The facts
Location: Stean, Yorkshire
Client: Natural England
Start Date: Jan 2009
Completion Date: May 2009
Services provided: Specification, Moorland
Restoration, Reporting, Contract Documentation
Contact: James Daplyn – James.daplyn@capita.co.uk
The project
Upland areas within the north of England are of national and
international significance, supporting many of the countries rare
plant and bird species and acting as important stores of
atmospheric carbon. Historically, both natural and man-made
activity on the moorland has caused degradation to the surface
vegetation and hydrology of the underlying peat soils. Common
examples include overgrazing and drainage (gripping).
The site of Stean Moor, like many other moorland habitats, has
been drained to the determent of the local moorland condition. In
response to this, Natural England engaged consultants to specify
methods for surveying and blocking grips in order to re-wet the
moorland, enhance the biodiversity and protect the carbon within
the underlying peat.
Alongside Dinsdale Moorland Services, Capita Symonds was
commissioned to prepare a custom methodology for the baseline
assessment of the grips on the moorland. By evaluating the current
best practice and utilising practical knowledge, the team provided
a best practice guide to planning restoration activities and a
detailed specification for conducting grip blocking. In particular,
methods including digital constraint plans were proposed and
designed to allow protection of the ecological and historical
features of moorland. Full costings and contract documents were key
outputs of the project and have been used by Natural England to
commission grip blocking works on the ground.