October 2025

Nutrient neutrality and biodiversity benefits – Aspect Ecology advises on an ambitious new wetland in Kent

Aspect Ecology has been advising Barratt Redrow on ecological matters at a site in Ashford, Kent. The Crown View Hill development will deliver up to 725 homes and a new school, alongside pioneering benefits for

nature.

Background

The site is located upstream of the Stodmarsh Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area and Ramsar, a wetland of international importance and protection. Stodmarsh SAC supports rare species, including the Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail Vertigo moulinsiana, and its chalk wetlands are sensitive to high nutrient levels which can cause eutrophication. Accordingly, to ensure no harm arose to the SAC it was necessary for the development scheme to demonstrate ‘nutrient neutrality’ and that the total flow of nutrients into the river did not increase, which could otherwise negatively impact the downstream habitats.

Solution

To achieve nutrient neutrality at the site, an ambitious nature-based solution was developed in the form of a new 3.2-hectare wetland which will filter nutrients from runoff. The wetland will also provide associated benefits for biodiversity. Aspect Ecology advised on the wetland creation in 2021, completing baseline survey work of the habitats and fauna present prior to commencement of the scheme. The now biodiversity rich wetland area was previously dominated by species-poor semi-improved grassland of a low ecological value (and presenting few ecological constraints for land use conversion). Development at the site pre-dated statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), but the creation of the wetland is recognized to have provided increased opportunities for nature. Grassland habitats surrounding the wetland have also been enhanced and were used as a receptor to receive reptiles which Aspect Ecology translocated from the development area.

Monitoring

Ecologists from Aspect Ecology surveyed the site recently and were pleased to find the new wetland has established well. The reedbeds and open water were seen to provide a habitat for a range of wetland birds and the grasslands now support a rich flora, while hibernacula installed as part of the scheme increase the suitability of the area for reptiles.

Conclusion

These findings confirm that the scheme benefits wildlife alongside delivering its nutrient neutrality commitments.

The new wetland shows that with appropriate planning and design, development can both protect sensitive wildlife sites and provide local benefits for biodiversity.

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