Driving the best environmental outcomes

Coordinating environmental impact assessments

East Sussex County Council commissioned us to coordinate the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, including producing the environmental statement (ES), addendum ES and the supporting planning documents. In addition to providing environmental expertise, specialists from across the business provided input into several chapters of the ES, including those focused on the regeneration strategy for the area, social and community impacts, geology and soils, recreation, air quality and cumulative effects.

Integrating biodiversity and landscape enhancements

The first 1.4km of the road passes through an urban area, along the path of an abandoned railway line, while the remainder runs through rural areas and near the SSSI. Our EIA team was responsible for managing and timetabling the necessary field surveys and desk-based assessments, and final inputs into the ES and addendum. Working closely with the council and other local stakeholders, and in close consultation with the statutory bodies – Natural England, the Environment Agency and English Heritage – the team was instrumental in developing opportunities for enhancing biodiversity and landscape value for the area, and in ensuring that impacts are adequately mitigated.

Landscaping and ecological design of the wetland areas combined the use of wetland grassland with both permanent and semi-permanent ponds and associated planting for natural flood management and to maintain and enhance biodiversity. Planted bunding was also installed to provide a visual screen to the road as well as to provide habitat connectivity. The vegetation will capture and store carbon.

The scheme was subject to a public inquiry for compulsory purchase orders, and we performed the expert witness role for the environmental aspects, from air quality and ecology to landscape and visual impacts. We also provided procurement services, reviewed designs and contractor proposals, and monitored costs and the construction programme.

Promoting sustainable development and regeneration

The road opened in December 2015 and has improved access between the two coastal towns, enabling economic development and regeneration as well as reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. Hastings is one of the most deprived areas in England, and the road is key to helping people access employment opportunities.

The scheme was carefully designed to minimise impact on the countryside and protected areas, and more than 14,000 trees and shrubs were planted to improve views and reduce traffic noise. The vegetation also stores carbon and filters air. A greenway runs alongside the road for 4km, from the outskirts of Bexhill in the west to the edge of Hastings in the east. It provides a separate and safe corridor for cyclists, walkers and horse riders, and enables local residents and visitors to easily access the countryside.
The early and continued consultation with stakeholders was critical to the success of the project, earning it a Green Apple Award and it being shortlisted for ICE and CIHT awards for urbanisation and sustainability respectively.