Brechfa habitat management works, Carmarthenshire
Background
Working closely with the RSK ecology and EIA team, we undertook mitigation planting for a large overhead cable installation project within Carmarthenshire. Western Power Distribution carried out the construction of a new grid connection between Brechfa Forest West wind farm to an existing connection point near Llandyfaelog, approximately 10 km south of Carmarthen.
The works involved the construction, testing, commissioning and energising of a new 132 kV electricity line, allowing for the electricity generated from 28 new wind turbines, to enter the grid.
The new 132 kV electric line runs for 28.6 km, with 24.3 km above ground and approximately 3.3 km below ground.
As part of the habitat reinstatement works and the conditions of the dormouse licence, a programme of native woodland planting and hedgerow planting needed to be undertaken to help restore habitat connectivity and to reconnect fragmented habitat corridors.
Habitat management works
- Planting native mixed woodland species at three individual woodlands – Nant Morlais, Nant Cwmffrwd and Bwlchymynydd
- Planting native mixed species hedgerow at four individual locations
- All trees were of a native provenance, and sourced from a local nursery within a 50 mile radius of the site, and all trees were planted with a tubex tree guard and a tree stake.
Results
Our works helped to restore habitat connectivity and to reinstate cleared areas of woodland habitat.
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