MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS BEGIN AT ERITH AS VERIDION PARK DEVELOPMENT GETS UNDERWAY
Date:
28/08/2009
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS BEGIN AT ERITH AS VERIDION PARK DEVELOPMENT GETS UNDERWAY
A major scheme of ecological improvements associated with the creation of the new Veridion Business Park in Erith will begin next month.
Work is already underway on three business and production units designed to a high standard. Comprising approximately 8,200 sq ft per unit, the accommodation will be targeted at small to medium sized enterprises which it is hoped will meet both the needs of relocating and expanding local businesses as well as those companies looking to move to the area.
The development represents an important investment in the local economy by Tilfen Land at a time when much of the construction and manufacturing sectors across the UK remain at a standstill.
A key part of the project is an ecological improvement scheme on land at Norman Road in Erith designed to create a seasonal wetland and species-rich grassland including meadowsweet and ladies bedstraw.
The aim is to provide habitat that complements the traditional Thames estuary grazing marsh grassland of the area as well as to provide a habitat for wintering waterfowl, terrestrial invertebrates such as bush crickets, and ground-nesting birds including skylark.
The works also include the excavation of a new section of ditch and the reprofiling of the existing Belvedere ditch to provide additional habitat suitable for wildlife of the locality such as grass snakes and water voles. A barn owl box will also be erected to provide additional nesting habitat for the barn owl pair that nests at the nearby Crossness Nature Reserve.
The works will ultimately result in one of the largest areas of seasonally inundated habitat in the locality.
Tilfen Land has worked closely with Bexley Council to establish the ecological masterplan for Veridion Park. The programme of works, which started a few years ago with the formation of new dykes at Veridion Park, will be overseen and monitored by Scott Wilson - one of the UK’s leading consultancies for the built and natural environments.
The 67-acre Veridion Park development will eventually result in the creation of 680,000 sq ft of high quality light industrial, warehouse, office, and research and development accommodation together with a variety of enhancements to the local ecology.
Tilfen Land development director Simon Newsholme, said: “Our new units will bring much needed high specification business space to the local area at a time of difficult economic conditions, whilst the ecological works will re-establish an area of traditional grazing wetland on the Erith Marsh and create new habitat for wildlife at Belvedere ditch.”
For further information, visit www.veridionpark.co.uk
-ends-
August 28, 2009
Issued on behalf of Tilfen Land by David Leck Associates. Press enquiries to David Leck on 01322 528580/07710 326256.
www.tilfenland.co.uk
NOTE TO EDITORS The new units within the first phase of the Veridion Park development will represent key design features of the development including attractive glass and timber panelled elevations and mezzanine level comfort-cooled offices occupying around 15 per cent of the total floor area.
