The facts
Client: First Hydro
Location: Snowdonia, North Wales
Services: Ecology services
Sector: Environment
Start/Completion: 2009
The project
Ecologists from Capita Symonds’ Colwyn Bay office
completed ecological surveys on the set of this Hollywood
blockbuster.
The epic ‘Clash of the Titans’ - a remake of the 1981 classic –
was filmed at Dinorwig Slate Quarry in Snowdonia. The site’s owner,
Electricity generator First Hydro, requested vegetation surveys and
ecological advice to prevent damage to the area’s sensitive
ecosystem while the dramatic landscape was being transformed into
Ancient Greece.
The film, which opened April 2010, tells of the ancient Greek
myth of Perseus and his quest to save the beautiful Princess
Andromeda. Perseus’ mission comprises a series of perilous
challenges including battles with the deadly Medusa and the
monstrous Kraken. Directed by Louis Leterrier the film will feature
a raft of tinsel town’s finest including Liam Neeson, Ralph
Fiennes, Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton and Pete
Postlethwaite.
Quarrying at the Dinorwig site finished 40 years ago this year.
In the intervening period, various types of vegetation have
established themselves on the slate waste despite the fact that it
holds very few nutrients and little water. Warner Brothers - the
film’s producers - agreed to protect these plants, including the
locally abundant but rare Parsley Fern, using methods such as
cloches and camouflage.
Warner Brothers initially looked to remove some of the area’s
scattered birch and willow trees. However, following Capita
Symonds’ advice - that the trees are very slow growing and provide
an ideal habitat for birds, invertebrates and other wildlife – it
was agreed this should be kept to an absolute minimum. Furthermore,
where trees were going to be removed they will instead be coppiced
- a process of cutting trees down to encourage regrowth. And for
every tree felled three will be replanted.
Other advice included using crawler boards over bog vegetation and
strimming vegetation at 50mm where necessary.
Dr Polly Spencer-Vellacott commented: “Dinorwig
slate quarry is a spectacular location for this film and we were
able to provide sound botanical advice to safeguard the plant
communities from any overzealous set designers!”
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