Wildlife Protection and Site Clearance Works at Hethel

Plantscape Tree Services Ltd has completed a complex ecological mitigation and vegetation clearance programme at Hethel, supporting a major Norfolk County Council infrastructure scheme aimed at enabling regional growth in the advanced engineering and manufacturing sector.

Early works included dredging and enhancing a receptor pond, alongside riparian planting and the creation of hibernacula to improve habitat quality and ecological resilience across the site.

To protect legally safeguarded species, specialist water vole and Great Crested Newt fencing was installed to prevent entry into active working areas, ensuring full compliance with environmental legislation.

Following this, ecologists carried out phased trapping, monitoring, and a watching brief during vegetation clearance and destructive searches.

Vegetation management included grass and scrub clearance, hedge removal, and tree felling. Works were undertaken using specialist machinery including an Avant 760i, JCB excavator with tree shear, and a grapple saw lorry for larger trees, with all arisings removed for recycling.

Delivered in challenging winter conditions and under tight programme constraints, the project required close coordination between multiple stakeholders and was completed safely, efficiently, and in line with ecological requirements.

The scheme demonstrates Plantscape’s ability to deliver complex ecological mitigation and vegetation clearance works in support of major infrastructure projects across Norfolk and Suffolk.

For more information on Wildlife Protection and Site Clearance Works at Hethel talk to Plantscape Tree Services Ltd