The Environment and Conservation
The University’s ecological management plan, prepared in accordance with Natural England and local planning requirements, will ensure the development of the site as a haven for wildlife.
A major feature of the project has been the reinstatement of water vole habitat and an artificial otter holt has also been constructed.
Renewable technologies have been incorporated into the design in order to minimise the carbon foot print of the project.
Hampshire County Council’s Highways Department and Ecologists, together with the Romsey Society, have been consulted regarding the archaeological assessments and landscape work.
Sympathetic consideration for the existing landscaping, wild life and amenity features was also included in the planning.
Mitigation measures include additional tree planting, selective removal of the minimum number of trees, a landscape and ecological management plan, reinstatement of access tracks and a natural finish to buildings.
Swans, geese, great crested grebes, herons, kingfishers and a variety of wildfowl inhabit the lake whilst the surrounding woodland supports finches, tits, nightingales, woodpeckers and buzzards.
Evidence of otter visits and deer, grass snakes, slow worms, newts and water voles have all been recorded, together with several species of bat.