Ecological Assessment & Biodiversity Enhancement

Client:  Cushman and Wakefield

Description:  HCUK were appointed to undertake an ecological assessment to establish the baseline for the Site, as well as identifying opportunities for biodiversity enhancement. 

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Summary

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The Park is located at Harmondsworth Moor, within the Colne Valley just north of Heathrow Airport, and was opened to the public in 2000, created on former landfill to counter the effects of the airport.  It is owned by British Airways and managed by CBRE with the support from local volunteers and has a unique setting at the pinch point of three rivers that is incredibly important for wildlife and is also the site of BA’s international headquarters.   

The baseline assessment included an extensive desk-based study, and a UK Habitat Classification survey to assess the habitats present on site. This was further supported by botanical surveys and a Modular River Physical Habitat (River MoRPh) baseline survey of watercourses undertaken by specialists. The production of a UK Habitat Classification baseline habitat map in digital format that was then compatible with the statutory DEFRA biodiversity metric and condition sheets to enable a Biodiversity Net Gain assessments to be undertaken.  

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Stakeholder engagement was undertaken to understand the wider benefits to society given the Site is used by multiple user groups and consider the current challenges for managing the Site.  The study identified opportunities for further ecological enhancement projects, such as provision of an integrated invasive non-native species management plan (INNS), wetland habitat creation and woodland management.   ​