The brief:  

To develop and implement the restoration of Fleet Pond Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Our role:

• Johns Associates provided a multi-disciplinary project team of hydrologists, geomorphologists, landscape architects, planners, contractors and ecologists
• We produced a £1500 feasibility study to secure £1,000,000 from Natural England, the Environment Agency, Hart District Council and Fleet Pond Society
• We created intelligent and innovative lake design to remedy the damaging build up of silt and mitigate for it in the long term
• Johns Associates managed the planning application including a detailed Environmental Assessment
• We designed and oversaw the development of stream diversions, in-lake islands, fish exclusion zones and zooplankton refuge habitat
• Our project team secured all permits, managed the works including contractor appointment, construction supervision, stakeholder consultation and reporting
• Our Water Team monitored the restoration works and ongoing recovery of the SSSI, including water quality, lake ecology and habitat features

The outcome: 

The condition of the SSSI is already improving, with much greater habitat diversity and longevity for the lake.  The project won the ICE Sustainability and Environment Award in 2013.