BSR Open main menu Biodiversity We believe in biodiversity We are passionate about renewables and the environment. We work with landowners, environmental specialists and the Planning authorities to develop, build, operate and manage the solar parks in a way which minimises the impact on the environment during construction and maintenance and enhances the biodiversity for the local area. The biodiversity gains have been achieved through the development and maintenance of enhanced grasslands, protected species mitigation areas (e.g. Skylarks & Lapwing) and adapting the solar park layout and fencing arrangements to accommodate local ecology. We are also looking to reduce our energy consumption and to find ways in which we can run a more sustainable business. Through eco-initiatives, such as sowing wildflowers and building bug hotels, solar parks can become a haven for nature. In fact, we achieve a 25% net biodiversity gain across our parks. North Dairy Solar Park Our new North Dairy site will include the creation of wildflower-rich grassland and native hedgerows, as well as meadow grassland beneath and between the solar panels. These measures will deliver a 54.39% net gain in Habitat Units and a 13.08% net gain in Hedgerow Units. Akeman Solar Park Our new Akeman site, has been sensitively designed to avoid impacts by retaining the majority of habitats of ecological importance and new habitats of ecological importance are to be created, such as neutral/wildflower grassland and scrub. These measures will overall result in a net gain of +48.80% in Habitat Units. Enhancement of all the hedgerows results is a total gain of +51.67% in Hedgerow Units. In addition, a gain in tree numbers will also be achieved, further increasing biodiversity, as well as opportunities for wildlife. Coldharbour Solar Park Our Coldharbour site, will enhance the grassland in the north-western field (a desirable location due to nearby woodland), and a couple of extra suitable field margins. A further 5.64 hectares (three of the drier grassland fields) would also be enhanced to create a 37.4% net gain. South Fambridge Solar Park Our new South Fambridge site, will result in a significant net biodiversity area gain of 50.54% in area habitats and a significant net biodiversity linear gain of net gain of 58.92% in linear habitats. This is as a result of the retention of existing habitat and the introduction of grassland habitat of a higher ecological value, in the form of meadow grassland and linear habitat, in the form of native species-rich hedgerows with trees. Leave and let live... Biodiversity illustrates the vast array of life on Earth. It includes all the plants, animals, bacteria and fungi with which we share the planet. It is the range of species found in every habitat on Earth We as humans rely on biodiversity to survive. We are inextricably linked in the big natural system of varying ecosystems, and each element is dependent on another to support and to enable us to survive and thrive. Fundamentally humans need nature: Healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the climate, recycle nutrients and provide us with food.. This is precisely why we need rich biodiversity. We need a natural world that is complex, resilient, thriving and full of variety. ...the importance of Biodiversity The advent of mass farming, factories, roads, trainlines and urban sprawl is a direct threat to these natural systems. We require more land that supports these ecosystems. • Pollinators, are estimated to be responsible for every third bite we eat. • Soil structure is improved with higher plant diversity and that the diverse properties of different plant roots are the key factor in keeping soil healthy. Optimising water retention, micro-organisms and carbon sequestration. • Land left to nature could be worth more in value as soils can rest and replenish. • Land owners can become nature conservationists Gallery Kestrel Barn Owl Wildflower meadow borders Tufted Vetch A Honey Bee feeds on an Oxeye daisy Common Knapweed Field Scabious A Gate Keeper Butterfly on a Spear Thistle A Ringlet on Common Ragwort Marbled White Butterfly on a Spear Thistle A Peacock Butterfly on Common Knapweed Black-tailed Skimmer Dragon Fly Roe Deer in the Dandelions Common Poppy on the Fence Line Hedgerow Crane's-bill climbing around a cable guard Footer About Projects Australia News Policies Accreditations Terms of Use Get In Touch Facebook LinkedIn Twitter YouTube info@britishrenewables.com 01458 224900 ©2021 BSR Group Holdings Limited | made by webdna This website uses cookies for analytics and to deliver improved service. By using this site, you agree to this use. Learn More Accept