Kelston Sparkes appointed on further wetlands scheme
The Environment Agency, RSPB and Natural England have joined forces with Dorset Council to adapt 150 hectares of low-lying grassland at Arne Moor into a diverse wetland habitat. This proactive measure is designed to combat rising sea levels that can lead to loss of habitat for wildlife.
The site is located on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, near to Poole Harbour where the pressure of water against sea defences threatens inter-tidal features such as mudflats and salt marsh. It has been identified as a new place for wildlife as part of the government’s 25-year environment plan and Kier has been appointed as lead contractor to create the new intertidal habitat.
The project involves the construction of new tidal embankments further inland which will open to tides to create new salt marsh habitats. It will also double up to offer greater flood resilience to local people and property around Poole Harbour thanks to the construction of robust embankments protecting the site.
Kelston Sparkes was appointed to undertake the bulk earthworks on the scheme in 2023 and – whilst the last year has mainly consisted of surveying the site ecologically – the project got off the ground this year and the KS team started soil stripping in spring. The beauty of this project is the ability to use material already on site to build the embankments, which will not only reduce the amount of construction traffic and the corresponding effect impact on local communities, but also the environmental impact of the project.
David Swann, Contracts Director of Kelston Sparkes, tendered for the project;
“Thanks to our experience in building flood defences within soft low-lying sites and creating similar habitats in other locations with significant ecology constraints, we have again won the bid to partner with Kier to deliver a bold project that will protect native species of wildlife and plants that are otherwise at threat of loss. This large earthworks project involves the excavation of inland swales, together with breaches within the existing flood embankments that will allow sea water to penetrate grassland and create salt marshes and mud flats which will enable indigenous species to flourish. Through the excavation of borrow pits to win the required material and processing to render the material suitable to form the structural embankments, we will construct the new flood defences to protect freshwater areas and shallow lagoons. Having pioneered recycling and re-use of materials on other high-profile jobs we were able to demonstrate a range of capabilities suitable for this job.”
The site, owned by the RSPB, was formerly closed to the public, but the new development combined with RSPB’s experience of other similar sites throughout the country, will enable portions of it to open up to the public with safe walking routes and disabled access.
