Protecting local biodiversity at Gosforth Park

Business: Carillion Regional Building

In partnership with: Complete Football

Date: 2007

Location: Complete Football Academy, Gosforth Park

Business benefits included raising the profile of Carillion and low costs for the client.

Community benefits included maintenance of Nature conservation and protection of endangered wildlife during construction.

The Complete Football Academy contract involved close interaction with High Gosforth Park - a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) providing ecological constraints on the project. The area supports habitat for bats, badgers, otters, great crested newts and a rare Helleborine (a species of orchid).

The development comprised of six 5-a-side pitches, an international sized pitch, clubhouse and associated works and considerate planning from the site team was required to ensure the contract was delivered without damage to the surrounding environment.

Prior to work commencing on site a series of mitigation works were undertaken within the enabling works package to reduce any environmental impact. Newt fencing and otter/badger fencing was erected around the entire site to prevent any individuals accessing the development area. Bat and bird boxes were erected around the site to provide alternative nesting/roosting areas for those areas removed by the development. The SSSI was excluded and protected from the works area to prevent any damage.

The project was a success being undertaken with minimal environmental impact due to mitigation measures being implemented and managed effectively. The range of environmental aspects associated with the project resulted in a full ecological survey being carried out on behalf of the client to ensure that environmental issues were flagged up at an early stage.