TEP worked with Fletcher Rae Architects on this award-winning 140,000 sq.ft HQ for retailer Matalan in Knowsley. TEP was responsible for the landscape design concept and the assessment and mitigation the arboricultural and ecological impact of the design.
The site was badly contaminated so work was carried out in two phases: initially to remediate the land and secondly to obtain planning permission for the new building.
The site had a large area of woodland, known as Charley Wood, part of which required removal to enable decontamination. TEP’s survey work ensured that nesting birds and roosting bats were not disturbed during tree felling and site clearance. This involved climbing trees to ensure they were not occupied by roosting bats.
Invasive species, notably rhododendron and Japanese knotweed were a problem, so TEP devised and implemented a control plan.
The planning permission required a scheme of ecological mitigation and enhancement; including tree replanting. TEP’s Ecological and Arboricultural Impact Assessment reports were approved by the Council and enabled discharge of pre-commencement conditions.
The landscape design aims to produce a high quality environment which combines the mitigation proposals with practical considerations such as access and car parking, along with a diversion to a water course and the construction of SuDS.
Main Contractor Morgan Sindall was appointed to develop the HQ building and TEP supported them with advice and a report to secure the maximum possible BREEAM credits.
The scheme was recognised as the “Regeneration Partnership Scheme of 2014” in the Knowsley Business Awards, and particular mention was made of the pro-active approach to resolving complex ecological issues on the site.
