As part of our British Land Biodiversity Programme we develop site-specific Biodiversity Action Plans for properties with varied habitat and species interest. During 2006 we continued to implement site-specific Biodiversity Action Plans at Teesside Shopping Park in Stockton-on-Tees and Regent’s Place in London.
At Teesside two floating islands were launched to provide roosting and nesting areas for waterfowl. River corridor and developing salt marsh habitats were monitored. Rotational cutting of the reedbeds continued and Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant, was controlled through spraying. The re-growth of the reedbeds and invasive species continues to be monitored.
Children from nearby Preston and High Clarence Primary Schools erected bird and bat boxes that they built at school. Through this joint project with Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, 27 bird boxes and three bat boxes were erected. Visitors were pleased to see signs of Great Tits, Blue Tits, Robins and Wrens nesting.
As well as benefiting the surrounding wildlife, this project is encouraging children to become more environmentally aware and to see how wildlife can thrive near to major retail areas. Each child or class has ownership of the box that they have constructed and is able to visit the park to see the positive effect of their work.
Next steps: the Teesside team is working with Stockton Borough Council to install information boards along the Thornaby trail to raise awareness of biodiversity.
As part of the Regent’s Place Plan in 2006 we began an experimental green roof design trial. The aim of the trial is to test the logistics of a retro-fit green roof and the use of substrate types, including recycled materials. The trial will help to inform the future design of green roofs. The trial roof was tailored to enhance local ecological value, for instance, by providing an attractive habitat for Black Redstarts, a protected bird species present locally. It was seeded with a cornflower and London-based wildflower meadow mix, and planted with a small number of plug plants for instant ‘greening’. As well as improving biodiversity, green roofs can improve water retention, reduce dust, smog and noise levels, increase the life expectancy of a roof and improve thermal insulation.
Next steps: we are planning to provide a green roof at our new Head Office at York House in 2007.