Sector: Environmental
Contract duration: 4 weeks
Volume of works: 400 tonnes of timber
Euroforest was commissioned by the RSPB to undertakeheathland restoration at Hazeley Heath, a Site of Special Scientific Interest(SSSI) within the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA).
The project focused on removing regenerating birch and gorseto restore areas of open heathland, enabling them to be brought under futuremanagement and helping to maintain the site's favourable conservation status.
Working within a designated conservation site requiredcareful planning to balance habitat restoration with the protection ofwildlife, rare plant communities, veteran trees and archaeological features.
The site presented several operational challenges, includingsensitive wetland areas, seasonal ground conditions, public access and nearbyresidential properties. Works also needed to accommodate existing footpaths,tenant grazers, volunteers and third-party contractors, while maintaining highstandards of health and safety.
Timing was particularly important. Operations needed to takeplace when ground conditions were suitable for machinery, without causingdamage to sensitive habitats or disturbing wildlife.
Euroforest developed a carefully planned approach incollaboration with the RSPB's ranger team, combining appropriate vegetationremoval methods with environmental safeguards and stakeholder engagement.
The team removed regenerating birch and gorse using acombination of timber harvesting, tree shearing, motor-manual felling andbrush-cutting techniques. Timber and other arisings were managed according totheir location and suitability, with material processed for extraction, stackedinto habitat piles or raked and burnt where appropriate.
Priority habitats for Dartford warblers, veteran trees withpotential bat-roost features and sensitive mire communities were identifiedduring the planning stage. Exclusion zones and agreed extraction routes helpedprotect these areas, with requirements communicated to operators through riskassessments, method statements and toolbox talks.
Existing constraints maps were used to identifyarchaeological features, including historic wood banks. Previously degradedaccess points were prioritised where possible, while brash matting, bog matsand hand-felling techniques helped minimise ground disturbance.
As the site was open-access land with several footpaths androutes into nearby properties, Euroforest worked with the RSPB to communicatethe planned works and their likely impacts. Measures included resident letterdrops, advance signage and clearly managed exclusion zones during operations.
The team also coordinated with tenant grazers, volunteerwork parties and third-party deer control contractors to support the safe andefficient delivery of the project.
A comprehensive planning process addressed potentialhazards, including overhead and underground services and highway risk zones.Information from utility operators and the client's constraints maps informedsite-specific risk assessments and method statements, which were briefed tooperators before work began. Operations were monitored throughout the contractto maintain compliance with relevant health and safety requirements.
Over the four-week contract, Euroforest carried out targetedvegetation management to help restore areas of heathland and support theirfuture conservation management.
Through close collaboration with the RSPB, carefulconsideration of environmental and archaeological constraints, and a flexibleapproach to operational planning, the project balanced the practicalrequirements of vegetation removal with the need to protect this sensitivelandscape.
The work demonstrates Euroforest's ability to deliverenvironmental management operations on designated sites where ecologicalprotection, stakeholder engagement and safe working practices are central tosuccessful delivery.
Key project fact
