Implementation

Soil Excavation and Storage: The top layer of soil, rich in seeds and microorganisms, was carefully excavated and stored in controlled conditions to maintain its biological properties.

Site Preparation: During the construction phase, the stored SINC soil was kept under conditions that prevented nutrient loss and soil compaction.

Reapplication: Once the construction was complete, the SINC soil was reapplied to the site in the designated areas.

Benefits

Biodiversity Preservation: By reusing SINC soil, the project maintained the native plant species and microorganisms, promoting biodiversity and sustaining local wildlife habitats.

Cost Savings: Reusing soil reduced the need for importing new soil and minimised waste disposal costs, offering significant economic savings.

Ecological Balance: The initiative helped in preserving the natural ecological balance, preventing erosion and improving soil health and fertility.

Outcomes

The project is successfully demonstrating that with careful planning and execution, storing and reusing SINC soil can lead to sustainable development that balances construction needs with environmental conservation. The restored areas are beginning to flourish, as can be seen from the photographs. Ongoing management of this area, as part of the process, will hopefully begin to see rarer species emerge from the preserved seed bank. This will encourage diverse plant life and providing a thriving landscape for the community, thus reinforcing the importance of preserving natural resources in urban development.

Conclusion

This case study highlights the practical and ecological benefits of preserving SINC soil. It underscores the importance of sustainable practices in construction projects and sets a precedent for future developments to integrate environmental conservation into their planning processes.

For further information, please contact Andrea Hughes at ahughes@mayerbrown.co.uk