We provided Ecological and Arboricultural services to assist in the successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid to improve and redevelop the Castle’s visitor attractions. Surveys included Ecological Appraisal, Nocturnal Bat Assessments, BREEAM assessment and BS5837 Arboricultural Impact Assessment:
The Heritage Lottery Fund has provided redevelopment funding to create new and improved tourist facilities on the site as well as improved and repairing parts of the castle structure. It is estimated that restoring, refurbishing and improving the castle will benefit the city by attracting an anticipated 400,000 visitors annually and increasing the yearly visitor spend by an additional £77m, thereby bolstering Nottingham’s economy.
The key objective of the Ecological Assessment was to identify any ecological features of the site and assess any risk the rejuvenation of Nottingham Castle may incur upon them. Our commission was to provide a detailed assessment on the ecology of the site, the species it supports, to provide advice and to help to inform the proposals. This has included:
• Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
• BREEAM Assessment
• Daytime Bat Assessments of Buildings and Trees
• Nocturnal Bat Surveys
The Assessment
The habitats within the Castle Grounds were mostly ornamental, with large areas of amenity grassland, introduced shrub and plantation woodland, which provides an urban ‘island’ of semi-natural habitat for local fauna, particularly birds.
The Castle and other buildings on site were determined to have potential to support roosting bats and, as such, Nocturnal bat assessments are being undertaken over the summers of 2015 and 2016 to ensure a comprehensive assessment can be compiled.
Recommendations
The survey findings and reports will inform the proposals for the site and the necessary mitigation or compensation measures, whilst seeking to enhance the site for its native flora and fauna.