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Project details

Wetland Habitat Creation - Northey Island

Client:

National Trust

Location:

Northey Island, Essex

Located in the Blackwater Estuary, Northey Island nature reserve is an important biodiverse saltmarsh protected and managed by the National Trust and enjoyed by thousands of visitors a year.

Miles Water Engineering worked with the National Trust as part of this 2-year project to create a new salt water wetland habitat from an existing arable field. This is achieved by allowing the sea to breach the sea wall at designated locations as part of a controlled and managed retreat, while conserving the delicate balance of wildlife on this SSSI island.

The first phase of the project included the construction of a central closing bank to protect a badgers set and the higher ground, a new pond with an island to accommodate relocated water voles and a new bird hide for visitors to the island. The second phase included the creation of scrapes and creeks and the controlled breeching of the floodwall of the newly formed features.

A number of factors presented unique challenges, including access across the tidal causeway, tight project timeframe due to the bird nesting restrictions as well as archaeological restrictions due to the islands possible use as a Viking Camp during the Battle of Maldon in 991AD and location of a manor which is recorded in the Domesday Survey.

Miles Water Engineering has extensive experience with environmentally sensitive projects, working for the NT at Orford Ness and feels privileged to be part of this important conservation project which was named the winner of the Nature Conservation category at the Maldon District Conservation & Design Awards.

AWARD WINNING PROJECT

Maldon District Design and Conservation Awards – Winner (Sustainability category)

  • Institute of Civil Engineering East of England Award – Second Place (Sustainability category)
  • East of England’s Constructing Excellence Awards – Winner (Civils Project of the Year)
  • National Construction Excellence Awards – Shortlisted
  • BIG Biodiversity Awards – Winner (Overall Ceremony Winner & Biodiversity Legacy category), Highly Commended (Habitat Creation >5ha)
  • Green Apple Award – International Gold Award Winner

Additional information:

Read more about The National Trust’s Managing Coastal Change here

Watch more about The National Trust’s Managing Coastal Change at Northey Island Saltmarsh here