The Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust releases Ecological Appraisal

Working with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility has unveiled its Ecological Appraisal. The Wildlife Trust was commissioned to undertake the appraisal, providing an update of the species cohabiting the Facility’s boundaries to inform recommendations for further ecological enhancements to the area. This includes ways to inspire more protected species to access the site such as badgers, bats, birds and hedgehogs among others. 

General recommendations from the appraisal involve planting fruits, seeds, nuts or single-flowers that bring value to the wildlife. Other suggestions include leaving patches of unmown grass and tall grass, as well as making compost heaps and log piles, to create a valuable wildlife habitat, particularly for invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals such as hedgehogs. Elsewhere, the appraisal states that the site can be made more accessible to wildlife by leaving small gaps under fences. 

This is an update to the previous ecological surveys used to support the planning application for the Facility in January 2012, as well as other surveys delivered back in 2010. In response to the report, the Facility has installed bird, bat and hedgehog boxes along the boundaries of the site to encourage more wildlife near the Facility. The boxes were crafted by local man Steve Wells who owns Homemade Hutches in Hardwicke. 

Dan Pearson, General Manager at the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility, said:

“Here at the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility, we are committed to helping the growth of more biodiversity across the site. From this recent appraisal, we have already begun implementing many of the recommendations. These features will not only restore but will help to protect and enhance the local wildlife.” 

To find out more about the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility, visit our homepage.