Services:
- Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
- Tree & Shrub Canopy Calculation
- Green Infrastructure Statement
- Preliminary Landscape Masterplan
- Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal (LVIA)
Project aims/ background:
The Outline application at the Trevissome Phase 4 site looked to construct a small single storey café and three new sustainable, low carbon, timber clad, single storey office buildings set into the surrounding ground levels, with solar panels mounted on green roofs. The development also looked to create a variety of biodiverse soft landscaping proposals with new permeable parking areas, and accessible open spaces for visitors and workers to enjoy with sustainable drainage and increased biodiversity. CEC were brought into the Project team at the outset and were integral to the overall development of the proposals from the start through to planning submission.
What CEC did/ delivered:
CEC was commissioned to undertake the following work elements:
1. Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) – this assessment comprised initial desk studies, site surveys and an assessment. The desk study comprised a review of conservation-designated sites and notable/protected species within 1km of the site, as a well as a review of extensive data collected from bat surveys in relation to the surrounding A30 dualling works. The site survey identified the habitats present on site as according to UKHAB Classification, assessed habitat condition as according to BNG, identified vascular plants present and determined whether the site had the potential to support legally protected species or species of conservation importance. Including an assessment of its potential to support commuting and foraging bats. The EcIA report set out the assessment methodology, the results of the survey work, and identified the ecological constraints and opportunities associated with the site. These were then used by the CEC Landscape Architect to develop the Preliminary Landscape Plan.
2. Biodiversity Net Gain metric calculation – Working in collaboration with the CEC Landscape Architect an assessment was made of the habitat creation/enhancement needed within the site to create a minimum of 10% uplift on the site’s pre-development biodiversity levels. The collaborative working between the Landscape Architect, CEC Landscape Architect and client resulted in the Preliminary Landscape significantly exceeding this 10% requirement, delivering 93.74% BNG habitat units and 264.26% hedgerow units across the site. The BNG included the creation of both attenuation and wildlife ponds, new wildflower-rich grasslands, and additional areas of native tree and scrub planting. To also support the site’s biodiversity, the existing Cornish hedge earth fill was retained and reused, when a long length of hedge was relocated, thereby preserving local seed provenance.
3. Tree & Shrub Canopy Calculation was undertaken by CEC using the Cornwall Council Canopy Calculator to ensure that 15% canopy cover over the area of the site, in fact the total canopy cover provision totals 19.1% post-development. This percentage was achieved with the extensive planting of large canopy trees and new areas of scrub across the site. All trees proposed were native and tolerant of exposed sites, due to the elevated nature of the site on a coastal ridge.
4. Preliminary Landscape Plan – this was created working closely with the Client and the CEC Ecologist preparing the BNG and Tree Canopy calculation, to develop a preliminary landscape masterplan which allowed nature and function to thrive cohesively. The designed biodiverse and sustainable landscape gave careful thought to those who would use the site creating more intimate pockets of planting in small gardens, wildlife ponds with seating areas and large swathes of wildflowers which would be both aesthetically pleasing and rich in biodiversity. Permeable areas of car parking were laid out between Cornish hedges planted with native trees and shrubs, reducing the visual massing of the cars whilst introducing further areas of pollinating and fruiting plants so important for biodiversity. In addition, areas of native tree and shrub planting were recommended to provide an additional habitat type which would support a wealth of species from invertebrates to foraging bats, hibernating mammals and nesting birds, as well as providing screening for the site across the landscape…
5. Green Infrastructure (GI) Statement – CEC’s Landscape Architect and Ecologist worked seamlessly together to identify the GI opportunities on site and across to the wider GI network, and how the GI within the site will be managed.
6. Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal – CEC prepared the LVIA in two stages. The first identified the key characteristics of the surrounding landscape, the overall visibility of the proposed development, and fed back to the Client recommendations relating to landscape and visual mitigation which were considered in the development of the design proposals. Once the building design and layout had be finalised the second stage of the LVIA objectively assessed the effects of the development on the local landscape character, and public views across the landscape. The completed LVIA provided a comprehensive assessment of how the development proposals would both positively and adversely affect the existing local landscape character and views. The LVIA assessed the overall impact of the development both in the short, and long term, describing how the impact of the development would be further reduced as vegetation both within the site, and the surrounding landscape matured.
Key aspects of the scheme included the following:
- The sustainable NHS hub features three low-carbon, timber-clad, green-roofed buildings that reflect the existing GlasHouse design on the adjacent Trevissome Business Park, seamlessly blending healthcare, nature, and community needs.
- Designed to minimize environmental impact, the new NHS hub includes carefully planned, low-level lighting to highlight the timber cladding, creating a welcoming space without disrupting wildlife or the surrounding landscape.
- A timber-clad café offers a sustainable and community-focused space, serving both the NHS hub and the adjacent Trevissome Business Park while fostering a connection to nature.
- The landscape design integrates the hub with the rural surroundings, enhancing biodiversity and creating a harmonious space where patients, staff, and wildlife can coexist and thrive.”
- A blend of functional design and sustainability, the NHS hub meets the health needs of the community while supporting wildlife habitats and respecting the natural environment, with minimal impact on the landscape and local ecosystem.
Our key outputs to date include:
- A streamlining of the ecology and landscape planning application process by providing all of these services in-house, ensuring faster, more efficient project delivery. By eliminating the need to coordinate with multiple consultants, time delays were minimised, keeping the project on track from start to finish.
- Effective liaison with the Client through the development of the proposals.
- Delivery of a preliminary landscape scheme that not only surpassed BNG requirements but also created a functional, wildlife-rich environment for the new development.
- A detailed and objective Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, providing robust support for the planning application and ensuring project success.
Outcome for client:
The client enjoyed the convenience of a single point of contact for all ecological and landscape services, ensuring quick responses and efficient in-house solutions. CEC provided a suite of comprehensive reports within the requested timeframe, and demonstrated flexibility by swiftly amending them when adjustments to the site layout were needed. This streamlined approach kept the project on track and the client fully satisfied.
Final outcome:
The client was open and welcoming to all of the proposals made by CEC’s Ecologist and Landscape Architect to turn an agricultural field adjacent to the A30 into a biodiverse landscape surrounding sustainably constructed zero carbon buildings. The project team collaborated seamlessly, delivering outstanding results that exceeded the client’s expectations. The project successfully aligned with sustainability goals, and the client was highly satisfied with both the process and the final outcome.
Testimonial from the client:
‘Cornwall Environmental Consultants (CEC) worked for Trevissome Park Phase 4 Limited on a net carbon zero project to deliver medical and healthcare facilities as part of the natural expansion of Trevissome Park, alongside the A30 near Truro. CEC were commissioned to undertake ecological assessments, preparation of BNG, landscape design, LVIA, as well as input into other aspects of the project to mitigate visual impact and suggest a better flow for the construction work through a phased approach.
CEC worked with a passion to define the project to best sit within the environment. As an integral part of the design team CEC worked with the applicant to deliver a design that could achieve net carbon zero in both construction and the long term running of the facility and to take a holistic approach to development that considers the environment first. Therefore the applicant welcomes BNG and the care and detail with which CEC have worked on getting the landscape, flora, fauna, hedges, ponds, roads and parking into perfect balance. There were complexities to overcome, taking into account visibility and manoeuvrability for vehicles of all sizes and safeguarding for pedestrians and avoiding buses having to reverse on site. Tackling the details was complex with many stakeholders to every decision. CEC handed this with ease.
The quality of drafting and the lengthy reports to back up the decisions made was outstanding. The team at CEC are clearly at the top of their game and deserve to be considered exemplar in their approach. Any developer would do well to have them on their design team from the outset. Their approach in this case would not have worked as a plugin extra after other aspects were complete, prior to submission, once the architects and road designers had done their bit. Projects like this need to be led by the environment and habitat we intend to change. How we change that must depend on the content we preserve, with the aim to enhance biodiversity in every decision we make. In this case, with human wellbeing as a focus alongside a holistic view of health, the human interactions with the environment while we work or visit the site are crucial to the success of the project. Early discussions with CEC has proved invaluable.
With our next projects we are certainly going to engage with CEC from day one.’
