ECOLOGY & REWILDING
Home Farm Ellel is a collection of farm buildings, both traditional and contemporary, farmhouse, land and woodlands attractively situated south west of the junction between the Lancaster Canal and Glasson dock.
Overall the property extends to approximately 175 acres. The land is predominantly grazing land – A focus of the project is to achieve net biodiversity gain through development but also to promote connectivity of valuable habitats in the surrounding landscape alongside rewilding projects.
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Woodland on site will continue to be well managed and existing old and veteran trees will be retained so they continue to provide homes for bats and birds, and a variety of other species, enriching visitors’ lives. Further native trees and shrubs will be planted in green spaces which will guarantee veteran trees for future generations. Ponds will be integrated into green spaces and maintained to sustain amphibians, waterbirds and a variety of invertebrates. Meadow and grassland areas will be spread with “green hay” and will receive a limited amount of management such as cutting each autumn to promote a diversity of plants, which in turn supports a wealth of pollinating insects, small mammals and birds of prey such as kestrel. Using grazing animals as the drivers of habitat creation, and with the restoration of dynamic, natural water courses, the development will increase wildlife.
The vision of Ellel Wildland has nature conservation at its heart. Its driving principle is to establish a functioning ecosystem where nature is given as much freedom as possible. The aim is to show how a ‘process-led’ approach can be a highly effective, low-cost method of ecological restoration - suitable for failing or abandoned farmland - that can work to support established nature reserves and wildlife sites, helping to provide the webbing that will one day connect them together on a landscape scale.
Guests can be guided through walking tours and experience birds, mammals, butterflies, beetles, reptiles, plants and fungi in a setting that feels wild and dynamic.
The vision of Ellel Wildland has nature conservation at its heart. Its driving principle is to establish a functioning ecosystem where nature is given as much freedom as possible. The aim is to show how a ‘process-led’ approach can be a highly effective, low-cost method of ecological restoration - suitable for failing or abandoned farmland - that can work to support established nature reserves and wildlife sites, helping to provide the webbing that will one day connect them together on a landscape scale.
Guests can be guided through walking tours and experience birds, mammals, butterflies, beetles, reptiles, plants and fungi in a setting that feels wild and dynamic.
LANDSCAPE ADDITIONS
Enhancements are possible and a number of potential landscape interventions are envisaged.
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Where possible, all existing trees will be retained. The beautiful, natural setting is key to the success of the development. Strategic new tree planting will help to create separation between lodge clusters.
Ample outdoor recreational spaces weave through the site, bringing together existing landscapes and new development whilst improving the biodiversity of the site. Wild-flower seeding will be attractive and help support a diverse range of local species. Wild flowers meadows will add a splash of seasonal colour and enhance biodiversity. Protected Habitat Corridors and new Edible Trails will add seasonal colour with flowers and berries. |
WHAT IS A BIODIVERSITY METRIC AND WHICH METRIC SHOULD BE USED?The simple Government definition of development-related Net Gain is; development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than it was before development.
A Biodiversity Metric ‘provides a way to measure biodiversity loss and gain in a consistent and robust way’. It essentially generates a biodiversity value measured in biodiversity units for a site before development commences and after development is completed, allowing the difference (positive or negative) to be measured. The calculation is based on habitats only, and for each habitat or habitat parcel, a biodiversity value is generated based on three factors that are multiplied together. These are:
Biodiversity metrics will be the bedrock of any Net Gain assessment and as such understanding how they work and the pros and cons of retaining, enhancing or creating habitat will be essential to helping maximise biodiversity net gain and minimising biodiversity loss in development design. Ellel Holiday Village will seek to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain, and will demonstrate this using a recognised metric. |
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Experiencing wild nature helps reconnect people with the living planet. This improves our health and wellbeing and builds a shared sense of humanity. Many important species have disappeared from Britain over the centuries including numerous birds and mammals.
Rewilding can help bring them back.
Rewilding can help bring them back.
THE NEW BENCHMARK FOR DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE FOR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
People value living in places that are close to nature. As well as allowing wildlife to thrive, green infrastructure provides spaces for people to enjoy, and cost-effective ways to manage water naturally and prevent flooding.
Ellel Holiday Village will be a new benchmark for green infrastructure. It will introduce a framework of principles, providing end-users with the vital information and know-how that makes the difference when delivering high quality, liveable places where people can enjoy healthy, sustainable lifestyles. Ellel Holiday Village will work to achieve this.
Ellel Holiday Village will be a new benchmark for green infrastructure. It will introduce a framework of principles, providing end-users with the vital information and know-how that makes the difference when delivering high quality, liveable places where people can enjoy healthy, sustainable lifestyles. Ellel Holiday Village will work to achieve this.
