Dormouse Bridge Design and Installation

Ward Homes

Keystone Habitats were engaged to deliver a Dormouse mitigation strategy covered by a European Protected Species (EPS) licence at a housing development in Maidstone, Kent.

What did we do?

• Cleared the section of hedgerow at the access road in accordance with specific licence methodology.
• Custom designed, fabricated and installed a Dormouse bridge to provide connectivity between blocks of suitable habitat either side of a new road entrance.
• Conducted hedge laying along a 450 meter section of fragmented hedgeline and introduced new whip planting to increase species diversity.
• Installed Dormouse boxes in an existing woodland.

How did we do It?

• Carried out extensive research on Dormouse bridge creation and adapted previous designs to suit on-site circumstances and avoid elements in designs that were flawed.
• Produced a mock-up of the bridge in our workshop to test the final design.
• Briefed all staff involved in the project on timing and methods specified in the EPS licence.

What were the outcomes?

• The design was approved by Highways and the County Ecologist, and was thereafter approved by Natural England’s EPS licensing team.
• All work was delivered on time and on budget.
• Mitigation measures delivered on site were signed off first time by the licensed ecologist.