The University of Essex Biodiversity Policy
Introduction
The University of Essex is committed to ensuring that the wealth of wildlife on our campuses is retained and
enhanced. We are taking positive action to:

Promote biodiversity and sustainability on the sites we manage and own

Raise awareness of biodiversity and sustainable practices amongst staff and students and the general
public
The University recognises the value of biodiversity and sustainable practices to:


Both formal and informal learning about open spaces and their associated flora and fauna
The important contribution an environment makes to the quality of life
The Wivenhoe campus is set in a former deer park on the banks of the Colne Estuary to the south east of
Colchester. It was painted in 1816 by John Constable. The grounds of the campus retain relict acidic grassland, a
scarce habitat type. Together with taller grassland, scrub and lakes, these form a complex mosaic of habitats with
an extremely rich invertebrate fauna. The campus also contains rare coastal grazing marsh and many notable
specimen trees, including oaks, redwoods and black poplars. There are 18 major habitats on the Wivenhoe
campus.
The Loughton campus has a Georgian house which is situated in a small area of grounds which includes a large
pond. The Southend Campus is in three locations in the heart of Southend, only seconds away from the High
Street and its extensive facilities, the buildings have no grounds or outdoor facilities, apart from a small internal
courtyard area at University Square student residences.
Biodiversity SMART targets
The University has audited its Campuses for Biodiversity and commits to re-auditing at least two areas annually.
Targets for Biodiversity for 2012/13 are divided into area specific and general targets.
Area Specific Targets 2012/13: Wivenhoe Campus
Habitat name
Location
Description
1
Poplar Row
2
Nightingale Wood
Along Boundary Row of poplars
Road
along road
Banks of
grassland up to
west facing
buildings
SW corner of
Mixed woodland Oaks, nightingales
campus
in spring
3
Skipper's Meadows
SW corner of
campus
4
Grazing Marsh
Between railway High quality
line and
freshwater
Key plants and
insects
Black poplars and
Carolina poplars
Open grassland Acid grassland
next to
species
Nightingale wood
Relict grazingmarsh retaining
Action
Leave some of
grass on banks
uncut
Maintain Bird
and bat boxes
Organise scrub
clearance day for
volunteers under
instruction of
grounds staff
Conservation
management to
clear some
brambles and
scrub
Undertake
species survey
Boundary Road grazing marsh
(designated
habitat)
Lane by side of Sunken lane
campus to
railway line
Inside Boundary Lawns,
Road bend
grassland, scrub
and mature trees
Inside Boundary Row of trees and
Road to bus
rough grassland
stop
West of sports Mature woodland
centre towards trees
towers
NW of car park Acid grassland
and NE of Ivor with birch trees
Crewe lecture
hall
many typical spp,
work
eg Grass Vetchling,
Dittander, Hairy
Buttercup and
Divided Sedge;
larger drains
support Common
Reed
Mix of woodland
species
5
Green Lane
6
South Courts
Grassland
7
Cherry Row
8
Kidney Wood
9
Hance Meadows
10
Oak Parkland and
the two lower lakes
11
Ha-Ha and House
Pleasure Gardens
12
Ice-House Pleasure
Gardens
Gardens north
of Wivenhoe
House,
containing the
old ice house,
includes laurel
ride along back
13
Campus Farm and
Pond
East of
Wivenhoe
House
14
Kingfisher Lake
15
Bluebell Wood
Top lake,
between VC's
house and road
Shelter belt
Woodland along Oak, ash, sweet
alongside main Clinghoe Hill
chestnut, bluebells
Subterranean
clover, rare black
poplar trees
Cherry trees and
elms
Oaks and sweet
chestnuts; three
pencil oaks
Oak, silver birch,
subterranean clover
(rare), sheep's
sorrel, mosses &
lichens
North of path to Parkland
400 year old oaks;
Wivenhoe
remains of what
House
Constable
described as "a
beautiful wood and
piece of water";
some American
oaks (Q borealis)
Wivenhoe
Landscape of
Two 200 year old
House gardens parkland, mature cork oaks
to Ha-Ha
trees
Five large
Redwoods,
Weymouth or
Eastern-White
Pines, cedars,
Wellingtonias, tulip
tree, plus other
specimen trees
Farm/allotments Acid grassland
to the north of
Garden trees
the old pond. Old
pond with some
wetland plants;
Wetland habitat Fallen mature
mulberry tree
Leave strip of
grass by current
shrubs
Leave central
triangle unmown
Manage as is
Manage as is
Manage as is,
subject to review
on completion of
project to
refurbish the
House.
Large notable
specimen trees,
mainly
coniferous, laurel
ride gardens to
ice house
Water to pond
and farm
Open up some
glades in
16
Benton's Top Heath
and Hay Meadows
17
Rookery Wood
road from lake road
to middle lodge
Triangle of
Large expanse of Relict acidic
heathland
acid grassland
grassland, a scarce
habitat with an
extremely rich
invertebrate fauna.
Dominated by Red
Fescue, Sheep's
Sorrel & Field
Wood-rush, with
rare Slender
Parsley-piert and
Blinks occurring in
damp seepage
areas
West of middle Holm oaks, ash,
lodge and the
elms, hornbeam
1845 carriage
way
Wivenhoe Campus: Habitats and biodiversity survey and plan (map)
Area Specific Targets 2012/13: Loughton Campus

Maintain pond and surrounding area as wildlife habitat
Area Specific Targets 2012/13: University Square, Southend Campus


Maintain raised planters
Install bug houses
woodland
Cut carefully and
late to ensure
best invertebrate
diversity
Undertake
species survey
work
General Targets 2012/13:









150m2 of wild flower planting
Review tree planting as part of capital project
Survey & report on condition of bat, bird & bug boxes
150m2 of bulb planting (approx. 15,000 bulbs).
100 per cent of collected leaves used on site for mulch
95 per cent of green waste reused on site
75 per cent of sports field fertiliser to be organic
Apply for Defra stewardship scheme
Produce guide & signage highlighting campus Biodiversity
Reference Legislation, procedures and guidelines
All individuals, companies and authorities involved in the management of wildlife on campus have a
statutory duty and obligation to abide by the relevant legislation, procedures and guidelines. The
responsibilities falling to employers, their employees and operators are defined in the regulations
listed below: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
 Control of Pollution Act 1974
 Control of pollutions Act 1974
 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2004
 The Environmental Protection Act 1990
 The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991
 Hazardous Waste Regulation 2005
 Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
 Animal Health Act 1981
 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
 Control of Pesticides Regulation 1976
 Plant Protection Product Directive Act 91414EEC
 Deer Act 1981
 The Protection of Badger Act 1992
 The Wild Mammals Protection Act 1996
 The Prevention of Damage by Rabbits Act 1939 (Pests Act 1954)
 Agricultural Act 1947
 Prevention of Damager by Pests Act 1949
 The Protection of Animals Act 1911
This is not meant as a comprehensive list and these regulations should be used in conjunction with
other relevant legislation and agreed policies, procedures and guidelines.
Contact information
If you require any advice on the Wildlife Conservation and Management Policy, or require more
details on certain species of wildlife on campus please contact the Estate Management Section in the
first instance using the details below –
Estate Management Helpdesk ext 2300 or 2959 faults@essex.ac.uk
Contractor information and advice
Absolute Pest Control Ltd Wildlife Management and Pest control advice
Unit 2F Underlyn Industrial Estate
Underlyn Lane Marden
Kent
TN12 9AT
DEFRA Wildlife Management and licensing advice
Defra, Customer Contact Unit, Eastbury House, 30 - 34 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TL
Tel: 08459 33 55 77
Fax: 020 7238 2188
Email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Natural England Environmental advice
Enquiries,
Natural England,
Northminster House,
Peterborough,
PE1 1UA Tel: 0845 600 3078 (local rate) Fax: 01733 455103
Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
(This list may be subject to amendment and addition).
Daniel Dempsey
Carbon Change Advisor
November 2012