Biodiversity and Business
Habitats for economic growth and wildlife
In total, Staffordshire County Council’s business parks provide employment for nearly 7000 people. Units range from small scale office accommodation up to large distribution centres.
In addition to providing opportunities for employment, they also provide homes for a wealth of wildlife, and green spaces which are enjoyed by local communities.
Foremost is Redhill Business Park which lies on the northern edge of Stafford. Almost 2000 people are employed here, and it is home to many species of flora & fauna across varied habitats.
The site includes an extensive Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS). Surface water runoff is dealt with via a range of open-air features such as ponds, swales and ditches rather than underground pipes. This has created water habitats such as ponds, marsh and swamp, each supporting a wide range of plants, invertebrates and amphibians. These habitats are home to some rare plant species and provide breeding habitat for great crested newts. Many species of butterfly and dragonfly have been recorded as well.
Redhill Business Park also includes mature shady woodlands and species rich wildflower meadows.
Connectivity for wildlife is enhanced by the provision of two wildlife tunnels which run beneath the access road. They connect areas of grassland and woodland and are used by many species of amphibians and mammals, and even a few bird species.
The site is well used by employees and at lunchtime, the network of paths is used by dozens of people taking a break from the desk and re-charging their batteries.
With careful management, biodiversity has increased after development and the site is now to be designated as a Local Wildlife Site – a first for a business park in the county.
Kingswood Lakeside Employment Park is the largest commercial site owned by Staffordshire County Council and contains extensive areas of green space. The site is known primarily for its large distribution centres.
As the name suggests, a series of pools and lakes, connected with streams provide a distinctly waterside character. With extensive areas of woodland and open grassland the site is home to red deer, small mammals and many bird species. Badger, fox and brown hare have also been recorded on the site. Kingswood Lake itself is overlooked by a wildflower meadow which is at its very best in May to July.
Two of the lakes are used for recreational fishing and the balancing ponds have well developed reedbeds. Deer have been seen cooling off in them during hot summer days.
An extensive network of footpaths provides opportunities to explore the green spaces and a boardwalk has been installed across a marsh on the northern shore of Kingswood Lake.
Lymedale Business Park employs hundreds of people in distribution centres, light assembly units and offices. It is also a stronghold for Great Crested Newts. Habitats consisting of rough grassland, ponds and woodland have been created adjacent to the development and these provide perfect habitats for newts and other amphibian species. The young woodland provides excellent bird nesting habitat and cover for small mammals.
A local angling club holds a fishing licence for the balancing ponds in the centre of the business park. Members can enjoy a little peace & quiet, tucked away from the surrounding buildings and offices.
A network of combined footpaths and cycle paths run through the green areas, connecting the business park with surrounding communities.
There is also a popular and well-used footpath link from Lymedale to Apedale Country Park.
Silverdale Enterprise Park sits in a neat valley above Silverdale village.
Silver birch woodland has been planted around the units. It provides a quiet, natural setting for the businesses, making it appear as though the developments are set in woodland clearings.
A connecting footpath leads from the enterprise park to the neighbouring Silverdale Country Park.
Staffordshire Technology Park is located on the northeastern edge of Stafford. It holds a range of office accommodation.
The access road runs in a loop around the park. It was routed alongside an existing stream which provided scope for a green corridor to be created alongside the road. During spring and summer, a host of colourful marginal plants are visible along the stream course. It flows into a small reed lined balancing pond which is adjacent to a mature wood that pre-dates the creation of the business park.
The wood contains many large trees and provides good breeding habitat for woodland birds. Dense roadside landscaping provides cover for species such as dunnock, wren and robin.
Creating and managing habitats for wildlife is important. Is it also worth remembering that those same habitats allow people to relax, to recharge and to promote good mental health.
For further information contact SCC Landscape Architect, Chris Evans CMLI
chris.evans@staffordshire.gov.uk