Lower Moor Farm Nature Reserve is one of four contrasting reserves, with lakes, brooks, wetland scrapes, linked with ancient hedgerows, woodland, and meadows.  This is of key importance to the local area and haven for wildlife and ecology. 

Project scope included the creation of a new area of wetland, consisting of a mosaic of permanent and seasonal open water habitats, including ponds, shallow scrapes and carriers along with sections of reedbed.  Some in-lake features were also created, utilising the arising material from the wetland excavation works on one of the Trust’s lakes, Cottage Lake, which is a SSSI. 

Careful measures were taken throughout works to minimise environmental impact. Site surveys and client liasion ensured that critical sensitivities were fully understood including: public requirements, highways and access, services, local residents, protected species and priority habitats etc so that adequate signage, protective fencing/exclusions zones could be implemented.

Specialist low ground pressure excavators and tilting attachments were selected to allow natural contours to be excavated and GPS technology with 3D model of the design used to ensure accurate excavation of the scrapes and ponds.

Works were completed November 2022.