the coordination of a team
of different specialists over a period of time.
Japanese knotweed is an introduced alien species that
outcompetes native plants and is found commonly now
on roadsides, waste ground and woodlands. It is notoriously
difficult to eradicate and can force its way up through
tarmac, between walls and even large concrete construction
blocks. Its presence on a site can add considerable
costs to a development.
Plan change
to infrastructure requires rethink
On this site we were treating Japanese knotweed with
herbicide over a planned three years. When the client’s
construction plans changed due to unforeseen factors,
we changed our approach to recommend total removal of
the Japanese knotweed contaminated soil to a licensed
landfill.
It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981 “to plant or otherwise cause to grow
in the wild” any plant listed in Schedule 9 Part
II; this includes Japanese knotweed. The plant can regrow
from a small fragment of a stem, crown or rhizome, as
small even as a fingernail, so it’s clear how
much care needs to be taken not to allow contaminated
soil to be spread on the wheels or tracks of site vehicles
or even workers’ boots.
Slow
worms could have slowed housing development
At a development site in South London we supported
Thomson Ecology by progressively clearing the site of
2m high brambles and installing a reptile exclusion
fence to enable the ecologists to move the considerable
number of slow worms to a nearby receptor area. At the
same time we were contracted to enhance this area as
a wildlife garden by building hibernacula and buried
log piles and preparing for a native species hedge.
Slow worms, along with common lizards, grass snakes
and adders, are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981 from intentional killing, injury and selling.
It is for this reason that a trapping and translocation
programme – before any development starts –
is usually required as part of planning approval.
Woodland due
for winter makeover
We have been contracted through Thomson Ecology to
undertake an annual woodland management programme, starting
this winter with the creation of a meandering walkway,
planting of blackthorn and hawthorn to protect badger
setts, removal of invasive plant species, coppicing
of hazel and pruning of oak trees, as well as the building
of log piles from the branches removed
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