As one of the most dynamic development sites in the UK, Bicester Arc is set to boost its sustainability credentials with the creation of a stunning 15-acre eco park. Ecologist Dr Suzanne Mansfield, who is heading the eco park project, explains the plans for it to be an oasis of nature and relaxation for years to come.
With an impressive list of credentials, the 48-acre Bicester Arc commercial business park in the heart of Oxfordshire offers an unrivalled opportunity for investors and developers.
It is the perfect blank canvas for creating a bespoke headquarters or campus, with its own dedicated power supply and great connectivity in a region bursting with innovative businesses.
Future occupiers will also benefit from the on-site eco park that will focus on sustainability and protecting biodiversity while encouraging users to feel at one with nature. Here, expert Suzanne – who has a background in Ecology – describes the exciting plans…
Green spaces, walking trails, burgeoning flora and fauna and abundant wildlife are hugely attractive elements that we want to incorporate into the site’s development.
Biodiversity conservation is very much at the forefront of the UK’s planning agenda and, as a major site, the developers of Bicester Arc understand their responsibilities in ensuring biodiversity measures are a vital part of their plans.
Under the Environment Act 2021, developers must deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) through creating, restoring or enhancing habitats either on or off-site to minimise the environmental impact of development.
This gives the Bicester Arc team the perfect opportunity to prioritise ecological and biodiversity needs by creating a wildlife haven on a 15-acre section of the site, to be enjoyed by the future workforce.
I have worked with the developers for many years and assisted with their planning application for Bicester Arc. We looked at the way an eco park could enhance the site for future users, working out the baseline ecology and how many BNG credits it could produce to offset the wider development area to the west of the site.
We want to keep the hedgerows and trees that exist on the whole site; the proposed eco park site has semi-natural habitats, with a small brook, scrub, grassland and trees that we want to improve on and develop.
The scrub and grassland won’t be agriculturally managed, so there will no pesticides or herbicides used, but it will be managed in a way that increases the diversity of the plants and wildlife. We will also be landscaping other areas at Bicester Arc, including ornamental trees and shrubs.
With some thought and careful management, we hope to have a good mix of wild flowers, trees and shrubs that will hopefully attract more insects and birds.
We’ll have shrubs such as hawthorn and blackthorn that are native in hedgerows and are important for nesting birds. They also have nectar-bearing flowers that attract insects, which in turn encourages more birds and other local wildlife. We’d also hope to see more bumble bees.
The shrubs will produce berries and fruits in the autumn, which sustain overwintering bird species, such as blue tits, robins and blackbirds. There will also be native British trees such as ash, oak and field maple.
The species rich meadowland and other habitats proposed will attract insects such as beetles, flies and spiders.
All these wonderful things link together like a jigsaw and improve the resilience of the habitats around Bicester by building on them and replacing what has been lost.
Trees and shrubs grow at different rates and will take time to develop – particularly woodlands that can take 30 to 200 years before they create an effect. It’s quicker to establish grassland and wetlands. We will be creating ponds which will bring new wildlife such as frogs, toads, smooth newts and dragonflies and can only take two to five years to start looking interesting.
Looking after people’s wellbeing is so important and came into strong focus during the pandemic. Even if you live in a flat, walking out to an open space and interacting with a natural habitat makes people feel so much better. Green spaces are known to be good for people’s mental and physical health.
There will be options for ball games in one section of the park, and we are also keen to have a quiet area for people to experience a peaceful time with nature. Those working at Bicester Arc can sit and enjoy the view, have a picnic or walk a circular route around the site, whether at break time, lunchtime or after work.
An application to begin the first phase of the development will be submitted shortly. The eco park is planned to complete in line with the first building on site, ensuring occupiers can enjoy its full benefits from day one.
The balance must be right – obviously there are commercial considerations, but good developments ensure nature conservation is an important element. Planners also take an overview of what needs to be achieved in an area – we must ensure that everything is in line with the legislation and local planning needs as we create a site to be proud of.
I hope that the eco park will eventually form part of a network in the Bicester area that people can enjoy as a nice environment to work in and live nearby. A ‘stepping stone’ habitat that links with other wild areas would be lovely to encourage.
Working on a larger project like an eco park is enjoyable because there are opportunities to create something bigger and more special. We want it to meet everyone’s expectations and for it to continue to develop as an interesting and welcoming space which encourages more wildlife for people to enjoy and appreciate in the future.
Click here to find out more about Bicester Arc.
Dr Suzanne Mansfield is a senior director in the 150-strong team of ecologists and Arboriculturalists at FPCR Environment and Design. A member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Managers (MCIEEM) and Chartered (Science) Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI), Suzanne is a habitat creation specialist and has been a field botanist for over 30 years.
