Elizabeth Castle Restoration
Project Area
Ecology
Specialisms
Ecological Mitigation and Protection
Year
2023
We assisted Jersey Heritage with their planning application to restore and renovate the Hospital Block and Barracks at Elizabeth Castle. These historic buildings form part of an offshore fortification, which supports important populations of breeding sea birds.
Our team of Ecological Surveyors carried out protected plant searches, bat activity surveys and monitored the buildings for breeding birds. Surveys revealed a common pipistrelle bat roosting beneath a fascia board as well as breeding house sparrows, oyster catchers and herring gulls using the buildings. Sharp-leaved fluellen, a protected plant, was also found nearby.
Short-term mitigation
Appropriate timing of works was the most important consideration in this project. Scaffolding was constructed outside of the bird breeding season (to minimise disturbance) and the scaffold was wrapped to prevent birds from nesting during works. A licence was acquired to allow for the temporary destruction of the bat roost, which was carefully dismantled by hand under the supervision of an Ecologist. Finally, the site compound was carefully searched for protected plants and suitable routes for access and areas for storage were chosen where ground was hard-standing and species poor grassland.
Long-term enhancements
Habitat for crevice-seeking bats was created behind the replacement wooden fascia boards of the renovated buildings. Existing features for nesting house sparrows were retained and not pointed. The replacement roofs continue to provide breeding habitat for gulls and oyster catchers. At completion of works, a final site check will be made by our lead Ecologist to ensure that surrounding grasslands are unharmed, and if necessary, management advice will be provided.
_____
Chris O’ Connor, Head of Property at Jersey Heritage, said ‘I have had the pleasure of working with Nurture Ecology on a number of projects carried out by Jersey Heritage over a number of years. The project at Elizabeth Castle to refurbish two of the historic buildings was unique in terms of logistics and getting the team to site. This proved to be no barrier and actually allowed me to work alongside their teams in carrying out the various surveys required to discharge Planning Conditions.
Planning and legal requirements aside, the passion shown for the work they do in protecting our fragile environment is infectious and, taking on board the relatively simple enhancement measures proposed enabled us to deliver a complex project, whilst achieving a Biodiversity Net Gain. This is not only environmentally important but compliments the work we do with the Islands’ built Heritage.
I look forward to our continued relationship and am more than satisfied that, with their expertise and knowledge, the wildlife on our sites and within Jersey will continue to thrive.’
Highlight Projects
-
![]()
Living Wall - Corbiere
In order to demonstrate environmental gain in the Coastal National Park, our client included a living wall as part of their Planning Application for an extension.
-
![]()
Nude Dunes - St Ouen's Bay
Protected wildlife translocation and sand dune habitat creation. This site located within the Coastal National Park was to be converted into a new beachside café.
-
![]()
Green Retaining Wall - St Brelade's Bay
An engineered vegetated retaining wall system, created to replace a bank and wall that were subsiding due to high-tide wave erosion.
-
![]()
Re-Development - Les Ruisseaux Estate
A private development with close proximity to a Nature Reserve, whereby full re-development of the house, gardens and pond were approved.
-
![]()
Conway Tower - Wayside, St Brelade's Bay
Protected wildlife translocation and sand dune habitat creation for a 500m2 coastal strip around the former Wayside Café.
-
![]()
Historic Farm Complex - St Ouen
Ecological surveys of this farm complex in St Ouen found Protected Species and wildlife use that required mitigation to achieve Planning Permission.
-
![]()
Samarés Nurseries Re-Development
Large redundant glasshouse site with high populations of Protected Species groups present. Habitat re-creation and wildlife re-homed to specially created receptor sites.
-
![]()
Bat Mitigation for Site Development
Protected species mitigation and translocation in development project that involved a full re-roof and extensive re-landscaping work.
-
![]()
Wildlife Zone - Les Quennevais School
Agricultural fields re-zoned to accommodate the new school. Demonstration of environmental gain as a result of the development required.
-
![]()
Heathland Restoration - Wolf's Caves
The Planning Application to build a new home at Wolf’s Caves included an element to restore the coastal slopes in front of the property to species rich heathland.
-
![]()
Wildlife Pond & Waterfall - Daisy Hill
Large wildlife pond creation in a domestic garden to attract a variety of wildlife. Our client also wanted to create a natural looking stream and waterfall leading into the pond.
-
![]()
Planning in the Coastal National Park
Proposed demolition of a private house within the Coastal National Park where an Ecological Assessment and Species Protection Plan were reuiqred for Planning.
