WORK BEGINS ON MAJOR WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR LAND IN THAMESMEAD
Date:
08/01/2010
WORK BEGINS ON MAJOR WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR LAND IN THAMESMEAD
A programme of work spanning more than a decade that is designed to reinvigorate a rundown area of woodland in Thamesmead has begun.
The initial phase of the project will see the planting of some 1,118 trees and 3,267 shrubs as part of long-term proposals for the ecological and environmental enhancement of an area of woodland at Waldrist Way.
The work, which is being carried out by developer Tilfen Land in consultation with Bexley Council, the Forestry Commission and environmental and arboricultural consultants, will take place in the current winter planting season. It is part of a Woodland Management Plan for an area that has been the subject of historic unlawful horse grazing, vandalism and partial water logging during wet periods.
Bernie Harverson, the arboriculturist advising Tilfen Land, says:
“The ecological interest and value of this woodland is not as high as it could be having been undermined by ‘ring barking’ damage to trees resulting from horses eating the bark from around tree trunks causing them to die. The impoverished nature of this woodland, together with historic damage, has limited its longevity and diminished its overall value to wildlife generally.
“By improving the woodland health and structure, biodiversity will be significantly increased and the habitat for bats, water voles and other wildlife species much improved.”
Among the native trees that will be planted are the common alder, black poplar, common ash, wild crab apple, wild cherry, hornbeam, white willow and grey willow, while native woodland planting will include field maple, dogwood, holly, field rose and purple willow. The felling of the dead and dying trees will be completed out of the bird-nesting season and will be undertaken in consultation with arboricultural and wildlife advisers.
The project will deliver the first phase of work outlined in a woodland management plan commissioned by Tilfen Land to meet their commitments under an ecological management pan approved by Bexley Council in relation to the development of the Veridion Park business centre. The woodland management plan has been prepared by landscape architects Terra Firma with input from Bernie Harverson and ecologists at environmental consultants Scott Wilson.
Future ecological works within the woodland area will include the creation of new ditches and ponds to extend the existing dyke network. This will add to the biodiversity of the woodland area and provide additional habitat for the endangered water vole. The phased replacement of the existing woodland over a 15-year period with more appropriate native species will complete its revitalisation and ensure its longevity as an area of borough importance for nature conservation.
This latest environmental project by Tilfen Land follows the completion, in November 2009, of ecological enhancement works on land at Norman Road in Erith.
That project included the excavation of a new section of ditch and the reprofiling of the existing Belvedere ditch to provide additional habitat suitable for local wildlife together with the creation of a seasonal wetland and species-rich grassland. A barn owl box was also installed to provide additional nesting habitat for the barn owl pair that nest at the nearby Crossness Nature Reserve.
Once complete, Veridion Park – which is set in 67 acres – will bring 680,000 sq ft of prime new business space to the area, creating jobs and attracting businesses from sectors such as IT that have not traditionally had a major presence locally.
Elsewhere in the local area, Tilfen Land has recently completed the building – on land adjacent to the Thames Innovation Centre at Veridion Park – of three industrial and production units totalling 24,876 sq ft that are now available to let.
“Whilst we are clearly in a difficult market with wider problems in the economy, Tilfen Land continues to make significant property and ecological investments in Thamesmead which we are confident will bring both employment opportunities and environmental benefits to the area” says Simon Newsholme, Tilfen Land’s development director.
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January 8, 2010
Press enquiries to David Leck at Tilfen Land on 01322 528580/07710 326256 (out of hours).
NOTES TO EDITORS 1. For further information on Veridion Park, visit http://www.veridionpark.co.uk 2. A high-res image of the new Tilflex units at Veridion Park is available on request 
