Ecological Impact Assessment for River Restoration Scheme

The brief

To highlight the potential ecological impact on a proposed river restoration scheme at Honeypot Stream, Sevenoaks. The scheme proposed several restoration techniques including removal of hedgerow sections to increase light, re-meandering sections of straightened channels, and creation of backwaters to reinstate natural processes to the river. A balance between short-term effects on existing biodiversity versus long-term effects required careful consideration.

What did we do?

Commissioned by South East River Trust (SERT), MKA Ecology conducted several ecological surveys at the river site, including a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA), hazel dormouse , great crested newt , water vole, otter , and reptile surveys. These helped to inform an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) which set out the surveys’ findings, quantified potential impacts on all identified species and habitats, and presented a mitigation plan to avoid or minimise the impacts identified.

A particular challenge was to achieve the objectives of the river restoration while maintaining a favourable status for protected species and hedgerows at the site. MKA worked closely with SERT to retain as many existing hedgerows as possible providing significant benefits to wildlife such as habitat provision, food sources, ecological corridors, and soil stability. MKA also made site enhancement recommendations including dormouse box installation, the provision of log piles for reptiles and amphibians, and the reinstatement of hedgerows to ensure a net improvement in hedgerow connectivity.

What was the outcome for the client

Our delivery of services, combined with a creative and proportionate approach to mitigation, meant that the client could make better-informed decisions about the proposed Honeypot Stream river restoration scheme.