Ore Valley, in Hastings, supports a relatively high density of protected species and includes a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), which needs to be protected during the area’s regeneration. LUC was appointed to provide ecological expertise for the Hastings Millennium Community Project regeneration programme, to protect and enhance the valley’s green space. Our role evolved to include Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, landscape design of the green space and support of community delivery projects.
LUC first carried out a suite of detailed habitat and protected species surveys, attaining a thorough understanding of the pressures on and opportunities for the valley’s ecology. This enabled us to deliver a robust EcIA and realistic Habitat Management Plan.
We contributed to a series of public consultation events - establishing a balance between the needs of ecology and amenity for both current residents and future capacity. From this, we developed a Landscape Framework to improve physical connectivity throughout the valley and suggested specific sites for new interventions. These included pond enhancement as part of the BBC’s 'Breathing Spaces', planting of a new Community Orchard led by Sussex Wildlife Trust and installation of a new playground as part of the Play Pathfinder programme. Other successful components include the diversion of paths and native scrub planting to protect the locally cherished badger population and creation of wildflower meadows and hibernation sites to support a healthy population of lizards and slow worms.
Working with local groups on the various projects was hugely satisfying and sparked an overwhelmingly positive response from the local community, be that with habitat management tasks, planting of orchard trees or teaching local children about wildlife. Although progress on development in the area is slow, our work helped to galvanise the existing conservation efforts of community groups and ensure the valley’s ecology and landscape character is protected and enhanced in the long term.
The survival of the valley’s green space, the prosperity of its habitats and species and the quality of its outdoor space as a valued educational resource couldn’t have been secured without the respect, hard work and genuine enjoyment of the local community.
