Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area Ecological Mitigation and Flood Defence Project

We provide Landscape Clerk of Work services to support the Environment Agency in the delivery of flood defences and ecological mitigation in the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Zone (ASEA).

Our role involves monitoring the implementation of the landscape works on site, on behalf of the project partners – the Environment Agency, South Gloucestershire Council, and Bristol City Council. We work alongside Binnies as part of the Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) Site Supervision team.

The £80m project provides flood protection to communities across Avonmouth, Chittening, and Severn Beach, in response to the increased risk of tidal and fluvial flooding presented by climate change and rising sea levels.

17km of new flood defences will be delivered along the Severn Estuary, reducing flood risk to 2,500 homes and businesses. The scheme is the largest project of its type in the West of England.

As well as improving flood resilience, the project is delivering approximately 80ha of new wetland habitat, which will provide ecological mitigation for the Enterprise Area. The Severn Estuary is internationally important for biodiversity and waterbirds. These new wetland areas aim to create a haven for waders and ducks and support the protected Severn Estuary habitats (Ramsar, Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area).

The project will also improve walking routes, including sections of the Severn Way long-distance path, making it easier for everyone to enjoy views of the Severn Estuary and connect with nature.

Our team of landscape architects makes regular site visits to monitor the progress and performance of the soft landscape works, including soil preparation, meadow creation, tree planting, and maintenance actions. Our reports to the client record the completion of activities, the method used, and the timings. The quality of the works is monitored and checked for compliance with the landscape specification and design information. We identify any issues arising on site, frequently liaising with both the client and contractor, allowing the delivery team to make informed decisions and quickly respond whenever required. Our role involves close liaison with the engineering team, the contractor team, and the client team to ensure each aspect of the project process is tracked and monitored in sufficient detail to enable successful handover of the various sections of the work on completion.

The project is part of a suite of measures promoted by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). It will reduce flood risk within the area for at least 60 years, which will help to secure future investment within ASEA, supporting business growth and job creation.