Conservation Developments
2003 - 2010 Broadhurst Wetland - Seven years in the making!
The upper section of Broadhurst Clough had, prior to world war 2, a number of ponds on site which sustained a variety of wildlife and invertebrates. Post war a number of pre-fabricated houses were built on site for the Polish soldiers of war and their families.
In the 1960's the local works of Ferranti installed a footpath enabling their workers to cut across the site without getting too wet and muddy.
Following the demolition of these houses the area was planted with trees. However, as the drainage system began to fail the site became much wetter creating access problems for the local community.
In 2003/2004 the now developed Ronald Johnson Playing Field was proposed. At this point is was realised that the drained water from the adjacent football fields would have to be diverted somewhere. There was born a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS). Rather than directing the water into the main drain system why not direct it on to an already existing wet site.
From this point planners began to understand how they could achieve the aim of draining the football fields and re-establishing the wetland/pond area.
The development was undertaken in stages due to funding restrictions but is now complete.
From a conservation perspective the wetland habitat will initially colonise with pioneer species such as, Bug Beatles, Mayflies, Caddis Flies, Dragon Flies. The site has also been planted with a variety of wetland plants. The process of establishing the ecological life-cycle and making it wholly sustainable will take at the very least five years.
Why do such a conservation project?
Open water habitat is a priority habitat in Greater Manchester and the UK. There is a clear need to increase the volume of open water to provide a habitat for invertebrates which in turn provides food for birds. the surrounding grass land provides food and habitat for mammals which further adds to the ecological life-cycle.
In order to sustain such a development a management plan has to be put in place to ensure this will happen. As part of the development, a footpath, with drainage, was installed to allow the local community access and preventing them from trampling on the habitat, whilst avoiding muddy patches. The grass is cut on a meadow basis enabling all the flowers and grass to go to seed before cutting thus restocking the site with next years wildflowers. This ensures the animals which feed on the seed have a supply for longer which will assist survival during the lean winter months.