Retirement Village
ARBORICULTURE & ECOLOGY
Client
Audley Group
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Project Type
Retirement Village
Location
Hampshire
Status
Complete 2026
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Images
Audley Group
We were appointed as ecologists and arboricultural consultants to support the redevelopment of the Stanbridge Earls site in Hampshire, ensuring compliance with ecological legislation and best-practice tree management throughout planning and delivery.
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Awards
Housing Design Awards — HAPPI Best Project Scheme (Winner, 2020)
UK Property Awards — Residential Development Winner (2021–2022)
WhatHouse? Awards — Silver for Best Retirement Development (2020)
Overview
The 32-acre site comprises mature woodland, parkland and existing buildings with established ecological value. Our role included preparation of arboricultural and ecological planning reports, supervision of protected species works and integration of long-term habitat enhancements within the final landscape design.
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Challenge
Key constraints included the presence of roosting bats within buildings scheduled for demolition and mature trees requiring retention within a construction setting. Demolition timing was restricted due to bat occupancy, and new bat roosts were formed while buildings were vacant. In addition, woodland areas were affected by Ash Dieback, requiring proactive management without compromising ecological integrity.
Our Approach
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​​We completed the bat licence application and designed suitable mitigation in advance of demolition, including installation of replacement bat roost features. Works were programmed for November to minimise the number of bats requiring removal and to remain compliant with legislation.
Arboricultural input included tree surveys, impact assessment, root protection design and ongoing supervision to safeguard retained trees. A long-term woodland management strategy was prepared to improve structural diversity and resilience.
Enhancement measures included installation of species-specific bird and bat boxes and habitat improvements across woodland and open areas.
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Outcomes
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The bat licence was successfully implemented, enabling lawful demolition and allowing construction to proceed in line with the desired programme. Replacement roost features were installed in advance of works, ensuring continuity of bat habitat and legislative compliance. Timing demolition in November minimised the number of bats requiring removal while reducing programme risk.
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Retained trees were successfully protected throughout construction, and proactive woodland management planning addressed the impacts of Ash Dieback. This approach improved long-term woodland resilience, diversified age structure and strengthened overall canopy succession across the estate.
Post-development monitoring has recorded strong uptake of installed nesting features, including a significant House Martin colony, alongside successful use of integrated bat roost provisions. Surveys have confirmed the presence of notable species such as Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher and Kingfisher, reflecting the value of retained woodland, open water and edge habitats.
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Ongoing community engagement in biodiversity monitoring has contributed to meaningful long-term ecological data collection, fostering stewardship among residents and supporting adaptive habitat management. Collectively, these measures have delivered demonstrable enhancement of habitat connectivity and species diversity across the estate, evidencing measurable biodiversity gains alongside a successful and policy-compliant development outcome.
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​Services Provided
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Design Liaison
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BS 5837 Tree Survey
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Arboricultural Impact Assessment
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Arboricultural Method Statement​
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Clerk of Works
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Tree Condition Survey
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Woodland Management Strategy
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Bat Surveys & Mitigation, Licence and Monitoring
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Ecological Management Plan
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Great Crested Newt Survey & Reports