Site Clearance
What you need to keep moving forwards
Site Clearance
What you need to keep moving forwards
We know that an effective, efficient and highly capable team is what you need to get the job done. As site clearance is one of our specialities, we are able to employ a wider range of tools, skills and machinery than most of our competition, giving you complete piece of mind on even the most demanding sites.
Case Study
As part of an ongoing development in the Wellingborough area, VMS were asked by their client to assist in the management and improvement of some designated areas of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPA (Special Protection Area) / RAMSAR site and SSSI, as well as the Irthlingborough Grange Gravel Pits LWS.
The Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits are a chain of former sand and gravel pits that form a mosaic of shallow and deep water environments, marginal features, gravel bars, shorelines and an assemblage of wet grassland/marsh features that provides ideal habitat for over wintering migratory birds.
These pits form a critical site for several wetland plant and animal species and an internationally important site for wintering and breeding wildfowl. It regularly supports over 20,000 waterbirds across a wide range of target species.
The brief was to remove scrub and woody vegetation and then cut all areas of grassland vegetation during the summer of 2022 in order to avoid disturbing winter bird species.
Our ecologists spent several days on site, walking ahead of the tractors to ensure that no nests were damaged or disturbed, keeping in constant radio communication with our operatives to ensure the highest level of cut was achieved, with no harm to wildlife.
Outcome
During March and August of 2022, VMS operatives were able to safely clear all areas of scrub, grassland and ruderals within the area in a matter of days. No nests, animals or active features were discovered during the course of the works and the client was delighted with the work that was achieved over a short period of time.
During the winter of 2022, VMS reached out to the local BTO (British Trust of Ornithology) group in order to include the SPA sections in their annual wintering bird surveys. We are eagerly awaiting the results.