Defending Development - THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE CONSERVATION MAGAZINE Number 40 2011 - Gov.uk
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THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE CONSERVATION MAGAZINE
Number 40 • 2011
Defending
Development
Recreating the Contemporary
Operating Environment
Satellite tracking gannets
Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire
Help for Heroes
Tedworth House
Conservation Group
Editor
Clare Backman
Defence Infrastructure
Photography Competition
Organisation
Designed by
Aspire Defence Services Ltd
Multi Media Centre
Editorial Board
John Oliver (Chairman)
Pippa Morrison
Ian Barnes
Tony Moran
Editorial Contact
Defence Infrastructure
Organisation
Building 97A
Land Warfare Centre
Warminster
Wiltshire BA12 0DJ
Email: DIO-Sanctuary@mod.uk
Tel: 01985 222877
Cover image credit
Winner of Conservation Group
Photography Competition
Melita dimidiata © Miles Hodgkiss
Sanctuary is an annual publication
about conservation of the natural
and historic environment on the
defence estate. It illustrates how
the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is King penguin at Paloma Beach © Roy Smith
undertaking its responsibility for
stewardship of the estate in the UK This is the second year of the MOD window. This photograph has great
and overseas through its policies Conservation Group photographic initial impact and a lovely image to take!
and their subsequent competition and yet again we have had The image was captured by Hugh Clark
implementation. It an excellent response with many from Pippingford Park Conservation
is designed for a wide audience, wonderful and interesting photos. The Group.
Sanctuary board and independent judge,
from the general public, to the Highly commended was the photograph
professional photographer David Kjaer
people who work for us or above of a king penguin at Paloma
(www.davidkjaer.com), had a difficult
volunteer as members of the MOD choice but the overall winner was a beach, Falkland Islands, taken by Roy
Conservation Groups. superb close-up photograph taken by Smith from Falklands Conservation
Miles Hodgkiss, a member of Imber Group. Apparently, there is a story
Sanctuary is produced for the behind this, the penguin came out of the
Conservation Group, of mining bees
MOD by the Defence sea walked towards the photographer
Melitta dimidiata exhibiting a rarely
Infrastructure Organisation. and posed for a few minutes to enable
recorded drone roosting behaviour on
Salisbury Plain. This extraordinary image this photograph to be taken. It then
fully deserves the pride of place on the turned tail and walked back into the sea!
front cover of this years Sanctuary!
This years competition has been a great
The runner up, which can be seen on the success and we shall be running the
back cover, was a barn owl captured in competition again next year, so keep
flight, framed beautifully by an old your cameras at the ready!
Sanctuary 40 • 2011
FOREWORD
Foreword by Andrew Manley
Chief Executive Defence Infrastructure Organisation
I am delighted to have the opportunity to
contribute to Sanctuary as it reaches a milestone
with its 40th edition. I continue to be impressed by
the range of activities undertaken by the
Department to support the stewardship of the
MOD estate and to sustainably manage our
Defence activities.
This edition comes at an important time for the
Ministry of Defence. The results of the Strategic
Defence and Security Review are transforming the
way MOD does its business, including the
management of its estate. Sustainable development
is an essential part of these changes and delivering
Defence in the most effective, efficient and
sustainable way is one of the key priorities in the
Defence Plan. Over the next couple of years, we will
see a transition as the newly-formed Defence
Infrastructure Organisation manages the estate and
the next generation of estate contracts with our
industry partners.
I would particularly like to draw your attention to
the articles “Defending Development”, “Taking Flight Andrew Manley, Chief Executive Defence Infrastructure Organisation
over the Wash” and “Avoiding Collateral Damage”, © Crown
which show some of the ways we are integrating an
evolving military requirement with the sustainable Conservation Group members. The winning image,
management of the estate to directly support showing some rare mining bees Melitta dimidiata
operations such as Afghanistan and Libya. I am glad on Salisbury Plain, shows that the MOD estate
to see ‘Working in partnership’ as a theme for this continues to support and protect important wildlife
edition; it has been a key approach within the MOD as well as delivering the Defence requirement. It
for many years. It is essential at every level of also highlights the ongoing enthusiasm for what I
Defence business, whether on operations, or consider to be a superb and unique part of the
working with the estate suppliers; from projects to government estate. I would also like to congratulate
reduce energy consumption to initiatives to protect the Sanctuary and Energy Award winners and
valuable wildlife with non-governmental runners up - their enthusiasm and drive sets a
organisations such as Pond Conservation; and to standard for others to follow.
the largely unseen, yet hugely important, individual Finally, my thanks go to the production and design
contributions of the MOD Conservation Group team for another superb edition. I hope you will
volunteers. The articles in this edition show both the enjoy reading the 40th edition of Sanctuary
range of partners who help the MOD to manage magazine.
the estate and the myriad of projects underway for
its stewardship. My thanks go to our estate suppliers
for their generous sponsorship of this edition.
The photography competition for the Sanctuary
front cover had some excellent entries from
Sanctuary 40 • 2011 1
CONTENTS
FOREWORD 1 AROUND THE REGIONS 65
Spotlight on…
THE SANCTUARY AWARDS 3 MOD Shoeburyness, Essex 66
RAF Valley, Anglesey 68
RAF Henlow, Bedfordshire 68
THE ENERGY AWARDS 8
RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire 69
RAF Wittering, Cambridgeshire 69
FEATURES
Aberporth Range, Ceredigion 70
MOD rises to the carbon reduction challenge 9
Antony, Cornwall 71
Castlemartin Access Project 10
Penhale Sands, Cornwall 71
Defending Development 13
Predannack, Cornwall 72
The Warcop Training Area woodland creation scheme 16 Ballykinler, County Down 73
Defending the Past 18 Magilligan, County Londonderry 73
Avoiding collateral damage - Assessing the impact of 20 Warcop, Cumbria 74
weapons testing activities at MOD Pendine
Britannia Royal Naval College, Devon 75
The Million Ponds Project - bringing back clean water to 23
the countryside Bovington and Lulworth, Dorset 76
Taking flight over The Wash 26 Kirkcudbright Training Centre, Dumfries 77
and Galloway
Access at Kirkcudbright Training Centre 28
MDPGA Wethersfield, Essex 78
Military training areas benefit from partnership approach 30
RAF Leuchars, Fife 79
Digging the Better ’Ole… First World War Trenches and 32
Abbey Wood, Gloucestershire 80
Modern Training at RAF Halton
Defence Training Estate Home Counties, 80
Satellite tracking gannets at Bempton Cliffs 34 Hampshire
Maritime environmental assessments in The Royal Navy 36 Defence Munitions Gosport, Hampshire 82
Tedworth House, Help for Heroes 38 HMS Excellent, Hampshire 82
Monitoring sooty terns on Ascension 40 The Army Training Regiment Bassingbourn, 83
Met Office awarded biodiversity benchmark 42 Hertfordshire
Newtown Range and Jersey Camp, Isle of Wight 84
Understanding Loe Pool for its future 43
Defence Training Estate South East, 85
From Thin Air to Hot Air 44
Kent and East Sussex
Balmacara House - An exemplar of collaboration 46 Altcar Training Camp, Merseyside 87
Sanctuary Sponsors 48 Stanford Training Area, Norfolk 88
11 (ATT) Squadron RM Instow 50 Bicester Garrison, Oxfordshire 89
Heathland Restoration at Predannack Airfield 52 Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Surrey 89
Project Allenby/Connaught: delivering a sustainable estate 53 Thorney Island, West Sussex 91
Conservation at the Defence Academy 56 DM Kineton, Warwickshire 91
INTERNATIONAL Boscombe Down, Wiltshire 92
Bulford, Wiltshire 93
Biodiversity Conservation within the Sovereign Base 58
Areas of Cyprus Imber, Wiltshire 94
Conservation of micromoths in the Falkland Islands 61 Larkhill and Westdown, Wiltshire 95
The Falkland Islands update 63 DSTL Porton Down, Wiltshire 96
DST Leconfield Carrs, East Yorkshire 96
CONTACTS 97
2 Sanctuary 40 • 2011
THE SANCTUARY AWARDS
The Sanctuary Awards The Sanctuary Award Board
The Sanctuary Award Board for
The aim of the Sanctuary Awards is to recognise and encourage group 2011 were from Defence
and individual efforts that benefit wildlife, archaeology, environmental Infrastructure Organisation:
Martin Coulson, Deputy Head
improvement or community awareness of conservation on or within
(Policy), Alan Mayes, Deputy
land and property that the MOD owns or uses in the UK or overseas. Head (Secretariat), Pippa
The 2011 Awards were divided into four categories: Environmental Morrison, Senior Policy Advisor,
Ian Barnes, Principal
Project, Heritage Project, Sustainability Project and Individual Environmental Advisor and
Achievement. The winners of each category are considered for an overall from the Joint Nature
winner and receive the coveted Silver Otter for one year. Conservation Council Marcus Yeo,
Chief Executive who acted as
external judge.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT AWARD WINNER SILVER OTTER WINNER
Castlemartin Access Project
appropriate and provides public access,
local community and biodiversity
benefits. It has achieved bringing the
military authorities, Defence
Infrastructure Organisation, the Welsh
Assembly Government, Countryside
Council for Wales, the National Park, our
tenant farmers, our contractors and the
community together to a position of
agreement. The judges also noted that
the route has quite rightly earned a
place in the “All Wales Coastal Path”, and
is a very worthy overall winner.
To find out more about this project please
see the article on pages 10 - 12.
Bullslaughter cliffs on Range East Castlemartin Range © Crown
The Castlemartin Access Project was can be used by walkers, horse riders
instigated following consultations on and off-road cyclists and has the added
improving access to the range led by benefit of giving great panoramic views
Defence Training Estates Headquarters of the range and the Castlemartin
and the Access and Recreation Team coast; and by linking with existing
from Defence Infrastructure rights of way the CRT also provides a
Organisation’s Environmental Advisory circular route around Range East during
Services. The Castlemartin Range Trail non-firing periods.
(CRT) was created to provide a 10km
stretch of multi-user path around the The Award Board was enormously
northern boundary of the range thus impressed by the achievement of the
enabling users of the Pembrokeshire team and the wide engagement
Coast Path to remain off-road at all support from the local community. The
times. Prior to its existence users were excellent outcome of this project
forced to use dangerous narrow lanes exemplifies MOD’s commitment to
around the ranges. The multi-user trail public access where safe and
Lyserry gate with flowers and red flag © Crown
Sanctuary 40 • 2011 3
THE SANCTUARY AWARDS
environmental project award runner up
Cadet150 Tree planting project
The cadet movement as a whole (Army celebrations. The first plantings took world record of planting 20,436 trees in
Cadet Force, Combined Cadet Force, place in autumn 2009 and the final one hour was set during this project – a
Sea Cadet Corps and the Air Training target was reached in April 2011. great achievement.
Corps) comprises 131,000 young
people and 25,000 adult volunteers in The Award Board was impressed by the
over 3,000 locations the length and way the Cadet Forces have worked in
breadth of the UK and 2010 marked the partnership with the Woodland Trust,
150th anniversary of the MOD- landowners and local communities to
sponsored cadet forces. As part of the plant a phenomenal 150,000 trees
cadet movement’s commitment to the around the UK. This is an excellent
development of good citizens and work example of young people working
in the community, a partnership was together and is to be applauded for the
formed with the Woodland Trust to positive messages in the local
plant 150,000 native trees all across the communities and in media coverage.
UK over the course of the Cadet150 The judges also recognise that a new
Cadets dig in, only 149,999 trees to go! © Crown
environmental project award HIGHLY COMMENDED
Cawdor Barracks Conservation Project
Cawdor Barracks Conservation Project is The Award Board was impressed by the
now in its fourth year and aims to initiative of the team to build
continually improve its contribution to relationships with the Bumblebee
all conservation matters within Cawdor Conservation Trust, National Trust, and
site. Projects include skylark surveys, Birch Utilities, and the success in
habitat improvement to benefit the minimising costs that this delivered. The
shrill carder bee, creation of wildlife judges also noted the dedication
wood piles and grazing in partnership shown by the team and by Rhodri
with the National Trust. Kemp, in particular, over the last four
years of this ongoing project. Captain Karen Thomson (Unit Safety & Environmental
Advisor) with the National Trust after releasing the
ponies © Crown
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD WINNER
DIO and Debut - RM Instow Site Development
The aim of this project was to provide The Award Board was enormously
new vehicle dip tank facilities, living impressed by the use of multiple
accommodation, catering amenities, energy efficient methods in the design,
armoury, magazine stores and to together with energy saving practices
demolish existing structures that were during construction, despite the team
no longer required. The main role of being challenged by two floods and a
11(ATT) Sqn at Instow is to develop and deep freeze. The judges recognise the
trial beach plant, recovery vehicles, programme management of this
landing and raiding craft. The project to ensure that waste from
establishment also trains personnel in demolition was utilised on site, and that
waterproofing and deep fording of the achievement of 94% diversion from
vehicles. The new training facilities at landfill rate was no mean feat. The
Instow have sustainability at their core; judges also note that the majority of
from design through construction and new materials were procured from
subsequent operation; careful within a 50 mile radius.
integration of energy and resource
saving design ensured the building To find out more about this project please
kept its environmental impact to a see the article on pages 50 - 51.
Solar panels one of the projects many energy saving minimum and reduced overall
measures © Debut running costs.
4 Sanctuary 40 • 2011
THE SANCTUARY AWARDS
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD RUNNER UP SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Debut Services Bunds Project
logistically awkward. Debut and the
Turner Estate Solutions
Defence Infrastructure Organisation Integrated Welfare
have developed a mobile oil water
separation plant that removes Facility at RAF Leuchars
hydrocarbon contamination from bund
water to enable clean filtered water to
The aim of this Project was to provide a
be disposed of through existing
Fit for Purpose, modern, centralised
drainage infrastructure.
welfare facility for the Community
Support Team at RAF Leuchars. The new
The Award Board was impressed by the
community centre houses the
way the project dealt with a multiple
Community Development Team, Padre,
site problem of disposal of
HIVE, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and
contaminated water. This is an excellent
Families Association and the Health
example of a sustainability project
Visitor, as well as offering multi-use
working to minimise environmental
Separator in action © Debut activity space, external and internal play
impacts. The judges commend the
areas and a multi-faith prayer room.
The build up of rainwater within innovative use of the mobile separation
Located beside the nursery and multi
traditional oil storage tank bunds has plant to filter the water and note the
use games area, the centre is accessible
been an area of risk to the MOD on the proactive approach of emptying bunds
to both Service families and the wider
Regional Prime Contract South West for as a result of a forecast of heavy rainfall.
community.
several years. A study was undertaken
to assess the existing arrangements in
place to remove bund water using
tankers, which proved expensive and
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD RUNNER UP
Joint Supply Chain Service Bicester
Pallet Waste Recycling Project
Joint Supply Chain Service (JSCS) The Award Board was impressed that
Bicester is one of the two main defence the problem of waste pallets was
warehousing and distribution sites and turned from a cost into an income by
generates a huge amount of waste the team working with a local recycling
packaging every year including company for their disposal. The judges
thousands of storage pallets. Sorting recognise the way that this simple Internal play area at RAF Leuchars © Crown
damaged pallets had been delivered
in-house but changes within JSCS The Award Board was impressed by the
made this no longer practical. construction of an environmentally
compliant community centre,
Through the commercial team, the incorporating various energy-saving
General Manager negotiated a local methods in the design. They recognised
agreement with Alford Pallet Recycling that the project was delivered ahead of
(APR) for the sorting and removal of schedule and is looking toward an
unserviceable pallets and scrap wood “excellent” Defence Related Environmental
for recycling from the Garrison. Key to Assessment Method rating. The judges
this agreement was that APR had to also noted the use of offcuts from the
A simple solution to reduce landfill © Crown construction work to build bat boxes to
sort the waste and provide labour and
transport at no cost to the authority. As offset disturbance from proposed
part of an ongoing waste management solution has lead to further waste future development plans.
programme at Bicester a number of collection on the site and a consequent
new practices have been introduced to reduction in waste to landfill of 1500
boost recycling and divert waste from tonnes and over £30,000 saved in
landfill by 31 per cent against a target 12 months.
of five per cent.
Sanctuary 40 • 2011 5
THE SANCTUARY AWARDS
HERITAGE PROJECT AWARD WINNER
Defending the Past, Cape Wrath Training Centre
the Royal Commission of the Ancient playing cards with an environmental
and Historic Monuments of Scotland theme that could be handed out to
(RCAHMS), was to cultivate a mutual troops using the training area.
understanding of the cultural heritage
of the military training area by the local The Award Board were impressed with
community and with the troops who this interesting community project, the
come to Cape Wrath to train. strength of engagement with local
schools and the team’s promotion of
A number of initiatives were used to Cape Wrath through the many media
engage all partners, including: channels. The Award recognises the
enthusiasm and dedication of the
• Children from Kinlochbervie High project team and commends the
School designing new ration packs relationship that was built up with
for the soldiers after being given a RCAHMS. The judges also note the
standard MOD-issued ration pack. team were successful in securing DIO
• Designing a new milestone to funding and a Heritage Lottery grant for
replace the missing 8th mile marker the project, which was vital to its
on the 11 mile long public road success.
Be very scared! © Crown running through the range from the
ferry slipway on the Kyle of Durness To find out more about this project please
The aim of Defending the Past (DtP) a which dates back to the mid 1830s. see the article on pages 18 - 19.
partnership project between Defence • National photography competition
Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and to generate imagery for a set of
HERITAGE PROJECT AWARD RUNNER UP
World War 2 Wrecks in the Eastern Solent
maritime invasion of Normandy 1944 time over the past three years. The
(Operation NEPTUNE - the maritime Award recognises Alison’s tenacity and
phase of Operation OVERLORD – the initiative in developing new skills to
invasion of Normandy by sea and the research and document the area and to
liberation of France). Alison Mayor from progress the project. The judges also
Southsea Sub-Aqua Club led a team of note that the sites have been adopted
recreational scuba divers to investigate by the Southsea Sub Aqua Club under
a number of wrecks in the area believed the ‘Adopt a Wreck’ scheme, and that
to have a D Day connection. The English Heritage is expected to bring a
project developed in two phases. test case to protect the Tanks and
Phase one was to survey and record the Bulldozers under the ‘Ancient
wreck site known as the Tanks and Monuments’ legislation.
Bulldozers (near Selsey Bill West Sussex),
identify the vehicles and find out how
they came to rest on the sea bed.
Phase two was to look for, survey and
identify the wreck of the Landing Craft
tank from which the vehicles were lost.
Alison clearly in her element © Crown The Award Board were impressed by
this very practical project with a military
The overall aim of the project was to history connection, and with the hard
investigate World War 2 wrecks in the work and dedication of the team
Eastern Solent with a connection to the carrying out this work in their spare The underwater world of tanks and bulldozers
© Crown
6 Sanctuary 40 • 2011
THE SANCTUARY AWARDS
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
Robert Tolley
shown excellent leadership and difficulties, and building tern nests.
implementation skills and the judges Robert’s enthusiasm and hard work are
wish to thank him for the tremendous exemplary.
achievement of raising awareness and
changing attitudes towards the By sharing his experiences and best
environment and sustainability. His practices around the region and by
initiatives have produced a number of inviting representatives from other
‘firsts’ from the first biomass boiler on a Regional Prime Contrators to
military establishment, to the first green conferences he has also raised
sedum roof on an industrial military awareness across the wider
building, and his efforts in reducing Defence estate.
waste and improving recycling that
achieved a 70% reduction in waste to
landfill. Robert organised Sustainable
Solutions days for staff, clients and
suppliers, and has involved the local
community by forging links with a local
school and college.
Robert Tolley © Debut He has also organised Community Days
which have involved 484 volunteers
Robert Tolley, Environment and giving 3872 hours to activities such as
Sustainability Manager for Debut refurbishing Hospice gardens, creating
Services (South West) has safe play areas for children with learning
Biomass boiler on a military establishment © Debut
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT award RUNNER UP
Helen Clark
The Award Board were impressed with recognises her success in implementing
Helen’s dedication and determination a wide range of small scale projects by
shown in her commitment to spread involving the local community in
the word on sustainability across the activities such as litter picking, shrub
defence housing estate through the and bulb planting, and communal
MODern Housing Solutions (MHS) garden projects.
contract. She has developed close
working relationships with her The judges also note that MHS won the
company’s consultant ecologist to Most Sustainable Private Sector
formulate approaches to protected Organisation in the Sustainable FM
species, with her supply chain, and the magazine 2010 Awards - an excellent
Defence Infrastructure Organisation result and recognised by MHS to be as a
Accommodation team to establish a result of Helen’s activities.
joint working group to enable delivery
of sustainable initiatives. Her motivation Helen Clark © Crown
has not waivered and the Award
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT award HIGHLY COMMENDED
Kevin Teesdale
On behalf of the MOD the judges wish time he has recruited, organised and
to thank Kevin Teesdale, from the motivated countless volunteers who
Military Dog Section of Catterick have freely given up their time and
Barracks in Bielefeld, Germany, for his effort to maintain and manage the
hard work over the last 14 years to fishing lake, memorial garden, pond
preserve the wildlife areas on the and beehive conservation area.
Catterick estate in Bielefeld. During this
Kevin Teesdale the conservationist © Crown
Sanctuary 40 • 2011 7
THE ENERGY AWARDS
Energy AWARD WINNER INDIVIDUAL energy
award WINNER
PJHQ Sustainable Development Team Les Walshe, Energy
Permanent Joint Headquarters,
Northwood is responsible for the
electric buggies, two hybrid cars and
two small low emission cars, all
Manager, Blandford
planning and execution of overseas resulting in a saving of 9,723 kg CO2. Camp
operations and has over the past five
years undergone a major The savings achieved under the Blandford Camp, Dorset home to the
redevelopment. Sustainable direction of the partnership with the Royal School of Signals is a large and busy
development principles including support of the site population have, in site, with a daily footfall of some 4,000
carbon management and energy this year alone, realised an energy personnel. In 2010/11 Les Walshe, the
efficiency have been incorporated into saving of 485,971 kilowatt-hour, a sites energy manager was challenged by
the programme delivered by the PFI reduction and a saving of £28,340 in the Camp Commandant, to reduce
contractors Carillion PLC. utility costs. energy consumption by 10% for that year.
Carillion and the MOD team worked With no funding for spend to save
together and delivered a range of projects, Les took the initative and
initiatives that made carbon and reviewed the effectiveness of the Building
financial savings, whilst maintaining Energy Management System. By making
military outputs. These included adjustments to time schedules,
adjustment of the heating and air optimisers, compensaters and heating/
conditioning parameters; improved water temperature settings he single
lighting; installation of low emission handedly reduced the Garrison’s energy
condensing boilers and replacement of consumption beyond the original target
a fleet of diesel vehicles with three The team proud of their achievement © Crown by some 12%.
Energy AWARD RUNNER UP
Abbey Wood Green Travel Campaign
MOD Abbey Wood is one of South
Gloucestershire’s largest employers with
future increases by 2012 as Defence
Equipment and Support concentrates
its business activities at the site. The Les saving energy all the way © Crown
site’s Environmental Team have
An extraordinary 4.2 million kiloWatts
implemented the Green Travel
of energy was saved, worth in excess
Campaign which aims to reduce the
of £150,000. The financial savings Les has
environmental impact of commuting
made from improved energy
and business travel and relieve local
management have benefited the
and site congestion.
Garrison in other ways, such as improving
The Green Travel Campaign is a big success © Crown soldier living arrangements and training
The team implemented a series of
facilties.
measures and awareness campaigns to parking spaces have been provided
encourage employees to use housed within purpose built shelters.
alternative means of travelling to work Car sharing has been such a success
such as walking, public transport and with staff making use of dedicated
cycling. Cycling facilities have been parking spaces that Abbey Wood is one
upgraded, changing room and locker of the top car sharing organisations
facilities expanded and 800 cycle nationally.
INDIVIDUAL energy award RUNNER up
Nicky MacNeil, Universities of Glasgow and
Strathclyde Air Squadron Nicky MacNeil monitoring energy usage © Crown
The Universities of Glasgow and Critical to the site’s success was the of a Grade A combi boiler. Nicky also led
Strathclyde Air Squadron building effort made by Nicky MacNeil. Nicky communication and staff engagement
(UGSAS) in Glasgow, was one of the 25 took the lead and engaged with the activities and introduced tailored heating
sites involved in the government-wide facilities management contractor and and IT control policies.
commitment to reduce carbon the RAF Utility Management Bureau
emissions by 10% within 12 months. Service to deliver a series of carbon Nicky’s dedication and drive ensured the
UGSAS not only met the 10% target but saving projects in year in order to meet successful implementation of a local
exceed it, achieving an incredible 50% this challenging target. Projects energy management strategy, without
reduction. included loft insulation, energy efficient which the significant savings achieved by
lighting upgrades and the installation the site would not have been possible.
8 Sanctuary 40 • 2011FEATURES
MOD rises to the carbon With limited funding and very little
time, behavioural change was
absolutely crucial to delivering the
reduction challenge target. The word was spread
throughout the sites using e-mail,
display stands, town hall briefings,
notice boards and posters, as well as
They were supported by a central articles in newsletters to explain the
“I don’t want to hear warm words project team formed by staff from the target and encourage everyone to get
about the environment. I want to DIO Utilities and Director Business involved. At some sites, staff
see real action. I want this to be Resilience Sustainable Development volunteered as energy wardens or
the greenest government ever. teams. green champions to raise local
Today, I commit us to a 10% awareness of the project.
reduction in carbon emissions Key to driving this initiative forward was
across central Government in the leadership and a clear commitment to This however, is just the start. A new
next twelve months. You’ll be achieve this target cascaded from and even more challenging carbon
driving this forward.” Ministers right down to the individual target has been set for all government
site manager, then onto their respective departments to reduce estate and
staff. A range of actions were business-related transport emissions by
This was one of the first implemented and continue to be
announcements made by the then new 25% by 2015. This new target will cover
applied across the sites including: a wider scope of the defence estate and
Prime Minister David Cameron back in
May 2010 and set a challenging will require the MOD to build on past
• Adjusting heating and cooling carbon reduction successes where a
commitment on central government to temperatures and times
reduce its carbon emissions by 10% 19.4% reduction against a 12.5% target
• Lighting improvements (reducing by 2010/11 was achieved a year early
within 12 months. As one of the largest unnecessary lighting or fitting
contributors to CO2 emissions across and apply the lessons learned from this
movement activated sensors and year to the rest of the estate.
the government estate, MOD stepped replacing existing light bulbs with
up to the challenge achieving an energy saving ones)
excellent 14% reduction, some MOD’s future energy reduction success
• Installing energy efficient boilers will depend upon spend-to-save
9,000tCO2 by May 2011. • Improvements to insulation in investment, improved asset utilisation
buildings and importantly the everyday small
But what does this reduction actually • Reducing the number of lifts in
mean? Well, it is the equivalent of measures taken by all staff. Not only will
action using less energy save money across
heating around 3,000 average three • Use of timers on electrical
bedroom semi-detached houses for an defence, but it will also help us meet
equipment the challenge to continue to reduce
entire year, or printing 142 million • Implementing weekend and holiday
sheets of A4 paper, which would take our carbon footprint.
shutdowns
you 13 years to complete! • Staff behavioural change (switching Rebekah Jones
PCs and monitors off when not in DIO Central Programme Office for Energy
For MOD the 10% challenge applied to use; only printing when necessary
25 sites that make up the civil office and printing double sided)
estate and included Abbey Wood in
Bristol, Kentigern House in Glasgow and
various Defence Infrastructure
Organisation (DIO) offices.
The headquarters at Main Building in
London played a major part in several
Whitehall specific initiatives, including
installing a real-time energy display
system which allows the building’s
energy use to be constantly updated
and can be viewed on line at
http://www.ecodriver.uk.com/MOD.
Main Building also came top of the
Whitehall league by making a huge
46% emission reduction over the
Christmas period, saving approximately
£13,000 (or 155,000kWh) worth of
electricity compared to the same
period in 2009/2010.
The level of hard work and initiative
shown by the staff, and our facility
management partners across all of the
sites involved was tremendous. Ministry of Defence, Main Building, Whitehall © Crown
Sanctuary 40 • 2011 9FEATURES
Castlemartin Access Project
Colonel Richard Howard-Gash, Commander DTE Wales and West and Jane Davidson, Welsh Assembly Government Environment Minister at the opening of the
Castlemartin Range Trail © Crown
Primarily, the Castlemartin Range Trail policy presumption in favour of public
For many years restrictions to (CRT) was created to provide a 10km access, where safe and appropriate, and
public access on Castlemartin stretch of multi-user path around the is a great example of true partnership
range within the Pembrokeshire northern boundary of the range, working across many organisations.
Coast National Park (PCNP) has enabling users of the Pembrokeshire
been an emotive issue. With Coast Path to remain off-road at all Alongside the CRT additional access
increasing pressure from times, even during firing periods. The improvements have been made:
emerging coastal access route also uses some National Trust
initiatives in Wales, the subject land. Prior to its existence users were • Two new mobile sentry posts have
was repeatedly being raised by forced to use dangerous narrow lanes been provided to enable minimal
other government departments around the ranges. This had been an closures of the cliff top path in range
and non-governmental issue at Castlemartin for many years East during periods of limited firing
organisations at a local and and had been raised on many enabling recreational visitors more
national level. occasions by users, local authorities and time to enjoy Castlemartin Ranges’
the Countryside Council for Wales breathtaking scenery.
(CCW). • The climber’s cliff top path in Range
The Castlemartin Access Project was West clearly way-marked to ensure
instigated following consultations on The multi-user trail is designed for that climbers can be certain of where
improving access to the range led by walkers, horse riders and off-road the safe route runs.
Defence Training Estates (DTE) and the cyclists and has the added benefit of • Clearer signage and information
Access and Recreation Team (ART) from great panoramic views of the range and provided at the Stack Rocks Road
Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s the Castlemartin coast. By linking with car-park to ensure that only briefed
Environmental Advisory Services (DIO existing rights of way the CRT also personnel enter into Range West.
EAS) as a direct result of the external provides circular routes around Range • Additional access to Range West
pressure for improved access. The East during non-firing periods. granted to climbers during summer
resulting study made recommendations evenings.
into improving public access and a The route has now been included as
project board was established, part of the ‘All Wales Coastal Path’ to be The project board members have all
consisting of MOD staff and external opened in 2012. This initiative been key to the success of this project.
partner organisations. highlights MOD’ s commitment to our Since June 2008 each board member
10 Sanctuary 40 • 2011FEATURES
The official opening of the CRT by the
Welsh Assembly Environment Minister, Jane Davidson,
in November 2010 received wide media coverage
has added value through their specialist • Range safety inspections undertaken local walkers and tourists but also
knowledge and have been supported and additional signage and fencing with climbers who have greater
by range staff and many external put in place to ensure public safety. access to pitches.
organisations. Enthusiasm for the • Agreement that the path should
project has been huge, with support remain permissive to ensure MOD The CRT was 100% funded by WAG via
from the Welsh Assembly Government could retain operational flexibility CCW and PCNPA. The original offer of
(WAG) and local individuals alike. The for future training. This agreement 75% funding was increased to 100%
day to day management and delivery allows for the avoidance of very wet when the MOD agreed to allow the CRT
of the trail was undertaken by ground found along some lengths of to become part of the official ‘All Wales
Landmarc Support Services (LSS) and the CRT. Rather than engineer Coastal Path’. This is recognition of the
local contractors overseen by the PCNP expensive drainage solutions, the standard of, and public interest in, the
Castlemartin Ranger, who is part MOD or Pembrokeshire Coast route. The additional mobile sentry
funded by DIO. The delivery of the CRT National Park Authority (PCNPA) can posts, climbers path waymarking and
to tight timescales and financial close wet sections of the path, Stack Rocks Road car-park signage were
constraints has required a huge amount diverting the path back to its original all funded by the MOD.
of dedication from the project team. road route, to protect the route from
The enthusiasm and expectation raised heavy poaching and to ensure that The official opening of the CRT by the
externally by the promise of the CRT members of the public avoiding Welsh Assembly Environment Minister,
and other access improvements flooded ground do not stray Jane Davidson, in November 2010
ensured that the staff involved inadvertently into the range. received wide media coverage. The
remained very focussed on the delivery • The use of mobile sentry posts on project’s progress was also monitored
timetable, managing the expectations Range East has been welcomed and reported on by BBC Radio Wales.
of many along the way. Despite many locally and gives the majority of This media coverage has highlighted
issues and difficulties that arose during casual visitors to the cliff tops far not only the route itself but the wider
the project implementation, staff greater access on to the range. This environmental stewardship at
remained positive and determined to novel management of range safety Castlemartin range and across the rest
deliver this high profile route. Particular has won great favour not only with of the defence estate. The project has
mention should be made of Lynne
Houlston, the Castlemartin Ranger, who
was paramount to the success of
project delivery on the ground.
The project has successfully managed a
range of stakeholders and their
objectives. The project, and in
particular the CRT, has been driven by
the strength and determination of all
the parties and is an example of how a
‘can do’ attitude can overcome
obstacles. Key successes of the project
include:
• Path standards agreed between
MOD, contractors, CCW and the
National Park – all of whom had
different expectations!
• A signage and waymarking strategy
agreed including a trail emblem.
Signage and direction indicators had
to be bi-lingual (English and Welsh)
to meet with funders conditions.
• Tenant farmers and graziers brought
onside to ensure that their stock
management enabled safe passage
of the route.
• Ecological and archaeological
consultations undertaken to ensure
that path works were undertaken
avoiding sensitive areas or times.
Cyclist pushing his bike at the far western end of the CRT © Crown
Sanctuary 40 • 2011 11FEATURES
demonstrated to a wide audience that It is a flagship of partnership working The future….Watch this space
the MOD can, and does, work to deliver and is a success on many levels for all of
on its environmental policy in the stakeholders and users. The path is The CRT is now the focus of a project
partnership with a huge variety of well used and appreciated thanks to led by the Bumblebee Conservation
stakeholders. promotion by all the project partners. Trust to improve bumblebee habitat
connectivity for some of the scarcest
The project has brought together a Richard Brooks species. Habitat management and
huge number of interested parties and DIO EAS Senior Access and Recreation improvement will be supplemented by
stakeholders and delivered successfully. Advisor information and interpretation along
It has forged partnerships and built the route making the CRT and the
trust and awareness between each range a bumblebee stronghold in West
organisation as the project has Wales.
developed.
The project board which oversaw
the implementation of the access
project consisted of:
DIO EAS Senior Access and
Recreation Advisor
Richard Brooks (Chair)
DTE Wales and West
Commander
Col Richard Howard-Gash
(previously Lt Col Peter Hollins;
Lt Col Johnny Rogers)
DTE HQ Staff
Nigel Hayward (previously
Lt Col Paul Norrington-Davies;
Major Hamish Miln)
DTE Castlemartin Range Officer
Major Paul Snelling
DIO Land Management Services
Lisa Payne
Landmarc Support Services
Anna Sutcliffe
Countryside Council for Wales
Bob Haycock
Pembrokeshire Coast National
Park Authority CRT along the front of Merrion Camp © Crown
Lynne Houlston
The National Trust
Richard Ellis
Further project support was made
available from:
DIO Environmental Advisory
Services staff
Castlemartin Range and Landmarc
Support Services staff
Pembrokeshire Coast National
Park Authority staff
Pembrokeshire County Council
Tenant farmers/graziers
Dyfed Archaeological Trust
The British Horse Society
The Ramblers
The British Mountaineering
Council © Crown
Castlemartin Range East Cliffs – made more available to climbers through improved access management
12 Sanctuary 40 • 2011FEATURES
Defending Development
40 Commando on operations in Afghanistan © Crown
compounds; Counter Improvised Over a third of the 240,000 hectares (ha)
Regular readers of Sanctuary Explosive Device (C-IED) lanes, as well of defence estate is designated as Site
Magazine will be fully aware as new tracks, firing points and targetry. of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and
that much of the UK’s defence On the test and evaluation estate there almost all of this SSSI area is also
estate has high importance and have been programmes to upgrade protected as part of the Natura 2000
communications infrastructure and Network, Special Protection Areas (SPA)
value for wildlife. create new magazines to enhance and/or Special Areas of Conservation
safety. Airfields have had new hangars (SAC). Over 30,000ha are within
and taxiways to accommodate new National Parks and 18,000ha are within
This is because the estate largely aircraft, munitions depots have had Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
escaped twentieth century agricultural new fencing, and at each of the naval (AONBs) (or devolved equivalents).
improvement, urbanisation and bases there are new and upgraded Three case studies are presented to
fragmentation, and many jetties to build and berthing pockets to illustrate how we successfully integrate
establishments stand out as islands of dredge. Many of these developments both military training and nature
rich biodiversity in a sea of arable fields have been within designated sites, conservation objectives through careful
and urban sprawl. One legacy of this and all have had the potential to planning and effective liaison between
‘sanctuary’ is that because natural affect protected species and military, environmental and
habitats and species have declined so wider biodiversity. construction subject matter experts.
drastically in the wider landscape, the
MOD has significant statutory
responsibilities to protect and maintain
its natural heritage, and potentially
faces significant obstacles when it
needs to develop the estate.
Recent developments on the Defence
Training Estate (DTE) have mainly
focused on recreating the
‘Contemporary Operating Environment’
for predeployment training, including
networks of Forward Operating Bases
(FOBs); mock Afghan villages and
STANTA Westmere FOB © Crown
Sanctuary 40 • 2011 13FEATURES
CASE STUDIES In terms of administration, the project
required a Sustainability Appraisal,
strimmed before work commenced so
an Ecological Clerk of Works was
Habitats Regulations Assessment, present during the topsoil stripping.
Salisbury Plain Training Area: Planning Permission and a Felling
Baden’s Clump Complex Licence, but was not subject to
statutory Environmental Impact
Magilligan Underslung
This recently completed complex is one Grenade Launcher (UGL) Range
of many training facilities that together Assessment. Practically, a number of
replicate the “Contemporary Operating impact avoidance and mitigation In 2010 DTE identified urgent
Environment” on Salisbury Plain. It measures were used. Removal of a few operational requirements for a series of
comprises nine Afghan-style compounds mature Scots pine Pinus sylvestris was new ranges for training with the
with 3m high concrete walls, and required in order to construct the Under-slung Grenade Launcher (UGL),
provides a series of tight fighting feature and there were records of a rare which is used on operations in
spaces, with a number of Explosive bird (listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Afghanistan. After an assessment of
Method of Entry points. It can be used and Countryside Act) nesting in the troop location and site availability HQ
for conventional and counter area. However, as the majority of these DTE directed that one of the ranges
insurgency training, to deliver combat trees were retained it was not felt that should be constructed at Magilligan
team, hybrid-foundation training and this would result in any detrimental Training Centre (MTC) in Northern
mission-specific training objectives. impacts on this species. There were no Ireland to meet the needs of 19 Bde
records of any other rare birds and the units completing Mission Specific
Despite being within the boundary of nearest nesting area for stone curlew Training prior to deployment on Op
Salisbury Plain SSSI/SAC/SPA the nature Burhinus oedicnemus (an SPA feature) Herrick, Afghanistan.
conservation impact of the was some distance away and not visible
development has been kept low by from the training feature. Unusually for Magilligan Training Centre covers 911ha
careful choice of location. There was no the area no signs of badger were noted. of dune habitats at a stunning location
species-rich grassland in the on the north coast of County
development footprint, which is almost The only potential impact was assessed Londonderry. The dune system is one
entirely within a young, plantation. to be on the rough grassland which of the largest and most important in
Some areas of species poor, rough could support small mammals, insects Northern Ireland and 795ha is
grassland have been lost, but the and the protected species slow worm designated as an Area of Special
presence of the plantations meant that Anguis fragilis, and common lizard Scientific Interest (ASSI) and a SAC. Any
the area could not be easily grazed so Zootoca vivipara. However, this impact new military development therefore
there was little potential for the species was assessed as low in the context of needs careful planning to secure assent
richness to improve. Some chalk tracks the wider environment and was from the Northern Ireland Environment
in the vicinity had the potential to minimised by carefully removing scrub Agency.
support fairy shrimp Chirocephalus and bramble by hand and strimming
diaphanus, a SSSI species. These tracks grassland before work commenced to In order to minimise the impact of the
will remain and greater usage of the encourage animals to disperse. UGL range it was based around the
area should result in increased Vegetatation arisings were stacked to footprint of an existing 400m rifle range
disturbance and therefore an increase form habitat piles/hibernation sites at with the addition of a new main firing
in suitable habitat for this species. the edges of the surrounding point, stop butts, bunds and grenade
plantations. One small area was not landing area. The size and shape of the
new range meant there would be some
encroachment on to the ASSI with
600m2 of dune grassland potentially
being lost. There were other secondary
impacts associated with the project
such as the risk of ground disturbance
during construction and an increased
risk of fire during range operations.
To ensure that there was net
biodiversity gain rather than loss,
control and mitigation measures
incorporated into the project included
allowing the bare sand bunds to
re-vegetate naturally; restoring grazing
across 2000m2 within the old rifle range
footprint to encourage reversion to
dune grassland; and the installation of
firebreaks to control the fire risk. These
and other measures ensured that
favourable conservation status of the
fixed dune grassland was not
compromised and the project went
ahead to provide realistic pre-
deployment preparation.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Afghan compound © Crown
14 Sanctuary 40 • 2011FEATURES
Bovington Counter Improvised Dorset Heaths SPA and SAC. It is also an
Explosive Device Lanes area that supports a good population Roles and Responsibilities in
of sand lizard Lacerta agilis a European
The Chief of the General Staff and Protected Species and so avoiding any
Development
Commander Force Development impact on the animals and their habitat The ways in which developments are
Training have directed that the British was an important consideration during planned and delivered are varied.
Army is to ‘train as it needs to fight’. This the construction and operation of Those involved may include internal
has prompted a need to ‘contemporise’ the lanes. MOD staff such as military users and
the training facilities across the defence trainers, site staff, and environmental
estate including those at Bovington The layout of the C-IED lanes was and planning subject matter experts;
Training Area in Dorset. Amongst the designed to minimise the area of sand external contractors such as civil
many recent training area lizard habitat that was affected. engineers and environmental
enhancements is the construction of Appropriate sites for storing materials consultants; external regulators such as
C-IED lanes. IEDs, also known as and access routes for construction Natural England and Local Planning
roadside bombs, have been responsible traffic were selected to ensure habitat
for 66% of casualties in the current Authorities; as well as non-
was not damaged by vehicles or plant. governmental organisations, local
Afghanistan conflict and preparing This meant the principle impact of the
troops to combat this threat is an experts and other interested parties.
C-IED lane development was the
essential part of pre-deployment conversion of 240m2 of dense self sown
training. Different types of C-IED pine and underlying sand/gravel The role of MOD Conservation Groups
lanes are required to detect and avoid substrate to sand. The development did (CGs) varies across the country and
an IED from within a vehicle (mounted) not damage any heathland but it did between projects. Members provide
or on foot (dismounted). remove any potential for the restoration baseline information and raise
of heathland in the future. For this awareness of important site features
To provide a realistic facility at reason a small amount of mitigation through discussion and reports to CG
Bovington an area 40 metres long and was undertaken, removing self sown meetings, and the development of site
6 metres wide was required with a soft pine trees from a 0.1ha of heathland dossiers, sensitivity mapping and
vehicle track through the middle. This adjacent to the C-IED lanes. This work conservation management plans. CGs
area was excavated to a depth of exposed areas of mature heather and a may be directly consulted in the design
800mm and backfilled with sand. south facing bank to restore some and environmental impact assessment
Training IEDs can then be buried good quality sand lizard habitat. In the of developments, but this is not always
anywhere within the lane to a depth of long term the C-IED lanes themselves possible, especially when timescales are
500mm. Locating the dismounted could become valuable breeding tight or where external contractors are
C-IED lane adjacent to the mounted habitat if the IED threat is reduced and unaware that CGs exist. Many CG
lane was important so they could be the lanes are no longer required for members are consultees for Town and
used in conjunction with each other to training. Country Planning and other regulatory
provide a more realistic and coherent processes, and can and do use their
training exercise. Dr Stuart Otway knowledge of the estate to comment
Senior Natural Environment Advisor, DIO on proposals, sometimes identifying
Several locations were considered for
issues and impacts that need further
the lanes but most were unsuitable Oliver Howells attention, but often countering
because of their impact on other Natural Environment Advisor, DIO
training activities or sensitive habitats objections from those less familiar with
across what is a very busy training area. the defence estate. CGs also provide an
Julie Swain
The chosen location was partly within invaluable role by helping us monitor
Natural Environment Advisor, DIO
Turners Puddle Heath SSSI and the the estate, enabling us to continue to
balance training and environmental
objectives through long-term and
large-scale adaptive management.
The Strategic Defence and Security
Review has already led to the formation
of the Defence Infrastructure
Organisation, and over the next few
years there will be major changes and
reductions in internal staffing; new
streamlined estates processes; and
competitions for the Next Generation
Estates Contracts. It is important that
throughout these changes we continue
to maintain early and open dialogue, so
that we can continue to improve both
the natural environment and the
training value of the estate.
Members of 63 Squadron (Queens Colour Squadron) RAF Regiment use metal detectors to check for IEDs
(Improvised Explosive Devices) ahead of a patrol around Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan © Crown
Sanctuary 40 • 2011 15FEATURES
As a forester for the Defence
The Warcop Training Area Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) I have
had the privilege of working on some
of the most beautiful areas of the
Woodland Creation defence estate. My favourite, by far, is
Warcop Training Area (WTA) in Cumbria.
Scheme
Warcop is undoubtedly one of our most
impressive training areas. Covering
nearly 10,000 hectares (ha), it forms part
of the North Pennines Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
and over 50% of the estate has been
designated within the Appleby Fells
and Upper Teesdale Site of Special
Scientific Interest. The training area has
its origins as a tank gunnery range,
established in 1942, to prepare troops
for the invasion of mainland Europe.
The existing woodlands at Warcop,
some 150ha, provides a valuable
military training resource, with excellent
potential for future development. They
are an integral part of the landscape
and make a significant contribution to
enhancing biodiversity within the
training area. The Warcop Integrated
Rural Management Plan recognised the
potential for enhancing woodland
cover on the training area but funding
constraints have prevented these
aspirations from being realised.
To overcome this problem, the DIO
Forestry team have increasingly
explored opportunities to work in
partnership with estate stakeholders
with a shared interest in woodland
Planting the woodland © Crown
creation. This has culminated in DIO
and the Woodland Trust entering into
An innovative funding model for an agreement, in 2011, to jointly
explore the potential for and facilitate
woodland creation on the public estate woodland creation across the defence
estate.
Working with the Woodland Trust,
developing on an existing partnership
with the North Pennines AONB
Partnership, the opportunity arose for
the establishment of 160ha of new
native woodland on WTA. This
represents a 106% increase in
woodland cover on the estate. This was
jointly funded by the North Pennines
AONB and the Woodland Trust. The
North Pennines AONB provided
funding from their Living North
Pennines project. The Woodland Trust
have secured sponsorship from both
Waitrose and Eurocamp, through
participation in their Woodland Carbon
Scheme which allows individuals and
businesses to mitigate their carbon
emissions by funding the creation of
The woodland creation project nearing completion © Crown
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