St Edmundsbury Borough Council is Batting for the Birds and Bees! (December 2009)

Elwood Landscape Design, a local Chartered Landscape Architect’s practice has worked with the Council and project ecologist to produce an insect friendly ‘green’ design, creating a wildlife haven at the new St Edmunsbury Borough Council offices. ELD is also the practice striving to improve the green infrastructure proposals within the former cattle market, as part of the town’s new, extended retail district. The cattle market proposals are a direct contrast to the new Public Service Village, which is to be transformed into a beautifully planted area, but with more than just people in mind.

The PSV design has been subjected to strict BREEAM ratings to obtain the best practice in environmental design, such that it includes everything ‘green’, from bat boxes, different types of bird boxes, a bird bath, hedgehog domes, reptile basking blocks, insect wood piles and mollusc shelters to bumble bee boxes. In addition, ELD has carried out a survey of existing trees, while landscape proposals include a sympathetic ornamental and native planting mix. Large-scale infrastructure trees, such as the London Plane are to be introduced for skyline impact and longevity within the landscape; this is a tree that already characterises the Bury townscape.

ELD Director, Ruth Elwood said, ‘We are very pleased to be involved in this project as it has considered all environment effects to provide a sustainable and long term solution to landscape design. The proposed trees will have the capacity to mature over the next century and provide enjoyment for future generations’.

With planning permission already granted and construction well under way, St Edmundsbury Borough Council have asked ELD to prepare the tender documents for the soft landscape element, with a view to undertaking planting over the next twelve months.

Over the past 10 years, ELD has secured a reputation for becoming a leading player in commercial, residential and industrial landscape design. More details on the work of Elwood Landscape Design can be found on their website at www.e-l-d.co.uk