Welcome to Wildfell

Known as Wildfell, the Wildfell Centre of Environmental Recovery based near Braintree in Essex, is a nature-recovery project from Ground Control that will transform an area of arable farmland into a flourishing area of nature, projected to sequester [i.e. capture and remove CO2 from the earth’s atmosphere] 18,000 t CO2e by year 2050 while also:

• Showcasing tangible methods of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Carbon Sequestration.
• Testing the design, delivery, and management of nature-based solutions
• Acting as an educational facility, allowing clients and partners to join planting and BNG-focused activities and learn from our in-house experts.

At 296 acres, Wildfell is the biggest nature-recovery project undertaken by Ground Control and was made possible by an initial £2 million investment by the company’s ‘Evergreen Fund’, which donates five per cent of the company’s profits to drive positive environmental change.

Initially known for external maintenance and landscaping, Ground Control has continually evolved to offer complementary services to facilities and grounds managers, with its expertise now including arboriculture, ecology, and biodiversity net gain within the company’s portfolio. At Wildfell, Ground Control has been able to support a growing need for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Units, an evidence-based approach to environmentally positive land management and support in meeting environmental legislation requirements.

Conscious that not all facilities managers have the land to deliver environmental recovery plans onsite, Wildfell acts as both an educational tool and an off-site provider to support businesses in their quest to become a greener organisation.

Strong foundation for nature

A vast number of services and expertise have helped create a place where indicator species such as otters and bats have returned to the area. It’s a place where new planting schemes have reconnected ancient woodlands to give them a new lease of life and where partnerships with charities like the Bumblebee Conservation Trust can trial new ways to support pollinators.

To reach this point, Wildfell’s humble beginnings required a combination of surveys, assessments, and investigations to understand baseline ecological and biodiversity value and the context of the surroundings. Based on the belief that it is important to work with nature and within the parameters of what is achievable, in summer 2021 a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, Mapping, Species Specific Surveys, eDNA and DNA Testing, Biodiversity Metric Calculations, and Water Quality testing all took place.

The significance of these tests will become increasingly apparent at Wildfell as improvements and changes are being tracked and the project assessed to see positive change for nature and species, actions for partners, and economic feasibility.

Making change for nature

The scheme is primarily designed for local and native wildlife, with rewilding, nature gain, and carbon sequestration driving the project. With the assessments now in place, the project has systematically created and improved habitats and has dynamically adjusted to conditions while working towards meeting the goals created by a team of in-house landscape architects and ecologists.

The first phase of habitat creation and enhancement works began in winter 2021 in line with the planting season, with the symbolic planting of ‘First Avenue’ to mark COP26. This included 26 native trees, all of which were dedicated to UK Environmental Heroes. This kickstarted a series of new habitats, including scrub mosaic, species-rich grassland, ponds, and orchards. Over the following years, this has included:

• 5,000 native trees planted. This importantly included the planting of 21 species and shrubs that enhanced a 1,000m section of native hedgerow and is strengthening connectivity with existing hedges and trees.
• Early preparation and seeding of the first phase of seven acres of species-rich grassland to create new habitats, followed by the seeding of 106 acres of nutrient-reduction grassland.
• Five new ponds were created, with a focus on supporting Great Crested Newts and the restoration of three woodland ponds.
• 750m of native hedgerows were planted, connecting areas and providing food, shelter, and security for native species.
• A partnership with the Environmental Agency to enhance and restore an area. This includes a SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) scrape and creating a new ditch diversion.

Phase one also involved woodland creation and completing the restoration of an ancient woodland on site, which included regenerating native hedgerows, supplemental planting, and creating a wildflower meadow and large-scale native woodland creation. This included:

• In-house professional woodland planting, completed in consultation with Forestry England, with the first phase creating 50 hectares of native broadleaf trees, with approximately 100,000 trees.
• The planting of 5,000 native trees and shrubs, to create a linear, biodiverse habitat. The planting will form a natural corridor, linking various parts of the site so wildlife can move easily between them.
• Registration with the Woodland Carbon Code assures the quality assurance standard for woodland creation projects in the UK.
• Grass seeding in planting areas acts as ground cover and supports weed management and sward.
• Installing 3km of deer and rabbit fencing to support and protect young trees, allowing them to establish.

Measuring BNG and species population

While the establishment of woodland and the impact of the carbon sequestration are part of a longer-term plan at Wildfell, as the project approaches its fifth year, it is already seeing considerable gains, in line with DEFRA metrics.

In spring 2022, Ground Control ecologists conducted species-specific surveys for great crested newts, bats, breeding birds, hazel dormice, reptiles, and BAP mammals (UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species). This baseline information creates a picture of the populations on site, including where their home ranges are and whether these species are breeding. Understanding this will inform potential habitat enhancements, including the provision of hibernacula and management prescriptions for the habitats.

In the summer of 2022 ecology reports discovered seven species of bat (including Barbastelle and Natterers – relatively scarce species in Essex), Great Crested Newt, Common Lizard, Grass Snake, 47 species of bird (including one Red Kite) and active nesting Owl, Raven, Mallard, Moorhen and Starling. Along with the first sighting of Otter on the banks of the River Pant, four active Badger sets, Hare, Rabbit, Fox, and Grey Squirrel.

In August 2024, five species of bumblebee were spotted on a community bee walk led by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, including a rare species called the brand-banded carder bee (Bombus humilis).

The significance of these ecological gains will increase as the project continues and will indicate whether the new measures are working and are in line with the early positive signs.

Wildfell is collaborating with wild plant conservation charity Plantlife, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the Bumblebee Conversation Trust to conduct surveys and research. This expert input will inform the project’s habitat creation and management proposals for plants, fungi, and pollinators. As part of this work, five bee boxes have been set up on site to monitor solitary bees.

BNG units

While the initial launch and cash injection was provided by the Evergreen Fund, to continue the project and to fund high-level rewilding, Biodiversity Net Gain Units is an important income stream.

Initial habitat baseline enables accurate and legal measurement and reporting on the improvements made, and is in line with DEFRA Metrics. In a circular economy, the greater the funding and income streams, the more rewilding work can be completed.

So far, the site, which lies within Braintree District Council LPA and South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland NCA, is generating 307 units through species-rich grassland (134), mixed scrub (120), lakes/ponds (8), traditional orchards (4), woodland enhancement (41), and hedgerow planting (10).

Looking beyond nature. Workplace wellbeing and the community

With one of the initial aims to “Act as an educational facility, allowing clients and partners to join planting and BNG-focused activities and learn from our in-house experts,” Ground Control has integrated learning experiences to Wildfell.

With a new barn able to host meetings and strategy days, clients can combine first-hand BNG experiences with policy creation and leave Wildfell with tangible actions.

In partnership with Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Ground Control is supporting a citizen scientist programme, inviting residents and colleagues to take part in regular pollinator surveys and assess the health of bumbles on site and the potential to attract more.

The site has also seen companies, internal departments and clients participating in volunteering planting days, with employees recognising the impact of fresh air, and companies able to share their CSR actions.

New permissive footpaths will unlock previously ‘out of bounds’ areas of the Wildfell estate to walkers, while the woodlands will be opened to forest schools and community groups, with the creation of new links into existing Public Rights of Way.

Working with residents of Weathersfield village and community groups, Ground Control has co-designed a new Community Orchard, with a range of approximately 500 fruit and nut trees proposed. A species-rich grassland will be planted to act as a buffer to the new woodland for neighbouring residents.

Conclusion

Built on a strong environmental foundation for nature, which can be tracked through DEFRA metrics, the Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery is an example of how businesses can restore land for nature. As a centre, the impact of the changes will not only be seen throughout 50 years of land management and beyond, but can also inspire other sites through its studies.

While setting up a tangible income stream through BNG Units, Ground Control continues to make positive changes for nature in a way that is environmentally and financially responsible, which makes Wildfell a sustainable part of their business.

Since beginning rewilding in 2021, the project has shown that environmental restoration can be a viable business. As a result, Ground Control opened the Devana Centre for Environmental Recovery in 2023. This second site is already on the government Biodiversity Gain Sites register and is a catalyst for more centres.